News Regarding the Delivery of New Buses?

[PC2871]

I would love to see these see Hybrids at Stengel. I hope they improve the steering because they are going to needed for those windy days on the Whitestone bridge.


Rode bus number 6693 today on the M7 going towards Union Sq. I noticed some difference from bus 6365-6689. For instance the side destination has two rows.

It would say for example Q27 in very large number and letters. Then on the top row would say Cambria Hts. On the Second Row would say 120 AV. Just like it is arranged in the front sign. I also noticed that the flooring is different because it has the ribbed flooring found instead of an RTS instead of the non ribbed flooring found inside of the previous batch of O7 hybrids. I also noticed that the kneeler switch is a black rocker switch instead of the grey switch found inside of the original batch of hybrids. Too bad I didn't have a camera on me. Everything else appears to be essentially the same from 668x.

[TransitGuy]

According to the the capital program http://www.mta.info/mta/budget/pdf/cap_amendment.pdf on page 29 its says that 112 artics would be bought in 2008, 250 standard buses in 2007, 250 standard bus in 2008, and 110 standard buses in 2009. Does anyone know if this will actually go through and what brands?

[TransitGuy]

I am happy that CS will get some hybrids, I hope I can see or ride some on the Q 76. I also hope that these batches or Orions will not crap out like the ones at QV.

[PC2871]

I wonder if those 50 "hi-cap express" buses are going to be used to add service for SI or are they going to be used to replace the original 1998 cruisers?

[TransitGuy]

I wonder if those 50 "hi-cap express" buses are going to be used to add service for SI or are they going to be used to replace the original 1998 cruisers?

What do they mean by hi-cap?

[PC2871]

Regular 40 footers have like Fortysomething seats assuming its a "standard floor" model. A High-Cap bus means a 45 feet bus that can seat 55+ passengers such as a Mci cruiser or a Viking.

[TransitGuy]

Regular 40 footers have like Fortysomething seats assuming its a "standard floor" model. A High-Cap bus means a 45 feet bus that can seat 55+ passengers such as a Mci cruiser or a Viking.

Thank you very much PC2871! From the looks of the document MTA looks interested in regular diesels. I wonder what brands of artics and regular buses they plan on getting. An NF artic would be nice but the Van Hool demo looks great (there are many options in that bus that MTA should take if they buy the bus).

[AMoreira81]

6704 has hit the streets---without A/C. None of these buses have beakie boxes...is it possible that these buses may end up with MTA Bus instead of staying with NYC Transit? We shall see.

[Bushwick22]

I wonder if those 50 "hi-cap express" buses are going to be used to add service for SI or are they going to be used to replace the original 1998 cruisers?

Maybe I missed something but I thought the next order of express buses were meant to replace the remaining MCI Classics?

[AMoreira81]

I wonder if those 50 "hi-cap express" buses are going to be used to add service for SI or are they going to be used to replace the original 1998 cruisers?

Maybe I missed something but I thought the next order of express buses were meant to replace the remaining MCI Classics?

An option order is supposed to knock out the remaining Classics. However, 140 buses will not be enough to replace the CNG RTSs and O5s. (IMO, all remaining O5 CNG subs should be kicked down to Spring Creek, with all other express routes but the Spring Creek routes using MCIs---since Spring Creek also has a CNG station.) Disperse the Spring Creek MCI fleet to College Point in exchange.

[Regent23]

Thinking about the buses as CS, LaGuardia and Kennedy alone the orders for new buses are not enough - The LaGuardia Fleet is old and full of klunkers - At least Triboro had the Orions which were new and had a future - That said in a way LaGuardia was better off before-Granted service has improved SLIGHTLY but not enough to justify the fare increase and the fleet has actually gotten older and it shows.  As far as CS goes the buses are showing age but generally OK.
All of course is subject to opinions which will vary.

[FutureKBArticOP]

When they say "standard" buses does that mean we are going back to 40FT HIGH FLOOR? :-).....How are we going to buy 112 Artics and we don't even know where we are getting them from Anybody got any info on that? If it's a diesel 07 artic I'd accept it I guess. I hope this AG300(spaceship lookin thing)fails the testing.

[Bushwick22]

I wonder if those 50 "hi-cap express" buses are going to be used to add service for SI or are they going to be used to replace the original 1998 cruisers?

Maybe I missed something but I thought the next order of express buses were meant to replace the remaining MCI Classics?

An option order is supposed to knock out the remaining Classics. However, 140 buses will not be enough to replace the CNG RTSs and O5s. (IMO, all remaining O5 CNG subs should be kicked down to Spring Creek, with all other express routes but the Spring Creek routes using MCIs---since Spring Creek also has a CNG station.) Disperse the Spring Creek MCI fleet to College Point in exchange.

What would be the point of swapping Spring Creek's MCIs and College Point's O5s?  Both depots have working CNG stations.

[B53RICH]

Spotted today a bunch of MTA Bus MCI's at Atlantic Diesel, L.I. Probably the next order is on its way. The only number that I could get (partially) was from one this morning parked in the LIE Dix Hills rest area. At first I thought it was 3228 but if it was one of the new ones then it may be 3328.
Also at Atlantic Diesel is 5951.

[TransitGuy]

Spotted today a bunch of MTA Bus MCI's at Atlantic Diesel, L.I. Probably the next order is on its way. The only number that I could get (partially) was from one this morning parked in the LIE Dix Hills rest area. At first I thought it was 3228 but if it was one of the new ones then it may be 3328.
Also at Atlantic Diesel is 5951.

Thanks for the heads up, would 3328 be from the rest of the order that was suppose to come in?

[Green_713]

Thanks for the heads up, would 3328 be from the rest of the order that was suppose to come in?

Actually, #3328 should be part of the option order that the MTA exercised for an additional 50 or 160 buses a few months ago.  The last of the first order of buses was #3316 (last seen by me at LGA Depot).

[T J Trainman]

I just saw that bus on the QM-24 about an hour ago. (3316)

[TransitGuy]

I am sorry to go off topic here little but what would Spitzer do with ordering buses being that we all Pataki was crazy into Orion?

Also to be on topic:

Spotted today a bunch of MTA Bus MCI's at Atlantic Diesel, L.I. Probably the next order is on its way. The only number that I could get (partially) was from one this morning parked in the LIE Dix Hills rest area. At first I thought it was 3228 but if it was one of the new ones then it may be 3328.
Also at Atlantic Diesel is 5951.

What does Atlantic diesel do to buses?

[RailBus63]

I am sorry to go off topic here little but what would Spitzer do with ordering buses being that we all Pataki was crazy into Orion?

Depends how badly Spitzer needs those Mohawk Valley votes and what promises he makes.

[33rd Street]

Just a little note.

Spotted Orion VII number 6712 operating on the L Shuttle bus yesterday.

[Transit_Teen]

There's any more update on MCH's new order,because I hadn't heard any news in a while.

[MTAZeregaDisp]

6743, 6745 are at Zerega being prepped, when I as their on Friday

[Enycekid81]

6716 is @ 146/MCH, saw it yesterday on M7..

[NYCT Orion 05.501]

6716 is @ MV, saw it yesterday on M7..

You mean that bus was at Mother Clara Hale? M7 is from HALE, not MV.


Ray

[NYCT Orion 05.501]

6743, 6745 are at Zerega being prepped, when I as their on Friday

The highest bus I've heard was #6718 at Mother Clara Hale. You mean to tell me that #6719-6741 are around OR being prepped somewhere?


Ray

[MTAZeregaDisp]

Really seems to be coming in dribs and drabs, I heard one rumor though that 6743 was the first VII that is correct, many in between the delivery have had numerous problems and I beleive 6720-6740, are being held back for adjustment issues. This latest batch though 6746 is already at Cummins with an electrical failure.

[Pipe]

Really seems to be coming in dribs and drabs, I heard one rumor though that 6743 was the first VII that is correct, many in between the delivery have had numerous problems and I beleive 6720-6740, are being held back for adjustment issues. This latest batch though 6746 is already at Cummins with an electrical failure.

I just hope that the Orion VII ant going to be like the Flxible-Grumman's. "Pipe"

[TransitGuy]

Really seems to be coming in dribs and drabs, I heard one rumor though that 6743 was the first VII that is correct, many in between the delivery have had numerous problems and I beleive 6720-6740, are being held back for adjustment issues. This latest batch though 6746 is already at Cummins with an electrical failure.

I just hope that the Orion VII ant going to be like the Flxible-Grumman's. "Pipe"

Unfortunately the Orion VII's have showed symptoms. Remember the CNG recall, the problems with the 2004 batch of HEV's and now this (did 2005 have any problems?). I too hope that these buses can survive, why did they just have to choose these buses? NF makes great hybrids. Well all I can say definitely id that these buses will not last 10-20 years. I think they will only last more like 6-10 max.

[Pipe]

Unfortunately the Orion VII's have showed symptoms. Remember the CNG recall, the problems with the 2004 batch of HEV's and now this (did 2005 have any problems?). I too hope that these buses can survive, why did they just have to choose these buses? NF makes great hybrids. Well all I can say definitely id that these buses will not last 10-20 years. I think they will only last more like 6-10 max.

When the T/A took the Flxible-Grumman's out of service in 1984. The T/A was running GMC New Look Buses that where over 20 years old. That had been retired. That when they made a good Bus. As you can see today that the RTS Buses that the T/A gave to MTA Bus is still running and some of them are 20 years old. "Pipe"

[MTAZeregaDisp]

I must say one thing though the Orion Coach buses and early O V 93-95 are 13-15 years old and are most run great and are nice to drive, and don't forget htey had problems then they arrived too. lets hope for the best 05-25'

[RailBus63]

The New Flyer hybrids have had their share of problems too - at least two cities have had NFI hybrids mysteriously catch fire out on the road.

[PC2871]

Lets all agree that LF hybrid designs regardless of whether its orion or new flyer are going to have their teething problems. Once you remedy those problems then maybe they can become a workhorse.

[MTAZeregaDisp]

NABI's also have had lots of fire/ problems, let think back to 04 & 05 in Cleveland something like 10 new delivery buses burned in a matter of 2 months.

[RailBus63]

MBTA in Boston has had problems with both their NABI's and their Neoplans, although none have burned up (yet).