RideKC (Kansas City, MO)

[SilentSpades]

20 minutes ago, Thomasw said:

The wiki has been edited to include these changes and the changes about the Flex buses

@SilentSpades Do you know when 1423-1435 were built and do you have any info about any retired shuttle buses

No idea, likely built late 2018.

And I don't know much about old fleets

[RyanB_69]

If my memory is correct, the first batch of flex cutaways were in 95'-96', #1100-1111 Ford 350/ Goshen Coach GCII. 7.3L powerstroke diesel, 4spd automatic. 12 seats with 1 w/c

Next up was the 1998/1999/2000 Ford E450/ Eldorado Aerotech #1112-1134. 7.3L powerstroke diesel, 4spd automatic. 12 seats with 1 w/c.

2003 Ford E450/ Eldorado Aerotech #1236-1259. This batch was a disaster because of engine overheating. It got so bad that holes were cut into the hood and vents could be retrofitted. Ford's 6.0L powerstroke diesel engine was designed by International at that time and it ducked. Nevertheless these units had a 5 speed automatic transmission. Seats 12 with 1 w/c.

2007 Ford E450/ Eldorado Aerotech # 1300-1304. 6.0L powerstroke diesel. seats 12 with 1 w/c. These units had a transmission interlock which required the transmission to be in park to open and close the passenger entry door. Because of this, these units didn't last long and we're replaced a couple years later by the 1400 series. 

The photo shows 1123 a 99' model Aerotech running on route in Independence.

[Thomasw]

2 hours ago, RyanB_69 said:

If my memory is correct, the first batch of flex cutaways were in 95'-96', #1100-1111 Ford 350/ Goshen Coach GCII. 7.3L powerstroke diesel, 4spd automatic. 12 seats with 1 w/c

Next up was the 1998/1999/2000 Ford E450/ Eldorado Aerotech #1112-1134. 7.3L powerstroke diesel, 4spd automatic. 12 seats with 1 w/c.

2003 Ford E450/ Eldorado Aerotech #1236-1259. This batch was a disaster because of engine overheating. It got so bad that holes were cut into the hood and vents could be retrofitted. Ford's 6.0L powerstroke diesel engine was designed by International at that time and it ducked. Nevertheless these units had a 5 speed automatic transmission. Seats 12 with 1 w/c.

2007 Ford E450/ Eldorado Aerotech # 1300-1304. 6.0L powerstroke diesel. seats 12 with 1 w/c. These units had a transmission interlock which required the transmission to be in park to open and close the passenger entry door. Because of this, these units didn't last long and we're replaced a couple years later by the 1400 series. 

The photo shows 1123 a 99' model Aerotech running on route in Independence.

Thank you for all your help an information. 

I have edited the wiki to include this information.

I find it kinda funny that despite their 2003s experiencing many engine issues, they ordered the same engines in 2007

[SilentSpades]

@neoartic7101 Whats the deal with S219? Engine sounds really funny, almost thought it had a Voith in it. 

[neoartic7101]

4 minutes ago, SilentSpades said:

@neoartic7101 Whats the deal with S219? Engine sounds really funny, almost thought it had a Voith in it. 

It's an Allison. It's those new Allison B3400xFE transmissions. They suck. Horrible on hills. Might as well went Voith or ZF, IMO.

Are you out today? I'm driving the North Oak, S224. I am at 27th and Main on layover RN.

 

BTW, I HATE S219 out of all of em.

 

I'll be moving to the 40 footers on June 30th doing the Troost MAX on sunday nights.

Edited June 16, 2019 by neoartic7101
Forgot to add some info

[SilentSpades]

2 minutes ago, neoartic7101 said:

It's an Allison. It's those new Allison B3400xFE transmissions. They suck. Horrible on hills. Might as well went Voith or ZF, IMO.

Are you out today? I'm driving the North Oak, S224. I am at 27th and Main on layover RN.

I was, back home now. Will be out tomorrow for sure. 

But yeah that bus sounded very off, had me there at first. Good luck with 224, I know that hill on North Oak is a b*tch

4 minutes ago, neoartic7101 said:

It's an Allison. It's those new Allison B3400xFE transmissions. They suck. Horrible on hills. Might as well went Voith or ZF, IMO.

Are you out today? I'm driving the North Oak, S224. I am at 27th and Main on layover RN.

 

BTW, I HATE S219 out of all of em.

 

I'll be moving to the 40 footers on June 30th doing the Troost MAX on sunday nights.

Sweet! Is that the only 40 foot route you're doing this next markup? Or are you doing any others?

[neoartic7101]

56 minutes ago, SilentSpades said:

I was, back home now. Will be out tomorrow for sure. 

But yeah that bus sounded very off, had me there at first. Good luck with 224, I know that hill on North Oak is a b*tch

Sweet! Is that the only 40 foot route you're doing this next markup? Or are you doing any others?

No, saturdays i will do the 47 Broadway. I'm not sure what i will do the other 3days,  i'll find out tuesday. 

[SilentSpades]

2 minutes ago, neoartic7101 said:

No, saturdays i will do the 47 Broadway. I'm not sure what i will do the other 3days,  i'll find out tuesday. 

I ride 47 on Saturday's a lot if I miss Main MAX, or if I'm fanning. 

But congrats on the move up! Speaking of large buses, is it just me or has ATA drastically downsized it's large fleet?

[neoartic7101]

On 6/16/2019 at 7:35 PM, SilentSpades said:

I ride 47 on Saturday's a lot if I miss Main MAX, or if I'm fanning. 

But congrats on the move up! Speaking of large buses, is it just me or has ATA drastically downsized it's large fleet?

Thank you!

Yes, KCATA HAS dramatically downsized significantly on their 40ft fleet. I think its vecause of the renumbering of routes and the 18 going from big to small bus last year. I don't know why, though.

On 6/11/2019 at 11:57 AM, Thomasw said:

Thank you for all your help an information. 

I have edited the wiki to include this information.

I find it kinda funny that despite their 2003s experiencing many engine issues, they ordered the same engines in 2007

Here are a couple of photos to add to the wiki I just took when I was leaving for each bus.

 

BTW, S211-S228 has the Cummins L9N as well, not the ISL-G.

 

 

On 6/11/2019 at 11:57 AM, Thomasw said:

Thank you for all your help an information. 

I have edited the wiki to include this information.

I find it kinda funny that despite their 2003s experiencing many engine issues, they ordered the same engines in 2007

Here are a couple of photos to add to the wiki I just took when I was leaving for each bus.

 

BTW, S211-S228 has the Cummins L9N as well, not the ISL-G.

The 2018s (3537-3547, 4800-4819 & S211-S228) all have unopenable frameless windows while the 2019s (3548-3557) have frameless windows that open. 3535 was originally numbered 4602, I have a pic of it when it was in Tulsa.

 

[SilentSpades]

On 6/18/2019 at 12:43 AM, neoartic7101 said:

Thank you!

Yes, KCATA HAS dramatically downsized significantly on their 40ft fleet. I think its vecause of the renumbering of routes and the 18 going from big to small bus last year. I don't know why, though.

Here are a couple of photos to add to the wiki I just took when I was leaving for each bus.

 

BTW, S211-S228 has the Cummins L9N as well, not the ISL-G.

 

 

Here are a couple of photos to add to the wiki I just took when I was leaving for each bus.

 

BTW, S211-S228 has the Cummins L9N as well, not the ISL-G.

The 2018s (3537-3547, 4800-4819 & S211-S228) all have unopenable frameless windows while the 2019s (3548-3557) have frameless windows that open. 3535 was originally numbered 4602, I have a pic of it when it was in Tulsa.

 

I mean I know MAX has replaced a considerable amount of the large fleet, but even then it seems they've downsized alot. I know they put small buses on the 25 28 85 and 18 in the past year or so due to funding issues. 

In the past year they completely pulled the 2400s and 2600s (38 buses) replacing them with only about 20 buses (4800-4819).

Also, I see the openable windows are back, guess riders weren't a fan. I'd personally love to see the frameless openable windows on the next order of local use buses.

[SilentSpades]

I did the numbers real quickly. The large fleet has been decreased ever since 2005, part of this is due to MAX vehicles replacing large vehicles (since the demand would be down), however overall the number decreases. Notably, the small and mini-bus fleet remain roughly the same.

The decrease seems to follow the decrease in KCATA ran system-wide routes in this time frame (from a high of 78, which included Inde-Bus routes, to the current 59).

 

[Thomasw]

On 6/17/2019 at 10:43 PM, neoartic7101 said:

BTW, S211-S228 has the Cummins L9N as well, not the ISL-G.

Fixed

[neoartic7101]

1 hour ago, Thomasw said:

Fixed

Forgot to add, all of the 2018's have the Allison B3400xFE transmission. 3537-3547, 4800-4819 & S211-S228. 

We also have the new MAX buses inthe garage awaiting to be put on the streets, 3548-3557.

Thanks!

 

Included is some of the Gilligs are getting chrome plated turn signals on the front of the buses.

Also, the graveyard.

More buses in the graveyard.

I have more, but 10MB max limit. Lol bout to hit the road in S214, so if you're in the area, S214 on the 201 North Oak. 

[Thomasw]

1 hour ago, neoartic7101 said:

Forgot to add, all of the 2018's have the Allison B3400xFE transmission. 3537-3547, 4800-4819 & S211-S228. 

We also have the new MAX buses inthe garage awaiting to be put on the streets, 3548-3557.

Thanks!

Also, the graveyard.

Bout to hit the road in S214, so if you're in the area, S214 on the 201 North Oak. 

I’ll make sure to add that in the coming week.

Do you know the specs for the new  Max buses?

Do you know what 2005 Max buses are retired and which one is in the above image?

I would come for a ride but unfortunately I’m about 2,000 miles away

[neoartic7101]

35 minutes ago, Thomasw said:

I’ll make sure to add that in the coming week.

Do you know the specs for the new  Max buses?

Do you know what 2005 Max buses are retired and which one is in the above image?

I would come for a ride but unfortunately I’m about 2,000 miles away

The specs are the same as 3537-3547, except frameless windows that open. Both 2018 and 2019 BRT plus buses have TV monitors in them. 

 

3520, a 2010 hybrid is in the picture, but not retired. 

And all but 3510 and 3511 are retired, but those two are training buses. 

 

And the last last of ny msg was for do the in general in the KCMO metroplex. Lol

[SilentSpades]

 

On 6/22/2019 at 5:33 PM, neoartic7101 said:

The specs are the same as 3537-3547, except frameless windows that open. Both 2018 and 2019 BRT plus buses have TV monitors in them. 

 

3520, a 2010 hybrid is in the picture, but not retired. 

And all but 3510 and 3511 are retired, but those two are training buses. 

 

And the last last of ny msg was for do the in general in the KCMO metroplex. Lol

Why is 3520 and those two 2011/2012 buses in the graveyard? Is there something wrong with those buses?
 

Also I saw that story about our old buses going elsewhere. Lubbock, TX and formerly Norman, OK. Though, figured ATA would've held onto 3500, considering it was one of, if not the first Gillig BRT produced (ATA also had the last GMC RTS bus, wonder where that went). Could've been converted into something, or a show bus. 

 

[Buzz2kb]

11 hours ago, SilentSpades said:

 

Why is 3520 and those two 2011/2012 buses in the graveyard? Is there something wrong with those buses?

Also I have confirmed, ATA will not be purchasing more diesels, key word purchasing. 

Also I saw that story about our old buses going elsewhere. Lubbock, TX and formerly Norman, OK. Though, figured ATA would've held onto 3500, considering it was one of, if not the first Gillig BRT produced (ATA also had the last GMC RTS bus, wonder where that went). Could've been converted into something, or a show bus. 

 

According to this accident report and the clip inside the Try Transit Day coverage, JATRAN in Jackson, Mississippi has purchased an unknown amount of ex-KCATA Gillig LF's.  Can anyone confirm this?

By the way, I think thr Oklahoma agency purchasing ex-KCATA  uses was Lawton Area Transit System (LATS) in Lawton, Oklahoma.  30ft. Gillig Phantoms were involved in that deal.  So can someone confirm this as well?  Thanks!

[SilentSpades]

3 hours ago, Buzz2kb said:

According to this accident report and the clip inside the Try Transit Day coverage, JATRAN in Jackson, Mississippi has purchased an unknown amount of ex-KCATA Gillig LF's.  Can anyone confirm this?

By the way, I think thr Oklahoma agency purchasing ex-KCATA  uses was Lawton Area Transit System (LATS) in Lawton, Oklahoma.  30ft. Gillig Phantoms were involved in that deal.  So can someone confirm this as well?  Thanks!

I can confirm the JATRAN buses are from KCATA, those are likely  2002 Gillig Low Floor buses (formerly 2200-2233), since those were the last ones the remained in that old style paint job. It's possible those were 2003 or even 2004, since those buses were wrapped. not painted. But in all likeliness those are 2002 LFs

Also, yes those LATS buses are KCATA Phantoms, 30 footers (as seen in the link) https://www.kswo.com/story/32129775/rear-ended-car-hits-lats-bus/ 

 

[neoartic7101]

Yup. Ex ATA 2002's. Nice.

 

That accident report, that driver didn't set up his turn. Smh.... 

 

[SilentSpades]

Also have been able to confirm ATA is getting 2 electric buses next year, however it will not be a major transition towards electric. 

90% sure it's coming from Gillig

[vivablue5215]

So I was in Kansas City recently (2 months ago) and got photos of JO units 032 and 034 at Downtown KCK. They are Ford units with Starcraft Starlite bodies.

Anyone know how many of these Ford cutaways JO has?

[RyanB_69]

On 6/22/2019 at 11:04 PM, SilentSpades said:

 

Why is 3520 and those two 2011/2012 buses in the graveyard? Is there something wrong with those buses?

Also I have confirmed, ATA will not be purchasing more diesels, key word purchasing. 

Also I saw that story about our old buses going elsewhere. Lubbock, TX and formerly Norman, OK. Though, figured ATA would've held onto 3500, considering it was one of, if not the first Gillig BRT produced (ATA also had the last GMC RTS bus, wonder where that went). Could've been converted into something, or a show bus. 

 

Think I just found that last RTS, in a junkyard amongst several Gillig Phantom's and a couple of cutaways. 16th & Oakland Ave. (South of Truman Rd) 

On 6/11/2019 at 11:57 AM, Thomasw said:

Thank you for all your help an information. 

I have edited the wiki to include this information.

I find it kinda funny that despite their 2003s experiencing many engine issues, they ordered the same engines in 2007

The engine problems were resolved by 07' 

[SilentSpades]

6 hours ago, RyanB_69 said:

Think I just found that last RTS, in a junkyard amongst several Gillig Phantom's and a couple of cutaways. 16th & Oakland Ave. (South of Truman Rd) 

The engine problems were resolved by 07' 

Damn that's real sad, that should've been sent to a museum.

[SilentSpades]

I notice 9609 9621 9603 S84 9900 S99 S85 and an RTS in that lot. 

Speaking of S99, does anyone remember the accident downtown where two buses hit each other in the intersection? I know bus 2225 and S99 were involved but I have found almost nothing in terms of footage or mention of the accident.

[neoartic7101]

On 6/24/2019 at 12:51 PM, vivablue5215 said:

So I was in Kansas City recently (2 months ago) and got photos of JO units 032 and 034 at Downtown KCK. They are Ford units with Starcraft Starlite bodies.

Anyone know how many of these Ford cutaways JO has?

They weren't Jo units. Unified Gov't of Wyandotte County runs those.

Numbers unknown.

 

And as forpurchasing more diesels or not, I am hearing 2 different stories. I will ask the head of fleet maintenance.

 

And 3520 isn't retired. They sometimes store buses there when there is no room. 

 

Also, there are 2 more Gillig BRT+ on property, 3558 and 3559. Seems like they will replace all 12 of the 2005's, minus 3510 and 3511, which they will probably hold on to for a little bit longer,  for training. 

22 hours ago, SilentSpades said:

I notice 9609 9621 9603 S84 9900 S99 S85 and an RTS in that lot. 

Speaking of S99, does anyone remember the accident downtown where two buses hit each other in the intersection? I know bus 2225 and S99 were involved but I have found almost nothing in terms of footage or mention of the accident.

They showed us that accident in accident prevention training.

Both drivers were trying to time the light. Happened in 2010 on a Sunday.

22 hours ago, SilentSpades said:

I notice 9609 9621 9603 S84 9900 S99 S85 and an RTS in that lot. 

Speaking of S99, does anyone remember the accident downtown where two buses hit each other in the intersection? I know bus 2225 and S99 were involved but I have found almost nothing in terms of footage or mention of the accident.

That RTS could be 919, a 1986 GMC. Wondered where that bus went, not in the graveyard across from division on 18th.

 

They had 20 1986 RTS's 900-919.