SilentSpades

KCMO came up with additional funding, so whatever the case is, the cuts won't be nearly as deep as original thought. Still is not great.

Yep. Haven't seen what KCATA intends to do (if anything) I didn't see where that order went back out to bid. Granted. Considering the state of the agency, perhaps it never gets reordered.

Another fleet update. 5212-5219 new diesel powered 40 footers. Replacement for the 2700s. Believe these are 2024 models. S241-S244 are CNG powered 29 footers, while S245-S248 are diesel powered 29 footers. Replaced some of the 2011 Low Floors (S160-S169). I also believe these are 2024 models. It also appears that all of the 2010 hybrid MAX units, 3520-3523, 3534 have been retired as well as 2605-2609, which were converted into MAX units. I wouldn't expect replacements for these, as the Main St MAX will cease operations once the streetcar extension comes online. A bit unclear if that 5 bus Proterra order has been reordered or put back out for bid. I'd have to assume Gillig would assume that contract, right?

Quick update. 3 more electric units entered into service recently. 3561, 3562, and 5001. If I'm not mistaken these are 2023 Gillig model years. This is in addition to existing 3560 and 5000. Additionally, 2708-2709, the 2007 40 footers are still in service. S137-S159, the 2008 30 footers have since been fully retired. It's also been a while since I've seen 3520-3523, the hybrid BRTs on the road. As mentioned previously, expecting Proterra electric buses next year (yuck), and additional Gillig diesels.

5200-5211 entered service, replacing most of the 2700s. 2708 and 2709 still remain in service currently.

Interesting piece. The 2600s that got converted to MAX service are still in service. 2608 is running on Prospect MAX right now (12/22/2022).

Something I am surprised to see, the 2700s are still alive and running well. I haven't had any time to ride the bus like I used to, but it warms my heart the old buses are still kicking. Wonder if those finally get replaced in 2023. Also, rumor is MAX will be back to 20 minute frequencies and RideKC Next will finally get implemented, granted to no fanfare and nowhere near the scope as it as supposed. Sad that so many stops were converted then they balked on implementing the plans 3 times and casually dropped any mention of the plans. I miss pre-pandemic ATA.

Proterra? That's meh. But hey, it'll finally be something new, so that's cool. Frankly lately though, I don't understand what ATA is even doing anymore. Service remains poor, drivers are still undervalued, and yet here they are trying to sling development. Like......what? Also of note, Robbie Makinen has resigned, well. More like was asked to leave.

New buses at the Johnson County garage. 256-260. Saw 260 on the 403 today. 260 is at least a 2022 Gillig 29' CNG. Unclear on the other new buses, unclear which buses were replaced. 203-225 are due for replacement. Additionally ATA 2700-2711 are due for replacement.

3 more electric buses to come to KC in 2023. Meanwhile, we should see the 12 Large Diesel Buses for ATA this year. 5100-5111. Likely replacing 2700-2711. RideKC has stated that in the future ATA is looking away from small buses; wonder when that will be.

After a 2 year delay, RideKC Next will finally debut in 2022. Frequency and new service will be phased in from July 2022 to January 2023. In addition to that Johnson County Service is expanding under a pilot program. Major Changes Most KCMO service will only run 5am-8pm daily, every 60 minutes. #12, #24, #31, #39, #47, #201, #229 will run 5am-12am Main MAX extends to 135th & State Line, Replacing #57. Prospect MAX extends to Holiday and Blue Ridge. #12 extends into KCK to 7th & Minnesota via West Bottoms. #101 will shift to serve I-70 and to East Village. #106 will be shortened to end at 7th & Minnesota #11 shifts to serve 31st & Van Brunt, rather than Northeast Industrial District New #252 and New #340 will start in late 2022 #47 splitting into two routes. New #47 will start in April. New #40 on Broadway will starts likely when Main MAX is back onto Main Street. In JoCo, express routes will be shortened to end mostly a Park and Rides. #519 is being split into two (2) routes. #519 and #520 401, 402, 403, 404 will be expanded to have both weekday service all day, but Saturday Service as well. #402 will be shorten to JCCC. #475 will extend to 75th & Prospect. #403 will be shortened, but will extend over to KU Medical Center (replacing the #107 and old #405-Nall along County Line Rd.) #404 will shift to serve Mission Transit Center and serve Downtown all-day and Saturday. #435 will be eliminated. #495 will also expand it's weekday service to all-day New #487 will run on 87th Street and Nall to/from Mission Transit Center and 87th & Renner Also #499 MicroTransit will expand service area AND run on Sunday. Routes to be eliminated and replaced: #9 (by #12) #10 (by nearby Prospect MAX, #71, and by #18) #15, #16 (by #23) #21 (by #11, #18, #23) #29 (by #28, #571) #51, #52, #57 (by Main MAX and #40) #75 (by Prospect MAX, #18) #233 (by #238) #302 (combining with #340) #435 (by all-day JoCo Service) Routes to be eliminated and not replaced: #55 Northland Local Routes: #231, #234 Northland Express Routes: #235, #236, #237 My only comments are: Why send PMAX to Holiday & Blue Ridge? Just extend #28 down there Why send #11 to 31st & Van Brunt? They could've repurposed #21 to serve along Van Brunt from Northeast Price Chopper to Blue Pkwy Shops. Instead of offering more frequent KCK Service, why not expand to Sunday, as well as expand the Service spans to meet the KCMO route spans? Overall, this seems like good news for the riders that rely on service the most, I'm hoping these changes, with the JoCo changes, that service in the region finally becomes more usable and interchangable.

Thats absolutely hilarious considering ATA staff just two weeks ago was all over twitter stroking their egos about how they've "gone green" and went all in on CNG and electric. Nevertheless, new buses is always a good thing. Something tells me these replace the 2700s.

Small update. It has been hinted that RideKC Next could be implemented but with lower frequencies to start due to the ongoing shortage. Additionally, it's been hinted that ATA long term wants to move away from the small buses (I'd welcome that anyday). Source: KCRag Forum, Higher up at ATA.

Sweet. Nice to see Gillig finally tap into the Northeast a bit more. Besides these options, does it seem like NICE would continue into the future? I know they have talks about XE40s ans XE60s Shame to see Orion fading away, though I was never big on Orion. If I'm not mistaken if Gillig has these options picked up, then Gillig would be the majority of the NICE fleet, right?

Pardon my ignorance, but does NICE plan to get any more Gillig buses?