MVTArider Posted February 7, 2017 Report Share Posted February 7, 2017 About time, they've finally added real time mapping to NexTrip: (Example) https://www.metrotransit.org/mapit/17860/ No bus numbers unfortunately, but still cool to see. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted May 5, 2017 Report Share Posted May 5, 2017 Schmitty & Sons will be taking over a chunk of the MTS regional route contracted service. They will be replacing current contractor First: https://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meetings/Committees/Transportation-Committee/2017/April-10,-2017/0410_2017_85.aspx Route 54 bus stop at the MSP Airport T1/Lindbergh will be moving from the transportation center to the upper arrival ring in June. The Transportation center will be closing to make way for construction of a new CONRAC, transportation center, and additional parking. Slated for opening in Fall 2019: https://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meetings/Committees/Transportation-Accessibility-Advisory-Committee/2017/TAAC-Meeting-5-03-17/2017-05-03-Airport-transit-center.aspx It was a 40% cut, now 10%, but currently the funding situation for Metro Transit and the proposed light-rail extensions is not looking too good: https://metrocouncil.org/News-Events/Transportation/MediaCoverage/Proposed-transit-bill-would-hurt-all-of-Minnesota.aspx Fare increase hearings are also underway: https://metrocouncil.org/News-Events/Transportation/News-Articles/Comment-now-on-proposal-to-raise-metro-area-transi.aspx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted May 23, 2017 Report Share Posted May 23, 2017 The First Transit legals have been quietly disappearing on a number of the 29' Low Floors, kind of interesting as Schmitty doesn't take over those routes until July 30th from what I understand. There was a new toy waiting to ferry me home tonight, Metro Transit 2017 Gillig Low Floor 40' 1790! Biggest difference from the 2016 batch is they have gone with frameless windows and black frames on the interior. They are also still trying out different seating configurations, this one has two 3 seat flip up benches with Q-Pod in the front for wheelchairs, but then on curbside there are three individual flip-up aisle facing seats, while standard 2x seats face forward on the streetside. Still the standard ASC InSight model with a nice cushion. 1790 also has the same 6 speed ZF transmission as do all the 15xx-17xx units and some of the 14xx. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted July 6, 2017 Report Share Posted July 6, 2017 Finally got around to tweaking/updating the Metro Transit wiki last night based off the fleet list. I'll try to throw some pics in there as well soon. 31xx D60 and a chunk of the 2002-2004 Phantoms are still on standby for use as spares during the 2017 State Fair. Stray appearances of them may also be seen during rush hours. 1790-1799 are all in service now. 2004 Low Floors 7105-7109 are still in service, I spotted one a couple weeks ago. It'll be interesting to see if they run them to 2018 to put 14 years on them as is happening with the 2003 Low Floors from MVTA. I also wonder if they will start an 18xx series soon to replace those, or hold off and save that series for the next big order which would be in 2020/2021 to replace the 2008 LF/BRT. Also Metro Transit will be getting battery electric buses eventually from what I understand. Sounds like they are holding off until the 2007 Hybrids will be replaced starting in 2019. A smart move IMO, let the technology mature another year and see how the new Nicollet Mall corridor functions for transit operations. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 http://kstp.com/news/st-paul-police-arrest-driver-car-crashes-into-bus-killing-1-/4549934/ My thoughts and prayers for the victims of this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted August 8, 2017 Report Share Posted August 8, 2017 Interesting sighting this afternoon, spotted one of my favorite 71xx 2004 Low Floor units done up in the arterial rapid bus scheme (similar to 8000-8012). It was either deadheading or working the 134. My guess is MT is planning on dedicating one or two to the A Line during the State Fair this year to help with bus bunching and crowding. Last year they had a few regular buses on A during the busy times. Also noticed they have started adding advertising to the exteriors on some ABRT buses. Haven't seen any wraps yet but I'm sure one will surface eventually. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted September 8, 2017 Report Share Posted September 8, 2017 Time for the annual State Fair transit report! 7109 was the one 2004 Low Floor observed in a temporary wrap for the arterial bus A Line service, while I did see it a few times over the 12 day Fair period, I unfortunately never had a chance to ride and was only able to get this lone photo with my phone (albeit better than nothing): Metro Transit 7109 Overall the A Line service seemed a bit better this year with 8012 added to the fleet and 7109 as an extra, but there were still some bad times of bus bunching. Of course this is unavoidable given how congested Snelling gets during the Fair. For Metro Transit a number of Phantoms including 976, 996, and some 10xx series were out and about. I spotted 996 on the 960 service during the Fair, and also was able to ride 1024 on one of the local routes. D60HF also made appearances, although they seemed to be operated mainly on the peak period express routes while XD60 worked the all day Fair services. I did spot one D60 at the Fair during my visit, but was unable to get a photo. And finally as before I'll just plop the State Fair shuttles operated by Lorenz in here as well, lots of goodies to see this year. Lorenz appeared to have moved the majority of the service back to their own transit bus fleet thanks to recent additions of retired D40LF from Houston, Met Council, and at least one Gillig Low Floor from MVTA. I think the oldest units in their transit fleet are now 1995 vintage Phantoms. No 6V92TA units remain from what I observed. The Houston units I'm guessing are from the 2000-2001 orders, as they sounded like they had Cummins and not S50. I could be mistaken on that however. I'm sure a Houston area member can provide better info. In other news, transit fares will be increasing by 25 cents on October 1st. https://www.metrotransit.org/fare-increase 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted October 11, 2017 Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 6 XE60 for 2019: http://www.startribune.com/metro-transit-getting-6-electric-buses-in-2019/447804953/ 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 ^ According to an application from one of the recent meeting agendas, it might actually be 8 XE60, plus 6 XD60. Three doors, all for operation on the C Line arterial bus scheduled to begin service in 2019ish. Recovery times for the C line run blocks are expected to have longer time allotments to allow for recharging. So it sounds like these will be fast charge and not extended range. With Nicollet Mall reconstruction complete the buses are back: Once again Mall routes are supposed to be operated using 100% hybrids. We'll see how long that holds up. I observed a 16xx violating that while wandering downtown that afternoon. 2017 LRT cars 260, 261 were on a test run on the Blue Line a couple nights ago. The complete order is 260-264 I believe. They are S70 units identical to the other 2xx series, however they've gone back to Aries 4MA model seats as found on the Flexity-Swifts instead of the nice ones the other Siemens units have. Well, at least they still are putting actual seats on the trains as opposed to some systems. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 Word from one of the operators is the previously averted strike for ATU transit operators may be back on for Friday as apparently while Metro Transit approved the negotiated contract, Metropolitan Council still has not voted to fund it... There is an item from Management Committee to approve the agreement at the general MC meeting this Wednesday, so I assume it will go through and service will continue as expected. Also at the MC meeting this week they'll likely be voting to approve a $12,601,519.68 purchase agreement for eight XE60 and six chargers for the C Line from New Flyer with expected delivery in 2018/2019. Service on the C line will be operated with 14 buses total, 8 XE60, 6 XD60, and is expected to start in 2019. Mall of America has a new temporary transit hub set up for the buses: I'm not sure if this is only in place for the next couple of weeks in preparation for the Superbowl LRT security or if this is also long term in preparation for the upcoming MOA Transit Center reconstruction project. And finally on the subject of Superbowl there are a host of service improvements and special service to help ferry fans about: https://www.metrotransit.org/super-bowl-riders 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 Sounds like a pretty quick turnaround, with buses ordered in 2018 delivered in the same calendar year. Bring on the XE60! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swadian Posted January 24, 2018 Report Share Posted January 24, 2018 Please delete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 More rapid-bus lines planned for Twin Cities In the coming years, 10 more rapid-bus lines will snake throughout the metro's busiest transit corridors — and last week, the network's build-out reached two milestones. Advocates say rapid-bus service offers passengers a light-rail-like experience but is far cheaper to build and maintain. ". . . Metro Transit says the A-line corridor has seen 5 percent month-over-month increases in ridership during its second year. The A-line is well situated, because it serves the Blue Line 46th Street LRT station on one end and Rosedale mall on the other. In between, there’s the Snelling Avenue Green Line LRT stop, the State Fairgrounds and several colleges, including Macalester and Hamline." Source: http://www.startribune.com/more-rapid-bus-lines-planned-for-twin-cities/474438883/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transit geek Posted February 22, 2018 Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 On 2017-07-05 at 11:39 PM, MVTArider said: Also Metro Transit will be getting battery electric buses eventually from what I understand. Sounds like they are holding off until the 2007 Hybrids will be replaced starting in 2019. A smart move IMO, let the technology mature another year and see how the new Nicollet Mall corridor functions for transit operations. https://www.metrotransit.org/new-rapid-bus-line-to-include-battery-electric-buses => New Flyer XE60 Seems to confirm that they will be New Flyer XE60s. Better go update the wiki. This press release seems to confirm that they will be New Flyer XE60s. I should go update the wiki. This press release seems to confirm that they will be New Flyer XE60s. I should go update the wiki. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted March 7, 2018 Report Share Posted March 7, 2018 Spotted 2018 XD60 3462, 3464 on the 3 this morning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted April 8, 2018 Report Share Posted April 8, 2018 Effective June 9th, one will be able to ride the 54 from Mall of America to Maplewood Mall. Buses will travel on the new segment from SPUD to Maplewood every 20 minutes peak/30 minutes off peak. Current 54 service will be served every 10 minutes peak/15 minutes off peak. It's not noted specifically in the presentation, but I have heard previously the full runs will likely be assigned artics. https://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meetings/Committees/Transportation-Committee/2018/April-9,-2018/Info-1-_-Route-54.aspx 20 operator barriers have been installed on Gillig Low Floors and will be tested for a number of months: https://www.metrotransit.org/operator-barriers-appearing-on-some-buses-as-part-of-pilot-project And the 80XX series ABRT units are being equipped with the latest and greatest in next stop signage displays: https://www.metrotransit.org/new-displays-allow-a-line-customers-to-plan-trips-as-they-ride They have not equipped all of them yet, I was on one yesterday and still no screens. Hoping to get a ride on one with the displays soon though! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted August 8, 2018 Report Share Posted August 8, 2018 Random updates: Metro Transit has trimmed down a a lot of trips to deal with a severe shortages of drivers: https://www.metrotransit.org/service-changes-beginning-july-31-will-improve-systemwide-reliability 17 new 40' diesel Gillig Low Floors and 3 new 40' Gillig BRT in ABRT scheme are on order for 2019. Also in the minutes it sounds like the XE60 for C Line service will be the guinea pigs for electric buses in the Metro Transit fleet. They will be evaluated and have bugs and issues worked out over the first couple of years of operation. Then if all goes well expect even more electric buses from Gillig and/or NFI in following orders. A different note in the meeting minutes also mentioned one of the Bombardier trains was due to surpass 1,000,000 miles of service last month. https://metrocouncil.org/getdoc/d4ffe51c-a20a-48cf-86d6-b91a51af07e3/Minutes.aspx The new 54M service from Mall of America to Maplewood Mall via downtown Saint Paul seems to be going well. I have yet to ride it out to Maplewood myself as it's been a busy summer. Unfortunately it is still a solid 40' bus operation on Weekdays and Saturdays, with artics only operated on Sundays. I had hoped and heard a rumor they would switch to artics on the M trips during the weekdays, but apparently not. The buses every 10 minutes on the main 54 line however do seem to help with crowding during the peak periods. Also speaking of MOA, the groundbreaking ceremony to start construction on the new transit center was held last week: https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2018/08/02/moa-transit-hub-renovation/ https://www.metrotransit.org/mall-of-america And some observations: I have seen Phantoms 1032 on the 54 and 1042 on the 7 in the past few weeks. Outside of South there are some 31xx D60 lined up along with ABRT wrapped 7109. I'm guessing all of them will be put in service during the State Fair. Operator barriers have been installed on the newest Gilligs, such as 8012, 1784, and the 179x from what I've seen. They are still collecting feedback and data on them. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big CJ Posted August 31, 2018 Report Share Posted August 31, 2018 I'm not sure if anyone knows about this, but here is a long gallery of bus shots posted by Esbdave during the MTC era in 1987 and a few shots taken in 1991. Most of the vintage shots (like 99% of them) were taken by Bob Hussey. I hope these pictures helps out the wiki to the fullest extant when it comes to the retired stuff. https://public.fotki.com/esbdave/us-transit/minnesota-transit-a/minneapolis/ 2 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted September 4, 2018 Report Share Posted September 4, 2018 State Fair report! Due to driver shortages Metro Transit State Fair express service was trimmed slightly with later start times. A lot of the lines seemed to be running artics vs. 40'. A few D60 were seen, but it was generally D60LFR and XD60. On the regular routes, A Line and 84 were terribly backed up by the Fair traffic delay. Still they maintained a decent headway on the A line with an extra regular 40' bus or two filling in. Also of note, A line units are starting to carry ads on the exterior (again). For Lorenz Bus, I think this is the first year in 10 years of State Fair bus fanning that Lorenz has operated all of the State Fair park and ride lot shuttles entirely in house. There was no sign of any contracted coaches as in previous years. In addition Lorenz has majorly ramped up their transit bus fleet with more secondhand additions coming from IU, CATS, and Met Council. Of course the ex Houston and Johnson County D40LF, and older Phantoms were still a big portion of the operation. I didn't get any pics of the Johnson County units this year, but noted at least two of the three running. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted November 10, 2018 Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 The end on an era, former flagship routes 16 (major stops now covered by the Green Line LRT) and the 84 (Snelling Ave to Ford and Cleveland now covered by the A Line) will be transferred from Metro Transit operation over to Metropolitan Transportation Services division and contracted as regional routes effective with December 1st route changes. The new contractor will be Metropolitan Transportation Network, a local outfit that currently operates school buses. It appears this is their first time going into public transit operation so it'll be interesting to see how it works out. 16 and 84 will also be trimmed down to reduce duplicate service with the Green and A lines and function more as feeders. I'm very curious to know if they will be operated with contractor fleet 30' Gilligs, cutaways, or if some Metro Transit or older opt-out 40' buses will be transferred over. Unless they've transferred some other services from contracted to Metro Transit in the past services changes, I don't think there are enough spare 30' buses to cover both routes. Route changes, most are simply reinstating cut trips from during the driver shortage this summer: https://www.metrotransit.org/routes-will-change-on-dec-1 More interesting stuff from recent meetings: Presentation on Electric bus MOU and charging infrastructure agreement Memo on negotiating a contract with MTN for the operation of regional routes Presentation on 2019-2024 Transit Capital Program - Of particular interest is one subtle bullet point stating buses extended to 14 years 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millennium2002 Posted November 14, 2018 Report Share Posted November 14, 2018 How do the contracted routes work? Do they appear as though they are part of the Metro Transit system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Border City Transit Posted November 14, 2018 Report Share Posted November 14, 2018 3 hours ago, Millennium2002 said: How do the contracted routes work? Do they appear as though they are part of the Metro Transit system? This varies widely from place to place. In the case of MSP, contractor-operated routes are easily distinguishable from routes operated by Metro Transit. Services designated as "Metro Transit" are operated directly by Metro Transit. (100% of the time, I believe. Anyone?) Throughout the area, certain low-volume routes may be contracted out. The route then becomes a Metropolitan Council Regional Route -- and Metropolitan Council finds a private operator. Usually, these routes cover fringe suburban areas that don't have an "opt-out" transit system (MVTA, SW Transit, Maple Grove Transit, etc). In the case of 16 and 84, they will be "regional" routes in the core urban service area. Met Council Regional Routes use buses that "mostly" look like Metro Transit buses. Instead of a Metro Transit logo, they wear a Metropolitan Council logo. I think (?) they're also missing the yellow accents found on Metro Transit buses. Then, legal markings ("fine print decals") identify the contract operator. Met Council Regional Route buses form a separate fleet. It's a rag-tag mix of cutaways, small buses, the occasional retiree from Metro Transit. There are newer full-size heavy-duty units, too; they may share specs with Metro Transit. Information on Met Council Regional Routes (schedules, web, bus stop signs, etc) is available through Metro Transit channels... so there is some room for confusion. Printed materials are like the buses themselves: they don't advertise the routes as Metro Transit services. They include the Metropolitan Council logo and actually name the operator. It differs in suburban "opt-out" areas, where non-Metro Transit systems have their own distinctive identities. For example, SW Transit is a different system. The buses don't look anything like Metro Transit or Metropolitan Council, and there is a separate website. Clear as mud? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 Metro Transit has listed a number of Phantoms and D60s for auction; all auctions close on November 20th. List of Phantoms being auctioned: 932: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26150 965: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26151 977: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26152 997: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26153 1019: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26154 1024: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26155 1025: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26156 1028: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26157 1030: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26158 1031: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26159 1036: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26160 1048: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26161 1058: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26162 1062: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26163 List of D60s being auctioned: 3149: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26147 3140: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26148 3127: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26164 3131: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26165 3132: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26166 3145: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26167 3146: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26168 3148: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26169 They are also auctioning 1613, which was damaged in July 2017 by a very drunk driver; one passenger on the bus was killed: https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26149 Also, 8100 and 8101 (C-Line buses) are on property at Heywood Garage. The electric buses are currently in production. On 11/10/2018 at 12:52 AM, MVTArider said: The end on an era, former flagship routes 16 (major stops now covered by the Green Line LRT) and the 84 (Snelling Ave to Ford and Cleveland now covered by the A Line) will be transferred from Metro Transit operation over to Metropolitan Transportation Services division and contracted as regional routes effective with December 1st route changes. The new contractor will be Metropolitan Transportation Network, a local outfit that currently operates school buses. It appears this is their first time going into public transit operation so it'll be interesting to see how it works out. 16 and 84 will also be trimmed down to reduce duplicate service with the Green and A lines and function more as feeders. I'm very curious to know if they will be operated with contractor fleet 30' Gilligs, cutaways, or if some Metro Transit or older opt-out 40' buses will be transferred over. Unless they've transferred some other services from contracted to Metro Transit in the past services changes, I don't think there are enough spare 30' buses to cover both routes. Route changes, most are simply reinstating cut trips from during the driver shortage this summer: https://www.metrotransit.org/routes-will-change-on-dec-1 More interesting stuff from recent meetings: Presentation on Electric bus MOU and charging infrastructure agreement Memo on negotiating a contract with MTN for the operation of regional routes Presentation on 2019-2024 Transit Capital Program - Of particular interest is one subtle bullet point stating buses extended to 14 years They're also cutting service on many St. Paul routes: https://medium.com/@twincitiestru/major-service-changes-take-effect-december-1st-62d2e6b05206 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcmetro Posted November 17, 2018 Report Share Posted November 17, 2018 There used to be mixed Metro Transit/contractor routes, but that doesn't occur anymore. Some previous examples: Rt. 25 Saturday service was operated by a contractor, while the weekday service was directly operated. Rt. 62 C branch was contractor operated, while the other branches were direct operations. Rt. 32 used to be a contract service, with the Edison HS extras directly operated. -- I take it all Phantoms and 3100 D60s are retired now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted November 19, 2018 Report Share Posted November 19, 2018 On 11/17/2018 at 4:07 PM, Tcmetro said: There used to be mixed Metro Transit/contractor routes, but that doesn't occur anymore. Some previous examples: Rt. 25 Saturday service was operated by a contractor, while the weekday service was directly operated. Rt. 62 C branch was contractor operated, while the other branches were direct operations. Rt. 32 used to be a contract service, with the Edison HS extras directly operated. -- I take it all Phantoms and 3100 D60s are retired now? Not all the Phantoms, but probably most of them. The last time I rode a 3100 D60 was in September Here's a list of all Phantoms auctioned in early November 2018: 1057 (rode this in July) https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26015 906 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/25997 933 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/25998 999 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26000 1004 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26001 1018 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26002 1006 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26003 1022 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26006 1026 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26007 1056 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26008 960 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26009 966 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26010 1001 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26012 937 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26013 1023 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26013 Only 1 D60 were auctioned in October 2018: 3102 https://minnbid.org/Mobile/AuctionLot/26016 Would someone be able to update the fleet manifests on the wiki, by chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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