Nabinut Posted June 6, 2010 Report Share Posted June 6, 2010 Now at the halfway point of this exposition, I find myself in San Francisco, California. But I will start south of the Bay Area in Santa Clara County and its transit system, VTA. VTA operates 82 bus lines and an extensive Light Rail service spanning 42 miles across three lines. VTA also operates a Bus Rapid Transit line, Route 522 that uses a mix of Gillig Advantages & New Flyer D60LFs covered in a full body wrap. VTA’s bus fleet consists of Gillig Phantoms, Advantages, & New Flyer D60LFs. My way to VTA came by Dumbarton Express, which operates between Union City & Palo Alto/Mill Creek Business Park and uses Flxible Metro Cs & Gillig Phantoms (More on this later) Pictured is coach #151, boarding passenger on the second run of the morning: Stanford University operates a free shuttle between Palo Alto Transit Center & the University for students using the CalTrain commuter service. Here is Gillig Advantage #3208 outside the station: VTA operates approx. 35-40 New Flyer D60LFs, the majority on their heaviest line, Route 22 that travels between Palo Alto to Eastridge via Downtown San Jose. Here is #2333 on layover: Some of the 2300 series are also wrapped for Route 522 service, here is #2312 after disembarking passengers: Photographed at Mountain View Transit Center is VTA Advantage #1044, shortly before its run on Route 52. Mountain View also connects to the VTA Light Rail & CalTrain Commuter rail: Among the systems that connect with VTA is AC Transit. Route 217 operates as a connection for VTA passengers wanting to transfer to BART trains at its most southern station, Fremont BART. Here is Van Hool A300K #5046 at the Great Mall Light Rail Station: VTA operates a batch of 35 foot Gillig Advantage for small and medium density routes, here is #2104 boarding passenger destined for Eastridge Transit Center: Among the oldest vehicles in VTA’s fleet are 1997 & 1998 Gillig Phantoms. Here is 9844 & sister coach 9845 on Routes 66 & 68 respectively: Videos: Dumbarton Express Flxible Metro C #151: Cummins M11/ZF Ecomat Transmission\ Santa Clara VTA New Flyer D60LF #2333: Cummins ISL/Allison B500R Santa Clara VTA Gillig Advantage #1007: Cummins ISL/Voith D864.3 Santa Clara VTA Gillig Phantom #9844: Cummins M11/Voith D863.3 Santa Clara VTA Light Rail: Kinki Sharyo Low Floor Car #904 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CR SD40-2 Posted June 6, 2010 Report Share Posted June 6, 2010 I always thought this was a neat system to follow.Did you happened to see any of they're 2 gillig fuel cell buses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nabinut Posted June 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2010 Nope, I was only there for three hours during AM Rush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. McConnell Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 I always thought this was a neat system to follow. It was presumably much better when they operated Flxible Metros (which I missed the chance to photograph as well...) Good to see that the Dumbarton Express still has some, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMG Posted April 4, 2012 Report Share Posted April 4, 2012 Videos: Dumbarton Express Flxible Metro C #151: Cummins M11/ZF Ecomat Transmission\ Santa Clara VTA New Flyer D60LF #2333: Cummins ISL/Allison B500R Santa Clara VTA Gillig Advantage #1007: Cummins ISL/Voith D864.3 Santa Clara VTA Gillig Phantom #9844: Cummins M11/Voith D863.3 Santa Clara VTA Light Rail: Kinki Sharyo Low Floor Car #904 For posterity's sake -- the Phantom has a B400R5, and the Flxible has a Voith D863. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 Is there any proof that the Grumman Flxible 870s (the 1600 series) the VTA had operated back in 1981 used the 6V92TA Detroit Diesel engine? I am assuming so since the 6V71N is not as desirable there if you consider the state of CA aims for lower emissions, and the 6V92TA was usually preferred there instead of the 6V71N when the former engine became available for ordering. ~Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMG Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 Is there any proof that the Grumman Flxible 870s (the 1600 series) the VTA had operated back in 1981 used the 6V92TA Detroit Diesel engine? I am assuming so since the 6V71N is not as desirable there if you consider the state of CA aims for lower emissions, and the 6V92TA was usually preferred there instead of the 6V71N when the former engine became available for ordering. ~Ben I don't think the 6V71N passed California emissions at that time -- everyone was getting turbocharged engines. SCVTA (and the previous variants going back to SCCTD) never bought any new buses with a 6V71. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Board Admin A. Wong Posted July 13, 2013 Board Admin Report Share Posted July 13, 2013 Santa Clara, Calif.’s Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) awarded New Flyer Industries Inc. a contract for 50 (100 equivalent units or EUs) Xcelsior diesel-electric hybrid 60-foot articulated heavy-duty buses. The contract for the buses contains a firm order of 29 buses (58 EUs) with options for an additional 21 buses (42 EUs). To date, New Flyer has built and distributed 40 60-ft diesel buses to VTA's fleet of approximately 450 active buses. http://www.metro-magazine.com/news/story/2013/07/new-flyer-to-deliver-50-xcelsiors-to-calif-transit.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general682002 Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 http://www.metro-mag...if-transit.aspx Farewell to their D60LF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMG Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 Farewell to their D60LF. Eventually. There are only 29 in the first order, but there are 40 D60LFs. Also, they're over a year away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 These artics are to be the first ever with BAE Hybridrive: "An order for 29 New Flyer buses by the Valley Transportation Authority in Santa Clara, Calif. takes the HybriDrive brand series hybrid electric driveline by BAE Systems into articulated transit vehicles for the first time." http://www.fleetsand...-hybrid-artics/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMG Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 These artics are to be the first ever with BAE Hybridrive: An order for 29 New Flyer buses by the Valley Transportation Authority in Santa Clara, Calif. takes the HybriDrive brand series hybrid electric driveline by BAE Systems into articulated transit vehicles for the first time. http://www.fleetsand...-hybrid-artics/ I don't think speeds on our streets are ideal for the series hybrids, as speeds can be pretty high. I recall they have not been working that well in Toronto, but maybe they're doing better now with Lithium Ion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 I don't think speeds on our streets are ideal for the series hybrids, as speeds can be pretty high. I recall they have not been working that well in Toronto, but maybe they're doing better now with Lithium Ion? Bus_Medic is our CPTDB expert. He has said that things have improved with lithium ion and software changes, etc. but he remains skeptical of BAE Hybridrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Artist's rendition of new hybrid Xcelsior artics for Santa Clara VTA! source: www.fleetsandfuels.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 Looks like the Xcelsior hybrid artics on order for late 2014 delivery are for future BRT routes: http://busride.com/2013/10/vta-delves-into-bus-rapid-transit/ Santa Clara/Alum Rock The Santa Clara/Alum Rock BRT project will provide limited-stop service for 7.2 miles, from the Eastridge Transit Center to the Arena Station in downtown San Jose. BRT buses will travel the route in a mixed-flow capacity that features a dedicated bus-only lane in the median separated from traffic on Alum Rock Avenue, and rely on transit signal priority throughout the route to improve travel time. Modern hybrid BRT buses will operate during the peak times with service every 10 minutes to 11 specially enhanced stations. The total cost for the Santa Clara/Alum Rock Bus Rapid Transit Project is $114 million, $90 million of which will come from the State of California’s Proposition 1B funding. The remaining $24 million comes through a dedicated local funding source for VTA capital projects known as the 2000 Measure A Transit Improvements Program. Construction begins this fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted November 5, 2013 Report Share Posted November 5, 2013 SAN JOSE, Calif. — Line 22, the only bus route that runs 24 hours in the Santa Clara (Calif.) Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) system, becomes an unofficial shelter each night, with riders taking the two-plus hours trip from East San Jose to Palo Alto before heading back again, according to the Daily Times. VTA officials make clear that homeless have just as much right to ride as anyone as long as they obey the rules such as no smoking, eating or drinking, the Times reported. For the full story, click here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo19 Posted November 6, 2013 Report Share Posted November 6, 2013 A major shame that there isn't sufficeint resources to aid these people in a time a need. I do however must give a comendation to VTA for being so welcoming as they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMG Posted November 6, 2013 Report Share Posted November 6, 2013 SAN JOSE, Calif. — Line 22, the only bus route that runs 24 hours in the Santa Clara (Calif.) Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) system, becomes an unofficial shelter each night, with riders taking the two-plus hours trip from East San Jose to Palo Alto before heading back again, according to the Daily Times. VTA officials make clear that homeless have just as much right to ride as anyone as long as they obey the rules such as no smoking, eating or drinking, the Times reported. For the full story, click here. AKA the Hotel 22. A major shame that there isn't sufficeint resources to aid these people in a time a need. I do however must give a comendation to VTA for being so welcoming as they are. A tiny apartment is over $1000 per month....at least the VTA buses have cushioned seats and the 22 is a long route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted November 6, 2013 Report Share Posted November 6, 2013 A major shame that there isn't sufficeint resources to aid these people in a time a need. I do however must give a comendation to VTA for being so welcoming as they are. I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAverageJoe Posted November 6, 2013 Report Share Posted November 6, 2013 Well as long as they are paying their fares and not causing any trouble/problems on the bus there isnt really too much that VTA can do but let them ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Has there been any confirmed dates for the retirement of the VTA's 1997-1999 Gillig Phantoms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMG Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Has there been any confirmed dates for the retirement of the VTA's 1997-1999 Gillig Phantoms? The lower 9700s have been retired, or at least, I have not seen one for a long time. Occasionally, I see a high 9700 in service. The 9800s and 9900s are in service all the time. The new 4000s will be here soon (there were pictures on Facebook from the Gillig factory a few weeks ago), but I don't know how many there are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Posted July 10, 2014 Report Share Posted July 10, 2014 The lower 9700s have been retired, or at least, I have not seen one for a long time. Occasionally, I see a high 9700 in service. The 9800s and 9900s are in service all the time. The new 4000s will be here soon (there were pictures on Facebook from the Gillig factory a few weeks ago), but I don't know how many there are. Okay. I might have to hurry and ride a '97 before they are gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted January 3, 2016 Report Share Posted January 3, 2016 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Rolls Out New Hybrid Buses http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2016/01/02/santa-clara-valley-transportation-authority-new-hybrid-buses/ Based on earlier reporting in this thread, I believe these are the first artics with BAE HybriDrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob's Transport Hub Posted May 25, 2019 Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 VTA 8303 on Route 22 (Taken 5/24/19) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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