Board Admin A. Wong Posted February 9, 2012 Board Admin Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 January 27, 2012 Industry News Sun Tran opens new bus facility The City of Tucson, Ariz. and Sun Tran celebrated the opening of Sun Tran's Northwest Bus Facility. The 25-acre facility will store and maintain Sun Tran's expanding fleet of buses, and allows the continued expansion of transit service in the region. Sun Tran's Northwest Bus Facility now has the capacity to operate and maintain 250 buses for the entire Tucson region. Although the $56 million facility is complete, Sun Tran will continue to operate approximately one-third of the service from another location. Phase I was completed in 2005 and included the construction of Sun Tran Boulevard and the City fueling facility, with $8 million of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds and 1994 City of Tucson bonds. Phase II was completed in 2009. It included the operations building and a portion of the maintenance facility and was funded with $29 million of Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and FTA. The second phase, built to accommodate operation of up to 150 buses, included 17 bus bays to repair and maintain the fleet, a fare retrieval area, bus wash and dispatch center. Phase III was completed in December 2011 and includes expansion of the maintenance building, a new administration building for regional transit operations and more bus parking. The third phase was funded with more than $16 million from FTA's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus program and $3 million in funding from the RTA. During its peak month of final phase construction, 186 local full-time jobs were created. Copyright © 2012 Metro Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Source: http://www.metro-magazine.com/News/Story/2012/01/Sun-Tran-opens-new-bus-facility.aspx?ref=Express-Tuesday-20120131&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Enewsletter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Board Admin A. Wong Posted August 3, 2013 Author Board Admin Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Cool overview shot of their bus yard in this article about sustainability: http://www.metro-magazine.com/blog/green-views/story/2013/07/sun-tran-pioneering-sustainability-in-arizona.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SolDuc Posted March 8, 2014 Report Share Posted March 8, 2014 I was in Tucson a couple weeks ago so I have some photos to share. The bus fleet isn't especially interesting as there's only two models: Gillig Advantages and Nova RTS. They're also building a new streetcar line which is much more interesting for me. 3115 at the Ronstadt Transit Center: SunTran Gillig Advantage #3115 by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr 3131 Turning into the Ronstadt TC with a strange bike up front: SunTran Gillig Advantage #3131 by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr 2023 at Ronstadt TC: SunTran Nova Bus RTS-WFD #2023 by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr United Streetcar 200 #103 at the streetcar maintenance facility: SunLink United Streetcar 200 #103 by SolDuc Photography, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ztonyg Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 The fleet was much more interesting until 2007. Prior to then, they had 1991/1993/1994 Neoplan AN440s, 1997/1997 New Flyer C40HFs, the 2001 Nova RTSs, and 2005/2006/2007 Gillig LFs. They've now replaced everything except for the RTSs with Gilligs, although they do have a nice fleet of 2009 Gillig BRTs for their Sun Express service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Thanks for posting the photos! I especially like your photo of 3131. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Board Admin A. Wong Posted June 29, 2014 Author Board Admin Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 http://www.metro-magazine.com/news/story/2014/06/tucson-s-sun-tran-unveils-new-cng-bus-fleet.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABQ RIDE Posted October 1, 2014 Report Share Posted October 1, 2014 Delete, I found the fleet numbers on Wikipedia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted April 11, 2015 Report Share Posted April 11, 2015 I had a chance to visit Tucson this last week and saw two RTS buses in service: 2013 and 2032 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexb320 Posted May 31, 2017 Report Share Posted May 31, 2017 So I think this thread as well as the Wiki page could use some information and TLC. The 1993/1994 Neoplan AN440A's were mostly all retired by 2012 and slowly auctioned off between 2009 and 2016. The majority of the 2001 Nova WFD's are retired and many have been scrapped. Some may still remain as part of the contingency or training fleet. SunTran's 2017 Marketing Plan shows some interesting information. During the FY2016 SunTran experiences a drop in ridership due to a 42-day work stoppage strike. Also, SunTran plans to purchase 37 new 40ft CNG buses for the 2018 fiscal year. These would likely replace the remaining Nova's(if any remain) and the majority of the 2005 Gillig fleet. A Fleet Maintenance Plan released in September 2011 was able to shed some light on the active fleet as of August 2011 as well as VINS and License plates for all the buses in active revenue. Active buses included: (9443, 9445-9447, 9449, 9451, 9455, 9463, 9469), (9676-9685, 9687-9694), (9701-9721, 9723-9725), (2001-2045), (2501-2538), (2601-2612), (2701-2718), (2801-2811), (2901-2936), (2937-2950), (3000-3010), & (3011). Contingency Fleet included: 9329-9330, 9332, 9334-9337, 9339, 9441-9442, 9444, 9448, 9452-9453, 9456, 9458-9461, 9465-9468, & 9686. Buses awaiting disposal: 9326, 9338, 9450, 9457, & 9722. Also, 2601-2612 are actually 2007 models, 2701-2718, 2801-2811, & 2904-2936 are 2008 models, 2937-2949, 2950 & 3000-3010 are 2010s but are 2009 models(based on the Vins), & 3011 is a 2011 model. I'm not going to list all the Vins because that would be ridiculous, so here is a shortened version: 2001: 4RKMWTJA5YR835231 2002-2025: 4RKE2TJA01R835308 - 4RKEWTJA61R835331 2026-2045: 4RKEWTJA21R835362 - 4RKEWTJAX1R835381 2501-2538: 15GGD201651075189 - 15GGD201151075226 2601-2612: 15GGD211271077486 - 15GGD211771077497 2701-2718: 15GGD211981078751 - 15GGD211481078768 2801-2811: 15GGD211581176000 - 15GGD211881176010 2901-2936: 15GGD211881176332 - 15GGD211581176367 2937-2949: 15GGD271291178909 - 15GGD271391178921 2950: 15GGD271XA1178922 3000: 15GGD3012A1177327 3001-3010: 15GGD2718A1178899 - 15GGD2715A1178908 3011: 15GGD2717B1178572 All this information can be seen on the PDFs linked below. 2017 Fiscal Year Marketing Plan: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/files/transit/Attachment_F_Regional_Transit_Marketing_Plan_FY2017_8.23.16v.pdf 2011/2012 Fleet Maintenance Plan: http://www.tucsonprocurement.com/ContractImages/SolicitationAttachmentImg_120358_DOCUMENT G - 1 SUNTRAN FLEET MAINTENANCE PLAN - REVENUE FY2012.pdf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3we Posted June 7, 2017 Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 There's 2003 D60LF being transferred from Phoenix for evaluation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyer59 Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 On June 7, 2017 at 10:39 AM, 3we said: There's 2003 D60LF being transferred from Phoenix for evaluation. Neat, any idea which one? Will they be operating it in revenue service? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3we Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 The ordinance says "evaluating the equipment for use on Tucson city streets." It did not say which one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexb320 Posted October 9, 2018 Report Share Posted October 9, 2018 Sun Tran has introduced an artic bus that is to run on route #18. https://www.suntran.com/hottopic.php?TopicID=327 This bus is numbered #8014 and is an Ex-Valley Metro 2003 New Flyer D60LF. a picture can be seen on their Facebook page. I also noted on Sun Trans bus tracker the following buses that are not listed on the wiki: 3303, 3305-3308, 3313-3323. I assume these are the 2018 CNG buses they ordered as stated in the 2018 Fiscal Year Budget report. On a new report video about the new artic bus, you can catch a quick glimpse of #3303. So these are just standard Gillig LowFloor CNGs. https://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/2018/10/03/sun-tran-rolls-out-accordion-bus-capable-hauling-passengers/ I didn't see any 2500 series Gilligs on the tracker. So they may all have been removed from revenue service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doglover44 Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Never heard of Sun Tran must not be a big agency ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stalwart23 Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 On 10/9/2018 at 10:20 AM, alexb320 said: Sun Tran has introduced an artic bus that is to run on route #18. https://www.suntran.com/hottopic.php?TopicID=327 This bus is numbered #8014 and is an Ex-Valley Metro 2003 New Flyer D60LF. a picture can be seen on their Facebook page. I also noted on Sun Trans bus tracker the following buses that are not listed on the wiki: 3303, 3305-3308, 3313-3323. I assume these are the 2018 CNG buses they ordered as stated in the 2018 Fiscal Year Budget report. On a new report video about the new artic bus, you can catch a quick glimpse of #3303. So these are just standard Gillig LowFloor CNGs. https://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/2018/10/03/sun-tran-rolls-out-accordion-bus-capable-hauling-passengers/ I didn't see any 2500 series Gilligs on the tracker. So they may all have been removed from revenue service. You are correct about the 2018 Gillig Low Floor CNGs for Tucson. They are numbered 3301-3323 and the model designation is G31D102N4. Serial numbers are J3192010-192032. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz2kb Posted January 6, 2019 Report Share Posted January 6, 2019 Hi! I have paid a visit to Tucson during my December Arizona trip, and the ex-Valley Metro D60LF artic 8014 was nowhere to be seen while fanning on Sun Tran, the local transit agency. As a result, all heavy duty buses I've spotted during my stay were Gillig LF's or BRT's. In fact, it is one of fleets most-dominated by a single manufacturer among transit agencies of its size. Meanwhile, I was unable to capture any high-quality pictures of the Sun Link streetcars. Now to the pictures: The 2500-series of 2005 Gillig LF 40ft. diesel buses are believed to be retired, being replaced by the 3300-series of 2018 CNG sister buses. As a result, similar buses of 2600-series from 2006 are now the oldest buses in Sun Tran's fleet. Bus 2604 is pictured at the Roy Laos Transit Transit Center (TC) in southern Tucson. Similar but EPA-2007 buses 2701 and 2808 from 2007 and 2008 are pictured at the downtown Ronstadt TC and the Tohono Tadai TC near Tucson Mall respectively. Apparently, the older white, red and yellow livery once appearing on these buses is history too. Finally, buses 3001 and 3007 are 2009 sister buses pictured at the same location as 2808, and the 3000-series of buses (Including hybrid bus 3000) are Sun Tran's final EPA-2007 buses. Bus 3007 is also my ride from Tohono Tadai TC to downtown Tucson. The 2900-series of 2009 Gillig BRT's are dedicated for commuter routes branded as Sun Express. They also pioneered the current silver/blue livery. Bus 2901 is the first of these buses and is pictured near the Church Ave/Pennington St bus stop. Also featured are buses 2923,2942 and 2944 at/near the Stone Ave/Franklin St express bus stop, the PM staring point for most 100-series express routes from downtown Tucson. Clearly, there are more than 36 of these express buses in Sun Tran's fleet. The 2012 deliveries of 3100-series diesel and 4000-series hybrid Gillig LF's are Sun Tran's first EPA-2010 buses. Diesel bus 3156 and hybrid bus 4003 are both pictured at the Roy Laos TC. Remarkably, 3156 is also the agency's final diesel bus for now. Sun Tran then switch back to CNG that once powered its high-floor buses. They have 63 Gillig LF 40ft. buses (40 X 3200-series of 2014 buses and 23 X 3300-series of 2018 buses). Bus 3244 is next-to-last of the 2014 deliveries, and is pictured at the Roy Laos TC, while buses 3212 and 3305 are both pictured at the Ronstadt TC. They are my rides back to the Tohono Tadai TC and down to Roy Laos TC respectively. Inexplicably, Sun Tran has purchased five 35ft. version among the 2014 deliveries, as illustrated by bus 3226 pictured at both the Roy Laos and Ronstadt TC's. Finally, Sun Tran also operate several neighborhood/rural routes under the Sun Shuttle banner. Most are operated by Ford E-Series/Starcraft cutaways of varying wheelbases. Short-wheelbase 763 is pictured at Oracle Rd in Casas Adobes (a northern suburb of Tucson), while intermediate wheelbase 759 is pictured at Marana (another northern suburb of Tucson) . Long-wheelbase 767 and 777 are pictured at Marana and the Ronstadt TC respectively. Finally, Freightliner S2C/Startrans large cutaway 782 is pictured at the Roy Laos TC. It and sister bus 781 are the staple of the two rural routes based there. A bonus rear shot of Gillig LF bus 3116 taken at Casas Adobes features the sticker saying "Operated and Maintained by Teamsters of Local 104". This appears at the rears of all Gillig buses of the agency. Can anyone find transit buses elsewhere proclaiming union operation this prominently? Here is my Sun Tran (Tucson) gallery: Sun Tran (Tucson) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Neoplan Rider Studios Posted January 8, 2019 Report Share Posted January 8, 2019 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Tran and check out the fleet roster for 1991-94 Neoplans THIS photo goes to the perspective owne. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Neoplan Rider Studios Posted February 22, 2019 Report Share Posted February 22, 2019 http://www.ttmg.org/suntran-neoplan.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexb320 Posted August 15, 2020 Report Share Posted August 15, 2020 The first of the 2005 Gilligs as well as some of the Sun Tran cutaways were up for auction today by Sierra Auction Management. None of the Gilligs were in running condition and didn't sell due to the reserve not being met. Gilligs: 2503, 2506, 2510, 2514, 2517, 2521, 2523, 2532, & 2537 Cutaways: 401, 403-407, 409-410, 940, 942, 944, & 946 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrafficMike Posted November 10, 2021 Report Share Posted November 10, 2021 Hello all! First post here but long time follower. The first electric Gillig bus (not the test bus) entered service Thursday, Oct 28 on the Route 3. Source was my looking at Sun Tran's online tracker. In addition, it has also been on route 1. I haven't seen any other of the series out and about. The bus is number 4012. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted November 10, 2021 Report Share Posted November 10, 2021 For the electric buses, 4012 actually started running in revenue service the first week of October. Perhaps it wasn't showing on the tracker until this point? Sun Tran currently only has (or had) capacity to charge one unit at a time on a basic charger that was installed at their North Garage during the pilot electric bus demo. Four new Siemens charging stations capable of charging up to 8 buses simultaneously are/were still being installed. I think once those are connected and functioning then the rest of the EV fleet will be running regularly. Here are some pics I took of the electrics during the MBS' visit to Sun Tran's Ronstadt Transit Center and North Garage: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimeTio Posted February 25, 2022 Report Share Posted February 25, 2022 3505, 3506, 3507 left for delivery 13 hours ago and should be here. Photos from buddies of mine who are delivering them 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doglover44 Posted February 26, 2022 Report Share Posted February 26, 2022 How many electric buses they getting ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrafficMike Posted February 28, 2022 Report Share Posted February 28, 2022 On 2/25/2022 at 8:06 PM, doglover44 said: How many electric buses they getting ? When I was at the big electric bus reveal last year, the mayor indicated that 5 more electric Gilligs are coming in 2022. For others on this list, have you seen how active the current 5 are? I have seen one or two on the tracker but they don't seem to be deploying them for all day use. It seems haphazard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasbo2 Posted August 10, 2022 Report Share Posted August 10, 2022 On 2/25/2022 at 9:42 AM, PrimeTio said: 3505, 3506, 3507 left for delivery 13 hours ago and should be here. Photos from buddies of mine who are delivering them Most of those 3500 buses have gone into service with the 2007 models (2601-2612) being the oldest active buses in the fleet according the sun tran next bus app. I mostly saw 3100 to 3400 vehicles on the app while internet searching today and no 2700 models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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