Holy Cow!

And I have to trick this guy to answer my phone calls.

Just kidding!

I feel that Andy is doing what has been needed for a long time in maintenance..

Accountability!

Something that has been missing from METRO for quite a long time.

wi11ie

We still do not have all buses outfitted with bike racks.  We were told that the articulated buses would get the racks and then told they would not.

The bicycle community wants to use mass transit for part of its travel.  If the entire fleet of buses does not have racks, we cannot depend on them for a timely commute.

Also, will the new rail cars allow bicycles at all times of service.?

Paul SoRelle

BikeHouston Board Member

Paul SoRelle,

            METRO has already explain numerous times that since these articulated buses will be retired soon, they will NOT be fitted with bike racks on the fronts of those buses.  It would be most highly ridiculous to put bike racks on the buses that are slated to retire.

Just because there isn't any replacements yet for these buses, that doesn't mean anything at this point.  I don't know who told you that the artic buses would get bike racks on the fronts of those models but you were sadly mislead.

On that note, NO bike racks should be placed on buses that'll be retired---even is we think these buses will have a 2nd life somewhere else serving passengers.  If that's the case, let that other transit agency handle the bike rack deal.

Cedric, what do you think about the IVOMs system that was installed on these buses during the same time the bike rack program went into full swing?

Bike racks:

Define date of retirement.  If within a month, ok.  Next year, get the things.  They can be placed on another bus.

Andy,

Any word on the Double Deckers?

I got dibs on first ride on front seats on the upper deck!  (Cedric gets the second?)

3600's (Orions).

They are running out of West and HC BOF's, right!

But they are about 25 sittting in the yard at the NW side of K BOF.  Guess they are getting set up.

3600's (Orions).

They are running out of West and HC BOF's, right!

But they are about 25 sittting in the yard at the NW side of K BOF.  Guess they are getting set up.

Dominic,

       Are you kidding?!  I want dibs on the first ride, too!  Anyhoo, West and HC are the only ones that have the new Orions---for now.

Andy:

I think people here would want to know:

What is the big issue with the artic concept?  Does it cost more per mile than a regular bus?  Odd we are getting rid of the concept after 25 years of service in the area.  And the S-70's have TWO articulations per rail car!

I have a few questions/comments and I hope they can be communicated as if we were two guys wearing flannel shirts in a dive bar with a couple of "brewskies" discussing buses instead of a higher up with the CEO looking over his shoulder.  Anywhoodles.....

(1). Perhaps they were before your time at Metro, but the GMC RTS-04 series (1901-2188) was without a doubt the most durable, efficient, and dare I say beautiful bus to ever be rostered by the agency.  Given your background in the industry, do any of the current fleet measure up to the raw strength and reliability of these venerable beasts?  Personally, I think the 4000s could do it (though 4124 broke down on me yesterday) as they seem to be the most "solid" of the NFI D40LF fleet.

(2). My next question has to do with fleet longevity.  Recently, Metro has been retiring buses before they hit the age of 12, or very shortly thereafter.  Some of the GM New Look Rehabs (the original 33xx, 34xx, and 36xx buses) of the 80s lasted 20+ years with the last being retired by the influx of the Hungarian Ikarus models of the early 90s.  The RTS lasted until 2001 after 20 years of unmatched quality of service and even the infamous Grumman rebuilds limped into their 18th year in 1997.  Meanwhile, the New Flyer minis, a number of the Neoplan Transit Artics, and the older (1400 series) Neoplan Suburban Artics suffered or are suffering oddly early deaths.  A number of Stewart and Stevenson buses from the early 90s were retired along with the RTS in 2001.  A number of 10-11 year old Ikarus buses were also stored at this time.  Is fleet longevity no longer a priority at Metro?  Can we expect a replacement cycle of 12-13 years from now on?

(3). Unlike many on the blog, I hope that you all do away with the failed Articulated bus concept.  Three times these buses have been ordered and twice they have suffered early retirements.  Many of the old 1400 series Crown Articulated buses never saw their 12th year of service and the 44/45xx series Neoplan artics are nearing the end.  Bus 4559 had such a worn bellows you it could double as a sun roof.  The only artics that held up well were the 1400 series Neoplan buses retired in 2006/07 (a little too soon in my opinion).  Is Metro looking to replace the current fleet of Articulated buses with more articulated, 40ft. buses, or perhaps Double Decker coaches?

(4). Did you sell/scrap the old buses that were parked on the side of Polk Street Garage or were they moved back to McCarty Street?  I'm sure this has been discussed somewhere in 1900 Main, but this is the 30th Anniversary of Metro and those buses could definitely fit into some sort of celebration or acknowledgment of this fact, particularly since two of the buses (1627 and 1759) date back to 1979.