MAX BRT Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 Milwaukee County Transit System (“MCTS”) has awarded New Flyer a contract for 90 Xcelsior diesel 40-foot heavy-duty buses. The contract for 90 Xcelsior XD40 buses contains a firm order of 55 buses with options for an additional 35 buses. The 55 buses are anticipated to begin production in the first quarter of 2013. All buses are expected to be delivered by the summer of 2013. MCTS and New Flyer have a longstanding partnership, built over the last 16 years with 691 New Flyer buses built over that time span. With an active fleet size today of approximately 409 buses delivered, MCTS currently operates a 100% New Flyer fleet. “This bus order will be MCTS first experience with New Flyer’s Xcelsior model. http://www.newflyer....milwaukee_award Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted July 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Looks like the XD40s are being delivered as promised. Photo of 5409 here: http://www.jsonline.com/multimedia/photos/216309131.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Board Admin A. Wong Posted July 30, 2013 Board Admin Report Share Posted July 30, 2013 http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11072549/dallas-firm-will-take-over-milwaukee-countys-bus-system?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS130723002 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctrabs74 Posted May 25, 2014 Report Share Posted May 25, 2014 I've updated the MCTS Wiki page to reflect delivery of the 5500-series XD40s and to correct the powertrains on the 5100-5300 series buses (which are Allison transmissions, not Voiths). Any help in clarifying the status of the older New Flyers would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted May 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2014 I can't help with the status of any MCTS buses but I want to say thanks for your wiki work! I appreciate all of the wiki editors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted September 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2015 Photos of 5603 (new XD40) featured in a bizjournal article: http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2015/09/what-do-you-get-for-460-000-see-one-of-milwaukee.html#g4 Includes interior shots and the Cummins ISL in the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted September 22, 2015 Report Share Posted September 22, 2015 Photos of 5603 (new XD40) featured in a bizjournal article: http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2015/09/what-do-you-get-for-460-000-see-one-of-milwaukee.html#g4 Includes interior shots and the Cummins ISL in the back. Interesting that they've switched to the Freedman/4ONE Angel model seat vs. the old standard American Seating 6468 model. I assume it is cheaper to just buy the entire interior from Freedman once you get the Q-Pod option for the mobility device securements. Hard to tell, but it looks like they're still using straight plexi for the rear section windows. I guess the vandalism on their buses is still pretty bad. Nice find, thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted October 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 You're welcome! Here's another story: Source: http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2015/10/03/county-transit-unveils-new-line-of-buses/ While the new buses look cosmetically the same as the old ones, the interior has seen many upgrades. The doors have switched to an electronic smart door system that will open automatically. The rear door, which previously had to be pushed in order to be opened when the bus was stopped, now features a touch sensor. “You can say ‘open sesame’ in front of the sensors and the door will open,” said Schultz. While the doors are the change most passengers will notice right away, there are a few other improvements as well. The new buses are equipped with RELS technology, which stands for Reduced Engine Load at Stop. RELS allows the transmission to switch to a reduced load state while the vehicle is stopped, much like shifting a car into neutral. This change aims to reduce the amount of fuel consumed and pollution expelled by buses. The new bus also has improved air disc brakes, air suspension, and electric fans. While the first of the 28 new buses hit the road yesterday, the rest will start running in the following weeks. On top of these new buses, the Milwaukee County Transit System has seen many improvements recently, including a new card reader system and Real-Time bus route information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted June 13, 2018 Report Share Posted June 13, 2018 Recent news from Milwaukee: Milwaukee County advances grant request for BRT hybrids, orders more diesel buses Quote The Milwaukee County Transportation, Public Works and Transit Committee authorized Wednesday the filing of a federal grant application to buy battery-powered electric buses for Milwaukee's bus rapid transit line from downtown Milwaukee to Wauwatosa. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will send off the grant application requesting $9.6 million in Federal Transit Administration grant funding for those buses. Milwaukee County Transit System will use grant money to buy 11 electric buses. If MCTS doesn't receive the grant money, it will still pursue hybrid electric buses for the BRT, which would use diesel fuel when batteries for the buses run low. MCTS has yet to select a vendor for the hybrid buses and the selection process for a bus vendor won't happen until MCTS receives the FTA grant. Quote In addition to signing off on the FTA grant Wednesday, the transit committee also authorized MCTS to execute a $28 million, multi-year contract with California-based Gillig Corp. for the initial purchase of 28 diesel buses, and a minimum purchase of 32 additional buses over a period of up to four years. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted January 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2019 Video Shows Milwaukee Bus Driver Rescuing Young Child https://www.wdio.com/news/video-shows-milwaukee-bus-driver-rescuing-young-child/5205841/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Only1Moore Posted March 24, 2019 Report Share Posted March 24, 2019 Just posted on Facebook (March 24, 2019) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyG2689 Posted June 17, 2019 Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 Hey everyone, just giving you a quick update on the MCTS Roster since it's been awhile As of June 16th, they're only: 3 4700 series (2003) D40LFS ( 4740 ,4742 and 4746) and 15 4800 series (2004) D40LFS ( 4801, 4803, 4804, 4808, 4810, 4817-4819, 4822-4825, 4827-4829) left in service and are all expected to be retired by the end of summer or when the rest of the 5900 series Gillig BRT's enter service whatever comes first. speaking of the 5900 series , they are the first Gillig Buses ordered by MCTS in 17 years. 5900-5918 are active; currently entering service and all 28 will be assigned to the Fond Du Lac (FDL) garage once the remaining 9 buses (5919-5927) are ready to go. The Kinnickinnic (KK) garage will receive their batch (6000-6022 or 6023 series) around spring of next year They are the first buses to have white LED destination signs (with the exception of 5713- a 2016 XD40), and new anti-slip floors, which helps people board and exit the bus without failing when it's raining or snowing outside. They have the Cummins L9 engine paired with the Allison B3400xfe transmission, which are similar to the 5700 and 5800 series xcelsior XD40's (2016-5700-5729 and 2017-5800-5814) respectively That's all from me for now, I'll provide more info on the ride quality and or a pic of one of them in the near future, unless someone beats me to it first lol. Until then, here's a more detailed link of the buses, including a quick YouTube video on them. Take care. Randy . https://www.ridemcts.com/about-mcts/news/new-gillig-buses-2019 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyG2689 Posted June 23, 2019 Report Share Posted June 23, 2019 What's going on everyone just giving you a quick update on the entire MCTS roster 4600-4639: New Flyer D40LF-April 2002-All retired 4607, 4614, 4617, 4626, 4632, 4633 & 4639 were converted as fare collection buses for Summerfest & Wisconsin State Fair for 2 seasons (2014-2015). 4636 returned to service in July 2017 during Summerfest and retired after that. 4700-4750: New Flyer D40LF-Feb. 2003-2 active as of June 21, 2019 4740, 4746 Active 4701, 4702, 4706, 4728 & 4743 returned to service from Wednesday, June 26 to Friday July 7, 2017 during Summerfest and retired after that. Remaining to be retired by new buses by summer 2019. 4733 was the last remaining 4700-series bus with the old MCTS color scheme. 4735, 4742, 4744 Inactive 4800-4829: New Flyer D40LF-January 2004-6 active as of June 21, 2019 4801, 4817, 4819, 4823-4825 Active All to be retired by new buses in near future. 4811 was the only remaining 4800-series bus with the old MCTS color scheme. 4803, 4804, 4806, 4808, 4810, 4811, 4813, 4818, 4821, 4822, 4827, 4828, 4829 Inactive 4900-4914: New Flyer D40LF-October 2004-9 Active as June 21, 2019 4901, 4902, 4905, 4906, 4909-4912, 4914 Active Officially "2005" as that is when they were paid for; a future purchase for 15 more buses (4915-4929) were canceled due to cuts. A few to be retired by new buses in near future. 4900, 4903, 4904, 4907, 4908, 4913 Inactive 5000-5008: New Flyer D40LF-January 2006-5000-5007 active A future purchase for 23 buses (5009-5031) were canceled due to cuts. 5008 retired early due to engine issues 5100-5189: New Flyer D40LFR-August 2010 All active First buses to feature near-zero emissions 5200-5234: New Flyer D40LFR -April 2011:5200-5218, 5220-5234 active 5219 retired early due to accident 5300-5354: New Flyer D40LFR- March 2012 All active 5400-5454: New Flyer XD40 July 2013- All active Clean air buses; First fleet in MCTS' history to feature rear destination signs on the back of the bus. 5500-5534: New Flyer XD40-January 2014-All active Clean air buses 5600-5627: New Flyer XD40 October 2015-All active Clean air buses with new interior features, such as an automatically opening electronic smart door at the back of the bus. 2 were canceled due to increased costs. NO 5628 & 5629. 5601 & 5603 used for demonstrations for MCTS Fleet Maintenance Tour. 5601 was first new bus in service on Route 19 on Friday October 2, 2015. 5700-5729: New Flyer XD40 August 2016-All active 5713 features a white front LED destination sign All in service as of Dec. 2, 2016. 5800-5814:New Flyer XD40 September 2017-All active Buses are 41 feet long. 5801 was on display on Aug. 16, 2017 at the Newaukee Festival Market in Downtown Milwaukee. 5807, 5813 were used for demonstrations for MCTS Fleet Maintenance Tour. 5814 in service as of November 11, 2017. NO 5815, 5816. 5900-5927: Gillig Advantage BRT June 2019-5900-5926 active; currently entering service First buses to have white LED destination signs (with the exception of 5713), and new anti-slip floors. As promised here's my update on the 5900 series Gillig BRT's • basically all of them are in service and can now be found on almost any route based out of the Fond du lac (FDL) garage • strangely enough though , they're not very active on the weekends, at least not right now, compared to the weekdays , but I expect that to change with Summerfest starting this Wednesday. • the anti-slip floors are just that, anti-slip. Unless you're clumsy or not paying attention, in my opinion at least, you have no reason to slip and fall boarding /exiting the bus regardless of the weather conditions. • the seating position difference between these and a D40LF, LFR or a XD40 is unbelievable. I kid not, out of all the times I have set at the front of any bus in MCTS'S fleet I have never felt so low to the ground until I rode on one of these BRT'S... the seats are comfortable tho, so that's a plus • for the ride experience itself: honestly, at least for now, I personally have no complaints or haven't heard any from the drivers or other passengers. There's no shakes or rattling noises whatsoever. They handle bumps and road deformities like a champ, and even with the Cummins L9/ Allison B3400XFE powertrain, these bad boys are impressively quick, especially with the right driver , compared to the 2016-17 XD40's with the same transmission.. That's all from me and I know this is long thread lol, but I wanted to give ya'll a full, complete breakdown of our roster since I haven't seen one from anyone else on here. Take care 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Border City Transit Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 48 minutes ago, RandyG2689 said: the seating position difference between these and a D40LF, LFR or a XD40 is unbelievable. I kid not, out of all the times I have set at the front of any bus in MCTS'S fleet I have never felt so low to the ground until I rode on one of these BRT'S Yep. The "bathtub effect". I have plenty of, um, opinions on Gilligs... but I'll refrain while you get used to 'em in Milwaukee. Surely it's exciting to see something different. Follow up frequently to report if it's an improvement. Elsewhere in the Midwest... COTA in Columbus recently did the opposite: after 100% Gillig for many years, their newest order is New Flyer. Early reports are positive. Thanks for the extensive info/update. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz2kb Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 15 hours ago, Border City Transit said: Yep. The "bathtub effect". I have plenty of, um, opinions on Gilligs... but I'll refrain while you get used to 'em in Milwaukee. Surely it's exciting to see something different. Follow up frequently to report if it's an improvement. Elsewhere in the Midwest... COTA in Columbus recently did the opposite: after 100% Gillig for many years, their newest order is New Flyer. Early reports are positive. Thanks for the extensive info/update. Does anyone know why did COTA switch to New Flyer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyG2689 Posted July 11, 2019 Report Share Posted July 11, 2019 Hey what's going everyone, just giving you a quick update. As of July 10th, All of the 5900 series Gillig low floor BRT'S (5900-5927) are in active service and with the exception of at least one driver that I know of, are well liked amongst the other drivers and passengers, been hearing alot of positive feedback , especially in regards of the new anti-slip floors. In my personal opinion they have definitely been a benefit in improving the riding experience. As far as for the other buses in the mcts fleet, very little has change. • the two remaining 03 D40LFS from the 4700 series: 4740 and 4746 are still active, but are sparsely used as well as the 5 04 4800 series D40LFS: 4801 ( which was used as a summerfest information bus and is no longer in active revenue service) 4817, 4819, and 4823-4825 are pretty much only used during the rush hour now and just in my personal opinion, I believe those remaining buses will probably be retired by the end of the month or after the WI state fair in August (1-11). Lastly bus #5334 a 2012 D40LFR has been retired due to catching fire on the 4th of July . No injuries thank goodness, but the bus is a complete loss That's all for now and if it's there anything significant that happens with the fleet I'll be back . Until then I see ya'll soon. P. S, if anyone can update the Roster for MCTS on the cptdb wiki with the info from my previous post I'd appreciate it . Anyway, peace out 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomasw Posted July 11, 2019 Report Share Posted July 11, 2019 15 hours ago, RandyG2689 said: Hey what's going everyone, just giving you a quick update. As of July 10th, All of the 5900 series Gillig low floor BRT'S (5900-5927) are in active service and with the exception of at least one driver that I know of, are well liked amongst the other drivers and passengers, been hearing alot of positive feedback , especially in regards of the new anti-slip floors. In my personal opinion they have definitely been a benefit in improving the riding experience. As far as for the other buses in the mcts fleet, very little has change. • the two remaining 03 D40LFS from the 4700 series: 4740 and 4746 are still active, but are sparsely used as well as the 5 04 4800 series D40LFS: 4801 ( which was used as a summerfest information bus and is no longer in active revenue service) 4817, 4819, and 4823-4825 are pretty much only used during the rush hour now and just in my personal opinion, I believe those remaining buses will probably be retired by the end of the month or after the WI state fair in August (1-11). Lastly bus #5334 a 2012 D40LFR has been retired due to catching fire on the 4th of July . No injuries thank goodness, but the bus is a complete loss That's all for now and if it's there anything significant that happens with the fleet I'll be back . Until then I see ya'll soon. P. S, if anyone can update the Roster for MCTS on the cptdb wiki with the info from my previous post I'd appreciate it . Anyway, peace out I edited most of what you said in your last few posts, lemme know if I missed anything 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyG2689 Posted July 12, 2019 Report Share Posted July 12, 2019 8 hours ago, Thomasw said: I edited most of what you said in your last few posts, lemme know if I missed anything I appreciate that, the only thing that needs to be updated at least right now is the fleet number for the Gillig BRT'S. Since MCTS ordered 28 of them and all are active ., the numbers are 5900-5927, not 5900-5922. Other than that, everything else looks good. I'll also let you know if the remaining 4700 and 4800 series D40LFS are retired as soon as I can since I haven't seen any in person or on the MCTS bus tracker in a week Again thanks alot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyG2689 Posted July 16, 2019 Report Share Posted July 16, 2019 What's going on ya'll, just a quick and final MCTS roster update from me for a while. As of July 11th , the remaining 4700 and 4800 series D40LFS from 2003 and 04 are officially retired due so if anyone can update that for me on the cptdb wiki, I'd appreciate it That's all from me for now ... TTYL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyG2689 Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 On 7/11/2019 at 3:11 PM, Thomasw said: I edited most of what you said in your last few posts, lemme know if I missed anything I need you to make one more edit on the cptdb wiki. The 4700 and 4800 series D40LFS are officially retired. Appreciate it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomasw Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 (edited) 23 hours ago, RandyG2689 said: I need you to make one more edit on the cptdb wiki. The 4700 and 4800 series D40LFS are officially retired. Appreciate it Disregard... edit was done a day ago by @Orion6025 Edited July 23, 2019 by Thomasw 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyG2689 Posted July 30, 2019 Report Share Posted July 30, 2019 What's going on everyone, I wanted to give another , probably last update on the MCTS roster for the rest of the year I recently asked one of the drivers what happened to the older low floor buses, the 4900 and 5000 series D40LFS from 2005-2006 since its been two weeks since I've seen one on the bus tracker and it was brought to my attention that they were officially retired the same week of the remaining 4700 and 4800 series D40LFS I've mentioned previously and I can confirm they're retired cause at the maintenance/ fleet management/ administration building where new buses are delivered and prepared for service and the older ones are sent when they are retired/ prepared to be auctioned off or scrapped, they are lined up one by one. So now the only buses left in service are the 5100-5300 series D40LFR'S from 2010-12 , the 5400-5800 series Xcelsiors XD40'S from 2013-17 and the brand new 2019 Gillig BRT'S. Normally I wouldn't have an emotional attachment/ connection to a bus, cause you know, it's a bus lol. But for some reason I have mix feelings about this. I mean on one hand, I understand why they retired them, they were passed their lifespan of usefulness and their age was starting to show at the end.. and yeah the D40LFRs, XD40'S and BRT'S are quieter, quicker and more comfortable. But on the other hand, from as long as I've lived in Milwaukee ( born and raised) I basically grew up seeing these D40LFS on almost a daily basis, from middle school to high school to college, I mean they were the backbone, the workhorses of the MCTS fleet for so long that it's going to be weird not seeing them anymore. In a way, it's an end of a era. In closing. R.I.P MCTS New Flyer D40LF's: 1996-2019, thanks for the memories ✌ On 7/22/2019 at 9:56 PM, Thomasw said: Disregard... edit was done a day ago by @Orion6025 Cool but he might want to update it one more time considering the 2005-06 D40LFS are officially retired, meaning all of them are gone now and only the LFR's XD40'S and BRT'S are in service 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Border City Transit Posted July 30, 2019 Report Share Posted July 30, 2019 5 hours ago, RandyG2689 said: Normally I wouldn't have an emotional attachment/ connection to a bus, cause you know, it's a bus lol. But for some reason I have mix feelings about this. Totally understand! "Regular" New Flyers in Milwaukee were just like RTSes in New York, Flxibles in DC, even Neoplans in Philadelphia: they became rolling landmarks of the city. You see a certain type of bus every day just like you'd see a monument or a historical building every day. When they go away, you miss them -- and the city doesn't feel quite the same without. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted July 30, 2019 Report Share Posted July 30, 2019 1 hour ago, Border City Transit said: Totally understand! "Regular" New Flyers in Milwaukee were just like RTSes in New York, Flxibles in DC, even Neoplans in Philadelphia: they became rolling landmarks of the city. You see a certain type of bus every day just like you'd see a monument or a historical building every day. When they go away, you miss them -- and the city doesn't feel quite the same without. Agreed, exactly how it is. I've had that same 'missing' sense the past year in the Twin Cities as most of the D60, Phantoms, and D40LF are suddenly gone on a day-to-day basis, vs. seeing them regularly just a few years ago. Heck even now just thinking of MCTS with no D40LF seems strange to me, that was literally the entire fleet my first visit there just 9 years ago. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyG2689 Posted August 2, 2019 Report Share Posted August 2, 2019 On 7/30/2019 at 7:04 AM, Border City Transit said: Totally understand! "Regular" New Flyers in Milwaukee were just like RTSes in New York, Flxibles in DC, even Neoplans in Philadelphia: they became rolling landmarks of the city. You see a certain type of bus every day just like you'd see a monument or a historical building every day. When they go away, you miss them -- and the city doesn't feel quite the same without. That's exactly what it is, i mean its definitely weird, but like they say, where one era ends, another one begins. I mean next spring we're supposed to get another batch of Gillig BRT'S for the KK garage on the south side, plus later in 2020, if not early 2021 we are also getting apparently either fully electric or hybrid electric buses "depending on funding" for the east-west BRT line , that's in the final development stages, so that's pretty cool. And also MCTS as a whole is in a process of having the entire bus network redesigned from top to bottom with this mcts next project, so yeah we"re definitely going through some changes here , and I'm optimistic that its for the better 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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