BusTalk

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

Well, it has been a while since I posted here, however, according to an email I got from ABQ RIDE planner Andrew de Garmo, once the 32 800-series New Flyer DE40LFRs on order are delivered, the city will start replacing some of the Thomas/Dennis SLF232 CNG buses on some routes.

He told me that there are quite a few routes need more capacity than what the SLFs can hold, but currently that isn't possible due to the shortage of 40-foot buses (the 40 300-series Neoplan AN440A CNGs and 58 700-series New Flyer DE40LFRs). However, some of the 400-series SLFs will be kept, including those operating on the D-Ride Downtown circulator route.

The 400-series SLF232 CNG buses are currently the least reliable in the fleet. The 300-series Neoplan AN440A CNG buses are actually more reliable despite being five years older.