MAX BRT Posted March 2, 2019 Report Share Posted March 2, 2019 9 hours ago, hp2ena said: V proud of being part of an organization that was part of a coalition to muscle for that. FYI, some of the operators are concerned about the limited range causing them to be stranded in the snow. Anyone know if the Metro Transit electric buses come with an auxiliary (fuel-burning) heater for better range in the cold? Proterra offers that as an option (Extreme Cold Weather package) and I believe Duluth's electric buses are so equipped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 On 3/2/2019 at 7:25 AM, MAX BRT said: Anyone know if the Metro Transit electric buses come with an auxiliary (fuel-burning) heater for better range in the cold? Proterra offers that as an option (Extreme Cold Weather package) and I believe Duluth's electric buses are so equipped. Yes, they are equipped with a diesel generator. Met Council Transportation Committee is receiving a presentation on the functions of the Met Council around transportation, and is considering buying new wheels, axles, and trucks for the Siemens, as well as replacing track curves on the Blue Line https://metrocouncil.org/getdoc/c7512d83-0ced-4042-a424-b5a27f165388/Agenda.aspx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 (edited) Word is that there is an 8100 in service on the A-Line today. I'm going to try to ride it later today. Edit: I've been informed that there are two 8100s on the A-Line today. Edited March 11, 2019 by hp2ena Received updated information from Metro Transit staff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 I was able to ride 8102 on the A-Line today. It's quite crowded with the amount of seats on the bus, much similar to the regular route buses. No seating, however, on the accordion section. These buses also have USB chargers, buttons to open the rear doors from the outside (like Muni's buses), as well as a display that faces towards the front on the front end of the bus (again, like Muni's). The wi-fi was not working. 8100 was also on the route, but pulled in at around 1:50pm. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted March 14, 2019 Report Share Posted March 14, 2019 According to those slips on the buses they'll be testing those through Spring on the A line. Hopefully I can catch one for a ride myself soon. I'll probably go check out the A line once I don't need rain boots and ice cleats just to get out to my local bus stop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted March 14, 2019 Report Share Posted March 14, 2019 Jeb audited the Hi-Frequency network and found that all of the regular route buses don't conform to Hi-Frequency standards. https://streets.mn/2019/03/14/auditing-the-high-frequency-lines-are-they-truly-high-frequency/?fbclid=IwAR3UGO3fPYdkFRMvLeZmSDYEzewzdL3kQYHVOGvLotTzmBQxgj1ODG7TJLY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 Plymouth now has MCIs. 60120 and up. At least 4. Here’s 60123. Southwest also has 2 Prevosts in service. No images though 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 Next Monday, the Met Council Transportation Committee will meet at Heywood Chambers (Metro Transit HQ), where members will receive an orientation and tour of the Heywood complex. The tour begins at 3pm and is open to the public. Great opportunity to get some pics of the 8700s, Phantoms, and D60s. https://metrocouncil.org/getdoc/48713880-cc42-4b7c-aecf-9b92d7585bbb/Agenda.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted April 3, 2019 Report Share Posted April 3, 2019 This Wednesday, the Met Council Committee of the Whole will hear a proposal to cut overnight service on the Green Line: https://metrocouncil.org/getdoc/105e3249-7358-4680-97b2-5e43d561c125/Agenda.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted April 3, 2019 Report Share Posted April 3, 2019 Metro Transit is looking for volunteers to lead public art tours on the Blue and Green Lines. Volunteers get a 6-month free transit pass. 2019 Public Art Tour Volunteer Job Description.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 Some updates: Metro Transit may cut Green Line and Route 62 service: https://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meetings/Committees/Committee-of-the-Whole/2019/04-03-19/Service-Development.aspx Per a source at Gillig, Metro Transit is receiving an order of 17 buses due this summer. They will be equipped with ZF 6AP1400B (my understanding is that this is equipped with start-stop, similar to the 7340 series hybrids). They will also be receiving an order of 3 buses for the A-Line, not sure when it's due or what propulsion they'll be equipped with. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted April 20, 2019 Report Share Posted April 20, 2019 The 1st of 20 new diesel buses (17 regular, 3 A-Line) was spotted in Patterson, CA on Thurs evening. Should be here this weekend. 1800 series (1800-1816, 8013-8015). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted April 20, 2019 Report Share Posted April 20, 2019 Nice, they'll probably start service mid-May then. All new regular route buses will have the new fareboxes as well allegedly. Start/stop on a straight diesel will be different. I remember from a ride on one of the 734x units it shuddered every time it started and was sort of annoying. I hope it's been improved. I wonder how the drivers will respond to it... Personally I hate using the start/stop on vehicles at work except for a few models where it's seamless. Usually I just switch it off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 A little bus photo montage from my trip along the A Line from Saturday: And here's a short video I got riding on 8100: Metro Transit 8100 Ride by J. Mc., on Flickr I also saw a D60LFR on the A Line, not sure what that was about From what I could tell 8100 and 8102 were the only other artics running, plus a bunch of the 8xxx BRT+. The XD60 are nice! We'll see when they show up, or pics are posted on FB or whatever, but the 2019 ABRT Gilligs for the A Line might also have the new flat front/BRT+ styling. There was some vague mention of that being an option in a past set of committee minutes. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 12 hours ago, MVTArider said: A little bus photo montage from my trip along the A Line from Saturday: And here's a short video I got riding on 8100: Metro Transit 8100 Ride by J. Mc., on Flickr I also saw a D60LFR on the A Line, not sure what that was about From what I could tell 8100 and 8102 were the only other artics running, plus a bunch of the 8xxx BRT+. The XD60 are nice! We'll see when they show up, or pics are posted on FB or whatever, but the 2019 ABRT Gilligs for the A Line might also have the new flat front/BRT+ styling. There was some vague mention of that being an option in a past set of committee minutes. We gave them that idea. They received the letter, and the committee proceeded to engage them in a 40-minute Q&A about the contract being decided. https://medium.com/@twincitiestru/we-support-new-buses-just-not-dirty-new-buses-and-buses-that-dont-work-for-people-c3f47646579d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted April 24, 2019 Report Share Posted April 24, 2019 13 hours ago, hp2ena said: We gave them that idea. They received the letter, and the committee proceeded to engage them in a 40-minute Q&A about the contract being decided. https://medium.com/@twincitiestru/we-support-new-buses-just-not-dirty-new-buses-and-buses-that-dont-work-for-people-c3f47646579d Yes that was the one I was remembering: https://metrocouncil.org/getdoc/d4ffe51c-a20a-48cf-86d6-b91a51af07e3/Minutes.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted April 26, 2019 Report Share Posted April 26, 2019 1800 series will look just like the 1790 series. Edit: A Metro Transit operator posted photos of the new 1800 series on this thread. They look just like the 1790s, inside and out. The only difference is that they will have USB chargers and come with a different transmission. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted May 9, 2019 Report Share Posted May 9, 2019 One month until the C-Line opens! Ribbon cutting 9:30am, service starts at 10am with 1 bus to Brooklyn Center and 1 bus to Downtown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted May 10, 2019 Report Share Posted May 10, 2019 Some items of interest in the latest TC agenda: 110 new FastFare fareboxes: https://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meetings/Committees/Transportation-Committee/2019/May-13,-2019/0513_2019_111.aspx Route 614 is officially being eliminated: https://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meetings/Committees/Transportation-Committee/2019/May-13,-2019/0513_2019_104-presentation.aspx ^ Link to what hp2ena mentioned about the C Line https://metrocouncil.org/Council-Meetings/Committees/Transportation-Committee/2019/May-13,-2019/Info-2-_-C-Line.aspx Also in the news Metro Transit is looking to drop the overnight service on Green Line between 2-4am for track maintenance. https://kstp.com/news/possible-changes-on-the-way-for-metro-transit-green-line/5344607/ Originally the service plan for Green Line was to run about 4am-12am with the 16 operating overnight trips into downtown Minneapolis to cover the gap. Perhaps they should revisit that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 Just saw 1801 tonight on the 11. It will arrive Columbia Heights at 11:20pm. It will be at 7th and Nicollet at midnight (SB) and 1am (NB) Edit: 1800. Operator says it's out on its first night. USB chargers do work. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted May 17, 2019 Report Share Posted May 17, 2019 Someone posted a photo of 8015 being tested near Gillig. It is not a beluga. 8013-8015 will not be Belugas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommike Posted May 17, 2019 Report Share Posted May 17, 2019 has any xe60 been testing if so any pic or vids of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted May 19, 2019 Report Share Posted May 19, 2019 On 5/17/2019 at 5:25 PM, tommike said: has any xe60 been testing if so any pic or vids of them. I saw one testing in April and did get a vid, however it was from the inside of another bus so no noise of the bus. If you're interested in riding one, they will make their debut on June 8. Penn and Lowry, 9:30am. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hp2ena Posted May 21, 2019 Report Share Posted May 21, 2019 On 5/17/2019 at 5:25 PM, tommike said: has any xe60 been testing if so any pic or vids of them. There will be an opportunity to see an XE60 At Move Minneapolis’ event this Wednesday from 11:30 to 1:30 https://www.facebook.com/events/387731541811734/?ti=icl 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVTArider Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 State Fair express shuttles will be $6 now instead of $5, no Fridley or Knox Ave service. State Fair 2019 Service Downtown St. Paul bus stops on Robert at 5th/6th, and 6th/Sibley have draft designs posted. These look like a good improvement over what is in place currently. June 8th route changes were posted recently, including the official new C Line schedule! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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