BusTalk

DE60LF · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM

Yes, the first of ABQ RIDE's new buses has just arrived. They are New Flyer DE40LFR buses featuring a new livery, and will comprise of the city's 700 series buses. These will be used to replace aging TMC RTS (100 and 200 series) buses from 1989 without wheelchair lifts.

The video:
http://video.ap.org/v/Legacy.aspx?f=NMALJ&g=b1e19915-7ff9-49df-b775-ea148106d4a1&t=s1182451963711&rf=http%3a%2f%2fwww.abqjournal.com%2fbigapvideo.htm&fg=tool&partner=en-ap

The article (please click on Trial Premium Pass, wait for the ad to finish):
http://www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/601008metro10-09-07.htm

The Port of Authority · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 118 Location: Hong Kong

Nice, they went with frameless windows.

DE60LF · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM

Not to mention, the new low-profile roof cap containing the batteries. Like the Rapid Ride DE60LF buses, the bike racks hold three bikes. Also, the front destination sign appears to be the TwinVision Chroma series with colored route number, if you look closely. They also feature the GFI Odyssey fareboxes, which were first introduced on the 6600-series DE60LFs that were delivered earlier this year. I wonder why the 6600 series buses still have the old-style front?

Q65A · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject:

What does the "R" signify in DE40LFR?

DE60LF · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM

DE60LF · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM

As of October 29, 2007, the first of the new buses has entered service. There was a bit of a delay as the bus had problems with its transmission, and was sent to Allison for repair. It is working well now, and five more buses will enter service by the end of the week.

http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/nov/01/new-buses-may-help-albuquerque-ridership-stay-stro/

METRObusfan4950 · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject: Re: UPDATE

DE60LF · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM

UPDATE:

Latest word from several drivers is that 18 new buses have now been delivered, however, 701 is still currently the only one in service. A driver has told me that ABQ RIDE is testing the electronics on several of these new buses, and many of them have not been registered yet.

Also, I have been hearing rumors that ABQ RIDE is interested in 18 more DE60LFs for future Rapid Ride routes. I wonder if they will be DE60LFRs this time. The DE60LFs delievered early this year (6600-series) still feature the old-style front.

DE60LF · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM

Update for December 7, 2007:

With several buses delivered now, more are now starting to enter service. They are currently primarily found on the 5 (Montgomery/Carlisle) route. So far, I have seen buses 701, 702, 703, and 705.

CAT218 · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:26 pm Post subject:

I can't wait to get back to Albuquerque to ride some of them. When I was last there at the beginning of October, I took my son for a short 'joyride' if that's what you can call a trip on the 66 and we had an RTS in both directions.

DE60LF · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM

Latest news:

Today, I started a new semester at UNM, and for the very first time, I finally got to ride on one of the new buses on the 155 route. The bus I rode was #704. I also saw #708 on the 157 route. From what I have heard, there are currently 24 of the new buses in service. I remember seeing #717 doing the Luminaria Tour on Christmas Eve.

Just riding today, the new buses are rather nice. They feature a nice DVD video screen, nice red seat fabric, and cool new fareboxes. However, the magnetic transfer feature of the new fareboxes is still not being used as of now, as the rest of the fleet has not been retrofitted with them yet. Also worthy of mention is the LED door lights.

Although these new buses are 40-footers, they don't have as much capacity as the 300-series buses (Neoplans), likely due to the low floor design. The seating layout actually reminds me of ABQ RIDE's only diesel-powered SLF200 bus, #436. However, in the elevated back of the bus, a perimiter seating layout is used.

One interesting thing I noticed with these buses is that they feature the traffic signal priority system that the Rapid Ride buses feature. I wasn't really expecting this, as these buses are being used for regular routes, rather than Rapid Ride routes. The reason why the Rapid Ride buses feature them is because Rapid Ride is supposed to be a faster travel solution.

The Port of Authority · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 118 Location: Hong Kong

Thanks for the update.

I'll be visiting Albuquerque in March, so I'll definitely look out for these buses.

DE60LF · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM

CAT218 · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:08 pm Post subject:

Those are pretty solid Neoplans ABQ has. I always enjoy getting a ride on them when I can. Even the SLF's aren't bad. I like the 'club seating' in the back. Very comfortable!

DE60LF · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM

http://www.cabq.gov/transit/100ADACompliant.html

According to this link, on March 15 when the new schedules begin, all of ABQ RIDE's new buses will be in service. This marks the end for ABQ RIDE's TMC RTS buses.