MVTArider Posted July 12, 2022 Author Report Posted July 12, 2022 MVTA routes/buses are now active on Pantograph as part of the Minneapolis area.
hp2ena Posted September 1, 2022 Report Posted September 1, 2022 4946 has finally retired. 4937-42 remain as the holdouts from the classic low floor generation of buses. They also retired some of their older, low-floor cutaways. 4259 - https://www.jeffmartinauctioneers.com/auctions/637/lot/86837-2012-CHEVROLET-EXPRESS-VIN%3A-1GB6G5BL5C1192156-2WD-PASSENGER-BUS 4261 - https://www.jeffmartinauctioneers.com/auctions/681/lot/100661-2012-CHEVROLET-EXPRESS-4500-VIN%3A-1GB6G5BL0C1194204-2WD-PASSENGER-BUS 4488 - https://www.jeffmartinauctioneers.com/auctions/681/lot/100655-2012-FORD-E-450-VIN%3A-1FDFE4FS7CDA86458-PASSENGER-BUS 4946 - https://www.jeffmartinauctioneers.com/auctions/681/lot/100660-2009-GILLIG-LOW-FLOOR-BUS--VIN%3A-15GGD211591176872-2WD-40’-PASSANGER-BUS 1
hp2ena Posted October 7, 2022 Report Posted October 7, 2022 I'm preparing to request a list of fleet rosters from transit agencies in the Twin Cities area as part of my annual update to the CPTDB site. However, even though they are required to disclose the roster by Minnesota law, I have a hard time getting them. If you find it useful, could you tell me how you find them useful so I could tell them? Thank you!
MVTArider Posted November 22, 2022 Author Report Posted November 22, 2022 https://www.mvta.com/news/dec-3-service-changes/ New (return) route 498 Southdale LINK - hourly service weekdays from Marschall Road TS to Southdale TC via Golden Triangle area, Fairview Hospital, Southdale Medical Center 444 - increased weekend service frequency to 30 minutes Orange LINK - new northern terminus at Burnsville Walmart Other minor changes in the posted link --- I take it MVTA/Schmitty is not struggling to recruit and retain drivers to cover their bare minimum service needs like MT and First...
hp2ena Posted November 23, 2022 Report Posted November 23, 2022 Uploading the two images from the MVTA announcement to the forum for archival purposes 1
hp2ena Posted November 23, 2022 Report Posted November 23, 2022 Also I should point out: they did have to cut commuter service, as well as Routes 410, 420, 497, and 499 to provide buses to RenFest
Tcmetro Posted November 23, 2022 Report Posted November 23, 2022 30-minute weekend service on the 444 is long overdue. Interesting how MVTA has been able to expand service so much, but their schedule was way more peak-oriented before so these expansions are easier to handle than say the 3-minute frequency that used to exist on the 460 line.
hp2ena Posted March 17, 2023 Report Posted March 17, 2023 MVTA to host e-Jest event at Burnsville Transit Station 3/25 10am to 1pm https://www.mvta.com/news/e-jest-electric-minibus-on-display-march-25/ 1
Spirits Transport Posted March 21, 2023 Report Posted March 21, 2023 Don't know if y'all have seen these yet, their pretty cool. I haven't seen such clear views before Blue Line, full front view: Green Line, full front view: https://youtu.be/E4aDYHwN1a0 1
MVTArider Posted April 1, 2023 Author Report Posted April 1, 2023 The MVTA March board agenda had an update on the electric bus plan. It looks like they are still pursuing 6 Gillig electrics (I assume BRTPlus model). However it looks like they've shifted from targeting route 444 service to an expansion of route 484 service instead. The map shows the 484 east branch extending from Rosemount TS out to AVTS. Additionally a stop would be added at Inver Hills Community College as well as continuing to serve Dakota County Tech College. https://www.mvta.com/cms-files/march_29_board_packet.pdf I hope the IHCC stop addition can go through if they do pursue this. A (20 min?) express ride between downtown St. Paul and IHCC would be very useful for some students I'm sure. Though given history I wouldn't be shocked if Metro Transit shot it down or put drop-off only restrictions on it since it's their turf. 1
19adam99 Posted May 1, 2023 Report Posted May 1, 2023 On 4/1/2023 at 1:03 AM, MVTArider said: The MVTA March board agenda had an update on the electric bus plan. It looks like they are still pursuing 6 Gillig electrics (I assume BRTPlus model). However- Unfortunately it does not appear that Gillig currently offers the BRTPlus-styling on the electrics (only the Low Floor-Plus styling) This being the case, it's most likely that these 6 buses will be of the Low Floor-Plus design 1
MVTArider Posted May 3, 2023 Author Report Posted May 3, 2023 On 5/1/2023 at 8:59 AM, 19adam99 said: Unfortunately it does not appear that Gillig currently offers the BRTPlus-styling on the electrics (only the Low Floor-Plus styling) This being the case, it's most likely that these 6 buses will be of the Low Floor-Plus design Ah good point. That likely will be the case then. I assume it's due to the lower GVW with the + cap vs. the BRT cap.
hp2ena Posted May 4, 2023 Report Posted May 4, 2023 The Met Council has begun listing its buses for auction on GovDeals. I spy an MVTA bus in this one: https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=19&acctid=23993
MVTArider Posted May 18, 2023 Author Report Posted May 18, 2023 4048, 4938, 4942 up for auction. 4940 also on the lot as seen in one photo. 1
hp2ena Posted May 29, 2023 Report Posted May 29, 2023 4149 was at George Floyd Square over the weekend 2 1
19adam99 Posted November 26, 2023 Report Posted November 26, 2023 Some updates: Last Monday, November 13th, MVTA announced the changes which will occur with their December 2nd Service Change. Highlights are below: New stop at MSP Airport on Route 495 Route 495, specifically the 495V - Downtown Savage variant, will now serve MSP Airport Terminal 1. Service from Marschall Rd Transit Station will be every 2 hours, seven days a week, arriving at the airport beginning at 6:33am, continuing until 12:33am. The last Westbound departure from MSP T-1 will be leaving at 10:33pm. The new schedule can be found here. The 495A and 495M variants will continue to terminate at Mall of America. New OrangeLINK (425) Routing The OrangeLINK (Route 425) is getting a complete overhaul, now connecting Blackhawk Park & Ride with Apple Valley Transit Station. Southbound services will be as follows: Blackhawk Park & Ride -> Burnsville Walmart via Cliff Rd -> Burnsville Transit Station -> Burnsville Heart of the City Station -> Fairview Ridges Hospital via Nicollet & McAndrews -> Burnsville Center via McAndrews & Aldrich -> NEON Apts Burnsville via Southcross & Grand -> Apple Valley Transit Station via County Rd 42 Weekday service only, between 5:40am & 6:48pm Route 436 and 489 adjusted to serve new Thomson Reuters facility Both routes will serve the new Thomson Reuters facility located at 2900 Ames Crossing Road in Eagan near the Minnesota Vikings training facility. The routes will continue to serve the existing Thomson Reuters facility at 610 Opperman Drive. 460/490/493 Downtown Southbound routing shift Southbound express trips on Route 460, 490, & 493 will shift routing north of Washington Avenue to improve trip times. The stop at Marquette Avenue and 2nd Street will be removed. Fleet-wise, there have been no changes to the fleet as of Q4 2023. Some updates in recent months are: Current procurements are for MVTAConnect vehicles from Braunability, which are expected to arrive sometime in Q1-Q2 2024. New express buses to replace the still-active 2006/07 MCI D4500s have not been announced or mentioned in any board meetings, though it is anticipated a plan will be put forth at some point in 2024. The 2023 Gillig BRTs (4383-4384) have been in service for approximately 6 months now, and are identical in spec to the 2022 Gillig BRTs (4265-4266), with a Cummins L9 & Allison B3400xFE transmission, and have 35 American Seating KC548 seats. Additional route changes: During the last service change (September 5th), Route 479, which serves 157th Street Transit Station, was eliminated. 157th St Station now joins Eagle Creek Park & Ride in the ranks as yet another empty park & ride. Route 490 now has late-evening service, with the last Southbound 490U departing the University of Minnesota at 9:35pm Route 4FUN (410) finished it's 2023 season on October 29th Lastly, some ridership updates! Ridership for the 2023 Minnesota State Fair totalled 112,996 Ridership for the 2023 Minnesota Renaissance Festival totalled 48,393. That's it for now! 3 3
19adam99 Posted December 6, 2023 Report Posted December 6, 2023 Some recent news regarding the older MCIs: Plans are apparently in the works to find an agency to piggyback an order off of to relace the aging 2006/07 MCIs, since the Metropolitan council has decided not to renew their contract with MCI. With this, MVTA lost their ability to purchase MCIs through the Metropolitan Council, hence the need to find an agency with an open order. And seeing as MCI stopped production of the standard D4500 in favor of their D45 CRT & CRT LE models, we shall see what will be purchased. The timeline for procurement is currently unknown. If an agency is found, details will most likely come out at some point in 2024. The 4600s are still active to some extent, but 4602 is the only unit seeing any real movement lately. 4601, 4603, 4604, and 4605 are at the Burnsville Garage (Rupp Drive) in pseudo-storage, as with most of the buses that find their way to that garage. 4602 was active Monday & Tuesday this week (Dec. 4th & 5th), but did not appear on Pantograph during this morning's commute (Dec. 6th). We shall see what happens to these venerable old beasts... 1 1
19adam99 Posted January 3 Report Posted January 3 Some recent news regarding new cutaways: As part of motion 2023-151, passed by the Metropolitan Council in July, 2023, 6 small low-floor buses were to be procured to replace some of the aging cutaways. These new cutaways are meant to replace buses which are past the 7-year useful life put forth by the Council. Vehicles to be replaced include the 2012 Ford/Eldorado Aerotech, 2012 Chevrolet/ARBOC Spirit of Mobility, and a few of the 2014/2015 cutaways (Elkhart Coach EC-IIs, etc.) These buses have been delivered to MVTA's Burnsville garage, and are awaiting outfit for service. Timeline puts them into service with MVTAConnect around mid-February or early-March. From what has been said, they are ARBOC "Independence" buses built on RAM Promaster chassis, possibly numbered 4489-4494. 1
MVTArider Posted January 18 Author Report Posted January 18 Some random photos taken in the last month for those who are interested. The newest buses in the fleet have rear route number displays, a way overdue addition IMHO. Ads have been appearing on some buses, though not all. There also continues to be some buses in full wraps for various promotions. I'll admit I'm not a fan of adding ad posters on the buses, though at least they are just modern adhesive ones and they aren't bolting on tacky ad panel frames. From what I've seen of the 495 service at MSP, there doesn't seem to be much use of it so far, but I have observed some riders. For the one trip I've taken on it I was the only rider between MSP and Burnsville TS. Two additional trips midday for the MSP service were added recently effective Jan. 1st. 4
19adam99 Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 Now almost a month into 2024, MVTA will be holding their first board meeting of the year. The board packet has been posted here, with an abbreviated version below. 2024 Regional Solicitation Summary - The summary was presented at the MVTA Management Committee Meeting in mid-January and reflects grant applications that have already been submittied for the grant program. All are subject to change, and nothing is final. Highlights of the summary are as follows: Transit Expansion New Route 474: Proposed as part of the 2022-23 systemwide study. Will connect Mall of America (MoA), Cedar Grove Transit Station, The Minnesota Zoo, and Apple Valley Transit Station. Planned to be a 7-day service, and would include the procurement of four 30-foot buses. Estimated project cost: $5.6 million, would require $4.54 million in Federal funding Route 420 Extension: Suggested by data from the 2022-23 systemwide study. Would extend the existing route 420 from it's current terminus in Rosemount east to Dakota County Technical College. Planned to be a 7-day service, and would include the procurement of four cutaway vehicles. Estimated project cost: $2.76 million, would require $2.2 million in Federal funding Route 4FUN Expansion: Planned expansion to include 7-day service, year-round, and the inclusion of the Twin Cities Premium Outlets in Eagan, near Cedar Grove Transit Station. Route is currently seasonal, 4-day service and includes stops at Mall of America, ValleyFair, Canterbury Park, and Mystic Lake Casino. Estimated project cost: $3.69 million, would require $2.95 million in Federal funding Transit Modernization Eagan Bus Garage Modernization: Replacement of aging infrastructure, construction of a mezzanine to support future BEB (Battery-Electric Bus) infrastructure, and site/building improvements to reduce collisions and minimize safety issues. Estimated project cost: $2.6 million, would require $2.1 million in Federal funding Eagan Transit Station Modernization: Update customer amenities and create an MVTAConnect-specific drop-off area to help growing ridership. Additionally, increased ADA accessibility, electric vehicle charging for customers, and replacement of aging infrastructure. Estimated project cost: $2.1 million, would require $1.7 million in Federal funding Burnsville Transit Station Mobility Hub: Reconfiguration of Burnsville Transit Station, with an updated Kiss-and-Ride, designated areas for MVTAConnect, Jefferson Lines, and rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft. Would also include enhancements to pedestrian and bike paths with the intentions to add e-bike and scooter rentals, and the possibility of retail and community event spaces. Estimated project cost: $25 million, would require $5.7 million in Federal funding, with a maximum of $7.0 million allocated toward the total cost Hanover sign implementation: In 2018, MVTA began retrofitting buses with new Hanover G4-series signs. Buses purchased before 2018 were fitted with TwinVision destination signs. Recent updates with TwinVision's (now Luminator's) sign software has lead to signs crashing on-route or displaying incorrect information. As a result, MVTA aims to remove the last of the TwinVision signs this summer. As of now, only 15 TwinVision signs remain, but I do not know if that is solely the 2017 Gillig BRTs. 2023 Ridership Updates: 2023 saw strong ridership increases, with the vast majority occuring with MVTAConnect. Connect saw a total ridership of 109,925. Overall, ridership was at approximately 46% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels, with 2024's forecast aiming to surpass the 50% mark. 1
Glennwood Road Ent. Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 Unit 3204 is now owned by Tri-Rail In South Florida. Photo credit belongs to The Transit Channel on YT. Used with his permission. 2
19adam99 Posted February 19 Report Posted February 19 In response to recent events in Burnsville, Minnesota, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority has applied a sticker in commemoration of the two Burnsville police officers and one Burnsville Firefighter who lost their lives on February 18th, 2024. All members of the MVTA fleet, including MVTA Connect received the sticker overnight, with Monday morning (February 19th) being the first day with the new stickers. The stickers were manufactured by Print Lab Wraps of Lakeville, MN in cooperation with Schmitty & Sons. A link to MVTA's Facebook post can be found here. (Please do not turn this into a political post, this was just something MVTA is doing for the community.) 1 1
ns8401 Posted February 20 Report Posted February 20 8 hours ago, 19adam99 said: In response to recent events in Burnsville, Minnesota, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority has applied a sticker in commemoration of the two Burnsville police officers and one Burnsville Firefighter who lost their lives on February 18th, 2024. All members of the MVTA fleet, including MVTA Connect received the sticker overnight, with Monday morning (February 19th) being the first day with the new stickers. The stickers were manufactured by Print Lab Wraps of Lakeville, MN in cooperation with Schmitty & Sons. A link to MVTA's Facebook post can be found here. (Please do not turn this into a political post, this was just something MVTA is doing for the community.) That's impressive given that this was breaking news yesterday... 1
19adam99 Posted February 20 Report Posted February 20 40 minutes ago, ns8401 said: That's impressive given that this was breaking news yesterday... Yeah, from what I heard they had them made by late-evening Sunday, and went through applying them all night until buses started rolling on Monday morning. 1
Glennwood Road Ent. Posted February 20 Report Posted February 20 10 hours ago, 19adam99 said: In response to recent events in Burnsville, Minnesota, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority has applied a sticker in commemoration of the two Burnsville police officers and one Burnsville Firefighter who lost their lives on February 18th, 2024. All members of the MVTA fleet, including MVTA Connect received the sticker overnight, with Monday morning (February 19th) being the first day with the new stickers. The stickers were manufactured by Print Lab Wraps of Lakeville, MN in cooperation with Schmitty & Sons. A link to MVTA's Facebook post can be found here. (Please do not turn this into a political post, this was just something MVTA is doing for the community.) Have my condolences for them. Is this due to mass shooting in Minnesota and is Minnesota going to ban assault weapons soon? Here's the link https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/burnsville-incident-with-weapons-law-enforcement-responds/
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