This seems to be one thing that Metro has done that is right. Now if they could only fix the bus signs and do something about the noise pollution.

Now, there needs to be bike racks on the present S-70 and future CAF cars.  The witching hours have to go, unless you care using a folding bike with a H Potter invisiblity cloak.

P&R buses:  see bike decal on the door on the bottom of the bus.  

Check out the picture he took of bikes on light rail in Phoenix. See the bike hnaging safely out of the way on the hanging hook? Why can't we do that here, METRO? Maybe we have to wait for new leadership in 2010.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/1890/picture047p.jpg

Less bike racks,

More Orion VII NG CNG's

http://www.ttmg.org/photos/rclendenin/LIB_Orion_1734.jpg

More New Flyer C40LFR's

http://www.ttmg.org/photos/jsimpson/WMATA_NFI_2824.jpg

Also MCI D4500's on the 163 and 137 routes.

The new Orions we are getting will get racks on the front.

I say more New Flyers. And METRO needs to wash the busses more often. Theyre looking nasty.

HoustonHater,

Why in God's name do you want to see CNGs running around here?  They don't do no better than hybrids.

"Also MCI D4500's on the 163 and 137 routes."

I disagree 150%!

C,

Agreed but I would like to see the LFA models (from New Flyer) running around here.

To all,

Hate me all you want but I still agree on bikes on trains only during certain times during the rush hour---UNLESS---there's specific spots where people can put their bikes at (see Peter Wang's post).  If that's the case, THEN I would change my position in regards to this bikes on METRORail debacle.  Seeing bike riders being by the doors (smack in the middle) as you would see it now instead of "needing" to use a wheelchair area (God forbid) presents a SAFETY HAZARD!!!!!!!

"Local buses have racks that can accommodate two bikes simultaneously."

If METRO were to get bike racks that can accommodate THREE bikes instead of two, that would be great.  Think about it.

"Why...do you want to see CNGs running around here?  They don't do no better than hybrids."

<OK, Maybe some D40LFR's will do.>

http://ttmg.org/photos/ozamora/WMATA_NFI_6197.jpg

"I disagree 150%!"

<You disagree with everything I type. Of coures you Disagree.>

EQUIPMENT TIME AGAIN.  Now what is the arguement Orion vs NF in LF HB's.  Which is better?  The 20 MCI and 80 Orion HB's are not a "New Order", only an extension or option of the past order.

"<You disagree with everything I type. Of course you Disagree.>"

FINALLY!  You're using that good 'ol noggin.  You should have thought of that before.  Why wait until now?  Thanks!

Also, I wold rather see this=>http://www.ttmg.org/pages/nfi/wmata-nfif.html

"EQUIPMENT TIME AGAIN.  Now what is the arguement Orion vs NF in LF HB's.  Which is better?  The 20 MCI and 80 Orion HB's are not a "New Order", only an extension or option of the past order."

Perhaps this is for the record about the "option" orders---since I already know about that?

Anyhoo, hopefully Mary will use her good 'ol noggin (no offense, Mary---*lol*) and create a special blog where only topics that have to do with equipment (buses, LRTs, etc. can go there---especially when it comes to what types of buses/LRTs METRO needs to purchase in the near future.  Mary?  How about it?

@Cedric Collins

"Also, I would rather see this=>

http://www.ttmg.org/pages/nfi/wmata-nfif.html"

<The seats are ok. But The XXX40LFR's look more traditional.>

@DominicMazoch

So no DE40LFRs?

HoustonHater,

Who cares about being more traditional?  I say LFAs over LFRs (God forbid me saying that as I like both models).

Also, if you read correctly at what Dominic said, it specifically states that we're getting 80 more of those NGs and 20 more of those MCI hybrids.  In other words, NO---METRO IS NOT GETTING NEW FLYER HYBRIDS, MAN!

@Cedric Collins

"Who cares about being more traditional?  I say LFAs over LFRs."

<DE41LFRs over LFAs.>

"Also, if you read correctly at what Dominic said, it specifically states that we're getting 80 more of those NGs and 20 more of those MCI hybrids.  In other words, NO---METRO IS NOT GETTING NEW FLYER HYBRIDS, MAN!"

<Good. 20 MCIs could replace those articulated buses.>

OK, the bus info is what I got a BOD.  I don't remember which one, but if the BOD passed the thing, then it is official:

20 new MCI HB's

80 new Orions HB's

Both are ad ons, or options, both have to the buses METRO has just received.

Now, New Flyers:

METRO is not buying any.  Yet.

However, seems METRO is turning around 10 % of the fleet in a year.  If NF can make a good enough contract, then they could come back.

But I still think METRO needs a good 3 door HB artic.  Ever ride the 2? 4? 56? 214 (rub it in.)?

Above:

BOD = BOD meeting.  Sorry about the confusion!

The Orions are cheap, ugly, and overbuilt but I will say this batch isn't having the teething problems they've had in Toronto or NYC.  I do foresee them looking like the Neoplan Artics in about 10 years, another poorly built bus.

The New Flyer Hybrids are smooth, attractive, speedy, and sound nice.  The best NF buses since the original 4000 series bought in the 90s. Amazing that after all these years they switch to a company that's notorious for bad products and delays.  But Metro doesn't care much about the bus system.  Put a nice whiz-bang shiny on the route and the peasants should be happy.

THIS is a bus.....

http://www.streetcarmike.com/houstontransit/metro_rts1725_route53_1991.jpg

THIS is a cheap plastic toy mass manufactured in New York.....

http://www.metro-magazine.com/images/news/S-Houston-t.jpg

See the difference?  

The 4000 series and 3500 series Hybrid buses are the last decent buses Metro has in the fleet.  The 2800 are decent and a few of the 33oos have grown on me but a number sound like bowling pins falling over when they go over bumps.  Particularly out of NW.  Metro would do well to hold off on more Orion trash and just rebuild the 4000 series and convert a few to Hybrids in the same manner as they did 4103-4106.  

No more artics.  The 44/4500 series are in terrible shape and the oldest is what, 13?  This is the same agency that ran RTS buses for 19 years and even the TERRIBLE but guilty pleasure Grummans lasted 18 years.  

This was a good move my Metro, have to get back to riding.

But they don't make the RTS anymore!  The RTS is dead, long live the RTS!

@DominicMazoch

"But I still think METRO needs a good 3 door HB artic.  Ever ride the 2? 4? 56? 214 (rub it in.)?"

NewFlyer/Orion 40ft buses on Local/Crosstown and Circulator routes. MCI/NewFlyer 45ft buses on Limited and Park and Ride routes. Metro could place 1 or 2 40ft buses on the routes you mentioned during peak hours.

@J. Liggins

The D40LF buses, to me, are better than the RTS buses.

@successfulgirl

Move to New York City; If you want to see "Good Moves".

The New Flyers are well built buses for their era but the RTS was a standard bearer for 25 years. It's arguably the most successful bus of all time faced with stiff competition from a number of foreign and domestic bus builders, ever tightening EPA regulations, ADA laws, and Feds encouraging and offering money for 12 year bus replacement cycles it's amazing that the RTS has logged over 20 years if service in a number of major fleets across the country. People wax poetic about the New Look but it never faced these issues or had any real competition. The longevity of the RTS is a testament to it's durability, reliabilty, and class. Drivers, mechanics, and administration swear by this bus.  It's the last of a great dynasty that shall never be replicated.

"<DE41LFRs over LFAs.>"

FALSE!

@J. Liggins

The absence of a Low Floor design is why I favor the D40LF.

@Cedric Collins

"<DE41LFRs over LFAs.>"

So very true.

"So very true."

So very false.  You don't have good taste when choosing what buses you like.  Get with the times, dude.  No offense but the LF series from New Flyer look too bland---looking like a dang box.  At least the LFRs as well as the Orions have some curve in 'em.

"No more artics.  The 44/4500 series are in terrible shape and the oldest is what, 13?"

Yes, more artics----and "baby" buses as well.  Just because Neoplan's artics didn't fare well doesn't mean the other bus builders will have a similar fate if their artics were to run on Houston's streets.  It all falls on METRO to maintain the buses like they're supposed to.

I can fully see that NOBODY wants to have a diverse transit fleet (except for maybe Dominic as much as myself) and if that's the case, no "bus fan" would want to come back here---seeing the same models over and over again and NOT seeing anything new that they want to see in person.

Bring on NABI---or Gillig.  Heck---even bring on NovaBus.  Whatever "DIFFERENT" bus model comes to Houston, I'll welcome it with open arms.  As long it works to get me where I need to go, whoopie!

"But I still think METRO needs a good 3 door HB artic.  Ever ride the 2? 4? 56? 214 (rub it in.)?"

Me, too---and---no "rubbing it in" is allowed.  Just because artics take off too slow and are NOT great "hill climbers" (two big cons about artic buses) doesn't mean transit agencies should shy away from them.  The BIG "pros" are the number of doors an artic can have (depending on the bus builder you want to mess with) and the number of passengers the bus can hold (seated passengers as well as standees).  Again, it'll depend on the bus builder you want to mess with.

@Cedric Collins

"So very false.  You don't have good taste when choosing what buses you like.  Get with the times, dude.  No offense but the LF series from New Flyer look too bland---looking like a dang box.  At least the LFRs as well as the Orions have some curve in 'em."

<As Long as it's a 40ft bus. "The Box" is cheaper also.>

"Yes, more artics----and "baby" buses as well.  Just because Neoplan's artics didn't fare well doesn't mean the other bus builders will have a similar fate if their artics were to run on Houston's streets.  It all falls on METRO to maintain the buses like they're supposed to."

<45ft buses are better.>

"I can fully see that NOBODY wants to have a diverse transit fleet (except for maybe Dominic as much as myself) and if that's the case, no "bus fan" would want to come back here---seeing the same models over and over again and NOT seeing anything new that they want to see in person.

Bring on NABI---or Gillig.  Heck---even bring on NovaBus.  Whatever "DIFFERENT" bus model comes to Houston, I'll welcome it with open arms.  As long it works to get me where I need to go, whoopie!"

<As long as they are 40ft buses.>

"Me, too---and---no "rubbing it in" is allowed.  Just because artics take off too slow and are NOT great "hill climbers" (two big cons about artic buses) doesn't mean transit agencies should shy away from them.  The BIG "pros" are the number of doors an artic can have (depending on the bus builder you want to mess with) and the number of passengers the bus can hold (seated passengers as well as standees).  Again, it'll depend on the bus builder you want to mess with."

<Mess with MCI and Prevost!!! 45ft over 60ft.>

"<As Long as it's a 40ft bus. "The Box" is cheaper also.>"

Maybe you're too cheap to realize that bland is NOT always better.  DUH!

"<45ft buses are better.>"

How are they better, dum-dum?!  They don't hold more passengers than a 60 footer.  What part of that DON'T you understand?!

"<As long as they are 40ft buses.>"

As long as WHAT are 40' buses, son?

"<Mess with MCI and Prevost!!! 45ft over 60ft.>"

Prevost doesn't make any commuter coaches for transit agencies anymore---DUH!  Also, what is that supposed to mean?  PLEASE MAKE SENSE FOR ONCE!!!!

Back to reality....

METRO still needs to think about getting bike racks that can hold THREE bikes instead of two---if they see that too many people would want to bring their bikes with them when they ride the bus.

@Cedric Collins

"Maybe you're too cheap to realize that bland is NOT always better.  DUH!"

<As you say, "As long as the (Bland)Bus gets me to where I need to go.">

"How are they better, dum-dum?!  They don't hold more passengers than a 60 footer.  What part of that DON'T you understand?!"

<Weigh less, Cost Less and Cheaper to Maintain. Also looks better.>

"Prevost doesn't make any commuter coaches for transit agencies anymore---DUH!  Also, what is that supposed to mean?  PLEASE MAKE SENSE FOR ONCE!!!!"

<Means order more 45ft buses.>

A diverse fleet of 40ft buses.

Yea I want that to.

@Mary Sit

Metro brings out the worst in me.