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COTA Central Ohio Transit Authority - Update?


MCTAbus

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COTA's wiki is in a bad need of updating and here's what i know. I am trying to contact COTA to get more information and verify what i know

ALL 1999 Novabus LFS and 2001 New FLyer D40LF buses are retired (this is obvious but not mentioned that all are retired in the wiki)

all 2003 New Flyer D40LF buses except 2308 and 2310 are retired. The current status of 2308 and 2310 is unknown but they may have been retired with the order of 2016 Gillig Advantage CNG buses.

2004 New Flyer D40LF Buses: 2403 and 2404 are retired The current status of 2401, 2402, and 2405 is unknown but they may have been retired with the order of 2016 Gillig Advantage CNG buses.

2005 Gillig Advantage buses: Some units may have been retired but i cant confirm which units if any have been retired

2005 New Flyer D40LF: The current status of all 5 (2521 - 2525 units is unknown but they may have been retired with the order of 2016 Gillig Advantage CNG buses.

2009 Gillig Advantage 30ft Buses: 2940 and 1 or 2 more buses have been converted for use on the new COTA Air Connect route.

COTA ordered buses on the following years but theres no record in the WIKI

2010 Gillig Advantage, 2011 Gillig Advantage, 2012 Gillig Advantage, 2014 Gillig Advantage CNG, 2015 Gillig Advantage CNG, 2016 Gillig Advantage CNG (13 units)

 

Ill add/update info when i can verify the info (COTA responds)

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17 hours ago, Kevin L said:

I've split them into active and retired based on the post above.

ty also hear back from COTA and here's what they said

 

"Thanks for your inquiries! I learned this morning that we do have a couple of remaining 2500 series New Flyers but they are in contingency. This means that they are used in case of emergency, and occasionally as training buses. Those coach numbers are 2520, 2521, 2522, 2523 & 2524. In regards to Gilligs, we do still have some in service, including 2501! Those coach numbers are 2501-2512."

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Here are the specifics:

1001-1006 G30D102N4 A1178075-8080 (Hybrid)

1007-1043 G27D102N4 A1178038-8074

1101-1137 G27D102N4 B1178781-8817

1138-1140 G27E102R2 B1092110-2112

1201-1223 G27D102N4 C1180409-0431

1301-1318 G27D102N4 D1182123-2140

1319-1330 G27B102N4 D1182141-2152

1401-1408 G27E102R2 E1092780-2787

1409-1415 G27B102N4 E1183776-3782

1416-1436 G27D102N4 E1183753-3773

1501-1505 G27B102N4 F1186280-6284

1506-1538 G27D102N4 F1186285-6317

(No info on 1600's yet)

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More researching and got this as a result:

2009 Gillig Advantage 2937-2940 converted for use on air connect
2014 Gillig CNG 1401-1406 are branded for use on the CBus Downtown Circulator

2308 and 2310 were retired in spring 2016
2401 2402 and 2405 retired in spring of 2016

fleet numbers for the 2016 Gillig CNG units are 1601-1613

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2 more things:

air connect buses have luggage racks and USB charging ports (part of the conversion)

New bus: 1614  2016 Gillig Advantage 40ft CNG advantage. Spotted in service on 7/14/16 (i am going to check with COTA to see if any more new buses are coming.)

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  • 3 weeks later...

more updates:

New bus 1618 : 2016 gillig Advantage CNG (not sure if this was a 35 or 40ft bus, only saw the back end of the bus as it was on the highway)

some or maybe all the 2005 gillig units will be auctioned off on 8/13/16

some 2008 gillig units will be auctioned off on 8/13/16

Source for the auctions: http://www.cota.com/Company/Auctions.aspx

no info on the NFI units so i assume they are not going anywhere soon. also not sure what numbers for the 2005 and 2008 gillig units (asking cota for numbers)

1995 Flxible 40ft buses: 6 units were sold to Campus Area Bus Service . (no record on COTA page but recorded on OSU CABS page)

1995 Flxible 35ft buses: 9520 was scrapped http://www.ttmg.org/pages/flxible/cota-flxibleb.html (photo is there)

1986 GMC RTS T7J-606: 8623 was scrapped 

 

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2505 was involved in a an accident in mid 2014 and was taken out of service. Bus became a parts bus until it was auctioned off on 8/13/16

2828 was involved in an accident in ??? and was taken out of service. Bus became a parts bus. What was left of 2828 was auctioned off on 8/13/16

2404 and 2405 are still on COTA property

 

Bus 2828 (whats left of it)

DSCF1557.JPG

 

2520 (left) and 2405 (far right) parked

DSCF1561.JPG

2505 (accident damage)

DSCF1549.JPG

 

2505 (left side) I am contributing this photo for the wiki

DSCF1546.JPG

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  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...

more info/updates

New buses

1615-1618: 2016 Gillig Advantage CNG 35ft Buses

 

More retirement info

2521 has been re-retired as of 10/15/16. it is back in the contingency fleet.

the last of the 1995 Flxibles were retired in 2012

the 1999 Novas were retired between 2012-2013

2001 NFI D40LF: All units were retired between 2013-2015. 2101 was repainted into the current Livery as a test bus sometime in 2010 as a test bus for current livery

2003 NFI D40LF: 2301-2307 & 2309 retired in 2015 and were put in the contingency fleet, 2308 and 2310 remained active till 2016. all units auctioned off in april of 2016

2004 NFI D40LF: all units have been retired but remain on COTA property

bus 2828: 2828 was taken out of service in 2011 after an accident with a box truck, the bus sat in the COTA yard till 2016, the bus has been auctioned and likely scrapped.

bus 2505: 2505 was takem out of service in the summer of 2014 after an accident with an SUV, the bus sat in the COTA yard till 2016 when it was auctioned.

2501 was repainted in the current Livery sometime in 2010 as a test bus for current livery

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  • 4 weeks later...

New bus: 1620 - 2016 (or 2017? i'm not too sure) Gillig BRT+ CNG 40ft. To be used on Cmax Route (route is not active yet) There may be more buses but can't confirm anything yet. I stumbled upon this picture on COTA's website while downloading a bus schedule. Don't use the picture for the wiki, its here for reference only.

 

CMAX-pic.jpg

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  • 4 weeks later...

December update + para-transit roster (incomplete)

Bus 2521 has been placed back into service a 2nd time. (2005 New Flyer)

Only 2520 and 2521 remain with COTA as of 12/21/16

2501 is out of service (2005 Gillig Advantage)

the front half of 9901 was converted into an assessment device to determine if someone is eligible to use COTA's Para-transit service. All exterior and interior lights still work and the bus's kneeling feature and wheel chair ramp also work. Bus also received new front and side destination signs as part of the conversion. The back half is presumably scrapped.

 

Para-transit roster (incomplete)

4XX Ford - Unknown number of units. Known units: 407, 408, 412, 413. 407 retired early and became a parts bus, all units are retired.

80XX Ford - unknown number of units. Known unit 8017. all units retired

11XX 2011 Chevy -  numbers are 1161-1181.   1163, 1167, 1170, 1174-1175, 1178,  1180-1181 are retired.

12XX 2012 Chevy

13XX 2013 Chevy

14XX 2014 Chevy

16XX 2016 Chevy

 

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

January bits of info

1999 Novabus LFS: These buses were the first Low floor buses in COTA's fleet. 9903 was sold to a charter service. I spotted the bus on the road 1/9/16. All COTA livery has been removed from the bus except the number.

2001 New Flyer D40LF: 2102 was sold to MidWest Bus Corp, it was spotted there on 10/17/14. I don't know if the bus is still there or not. Evidence: http://www.michaeltaylor.ca/bus-us/midwest/col-2102.html . 2151 was also repainted in the current livery prior to retirement. Evidence: img_3045.jpg

2004-2005 Gillig Advantage: These buses were the first 35ft Low floor Buses in the fleet

2007 Gillig Advantage: First buses to feature Tip in windows

2008 Gillig Advantage: First buses with LED interior lighting.

2016 Gillig BRT: The CMax route will be launched in January of 2018 (the bus will be inactive till then?)

para-transit

Project Mainstream (AKA COTA Mainstream) is the para-transit service of COTA and offers service within 3/4 of a mile of a fixed route bus line. 

16xx Chevy : Buses have a different seating configuration.

EDIT:

1989 Flxible Metro CNG ADB 40102-6C

This was an experimental Unit and also the first Production CNG Metro by flxible. I do not know when the bus retired or what number it was.

http://www.ttmg.org/pages/flxible/cota-flxiblea.html

Again don't use the photos as they are reference only.

Edited by MCTAbus
i forgot to post the 1989 flxible CNG info
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  • 2 months later...

Late march info

 

2501 is back in service primarily as a training bus. Occasionally the bus is used on express routes.

1007-1009 have been repainted with the current livery.

1423 is out of service after an accident. http://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/gallery/columbus-police-cruiser-and-cota-bus-involved-in-crash#photo-2

 

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More information after looking over new cota tsr routes (and getting side tracked)

all remaining 2005 Gillig Advantages, the remaining 2 New flyer D40LF, and all 2007 Gillig advantage units are to be retired by September 2017

the 2007 Gilligs are likely being retired without replacements as a result of COTA's TSR changes which will reduce the number of peek hour (express) routes.

Evidence http://www.cota.com/COTA/media/PDF/SRTP/2017-2021-SRTP-Draft-IV.pdf (page 108)

 

 

New buses coming for this year.

13 new Gillig CNG buses are being ordered this year and will be in a mixture of 35ft and 30ft units that will be delivered by April 30th

13 additional buses will be delivered by September 30th for the new CMAX route  and will branded with the Cmax livery (see previous post with the CMax pic)

Evidence http://www.cota.com/COTA/media/PDF/SRTP/2017-2021-SRTP-Draft-IV.pdf (page 111)

 

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

May Update #1

all the 2004/2005 Gilligs and 2005 New Flyers are now inactive due to major service changes that took effect May 1st.

Most if not all the 2007 Gilligs are now inactive due to major service changes that took effect May 1st. A few are being used as training buses. 2730 was spotted yesterday as a training unit.

Image05022017134554.thumb.jpg.feb28e6104b2293552278b8b277f2ab0.jpg

 

2017 Gilligs

Numbers are 1701-1713 with 1704 being one of the 30ft Buses

Image05022017151025.thumb.jpg.c5bdefc123140cfd665b24052fd6eb57.jpg

 

Also does anyone have the VINS for the 2016 & 2017 Gilligs as well as the 2003 & 2004 New Flyer D40LFs?

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  • 3 weeks later...

May Update Number 2

Bus 1415 is out of service after a bad accident on the interstate. The driver was hurt but there were no passengers on at the time of the crash. Based on the damage to the bus which I saw on the news I think 1415 may be out of service for good.

 

Bus 1423 is back in service as of 5/15/17

 

COTA auction is coming up soon...

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Final may Update

 

1415 is now confirmed as a total loss. The bus will likely have any salvageable parts removed and eventually be auctioned off.

Bus 2501 somehow managed to get a training run after the TSR service changes and from what I am told may stay active as a training bus for a little longer.

2713 was briefly put back into service and was spotted on 5/20/17. Not sure if that bus is is still active now or not.

Several 27xx Units are now in the contingency fleet.

 

I will not post again until after the COTA auction.

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  • 3 weeks later...

June Update. After some bus observations I now know what the 17xx Gilligs are.

1701-1706 are 30ft gilligs

1707-1713 are 35ft Gilligs

27xx Gilligs - 2714, 2715, 2723 were active on various crosstowns as of last week.

2505 - some back parts of 2505 were used as replacement parts for 2806. The front and rear doors of 2505 were given to 2721.

I'm trying to verify some info on the GMC RTS buses...

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Miscellaneous info (mostly accident info and some info for the RTS)

GMC RTS:

8521 was used for a fire fighting training exercise in the early 2000s and abandoned at ???. (RIP) Evidence: bus.jpg

21 units had their wheel chair lifts reconditioned/overhauled in 2000 (These units may have been rehabbed but i cant confirm anything yet, i also don't know which units were overhauled)

1 unit was restored and reconditioned in 2000 as a prototype (for the other 21 units?? I need more info)

Evidence: http://www.midwestbus.com/customer_list.pdf (top of page 3)

Last units retired Sometime in 2008. Evidence: https://www.flickr.com/photos/allenarena/2399413487

 

 

 

2001 New Flyer D40LF: 2155 was rear ended by a garbage truck prior to retirement.

 

2008 Gillig Advantage: 2810 was rear ended in 2016, unknown when the bus returned to service.

 

2012 Gillig Advantage:

1213 was involved in an accident in ????, bus returned to service on ???? Evidence: http://www.10tv.com/article/police-searching-driver-who-fled-foot-after-crashing-cota-bus

1215 was involved in a fatal accident in ????, the bus was not damaged and returned to service on ????

1221 was involved in a fatal accident in 2016, the bus was not damaged and returned to service on ????

 

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On 7/11/2017 at 8:33 PM, MCTAbus said:

Miscellaneous info (mostly accident info and some info for the RTS)

GMC RTS:

8521 was used for a fire fighting training exercise in the early 2000s and abandoned at ???. (RIP) Evidence: bus.jpg

21 units had their wheel chair lifts reconditioned/overhauled in 2000 (These units may have been rehabbed but i cant confirm anything yet, i also don't know which units were overhauled)

1 unit was restored and reconditioned in 2000 as a prototype (for the other 21 units?? I need more info)

Evidence: http://www.midwestbus.com/customer_list.pdf (top of page 3)

Last units retired Sometime in 2008. Evidence: https://www.flickr.com/photos/allenarena/2399413487

 

 

 

2001 New Flyer D40LF: 2155 was rear ended by a garbage truck prior to retirement.

 

2008 Gillig Advantage: 2810 was rear ended in 2016, unknown when the bus returned to service.

 

2012 Gillig Advantage:

1213 was involved in an accident in ????, bus returned to service on ???? Evidence: http://www.10tv.com/article/police-searching-driver-who-fled-foot-after-crashing-cota-bus

1215 was involved in a fatal accident in ????, the bus was not damaged and returned to service on ????

1221 was involved in a fatal accident in 2016, the bus was not damaged and returned to service on ????

 

The rts was abandoned on Whittier St at a building that used to be a school it is unknown it the bus is still there update the bus was at 562 west Whittier St Columbus Ohio 43215 the building was demolished so the bus was presumably scraped completely proof of location http://www.angelfire.com/oh5/urbancolumbus/562whittier.html

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  • 1 month later...

Small note I forgot to mention in last post.

Bus 1211 has a special livery for being the Home of the 2015 APTA international Bus rodeo grand champions.

 

the photo that is lower quality is one I took. The photo that is ins higher quality is just a reference to the full message.

 

Still waiting on COTA auction...

Image08022017172729.jpg

11713779_1035939413083311_3388479610691608268_o.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

 

On 8/26/2017 at 11:32 AM, Busvlogs said:

Seen 2718 & 2721 in service Sunday on 32 north Broadway 2713 and 2701 both seen this week. Training. Select buses now have WiFi 

Saw 2730 on the number 2 last week.

As far as the WiFi is concerned I know random 10xx-17xx units have the WiFi routers now. Random CNG buses appear to have had more security cameras (or door sensors?) installed. I'm not sure what this box is though. (see photo). Cota is also going to get new fair boxes in the near future.

 

Image08082017142327.jpg

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