Metro Transit

[Kevin L]

In a recent topic about New Flyer buses and the 2006 D60HFs for Metro Transit; here are the v.i.n.'s for those buses.

3200 5FYD6YU0X6B029947

3201 5FYD6YU016B029948

3202 5FYD6YU036B029949

3203 5FYD6YU0X6B029950

3204 5FYD6YU016B029951

3205 5FYD6YU036B029952

3206 5FYD6YU056B029953

3207 5FYD6YU076B029954

3208 5FYD6YU096B029955

3209 5FYD6YU006B029956

3210 5FYD6YU026B029957

3211 5FYD6YU046B029958

3212 5FYD6YU066B029959

3213 5FYD6YU026B029960

3214 5FYD6YU046B029961

There will be more to come on Metro Transit's v.i.n.'s.

Stalwart23

Thanks! Added.

[MVTArider]

The MVTA will be seeing board approval on 12/7 for purchasing 7 NovaBus LFS off the State of MN contract. These should be delivered in late October 2012 and ready for service on the Cedar Avenue Red Line BRT by November 2012. These should be standard diesel units. The NovaBus LFS and GILLIG BRT were the top choices for the line, with the LFS fairing slightly better.

In a recent topic about New Flyer buses and the 2006 D60HFs for Metro Transit; here are the v.i.n.'s for those buses.

Thanks for sharing! Also I assume that they really are 2006 units based on the number range, correct? I've noticed they have the newest logo as well, which I believe did not come out until 2005-2006. I still need to try riding one

[MVTArider]

An illustration of what the new MVTA NovaBus LFX will look like is in this document:

http://councilmeetin...%20combined.pdf

Pretty lame IMO considering these are supposed to stand out from the rest of the regional bus fleet. I would think they could've at least gone with different colors!

[A. Wong]

At least the livery is curvy...

[Chris H]

At least the livery is curvy...

I like the livery on those as well. Hopefully, Metro Transit likes them and orders more of them.

[MVTArider]

I like the livery on those as well. Hopefully, Metro Transit likes them and orders more of them.

Yeah it's pretty nice on it's own. The thing that I take issue with is that the BRT buses are supposed to have a "completely distinct" livery from the regular fixed route ones. This to me seems like they just finished painting a regular fixed route bus. Although the livery certainly will stand apart from the other MVTA buses once these cross the river

I don't know if Metro Transit will order any for their BRT lines or not. I'm looking forward to having something besides Gilligs and Flyers to ride in the south metro though

[BCT-3122-D800-10240]

At least the livery is curvy...

Not my favorite livery, but I do kinda like it.

[MVTArider]

One last look at a couple of the 3000 series D60LFs before they're gone:

I'm not sure if they have been sold or if they will go up for auction again. They were listed back in December.

[A. Wong]

Is that the series that demoed in NYC?

[MVTArider]

Is that the series that demoed in NYC?

Yep, I'm not sure which specific unit was sent there however.

[TheAverageJoe]

_{From the pics it looks like 3064}

_{http://www.ttmg.org/...nymta-nfif.html}

[MVTArider]

I found a couple clips of the D60LF in my files so I made a short video:

Also Dakota County is taking issue with the Met Council livery for the Red Line BRT buses (an example of the ongoing turf war between Metro Transit/MTS and the opt-outs):

Bus spat puts Met Council, 'burbs at odds again

Dispute heats up over design on Cedar Avenue buses

[MVTArider]

A few short clips of the D60LFRs from yesterday:

The 3100 series D60 have basically disappeared during the off peak periods, which makes it difficult to ride any now. They still show up on express routes of course, but there's usually no way back from the destination for those.

Also a couple photos, 3230-3239 have been restriped in the new scheme:

An interior shot of 3237 facing forward:

[BCT-3122-D800-10240]

Charter a Taxi to get you nearest bus route after you are dropped off at the end of the route.

[MVTArider]

I was finally able to get out for some photos and video during peak period:

Metro Transit:

The 3200 series 2006 D60 have all been repainted into the new scheme, except for perhaps one. Now the only buses left in the old blue stripe are 600-700 series Phantoms, which will be retired soon. A few other random units may also have the old stripe, but they'll probably get restriped in the next month or so with how things are going. No sign of the two advanced hybrid-electric system Xcelsiors yet, although I didn't really pay much attention to the Nicollet Mall yesterday.

A couple Phantoms have been wrapped as well:

Also here are a few exterior clips of Metro Transit New Flyer D60, D60LFR:

Maple Grove Transit:

A couple so-so shots of the Phantoms, these are due for replacement and will be replaced with 3 Gillig LF off the MT contract, 3 artics, (I assume D60LFR) and 6 coaches. I tried taking photos of a couple of the 2011 coaches but they were moving too fast for a good shot.

Metropolitan Transportation Services:

The Lorenz operated 2001 6009-6012 Phantoms have been repainted to the new scheme. I'm not sure when the 2003-2006 D40LF will be repainted/restriped however since they seem to be in good shape paint wise.

MVTA:

It looks like final specs are settled for the LFS (LFSX??), with the final price per vehicle coming in at $501,223.08 (USD). Also 4 ARBOCs are being purchased to replace the seven 2006 Ford E-450 chassis StarTrans/Glaval cutaways. The price per unit on those is about $131,000 (USD) so it looks like they've gotten cheaper. St. Cloud paid around $150,000 for theirs a few years ago IIRC. http://www.mvta.com/...ard_packet.html

[Tcmetro]

I was on the 80 the other day, and I believe that it was 6010 that was repainted. It had "metrotransit.org" light blue letters, though, so it wasn't very visible.

Noticed that the 721 had a D40LF on it the other day. I would imagine that ridership is up in the Brooklyn Park area because of the service improvements on the 723 and 724, as well as the addition of artics onto the 724 line.

[MVTArider]

It looks like BE Line and Roseville service (32, 80, others?) will be operated by First starting this summer on June 2nd: http://councilmeetin...12_101%20SW.pdf

First probably still won't get a better spare ratio for BE Line, so I guess those poor 29' Gilligs are still going to be rattling around until replacements arrive. Maybe First will actually be able to wipe the windows off once in a while though

MVTA is also getting six 40' LF for 35W service improvements: http://councilmeetin...09_2012_117.pdf

According to this it looks like Metro Transit will be getting 30 more Gilligs in 2013 to replace older units, and in the "Onboard Information 2012-2017 CIP" line it mentions 83 buses to arrive this year, and big bus replacements for MGT, MTS, SWT, and Laker Lines, Southdale will get a new transit center too: http://councilmeetin...%20combined.pdf

[MVTArider]

According to the MVTA April board meeting packet, the six 40' buses will indeed be more Gilligs off the DTA/MVTA/Rochester purchase contract. It was also stated that purchasing from that contract is still a better option than using other existing options on State of MN cooperative purchasing contracts with New Flyer, NovaBus, or Orion.

[MVTArider]

For those who haven't seen it, photos of XDE40 7290 posted by Longa1020 on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/krislonga/7154224514/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/krislonga/7154225128/in/photostream/

[MVTArider]

No sign of the Xcelsiors yet, aside from someone perhaps spotting one at South. I'm guessing MT is going to spend some time testing them out though before running them in revenue service.

The 1400 series Gillig LF/BRT have started arriving. 1401 has ZF transmission instead of Voith D864.5. I was told by another transit fan they are getting some with ZF to test it out. The 600 series Phantoms are starting to retire as well.

Construction of the Green Line LRT between Metrodome Station and Union Depot in Saint Paul is about 50% complete IIRC. New Siemens Type II LRT cars should arriving sometime later this year. About time, some of the Bombardiers are really looking ragged from the lack of proper paint.

[Bus Driver Dude]

 

construction between Blue Line (Hwy 35W) to Snelling Ave Station July 9, 2012. Operation is expected to start in 2014

) construction between Snelling Ave Station and Union Station 8-13-12.

[MAX BRT]

New Flyers at Metro Transit? Given the Minnesota connection, that makes all kinds of sense.

Metro Transit Introduces Next-Generation Hybrid buses at state fair.

Funded by a $1.2 million federal grant, the two new hybrid-electric buses represent a first for the U.S. transit industry. Systems on these buses – including the air compressor, heating and cooling and power steering – are run directly from the hybrid’s powerful battery, resulting in additional fuel savings, reduced emissions and other benefits. The new bus model also can operate in all-electric mode, providing whisper-quiet, emission-free travel for short durations – such as on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.

The next-generation buses were manufactured by New Flyer at that company’s plant in St. Cloud. Many of the systems and components on the buses were manufactured by companies with a strong presence in Minnesota such as BAE, Thermo King and Cummins.

http://www.metrotransit.org/TransitArticles/Story.aspx?pageid=247&mid=395&articleid=1051

http://www.metrotransit.org/xcelsior.aspx

[MAX BRT]

I've often wondered why Metro Transit does not buy more New Flyer buses, given the in-state connection, so its interesting to see them touting the made in Minnesota aspect here.

Perhaps a politician or two from St. Cloud or Crookston is pressuring them. But this is an order of only 2 buses.

[MVTArider]

I've often wondered why Metro Transit does not buy more New Flyer buses, given the in-state connection, so its interesting to see them touting the made in Minnesota aspect here.

Perhaps a politician or two from St. Cloud or Crookston is pressuring them. But this is an order of only 2 buses.

They've been buying Gillig since 1989 (then MTC). I guess it's what they're used to, and Gillig has always met order contract specifications and requirements the best. New Flyer was lower on a per unit price on the current contract that was awarded to Gillig, however NF wouldn't meet some of the warranty or training requirements, and I think they had some material quality issues as well. Metro Transit/Met Council will be issuing a new 5 year contract for buses this year, and given the political stink over the contract going to Gillig last time, NF might be a more likely candidate this time around. Personally I hope they go with either Gillig or Nova Bus, but New Flyer might be the best choice.

[MAX BRT]

New Flyer was lower on a per unit price on the current contract that was awarded to Gillig, however NF wouldn't meet some of the warranty or training requirements, and I think they had some material quality issues as well.

That's interesting. Did you get that from public documents?