METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

re: METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

Dominic Mazoch — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:24:49 GMT

Not that it used except for bikes, but is there less cargo space on these buses because of the batteries?

re: METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

Cedric Collins — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 23:53:38 GMT

MY KIND OF BLOG POST!

"Not that it used except for bikes, but is there less cargo space on these buses because of the batteries?"

I believe there may be less cargo space because after all, where else are you going to put the batteries and such at?

Question: When do we expect to see these models? I saw somewhere the months next year but is that confirmed, Mary? Thanks.

http://www.chicagobus.org/news/cta-considering-leasing-150-hybrid-articulated-buses).

May I ask, "METRO? What was you thinking, man?!" We could of had the opportunity to get hybrid artic buses to replace the Neoplan artics that desparately need to retire.

Can somebody here tell me why METRO backed down from this? Thanks---and be nice with your answer(s).

re: METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

Dominic Mazoch — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 02:41:07 GMT

The hybirds could have a higher acceleration rate due to the fact:

1. The drive train is electric?

2. The drive train can get power off both the diesel-electric power plant and the storage batteries

re: METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

Cedric Collins — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:22:57 GMT

Dominic,

I don't think METRO is (or in my case---SHOULD) get away from the artics. We could STILL get artics---even though METRO wants to be an all hybrid fleet. Here's some people who could give us hybrid artic buses:

1. NABI. They CAN give us the regular 60-BRT bus as a hybrid model. This bus is similar to the CNG ones that LACMTA has.

2. New Flyer. They can either give us artic hybrid buses in the old style or the new "restyle" version---similar to what Hamilton Street Railway has. Check out pics of that bus here (http://www.jncorporation.ca/hsr/?Content=bus/newflyer_de60lfr).

So far, that's the only two people who can give us those kind of buses---a 60' low floor artic hybrid bus, of course.

If METRO wants to have an even more variety of hybrid buses, maybe we can give NABI a chance? I don't think NABI can give out bad buses---not to mention the problems with Chicago CTA's 60-LFW buses.

Perhaps we can go to NovaBus? They have a 40' hybrid bus. Looks weird but it's a hybrid. Check out info about that bus here (http://www.novabus.com/pages/public/produits/Nova_lfs_hev.aspx?lang=EN-CA).

"IMO, they should've been retired a loooong time ago including some New Flyers as early as 1996."

You are SOOOOO right---like the one I just rode on this morning---bus #4066 (I believe) from the Kashmere garage.

My take on the matter.

re: METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

MIZZ_PORKIE — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:23:05 GMT

1 answer to the question....HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?

re: METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

Kauzman Entertainment (From Tha Bottom) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:15:16 GMT

"You are SOOOOO right---like the one I just rode on this morning---bus #4066 (I believe) from the Kashmere garage.

My take on the matter."

Also I took #4007 from my house (33 to be exact) to Bellaire TC. But yeah, these buses may float around for a couple more years depending on conditon.

"Someone told me that one of the Northwest P&R drivers said that when the new buses come in, they're getting rid of the articulated P&R buses. Since I do not ride the 214-216-219 routes, I'm simply going on what someone who DOES ride it tells me. And what she tells me is that the articulated buses are standing room only as it is during evening rush."

Sometimes, I take 214-216-219 to get to NWTC but I believe six months ago, I had little word from the operator from the Northwest facility (driving the 8 route) that they may be getting those new buses but it's unclear if they are going to get rid of the Neoplan articulated buses IMO since they have like 47 of them.

re: METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

Dominic Mazoch — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 18:31:17 GMT

I've asked Mary Sit about METRO's future fleet to see if artics are in the Authjority's future

re: METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

Cedric Collins — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 21:05:30 GMT

Dom,

If Mary Sit is watching this, I want to be added to that list. I've already posted who can give us artic hybrid buses---if METRO so chooses to look that way.

re: METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

Cedric Collins — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 23:33:04 GMT

We'll just have to play the waiting game to see who will get all these hybrid buses. Happy New Year to you all!

re: METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

Cedric Collins — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:35:01 GMT

This may be a little off-topic to say but these models will become paper model replicas when the real models arrive for me to take pictures. Mary SHOULD know about this. This a hobby of mine that I did for approx. three years now. To me, that can get me away from here---if I have any problems in certain areas of any of the blogs.

I still wish to know from METRO as to when exactly are the buses coming. Just by saying the expectant months doesn't help me much. Thanks!

re: METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

Cedric Collins — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:52:11 GMT

Just learned that (unfortunately), artic buses will not be a part of the purchase plan. When will METRO go about messing with artic buses, that's a mystery to me. In other words, I can't answer that.

re: METRO Orders Next Generation Hybrid Buses

Cedric Collins — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:06:45 GMT

Yup---it hurts---BAD! We still have ALL of the MCI buses METRO purchased. We still have buses 4810-4948---and 4949-4973. The hybrid MCI buses will look exactly like the 4949-4973 buses but the rear WILL look different. Here are the model names:

4810-4948=>MCI D4500 Commuter Coach. If those were to be purchased today, it would be known as the D4500CL coach.

4949-4973=>MCI D4500CT coach. The hybrid models will be the MCI D4500CTH coach.

Go here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_Coach_Industries) to learn all about this bus manufacturer.

Hope all goes well with this bus. F.Y.I., we'll be the launch customer of the MCI hybrids.