Jump to content

Chicago Area Random Transit Buses


M. Parsons

Recommended Posts

I'm going to post this here since they have already been discussed and I don't think there is a need to make another page. But I was able to get some more information about Aries Charter Transportation Inc. out of Chicago. They operate a large fleet of second-hand Gillig LowFloor buses from mostly southern states as well as a bunch of coaches.

After looking at some pictures and Google Maps, I can say with 100% honesty that at least buses #133, 139, & 141-147 are definitely Ex-Broward County Transit buses from Florida. The rear taillights are a dead giveaway. Based on Google Maps and the roof numbers, these buses include old Broward #0002, 0003, 0008, 0017, 0026, 0105, & 0137.

Also, buses #126 and 166 are definitely Ex-Palm Tran buses from Florida as well. I know there are quite a few more from Palm Tran, but I can't confirm any of the other numbers.

Aries also purchased at least 5 2006/2007 Gillig LowFloor BRTs from Lynx in Florida as well numbered as #198, 199, 200, (& 202?) These include old Lynx #596, 621, 625, 632, & 636. You can see here on Google Street View #636 shortly after it arrived in Chicago. Google Maps

Another interesting find that I was able to get off Google Street View was what looked like an Ex-Houston Metro New Flyer D45S; seen here: Google Maps

There are also some more pictures of some of the Gillig buses posted on the Chicago Transit Forum: https://chitransit.org/topic/4111-aries-charter-new-bus-looks-like-a-gillig/

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 9/27/2018 at 11:01 PM, alexb320 said:

I'm going to post this here since they have already been discussed and I don't think there is a need to make another page. But I was able to get some more information about Aries Charter Transportation Inc. out of Chicago. They operate a large fleet of second-hand Gillig LowFloor buses from mostly southern states as well as a bunch of coaches.

After looking at some pictures and Google Maps, I can say with 100% honesty that at least buses #133, 139, & 141-147 are definitely Ex-Broward County Transit buses from Florida. The rear taillights are a dead giveaway. Based on Google Maps and the roof numbers, these buses include old Broward #0002, 0003, 0008, 0017, 0026, 0105, & 0137.

Also, buses #126 and 166 are definitely Ex-Palm Tran buses from Florida as well. I know there are quite a few more from Palm Tran, but I can't confirm any of the other numbers.

Aries also purchased at least 5 2006/2007 Gillig LowFloor BRTs from Lynx in Florida as well numbered as #198, 199, 200, (& 202?) These include old Lynx #596, 621, 625, 632, & 636. You can see here on Google Street View #636 shortly after it arrived in Chicago. Google Maps

Another interesting find that I was able to get off Google Street View was what looked like an Ex-Houston Metro New Flyer D45S; seen here: Google Maps

There are also some more pictures of some of the Gillig buses posted on the Chicago Transit Forum: https://chitransit.org/topic/4111-aries-charter-new-bus-looks-like-a-gillig/

You did a really good job finding out where those buses went and who owned them originally. I also discovered a few more buses that went to Aires as well, via license plates. I got the serials from them. 129 is Ex-Palm Tran 029 and 163 is Ex-Palm Tran 9915. I also have VIN numbers for 142 and 144. I also can confirm there is indeed a 202 for the Ex-Lynx BRTs, as I had to really look closer to make sure for the images on the Chicago Transit Forum.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Haven't posted on here for a while, but I just visited Chicago this past week and found a few of these Aries oddities out and about.

 

I found several at Cermak Auto Auction, not far at all from my parking place near the Purple Line. Inside were the following buses, all marked as out of service:

45257189011_167c7a6314_b.jpgAries Charter 139, 208, 144, 166 by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

139

45257186911_5d0d0fd1e2_b.jpgAries Charter 139, 208 by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

Unknown LF (license plate 16945)

143

45257185031_51cd407918_b.jpgAries Charter 143, 145 by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

144

44345732395_150aba9893_b.jpgAries Charter 144, 166 by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

145

45257182041_d61c6da147_b.jpgAries Charter 145, 143 by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

166

45257180411_0a60603624_b.jpgAries Charter 166 by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

Unknown LF (license plate 15487)

176

45257178211_087ee37c02_b.jpgAries Charter 176, 145 by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

206

31383125348_51d9052336_b.jpgAries Charter 206 (2) by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

31383122058_a4ae1ea006_b.jpgAries Charter 206 by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

208

Unknown LF (license plate 13213)

44345734635_7e8a0f084c_b.jpgAries Charter (2) by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

45257190471_9cc87ae117_b.jpgAries Charter (3) by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

 

...along with several Ford cutaways that I didn't bother taking photos of.

 

Also saw #200 and #201 on a route downtown - they are ex-LYNX #621 and #636, respectively.

44534740604_90888c3465_b.jpgAries Charter 200 ex-LYNX 621 (2) by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

31383126848_c6a6643d52_b.jpgAries Charter 201 ex-LYNX 636 by Cincinnati NKY Buses, on Flickr

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 2 years later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 4 weeks later...

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...