SMS Posted July 29, 2007 Report Posted July 29, 2007 I'm gonna be in MSP next week and I want to do a day of fanning... I plan to check out the Hiawatha LRT and try to get some D60(HF) action... anyone have recommendations?
general682002 Posted July 29, 2007 Report Posted July 29, 2007 I'm gonna be in MSP next week and I want to do a day of fanning... I plan to check out the Hiawatha LRT and try to get some D60(HF) action... anyone have recommendations? Been told the Mall of America bus terminal cannot be photograph due to high security, which meaning there saying "It's a private property and you can't photograph buses around". Ride the 04 D60HF, I heard they have a powerful engine on those unit.
SMS Posted July 30, 2007 Author Report Posted July 30, 2007 Thanks general! Also as I understand in USA, fans intending to photograph should avoid terminals and garages... I intend to obey that over there! D60, very interested to see, photograph, and ride... missed my chance with MT
Orion VIII Posted July 31, 2007 Report Posted July 31, 2007 Stay on public property, then no one can do anything to you!
stm_5307N Posted July 31, 2007 Report Posted July 31, 2007 Stay on public property, then no one can do anything to you! Laws in the states are different. From the things I read in american transit groups, you can get harassed just as much for taking a picture on a regular street sidewalk.
Orion VIII Posted July 31, 2007 Report Posted July 31, 2007 Laws in the states are different. From the things I read in american transit groups, you can get harassed just as much for taking a picture on a regular street sidewalk. Actually, the law in the states is even more clear than it is here, that you can photograph anything from public property.
SMS Posted August 20, 2007 Author Report Posted August 20, 2007 Hi friends, here are some low quality pics I've taken during my trip. The highlight of my trip was the Bombardier Flexity LRT, which I enjoyed riding and photographing. It was difficult to get good pictures of buses. Featured are the Gillig High Floors and New Flyer articulated models D60(HF) and D60LFR. Most pics were taken in downtown Minneapolis, and some were at the Mall of America. Better pictures for my next trip!
general682002 Posted August 20, 2007 Report Posted August 20, 2007 Nice photos, SMS! That D60LFR loos nice! Well, I guess you can't get HF anymore as NFI posted on their bus order news about 3 years ago, which they shouldn't say that first place.
Orion VIII Posted August 20, 2007 Report Posted August 20, 2007 Nice photos! Too bad they didn't offer a D60R! That would have looked very nice!
323 Surrey Ctrl Stn Posted August 22, 2007 Report Posted August 22, 2007 Nice photos! Too bad they didn't offer a D60R! That would have looked very nice! THAT'S WHAT I WAS JUST THINKING! Nice shots. I can't wait until Vancouver gets their D60LFR's in October.
general682002 Posted August 23, 2007 Report Posted August 23, 2007 THAT'S WHAT I WAS JUST THINKING! Nice shots. I can't wait until Vancouver gets their D60LFR's in October. DE60LFR.
R. McConnell Posted September 14, 2007 Report Posted September 14, 2007 Been told the Mall of America bus terminal cannot be photograph due to high security, which meaning there saying "It's a private property and you can't photograph buses around".Ride the 04 D60HF, I heard they have a powerful engine on those unit. Oops, I already photographed the LRT/bus terminal underneath the Mall of America...
323 Surrey Ctrl Stn Posted September 14, 2007 Report Posted September 14, 2007 DE60LFR. Nope in October Vancouver (well Burnaby) is getting D60LFR's, next years order is for DE60LFR's.
general682002 Posted September 15, 2007 Report Posted September 15, 2007 Oops, I already photographed the LRT/bus terminal underneath the Mall of America... Alright, then I guess it doesn't matter. As long no security is watching.
Tcmetro Posted September 18, 2007 Report Posted September 18, 2007 Metro Transit has about 700 40 foot Gillig Phantoms, and about 20 40 foot Gillig Advantages, 3 of which are hybrids. We also have about 150 Articulateds, of the D60HF, D60LF, and D60LFR varieties, and 2 MCI D4500's. Metro Transit also has some routes which are opterated by contracters. The contracters use D40LF's, Gillig Advantage's of 30, and 35 foot varities, Blue Birds, and cutaways. There are also suburban operators. MVTA (Minnesota Valley Transit Authority) uses D35LF, D40LF, Gillig Advantage 40', Blue Birds, Gillig Phantoms, MCI 4500's and cutaways. SW Transit uses Gillig Phantoms, Gillig BRT's, MCI D4500's, New Flyer Invero's, and cutaways.
general682002 Posted September 19, 2007 Report Posted September 19, 2007 Metro Transit has about 700 40 foot Gillig Phantoms, and about 20 40 foot Gillig Advantages, 3 of which are hybrids. We also have about 150 Articulateds, of the D60HF, D60LF, and D60LFR varieties, and 2 MCI D4500's. Metro Transit also has some routes which are opterated by contracters. The contracters use D40LF's, Gillig Advantage's of 30, and 35 foot varities, Blue Birds, and cutaways. There are also suburban operators. MVTA (Minnesota Valley Transit Authority) uses D35LF, D40LF, Gillig Advantage 40', Blue Birds, Gillig Phantoms, MCI 4500's and cutaways. SW Transit uses Gillig Phantoms, Gillig BRT's, MCI D4500's, New Flyer Invero's, and cutaways. Now I would assume Metro isn't a big LF fan!
Tcmetro Posted September 19, 2007 Report Posted September 19, 2007 Now I would assume Metro isn't a big LF fan! Most of the Suburban, and contract fleets are low floor, excluding the MCI D4500's, and the cutaways. Metro Transit's next big order is for 314 Gillig buses, most likely of the Low Floor model. 150 of these buses will be hybrids. The deal was originally supposed to go to New Flyer, but there was a dispute with them about training hours for the mechanics, so the Metropolitan Council (parent agency for Metro Transit, and is the regional planning agency) awarded the contract to Gillig. We havent ordered any new buses since 2003, with the exception of 10 D60LFR's, and 10 Gillig Advantages. I do belive that Metro Transit likes the D60HF, but we would have only got some if we placed an order with NYC. Because Minneapolis didn't order any, NYC didn't get any as well.
general682002 Posted September 20, 2007 Report Posted September 20, 2007 Most of the Suburban, and contract fleets are low floor, excluding the MCI D4500's, and the cutaways. Metro Transit's next big order is for 314 Gillig buses, most likely of the Low Floor model. 150 of these buses will be hybrids. The deal was originally supposed to go to New Flyer, but there was a dispute with them about training hours for the mechanics, so the Metropolitan Council (parent agency for Metro Transit, and is the regional planning agency) awarded the contract to Gillig. We havent ordered any new buses since 2003, with the exception of 10 D60LFR's, and 10 Gillig Advantages. I do belive that Metro Transit likes the D60HF, but we would have only got some if we placed an order with NYC. Because Minneapolis didn't order any, NYC didn't get any as well. Well, nice to have Gillig for the fleet for change. You know any of the powertrain for the NFI artics by any chance?
R. McConnell Posted September 20, 2007 Report Posted September 20, 2007 Most of the Suburban, and contract fleets are low floor, excluding the MCI D4500's, and the cutaways. Metro Transit's next big order is for 314 Gillig buses, most likely of the Low Floor model. 150 of these buses will be hybrids. The deal was originally supposed to go to New Flyer, but there was a dispute with them about training hours for the mechanics, so the Metropolitan Council (parent agency for Metro Transit, and is the regional planning agency) awarded the contract to Gillig. We havent ordered any new buses since 2003, with the exception of 10 D60LFR's, and 10 Gillig Advantages. I do belive that Metro Transit likes the D60HF, but we would have only got some if we placed an order with NYC. Because Minneapolis didn't order any, NYC didn't get any as well. Metro Transit has D60LFRs now? That's good, it helps to break up the Gillig monotony. It would be great if they ordered D40LFRs, but that seems to be out of the question as they have jumped on the Gillig bandwagon :angry:
Tcmetro Posted September 20, 2007 Report Posted September 20, 2007 We only by Gilligs for the 40 foot fleet (since 1989). We get the New Flyers for the Articulated buses, because Gillig doesn't make any. We have made New Flyer orders in 1992, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2007. Before we bought NF articulateds, we had MAN buses. Before we started buying Gilligs we had MAN's, New Looks, and Flxibles. We also ordered 2 MCI D4500's in 1999 or 2000 as experiments to see if they'd be successful. MVTA and SW Transit statrted buying MCI Coaches in 2003, and now make up large parts of the commuter route fleet.
SMS Posted September 21, 2007 Author Report Posted September 21, 2007 I wish I had this info prior to my trip... I didn't think there were fans in Minn-St. Paul. It's really great to see that someone knows the system there. Thanks for posting the details! I hope I can ask you some questions in the future about Metro Transit - my aunt lives in Plymouth and I'd like to return for another full day of fanning.
Tcmetro Posted September 21, 2007 Report Posted September 21, 2007 I wish I had this info prior to my trip... I didn't think there were fans in Minn-St. Paul. It's really great to see that someone knows the system there. Thanks for posting the details! I hope I can ask you some questions in the future about Metro Transit - my aunt lives in Plymouth and I'd like to return for another full day of fanning. You can ask me anything about Metro Transit! Also Metro Transit submitted an order of 15 articulated buses from New Flyer. Production begins in January 2008, and will be delivered by April 2008. More info is here:Met Council meeting summary
Tcmetro Posted September 21, 2007 Report Posted September 21, 2007 Here is the current fleet for Metro Transit: 5-7 1999 Gillig Phantom (for Maple Grove Transit) 8-17 2000 Gillig Phantom (for Maple Grove Transit) 50-51 1999 MCI D4500 300-370 1995 Gillig Phantom (to be retired soon) 371-393 1996 Gillig Phantom 394-395 1998 Gillig Phantom 396 2001 Gillig Phantom 400-487 1998 Gillig Phantom 488-497 1998 Gillig Advantage 500-566 1999 Gillig Phantom 600-649 1999 Gillig Phantom 650-665 2000 Gillig Phantom 667-690 2000 Gillig Phantom 701-755 2000 Gillig Phantom 800-879 2001 Gillig Phantom 900-988 2002 Gillig Phantom 989-1074 2003 Gillig Phantom 3000-3054 1998 New Flyer D60 3055-3064 1999 New Flyer D60LF 3100-3149 2003 New Flyer D60 7100 2002 Gillig Advantage Hybrid 7101-7102 2003 Gillig Advantage Hybrid (?) 7103-7109 2003 Gillig Advantage (?) This roster does not include the 10 New Flyer D60LFR's delivered in June 2007, or the New Flyer D60LF or D60LFR's to be delivered in April 2008. These will replace the 1994 New Flyer D60 that have already been retired. Buses 7101-7109 may be 2004 models or newer. In an above post I listed New Flyer orders by year. These were incorrect. The correct years are 1991, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2008. I got this roster from this site:Metro Transit Roster. The Homepage is at Chicago Transit and Railfan, and the Metro Transit Page are accessable via the above links.
SMS Posted September 22, 2007 Author Report Posted September 22, 2007 I've got a few questions! Do you take pics of the bus fleet? I'm curious because I'm pretty sure I was the only guy around doing that and I don't know how Metro Transit feels about that. Are there many fans in the Twin Cities? I didn't gather the impression that there were alot... I couldn't find any fan sites online... compared to the communities elsewhere.
Tcmetro Posted September 22, 2007 Report Posted September 22, 2007 I've got a few questions! Do you take pics of the bus fleet? I'm curious because I'm pretty sure I was the only guy around doing that and I don't know how Metro Transit feels about that. Are there many fans in the Twin Cities? I didn't gather the impression that there were alot... I couldn't find any fan sites online... compared to the communities elsewhere. I do not take pics of the bus fleet. There are some on busdude.com. Just click on Minnesota. I do not think there are many fans but there is a discussion at Minnescraper Forum. Just click on Transportation. There aren't any websites of bus fans in the Twin Cities that I know of. I maintain a blog at Twin Cities Transit Blog. It isn't updated much, but it has a lot of useful links. There is also Bustales. Bustales has stories of riders experiences on Twin Cities Bus Routes. There is also an advocacy group name Transit For Livible Communities-Minnesota.
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