Benjamin Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) Be on the look out for TriMet's 3200 and 3300 series buses in a few months... TriMet is expecting 30 buses to be delivered this spring followed by 60 more in the summer. Therefore, these two orders will cancel out the remainder of the 1992 Flxible Metros and more of the 1990-91 Gillig Phantoms. ~Ben Edited February 28, 2014 by Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 (edited) I wonder if Jared Kam or anyone else in the TriMet brass who visits this website could please tell me all about the status of the remaining 1992 Flxible Metros and the 1990-91 Gillig Phantoms, since those are the oldest buses in the fleet waiting to be replaced? I know for certain all the remaining 1700s are garaged at Merlo, while the remaining 1400s and most 1600s are garaged at Center. When the 3200s and 3300s come into play this spring and summer, will those (at least some) be deployed from Powell like all of the 3000s were? Because with the last order of buses (3101-3170), those were deployed from both Center (3101-3145) and Merlo (3146-3170). If at least some of the 3200s and 3300s are to be deployed from Powell, then the Center and Merlo garages could each be given some 2200 series New Flyer D40LFs, and I know Center did get back some 2500s (2000 New Flyer D40LF) when the 3000s were put into service. With TriMet now having dusted off its Frequent Service of 15 minutes per bus on their most-used lines (12-Barbur/Sandy, 14-Hawthorne, et al), the addition of the upcoming 60 40-foot buses will benefit these lines greatly in the months to come. ~Ben Edited March 3, 2014 by Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Bus Fan Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 3123 a new bus for TriMet: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 (edited) Will there be more 2100s stationed at the Merlo Garage once the 90 or so new buses budgeted for the 2014 fiscal year are put into service? ~Ben Edited March 10, 2014 by Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 TriMet's proposed 2015 service details... http://news.trimet.org/2014/03/trimets-budget-calls-for-restoring-and-improving-service-plus-no-fare-increase-for-riders/ ~Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCT-3122-D800-10240 Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 So how do the operators like the new Gillig Low Floors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted March 13, 2014 Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 (edited) So how do the operators like the new Gillig Low Floors? One of those love/hate relationships, just like with the AM Generals the agency ran between 1977-90. Some do and some don't. They just want the older buses out due to age and lack of certain parts. Union members say the mirror position on the new buses still needs attention. ~Ben Edited March 13, 2014 by Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seashore_518203 Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 Can anybody provide an update on the Flxible Metros for Tri-Met? Are they still in service with the new Gillig buses arriving or are they disappearing fast? I will be in Portland in early April and would like to be able to track them down in they are still in service. If they are in service, what routes are they normally found on and what LRT stations would be good for getting a chance to photograph them? Thanks in advance for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general682002 Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 Can anybody provide an update on the Flxible Metros for Tri-Met? Are they still in service with the new Gillig buses arriving or are they disappearing fast? I will be in Portland in early April and would like to be able to track them down in they are still in service. If they are in service, what routes are they normally found on and what LRT stations would be good for getting a chance to photograph them? Thanks in advance for your help. Beaverton TC is your best place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 Beaverton TC is your best place. Exactly. ~Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted March 18, 2014 Report Share Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) Can anybody provide an update on the Flxible Metros for Tri-Met? Are they still in service with the new Gillig buses arriving or are they disappearing fast? I will be in Portland in early April and would like to be able to track them down in they are still in service. If they are in service, what routes are they normally found on and what LRT stations would be good for getting a chance to photograph them? Thanks in advance for your help. Some units may remain in service at year's end but most are destined to be sold off after TriMet gets their 90 units for the year. I know last year the remainder of their 1994 Flxible Metros (1817-1843--with the Cummins M11 engine) were all retired after the 70 Gillig low floors (25 of which went to the Merlo garage to replace these) came. But the 1990-91 Gillig Phantoms (nos. 1401-1463, 1601-1630 and 1631-1643) are truly the oldest. Those are begging to be replaced. ~Ben Edited March 18, 2014 by Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctrabs74 Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 I noticed the 3100 Gilligs (which are technically Advantages with BRT fronts and "standard" rears) have the Hanover destination signs instead of TwinVisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted March 20, 2014 Report Share Posted March 20, 2014 http://trimet.org/pdfs/publications/TriMet-FY15-FY19-Proposed-CAMIP.pdf For all those of you wanting to know how many "dinosaurs" they have left: As of 11-22-2013, their active fleet contains these "dinosaur" buses: 1401-1463 - 1990 Gillig Phantom 40': 18 units 1601-1630 - 1990 Gillig Phantom 30': 10 units 1631-1643 - 1991 Gillig Phantom 30': 6 units 1701-1808 - 1992 Flxible Metro 40': 20 units 1901-1910 - 1992 Flxible Metro 30': 10 units As to the contingency fleet, they have: 1701-1808 - 1992 Flxible Metro 40': 10 units 1901-1910 - 1992 Flxible Metro 30': 4 units 1817-1843 - 1994 Flxible Metro 40': none (all removed September 2013) ~Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 (edited) Could anyone please update me as to whether or not TriMet is having problems with the Gillig monies and if such a situation (if any) has gotten worse with each board meeting? So far, their future seems bright (restoring 15-minute Frequent Service in the mid-day period on their busiest lines) but that depends on if they can remain victorious over negotiations with its union this April, so if anyone can enlighten me on updates about the current order of 90 buses as well as the 64 to come in 2015, please comment. ~Ben Edited March 24, 2014 by Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted April 25, 2014 Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 (edited) http://news.trimet.o...recycled-video/ This is both good news and bad news for all of you... we'll start with the bad news first: after all the usable stuff is removed (bike racks, fire extinguishers, et al), the rest of the old Flxible Metros (1700s/1900s) and Gillig Phantoms (1400s/1600s) will be scrapped (there is a video showing what TriMet does with their oldest buses after retirement). So, this year, you all better make plans for the City of Roses (specifically Beaverton and Tigard) and fast! The good news is the first 3 of their 90 buses budgeted for this fiscal year ending July 1 (3200s/3300s) have just left the Gillig factory in Hayward, CA one week ago, and will be seen working Portland's routes in less than one month. ~Ben Edited April 25, 2014 by Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kainoa3 Posted April 26, 2014 Report Share Posted April 26, 2014 Are any of the flxibles going up for public auction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 Are any of the flxibles going up for public auction? Not likely. TriMet did supply a video in their latest bus replacement story of what they do with their retiree buses. You could send them a kind e-mail about them, though. ~Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
118 Vashon via EXPRESS Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 One of the retired TriMet GMC RTS buses (954) ended up on Vashon Island and is being used as a home (not sure if it still runs though). Ex-TriMet GMC RTS (#954) on Vashon von planet_lb auf Flickr Ex-TriMet GMC RTS (#954) on Vashon von planet_lb auf Flickr Ex-TriMet GMC RTS (#954) on Vashon von planet_lb auf Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puget Sound Rider Posted May 23, 2014 Report Share Posted May 23, 2014 I like Portland TriMet MAX 1986 Bombardier Type 1 125 by zargoman, on Flickr TriMet MAX 1986 Bombardier Type 1 interior (113) by zargoman, on Flickr TriMet 2013 Gillig Low Floor interior (3122) by zargoman, on Flickr TriMet 2013 Gillig Low Floor 3120 by zargoman, on Flickr TriMet 1997 Gillig Phantom 2101 by zargoman, on Flickr TriMet 1992 Flxible Metro C 1906 by zargoman, on Flickr The last photo was the only Flxible that I saw down there, It's used on route 83, a free route through Washington Park. I'd have taken it if I had more time. I got a ride on the Portland Streetcar #022, which is (I think) is essentially a Skoda 10-T1 but built by United Streetcar. I didn't know they already had that many new ones in service. I will say that the ride is quieter and a little smoother than #08 (which is either a Skoda 10T1 or Inekon 12-Trio, depending on what sources are looked at). Also nice to see that they finally are using LED destination signs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puget Sound Rider Posted May 24, 2014 Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 https://www.flickr.com/photos/zheistand/14250421161/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northwesterner Posted May 24, 2014 Report Share Posted May 24, 2014 The new paint on the Gilligs sure looks terrible... no color at all on the front of the bus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busdude.com Posted May 27, 2014 Report Share Posted May 27, 2014 The Washington park shuttle was the last home for the 2400 series Collins buses as well. I think a trip to PDX is in order to ride the flxibles one last time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puget Sound Rider Posted May 27, 2014 Report Share Posted May 27, 2014 The Washington park shuttle was the last home for the 2400 series Collins buses as well. I think a trip to PDX is in order to ride the flxibles one last time... I'm kicking myself for not hopping on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted May 27, 2014 Report Share Posted May 27, 2014 I'm kicking myself for not hopping on it You can still go down here just for the last Flxibles... ~Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 (edited) http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/222518-83844-no-fare-increases-in-next-trimet-budget For the second year in a row, TriMet's budget priorities include no increase in fares. Bus replacement: The FY15 budget calls for the delivery of 64 new buses. TriMet already purchased 60 new buses (for FY14 ending 6/30/2014) to be delivered this summer and fall. The first part of the FY15 order will be seen this fall and into the coming year. As 2014 comes to a close, TriMet will have replaced 249 buses. Thus... come on down to Beaverton, OR for what might be the very last ride on a Flxible! ~Ben Edited May 31, 2014 by Benjamin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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