Palm Tran update

[Big CJ]

The roster needs a bit of an update, so here is what I got. The Flxibles Palm Tran bought new, including the 1982 Grummans all made it into the Palm Tran era. The TMC Citycrusiers were built between 1979-1980. 800-805 were built in December of 1979, while 806-814 were built in January of 1980, 815-828 were built in February of 1980, and finally 829-839 March of 1980.

http://www.oocities.org/~buslist/TMC_TC30/TMC_T30.html

These buses used 6v53T engines and Allison MT-643s. The City Birds were built in 1982 and had the same engine and transmission set up as the TMC Citycrusiers. Both the TMCs and City Birds made it into the Palm Tran era, but were fully retired in 1996 by the Gillig Phantoms.

[alexb320]

Here's some more information I've found to add to Palm Tran's wiki page.

-Palm Tran just announced their new 2016 buses. It includes 7 40' Gillig BRTPlus and 3 29' Gillig (BRT?). 1600 is the bus shown on Palm Trans website. I'm assuming they will be numbered 1600-1606(40') and 1607-1609(29'). No Vins available yet.

http://discover.pbcgov.org/palmtran/Lists/NewsReleases/NewsDispForm.aspx?ID=23&RootFolder=%2Fpalmtran%2FLists%2FNewsReleases&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fpalmtran%2FPages%2Fdefault.aspx

-0302 and 0304 are the oldest buses in the fleet and last of the 29' LowFloors in service. These will likely be replaced by the new 2016's. 0306 ended up at Midwest bus and has since been sold.

-All of the 2004 40' Gilligs are retired. 0401-0404, 0407, 0409, and 0413 ended up at Midwest bus in Michigan. All have been sold or disposed of.

0405 and 0406 were sold to Coach Crafters, Inc. in June 2014. Both were still on their property as of May 2016. Not sure what happened to 0408, 0411-0412

-Also, 0010 was sold to Midwest Bus in 2013 and is still up for sale on their website. http://midwestbus.com/inventory.php?controller=Listings&action=view&id=155

-0603, 0614, 0617, and 0620 were all sold to Midwest Bus. All remain as of November 2016.

0602 and 0604 were transferred to Pasco County Transit in June 2016.

The only 2006 buses still in revenue service are 0605-0606, 0610, and 0615. I assume the remaining buses are still on Palm Tran's property awaiting disposal or are used for training.

-0701 has also been retired.

-1210 was involved in an accident in March 2015. The bus was heavily damaged, but was repaired by Coach Crafters, Inc. and is now back in service.

Before and after pictures can be seen on Coach Crafters website: http://www.coachcrafters.com/products-a-services/collision-frame-and-fire-damage-repair

Also:

0121, 0127, 0205, 0207, and 0211 were sold to Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) All were sold as non-runners from SCAT in September 2015. 0211 ended up at Coach Crafters, Inc. and was being used for parts. https://www.proxibid.com/asp/Catalog.asp?aid=100890&lr=1478710296042

0022, 0118, and 0210 also ended up at Midwest Bus. All have been disposed of.

 

 

[alexb320]

Time for another update for Palm Tran:

Still currently unknown what happened to 0301-0302, & 0304. They were retired from regular service in 2017 when the 2017 Gillig 29ft buses arrived(1607-1609).

In November 2017, the following buses were auctioned off:

0408: 15GGD211341076066 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=532&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0411: 15GGD211941076069 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=533&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0412: 15GGD211541076070 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=534&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0609: 15GGD211761076929 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=535&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0613: 15GGD211361076930 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=536&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0616: 15GGD211961076933 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=537&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0618: 15GGD212661076935 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=538&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0619: 15GGD21461076936 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=539&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0709: 15GGD211X71078112 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=540&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0710: 15GGD211171078113 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=541&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

 

0616 & 0619 were purchased by Midwest bus, MI:

http://midwestbus.com/inventory.php?controller=Listings&action=view&id=499

http://midwestbus.com/inventory.php?controller=Listings&action=view&id=498

 

0609 & 0618 were purchased by Coach Crafters, FL:

 

This leaves 0301-0302, 0304, 0601, 0605-0608, 0610, 0611-0612, & 0615 as the oldest remaining buses. None of which are used in revenue service and do not show up on the tracker anymore. Likely used for training and/or spares.

New 2017 Gillig 40ft BRTPlus' have started arriving and are slowly going into service. I've found 1700 & 1701 on route 1 on the tracker. Unknown how many buses they purchased.

 

1124 was involved in an accident on 12/8/2017 and is now more than likely retired. The bus had its two left-rear wheels fall off while driving down I-95 which resulted in the bus crashing into another truck and the median barrier. Luckily, no passengers were on the bus at the time and only the bus driver and driver of the other involved truck received injuries. You can read the whole story and watch the bus video in the link below:

http://cbs12.com/news/local/palm-tran-director-blames-human-error-in-terrifying-i-95-crash

 

 

[alexb320]

Seems like all the 1700 series buses are now in service. I have found 1700-1714 on the bus tracker. These buses match the same Gillig Diesel BRTPlus styling as 1600-1606.

 

[alexb320]

10 more 2006 Gilligs went to auction this past weekend. 0610 is the only 2006 unit remaining. 

0601: 15GGD211261076918 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=910&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fofmb%2Fthriftstore%2FPages%2FView-Bid-Lots.aspx&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0602: 15GGD211461076919 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=911&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fofmb%2Fthriftstore%2FPages%2FView-Bid-Lots.aspx&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0604: 15GGD211461076922 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=912&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fofmb%2Fthriftstore%2FPages%2FView-Bid-Lots.aspx&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0605: 15GGD211261076921 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=913&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fofmb%2Fthriftstore%2FPages%2FView-Bid-Lots.aspx&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0606: 15GGD211661076923 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=914&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fofmb%2Fthriftstore%2FPages%2FView-Bid-Lots.aspx&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0607: 15GGD211861076924 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=915&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fofmb%2Fthriftstore%2FPages%2FView-Bid-Lots.aspx&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0608: 15GGD211X61076925 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=916&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fofmb%2Fthriftstore%2FPages%2FView-Bid-Lots.aspx&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0611: 15GGD211561076928 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=917&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fofmb%2Fthriftstore%2FPages%2FView-Bid-Lots.aspx&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0612: 15GGD211761076929 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=918&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fofmb%2Fthriftstore%2FPages%2FView-Bid-Lots.aspx&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

0615: 15GGD211761076932 (http://discover.pbcgov.org/ofmb/thriftstore/Lists/ViewBidLots/DispForm.aspx?ID=919&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fdiscover.pbcgov.org%2Fofmb%2Fthriftstore%2FPages%2FView-Bid-Lots.aspx&ContentTypeId=0x010019D0AA7958C125419BF2B9932B8199F6)

 

This also brings up an interested note. 0602 & 0604 were supposed to be transferred to Pasco County Transit per a County Commission Meeting back in June 2016. I guess the deal never went through.

[FYBklyn1959]

On 5/30/2018 at 11:14 AM, alexb320 said:

Seems like all the 1700 series buses are now in service. I have found 1700-1714 on the bus tracker. These buses match the same Gillig Diesel BRTPlus styling as 1600-1606.

 

 

I saw 1702 on the 3 last Saturday.  Tried to get a pic, but it didn't come out well.

[The Neoplan Rider Studios]

This photo goes to the perspective owner Marcos A R of Facebook. 

Palm Tran has Cng GILLIG brt PLUS

[Buzz2kb]

1 hour ago, The Neoplan Rider Studios said:

This photo goes to the perspective owner Marcos A R of Facebook. 

Palm Tran has Cng GILLIG brt PLUS

No.  The BRT Plus buses Palm Tran has are diesel buses.  That raised fairing is standard on all BRT Plus buses regardless of drivetrains (Diesel, Hybrid or CNG).

 

PS: Palm Tran was once my hometown transit agency.

[Big CJ]

Seeing Palm Tran retire all those Advantages and BRTs so soon. Reminds me of when they had all those used Flxibles, along with the Flxibles they bought new under Cotran. They ran those buses for almost 15-20 years. A contrast to what Palm Tran use to do back then. The TMC Citycrusiers built 1979-1980 lasted until 1996 running on the Tri-Rail shuttles. 16 of those buses were rehabbed for the service in 1990, after Cotran fired Holland Industries due to poor reliability of their buses on the shuttle service.

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1290&dat=19900907&id=l_hTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TY0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3894,2489741&hl=en

[J. S. Bach]

I always thought that PalmTran had too much on a single headsign:

Looking through my sign collection the other day, I found that Baltimore's Mass Transit Administration had a similar side sign:

 

[doglover44]

Are they getting new Advantages ?

[Big CJ]

On 10/5/2018 at 1:05 AM, doglover44 said:

Are they getting new Advantages ?

Are you going to stop making meaningless posts across the forum, when the answers to your questions are already in the thread and on the wiki itself? If so, the answer to your question is no they're not getting Advantages for the time being.

[The Neoplan Rider Studios]

On 10/3/2018 at 11:25 PM, Buzz2kb said:

No.  The BRT Plus buses Palm Tran has are diesel buses.  That raised fairing is standard on all BRT Plus buses regardless of drivetrains (Diesel, Hybrid or CNG).

 

PS: Palm Tran was once my hometown transit agency.

Voith d864.5

On 10/3/2018 at 11:25 PM, Buzz2kb said:

No.  The BRT Plus buses Palm Tran has are diesel buses.  That raised fairing is standard on all BRT Plus buses regardless of drivetrains (Diesel, Hybrid or CNG).

 

PS: Palm Tran was once my hometown transit agency.

How do you know 

This photo goes to the owner. 

[The Neoplan Rider Studios]

On 10/3/2018 at 11:25 PM, Buzz2kb said:

No.  The BRT Plus buses Palm Tran has are diesel buses.  That raised fairing is standard on all BRT Plus buses regardless of drivetrains (Diesel, Hybrid or CNG).

 

PS: Palm Tran was once my hometown transit agency.

I thought they've cng tanks on the roof like Orlando Tampa and Jacksonville cng gilligs

On 10/3/2018 at 11:25 PM, Buzz2kb said:

Yeah. The BRT Plus buses Palm Tran has are cng buses.  That raised fairing is standard on all BRT Plus buses regardless of drivetrains (Diesel, Hybrid or CNG).

 

PS: Palm Tran was once my hometown transit 

 

[edison]

23 hours ago, The Neoplan Rider Studios said:

How do you know 

The one way I can kind of see from the images you posted is the diesel and DEF doors on the curbside rear. The CNG buses do not have the fuel door in the same place from what I can tell. Plus there doesn't seem to be any CNG stickers identifying the bus as a CNG vehicle.

[Buzz2kb]

3 hours ago, edison said:

The one way I can kind of see from the images you posted is the diesel and DEF doors on the curbside rear. The CNG buses do not have the fuel door in the same place from what I can tell. Plus there doesn't seem to be any CNG stickers identifying the bus as a CNG vehicle.

On top of what edison has said, I have been following up on developments at Palm Tran, and I've never heard of any plans by the agency to introduce any CNG buses or refuelling facilities.

[The Neoplan Rider Studios]

On 10/8/2018 at 2:43 AM, Buzz2kb said:

On top of what edison has said, I have been following up on developments at Palm Tran, and I've never heard of any plans by the agency to introduce any CNG buses or refuelling facilities.

Photo Credit: Carlos A. From Facebook 

Palm Tran will introduce cng buses by 2022 according to Wikipedia. 

On 10/7/2018 at 11:12 PM, edison said:

The one way I can kind of see from the images you posted is the diesel and DEF doors on the curbside rear. The CNG buses do not have the fuel door in the same place from what I can tell. Plus there doesn't seem to be any CNG stickers identifying the bus as a CNG vehicle.

Wrong 

[Big CJ]

19 hours ago, The Neoplan Rider Studios said:

Wrong 

How is he wrong, when he and a few users have already pointed out that Palm Tran isn't investing in CNG buses? What part of that is there not to understand? Plus I ride Lynx and the CNG tag is on those buses, so they're CNG. I see no CNG tag on Palm Tran's units, so they for the last time are not CNG.

[Chris.A]

On ‎10‎/‎6‎/‎2018 at 2:06 AM, Big CJ said:

Are you going to stop making meaningless posts across the forum, when the answers to your questions are already in the thread and on the wiki itself? If so, the answer to your question is no they're not getting Advantages for the time being.

Didn't you use to be on NYCT fourms?

[Big CJ]

8 hours ago, Chris.A said:

Didn't you use to be on NYCT fourms?

Unfortunately yes. I normally don't go off topic, but the only good things that came out of me being there. One I met some really cool guys and two I learned a lot about people too. Things that I didn't need to know that is.

[Chris.A]

3 hours ago, Big CJ said:

Unfortunately yes. I normally don't go off topic, but the only good things that came out of me being there. One I met some really cool guys and two I learned a lot about people too. Things that I didn't need to know that is.

They are going down hill anyway and have been so for the last 4-5 years. Same with subchat.

[Big CJ]

3 hours ago, Chris.A said:

They are going down hill anyway and have been so for the last 4-5 years. Same with subchat.

Considering some of the stuff I've been hearing about certain individuals who post over there, Subchat is tolerable as the trolls that were once there are gone. I won't go into details about what I've been finding out as it's pretty off topic as it is, but I'm glad the shenanigans are limited to mostly the northeast and a few individuals across the country.

Melvin Bernero shot of an Ex-Palm Tran Advantage operating from Aries. They have several of these buses, including 40ft units from the 9900 series, which replaced the used Grummans Palm Tran had.

 

 

[The Neoplan Rider Studios]

On 10/11/2018 at 5:17 AM, Big CJ said:

How is he wrong, when he and a few users have already pointed out that Palm Tran isn't investing in CNG buses? What part of that is there not to understand? Plus I ride Lynx and the CNG tag is on those buses, so they're CNG. I see no CNG tag on Palm Tran's units, so they for the last time are not CNG.

And the 2016 Gillig Low Floor by Kevin Nicol

On 10/11/2018 at 5:17 AM, Big CJ said:

How is he right , when he and a few users have already pointed out that Palm Tran is investing in CNG buses? What part of that is there not to understand? Plus I ride Lynx and the CNG tag is on those buses, so they're CNG. I see CNG tag on Palm Tran's units, so they for the last time are CNG with voith d864.5.

Wikipedia said that CPTDB is not 100% enough because of theft. Are you comparing the CNG buses in Orlando or Jacksonville Gilligs including Miami Dade transit 2019 181 CNG Gillig BRT Plus exercised order included proterra electric buses? 

[alexb320]

On 10/13/2018 at 11:46 PM, The Neoplan Rider Studios said:

Wikipedia said that CPTDB is not 100% enough because of theft. Are you comparing the CNG buses in Orlando or Jacksonville Gilligs including Miami Dade transit 2019 181 CNG Gillig BRT Plus exercised order included proterra electric buses? 

As it is has already been stated, the Gillig BRTPlus package is available in Diesel, Hybrid, and CNG. As noted in the picture you posted, JTAs 2201-2207 BRTPlus buses are Hybrids, not CNG. Lynx has all CNG. Palm Tran has Diesels. Marta has all Diesels. I think its dumb that this is a topic that is still getting brought up. Lets please just move on and keep this board focused on less petty things.

[Big CJ]

9 hours ago, alexb320 said:

As it is has already been stated, the Gillig BRTPlus package is available in Diesel, Hybrid, and CNG. As noted in the picture you posted, JTAs 2201-2207 BRTPlus buses are Hybrids, not CNG. Lynx has all CNG. Palm Tran has Diesels. Marta has all Diesels. I think its dumb that this is a topic that is still getting brought up. Lets please just move on and keep this board focused on less petty things.

Just another example why I'm not active on transit forums, cause of individuals who think Wikipedia is all correct, individuals who outright don't listen the first few times after being told something, and some who are straight up inept. Arguing with men in their 20s-50s with massive egos isn't healthy and can make your hairline recede.

Moving away from the trash that I don't care about, Palm Tran sold all, but 960 to Gainesville in early 2005. Those 1995 Flxible Metros. The buses were out of service by late 2004, so they only had a 9 year career there. 960 joined its sisters in 2007 along with the 30ft Phantoms. Amazingly, the 30ft Flxibles Palm Tran sold to Puerto Rico may still be kicking around.