Jump to content

Metro Transit


SMS

Recommended Posts

Help name the new Metro Transit mascot

Metro Transit’s ‘T’ logo is coming to life as the agency’s new mascot – and you can help us name it!

Send us your suggested name on Twitter or Facebook or drop us an e-mail through the ‘Contact Us’ page.

Suggested names should be gender-neutral and reflect the mascot's role as a friendly, helpful and enthusiastic transit user.

The new mascot is expected to begin making appearances at community events this spring.

mascot.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

The Deets:

http://www.metrotransit.org/electric

Where to find electric buses:

Below is an approximate schedule outlining where demonstration buses will be in service. Please check back for updates. Details will also be provided through Metro Transit’s Twitter account, @metrotransitmn, during the demonstration period.


xe40-6.jpgNew Flyer

Tuesday, April 21

In-service throughout the afternoon between downtown Minneapolis and the 46th Street Station (Route 18).

Wednesday, April 22

In-service throughout the morning between downtown Minneapolis and the 46th Street Station (Route 18); some evening service may also be provided.

> Learn more about New Flyer's Xcelsior® Electric Bus


Proterraproterra-4.jpg

Tuesday, May 12

In-service throughout the morning on Grand Avenue (Route 63) and in the afternoon on West 7th Street, St. Paul (routes 54 and 74).

Wednesday, May 13

In-service on Robert Street during the morning (Route 68), in the afternoon on University Avenue between the Green Line's Raymond Avenue Station and downtown St. Paul (Route 67) and in the evening on Grand Avenue (Route 63).

> Learn more about Proterra's Catalyst electric bus



byd-one.jpgBYD

Tuesday, May 19

In-service throughout the morning on Lake Street (Route 21) and in the afternoon on West Broadway Avenue between downtown Minneapolis and Robbinsdale (Route 14).

Wednesday, May 20

In-service between the Southdale Transit Center and downtown Minneapolis (Route 6), in the afternoon on Central Avenue (Route 10) and in the evening on Lake Street (Route 21).

> Learn more about BYD's electric bus

Schedules subject to change of course.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The NFI demo is unit 2013 XE40 unit SR1723, (SR17231?) which has also recently done stints in St. Albert, and the Vancouver area according to the wiki. I was able to catch it on what I think was the maiden voyage on the 18A down Nicollet Mall/Nicollet Avenue to 46th Street.

Picture time :D

17042687569_c8ede3d589_t.jpg 17041326590_f1ca2dba30_t.jpg 17228871365_c4cc56f606_t.jpg 17021445807_c99d3c222f_t.jpg 17228872205_439108bf8a_t.jpg 17202926416_871b1fb17c_t.jpg 17042690669_6b1746cdc9_t.jpg

It had a very quiet and fairly smooth ride. It was doing ghost runs along with the regularly scheduled 18A buses. Despite that however it had quite a few riders each way. (I rode round trip). Apparently it was at about 90% charge despite having been out for a while beforehand. I didn't get any interior photos as there were a lot of people on board at the layover point. I noticed it had a GFI Odyssey farebox similar to what Winnipeg Transit uses.

Also on topic with Metro Transit, a few other random shots from today:

17227161002_b8d138d807_t.jpg 16606435654_fab5df7a47_t.jpg 17041099188_b3da6a2d62_t.jpg

Despite hybrid unit 7100 being retired, I spotted 7102 on the 59 line, so I guess they are still getting some work out of that one anyways. I would suspect 7101 may still be in service as well as it's not out at Snelling with 7100. I didn't see either of the Xcelsior hybrids today, but I have seen at least one running the 10 a few times in the past month or so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It sounds like Metro Transit is focused on growing and meeting commuter needs!

Minnesota Public Radio covers the electric bus story:

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/22/electric-bus

"Over the course of the next decade, we're going to have a pretty aggressive build out of what we call arterial bus rapid transit lines on some of our heaviest used lines," said Brian Lamb, Metro Transit's general manager.

If purchased, electric buses would run along nearly a dozen major Twin Cities streets, like Snelling Avenue and West 7th Street in St. Paul and West Broadway and Lake Street in Minneapolis.

"They have a very defined end-to-end in this urban area," Lamb said. "And so what we were envisioning is to run clean power energy buses through this area, where they could get a recharge, if you will, on either end."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 17xx series is here, 1702 was seen on the 84 yesterday. Basically the same as the 16xx series Gillig LF except the 17xx have solid pane windows. (still silver frame) On a side note, the 1700 series was last used on Metropolitan Transit Commission's first order from Gillig, consisting of non-lift Phantoms in 1989.

Time to say farewell to the Phantoms :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Proterra Photos:

17003879263_2897f23598_t.jpg 17436388808_3cc0e09ab2_t.jpg 17597914746_5f6c59fe59_t.jpg

I did try to get another curbside front photo without a pole in the way, but the shutter didn't register right away when I clicked it.

Anyways, this is their 2014 Catalyst 40' model. I was able to ride it while it was working a short turn trip on the 68. I had wanted to catch it on the 74 yesterday as that route covers more distance. However I wasn't able to successfully track it down. The ride was a little stiff, however this bus got beat.. to.. heck.. going up and down Robert Street. So really I thought the ride was fairly good considering the rough road conditions. Compared to the XE40 this one was a bit louder, but still much quieter than a regular diesel bus. I really liked the design, solid interior panels, nice sized rear window, and a nice open feeling. I'll comment a bit more about it over in the Proterra thread.



I was in MSP yesterday and caught this.

Nice angle :) The Green Line has so many awesome spots for photos.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Metro Transit might take bids for electric buses fairly soon!

Source:http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/05/13/metro-transit-tries-out-new-line-of-electronic-buses/

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Metro Transit is trying out another line of electric buses, looking for the next generation of vehicles that can be environmentally friendly and cost effectiveicon1.png.

“The fact of the matter is, almost all of our fleet are dependent on non-renewable fuels,” Metro Transit general manager Brian Lamb said.

He said they want to start to diversify their fleet, and one way to do that is to incorporate electric buses.

“They probably will not take over the whole fleet, but certainly as we are thinking about building out our bus rapid transit, these would be a great application,” he said.

The buses are expensive at about $800,000 each, which is about $300,000 more than a traditional bus. But Lamb said they expect big savingsicon1.png on fuel.

“A typical bus will use over 150,000 gallons,” he said.

In the last 20 years, Metro Transit have made great strides in reducing emissions, Lamb said.

“A single bus that we were operating in the 1990s had more emissions coming out of it than 90 buses that we operate on the street today,” he said.

Another benefit of the electric bus is the relative silence of the vehiclesicon1.png.

“So in urban environments, where you might have outdoor restaurants, we are looking at ways we can reduce the decibel level,” Lamb said.

He said they are looking at three different companieslb_icon1.png and if they decide to go ahead with the buses, they will start taking bids by the end of this year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, finally we have the BYD demo, this one was built in September of 2014. I recall seeing photos of another one in a different livery and with a smaller front marquee and also their artic model, so I guess they have at least three now:

17261279383_7da76a715b_t.jpg 17881706015_9d6311392e_t.jpg 17855368856_a96709499f_t.jpg

This bus was solid sounding for the ride, no rattles or squeaks on the bumps. Pretty smooth ride quality. Very quiet of course, although you could hear the traction a bit. It has seating for 35. I thought the windows in the rear section seemed sort of low, you can see the tops of the frames line up almost with the handholds on the seats in the rear. I think they should work on getting larger windows in if they do any sort of design update going forward.

I kind of like the exterior design, although the windshield reminds me of an RV in a way. I'm guessing they got the bumpers from the same supplier as Gillig.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, finally we have the BYD demo...

Thanks for the images. Is there a stop request cord, or just the buttons on the poles? Also notice a different type of button on the pole next to the rear door, and another across from it. I wonder what function they serve.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

^Thanks for posting the video. FWIW I believe all of the cars in the old livery are finally either wrapped or repainted now.

The XD60 are entering service, but I'm guessing there are only a few so far. I was looking for them a bit this afternoon in DT minneapolis, but only spotted one a couple blocks away. The D60 are still vey much active.

I saw XDE40 7290 on a Limited Stop/Express line, those two units seem to get around.

For Phantoms I was told by one operator that they only have the 1000 series now, although there could be one or two 900s left. I've only seen 1000s lately myself.

... and finally here's a photo of 1729:

19715203430_b6cb1f0372_t.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Mall of America Transit Center reconstruction project will be starting in the summer of 2016 and continue through the fall of 2017, according to the recent Cedar Ave Transitway IPU. I'm assuming that during at least some of that time period, they will be moving all the bus operations to a temporary transit center across the street to the surface lot. They did that in 2004 as well during the track construction for the 55-Hiawatha Line (now METRO Blue Line).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

It's State Fair time!

(You know you're a transitfan when you go to the MN State Fair just to take pictures of buses.)

Welcome aboard to the 34xx series XD60:

21082093851_816c50e139_t.jpg 21048212796_e4f4f7dae5_t.jpg 20453376073_bc830babe0_t.jpg

Still plenty of D60 to be seen:

21082097211_f5704481a5_t.jpg 21074439685_e21a258f96_t.jpg

However it was mainly the D60LFR which showed up while I was standing by that loop getting pics:

21064420472_a1b4f58497_t.jpg

On a side note these Yahoo! ads are getting popular on the 40' LF fleet (Okay this particular ad is custom :P )

20886531388_e1d1b37b2d_t.jpg

Are they appearing in other systems too?

Finally the 900 series Phantoms were out in force, many are likely seeing their last week or two of active service with Metro Transit :(

20451848574_6fd1b7b3c6_t.jpg 20453380283_0739acba80_t.jpg 21082100851_56e9755f42_t.jpg 21082101871_42fd745d25_t.jpg

... and I'll just chuck my Lorenz notes in here as well, the oldest Phantom I spotted was 1502, ex-MTC 1990 Gillig Phantom 40' 1502. Unfortunately it was parked and not running a shuttle. Otherwise I would've gone for a ride. I don't know what or who is handling the Oscar Johnson arena disability access service this year, but the ex-MCT D40LF 211 and 213 were on regular shuttles. 1200 (211) was working Unisys, and I spotted 1201 (213) a couple nights ago on an unknown shuttle. I'm curious to know whether they like the D40LF enough to buy more instead of getting more Phantoms as they update their shuttle fleet in the future.

20451851824_d4357eb67b_t.jpg 21048226696_ac1eb2271d_t.jpg 20453391093_525272f76b_t.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...