CN7059 Posted December 5, 2010 Report Share Posted December 5, 2010 I could feel in my bones that a trip to Kelowna was needed... I'm tempted. Kinda broke, but hitchhiking's always free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted December 14, 2010 Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 So 940 had her maiden run today ... I was fortunate to get to take her out on the 300pm, 400pm and 700pm trips to UBCO on the 90 run ... Everything went well other than the destination sign was not programed for our routes so we just used a laminated piece of paper on the windshield. Needless to say it was a total blast to finally get to drive an MCI and I really enjoyed as did quite a few passengers. I did take pictures and I'll upload them when I get a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CN7059 Posted December 14, 2010 Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 So 940 had her maiden run today ... I was fortunate to get to take her out on the 300pm, 400pm and 700pm trips to UBCO on the 90 run ... Everything went well other than the destination sign was not programed for our routes so we just used a laminated piece of paper on the windshield. Needless to say it was a total blast to finally get to drive an MCI and I really enjoyed as did quite a few passengers. I did take pictures and I'll upload them when I get a chance. Are they as nice to drive as I've heard they are? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCW Metrobus Posted December 14, 2010 Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 So 940 had her maiden run today ... I was fortunate to get to take her out on the 300pm, 400pm and 700pm trips to UBCO on the 90 run ... Everything went well other than the destination sign was not programed for our routes so we just used a laminated piece of paper on the windshield. Needless to say it was a total blast to finally get to drive an MCI and I really enjoyed as did quite a few passengers. I did take pictures and I'll upload them when I get a chance. You lucky guy! Now you make me want to drive one... closest I've driven is a 35 foot Orion I. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 Are they as nice to drive as I've heard they are? They are very nice to drive ... the drivers cabin is a but rustic but that just adds to her charm, but the ride is fantastic. The only two complaints I have are the low windshield and the tiny passenger side sideview mirror. You lucky guy! Now you make me want to drive one... closest I've driven is a 35 foot Orion I. LOL ... I figured that this will be the only time I'll ever get time on one so I'm taking every oppurtunity I get to drive her. I was scheduled to take her again today but a coolant hose popped on my way to Kelowna so I had my regular Nova as a replacement. But 940 is all fixed and ready to go (great job to our mechanics and management) and I'm sure I'll take her out again a few more times Quite a few of the passengers really like her too. I'll post the pics on the weekend after I crop and edit them a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
323 Surrey Ctrl Stn Posted December 16, 2010 Report Share Posted December 16, 2010 LOL ... I figured that this will be the only time I'll ever get time on one so I'm taking every oppurtunity I get to drive her. I was scheduled to take her again today but a coolant hose popped on my way to Kelowna so I had my regular Nova as a replacement. But 940 is all fixed and ready to go (great job to our mechanics and management) and I'm sure I'll take her out again a few more times Quite a few of the passengers really like her too. I'll post the pics on the weekend after I crop and edit them a bit. Are you requesting this bus instead of the Nova? I wouldn't think they'd let you do that seeing as it is a high floor. Chris Cassidy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 Are you requesting this bus instead of the Nova? I wouldn't think they'd let you do that seeing as it is a high floor.Chris Cassidy Not really requesting, more like begging There are times when one of the two Nova's are needed elsewhere or needed to stay in for what ever reason, so I just keep my fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 And the photos ... Downtown Vernon ... At UBCO ... Back in Vernon ... Passenger cabin ... Drivers cabin ... You gotta love the destination sign control panel, looks just like a Vic20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CN7059 Posted December 18, 2010 Report Share Posted December 18, 2010 And the photos ...Passenger cabin ... Brings back memories of highschool; many times they had a classic on my route. We even got fishbowls when i was in grade 8. Now that's a seating layout meant for cramming many people into the bus. What is it with standees and their aversion to standing in the rear portion of lowfloor buses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Burger Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 Brings back memories of highschool; many times they had a classic on my route. We even got fishbowls when i was in grade 8. Now that's a seating layout meant for cramming many people into the bus. What is it with standees and their aversion to standing in the rear portion of lowfloor buses? Likely the psychological barrier of the stairs and the lowered ceiling. Possibly also because it reduces perceived choice for exiting the bus, adding fear that they are going to miss their stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted December 19, 2010 Report Share Posted December 19, 2010 I should also add that construction has begun on our new shop and yard and is set to be completed by the end of 2011. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted December 28, 2010 Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 Just a quick update ... 9273 is all fixed up and will back on the road today ... not sure what this will mean for 940 though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
323 Surrey Ctrl Stn Posted December 28, 2010 Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 Just a quick update ... 9273 is all fixed up and will back on the road today ... not sure what this will mean for 940 though Send it on local service! Or to Armstrong! Chris Cassidy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCW Metrobus Posted December 28, 2010 Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 I wonder if it might end up sitting in Kelowna for a while, as a "just in case" measure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCT-3122-D800-10240 Posted December 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 Brings back memories of highschool; many times they had a classic on my route. We even got fishbowls when i was in grade 8. Do you remember the Victoria 1988-89 MCI Classics before they changed those seat insert cushions? I sure do... and I think at times I am STILL sore from riding them in the early 1990's on the route 50 Night route from downtown Victoria to Colwood.. I was very happy when the Orion V's and 1991 Classics arrived with much nicer seating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CN7059 Posted December 29, 2010 Report Share Posted December 29, 2010 Do you remember the Victoria 1988-89 MCI Classics before they changed those seat insert cushions? I sure do... and I think at times I am STILL sore from riding them in the early 1990's on the route 50 Night route from downtown Victoria to Colwood.. I was very happy when the Orion V's and 1991 Classics arrived with much nicer seating. I do indeed! I liked the seats on the fishbowls, the ones with bench style seats instead of individual seats like most newer buses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted February 20, 2011 Report Share Posted February 20, 2011 Thought this recent letter to the editor in our local paper was quite amusing ... http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similk.../116510428.html ... while I agree to some of the points the writer mentions, like a lack of later intown service and a 4 hour gap between the 90 runs in the afternoon, the bus is crowded at times but thats part of commuting on public transit, we've all had to go through that at some point in our lives. If the writer wanted a a seat (which some riders feel they're entitled to for some strange reason), he could take the 500pm departure from UBCO which is not nearly as busy and still make connections to the intown buses. He also mentions that this is more than just "UBCO Whiners" and encourages people to take a trip on the 400pm back to Vernon to see his point, I'd like to encourage the writer to take a trip on the 400pm run back to Vernon when school is out on a break and see how much the ridership dies. But I do agree they should have a 300pm departure from UBCO, not because of the crowded 400pm run, but a lot of of the students finish classes around 2-230pm and then have to wait 1.5-2 hours for the bus. And another story about the new fareboxes and "swiping the stripe" ... http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similk.../116510243.html ... while I agree that the general idea of the system is great in regards to gathering ridership information, at least as soon as they actually dowload all the required valid pass information into the the fareboxes. But this I don't understand ... "will improve fare security, reduce fare disputes" ... I know that this is just what BC Transit uses to sell the system, but exactly how are fare disputes reduced? If the fare is $2 and they throw in 35 cents or swipe an expired/invalid pass we still have to deal with the same BS just like we did before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Burger Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 But this I don't understand ..."will improve fare security, reduce fare disputes" ... I know that this is just what BC Transit uses to sell the system, but exactly how are fare disputes reduced? If the fare is $2 and they throw in 35 cents or swipe an expired/invalid pass we still have to deal with the same BS just like we did before. Because the machine is now the primary thing telling them their pass is expired. It is more impersonal. Victoria has had these for years now and it is actually quite interesting just how the two noises can easily be told apart, even by novice bus users. The multiple beeps is so clearly a warning sign that people just get it. All of this isn't to say that there aren't going to be disputes, but anecdotally there are less in Victoria now, despite a far busier system than when I started riding in 1993. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Because the machine is now the primary thing telling them their pass is expired. It is more impersonal. Victoria has had these for years now and it is actually quite interesting just how the two noises can easily be told apart, even by novice bus users. The multiple beeps is so clearly a warning sign that people just get it. All of this isn't to say that there aren't going to be disputes, but anecdotally there are less in Victoria now, despite a far busier system than when I started riding in 1993. I guess time will only tell ... the difference in beeps are very noticeable and most passengers notice but they usually just end up saying that the machine is wrong :angry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 In todays paper ... http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similk.../118684524.html ... and I'm sure the hotels would want us to serve them right up to their front door ... at no cost to them of course. The 90 North Okanagan Connector was created specifically for UBCO students, everything else comes secondary thus being the reason why we don't do a southbound stop at YLW, even though for some reason the Kelowna schedule shows we do. On top of that, that'll mean we loose about 6 minutes enroute meaning we'll only have 5 minutes at UBC to load and hopefully take a pee. In all reality, it only takes an extra 15min to go to UBCO first, take our 10min break, load and get to the airport on the northbound run. My suggestion, and I've done this a couple of times on my 300pm trip with a group of people and lots of luggage is to turn the southbound YLW stop into a request stop ... that way if there are a group of people with luggage, you can get them off before the 80 passengers at UBCO get on and gets really crowded for the 400pm trip. Another option is that they get off at the Berry Rd exchange in Winfield and take the 8/23 which arrives there about 5min after the 90 does and goes to the airport southbound before UBCO ... I'll admit it is a pain with luggage, but thats what you need to realize if you only want to spend $2.50 for a trip to/from the airport. As for the luggage dilema, its public transit, expect that there is such thing as too much or oversized luggage and we're not designed for that and our fares reflect that. We do the best we can do to accomodate things, but there are no guarantees. The only thing I really agree with, is more service and its already been suggested that we are going to be going up from the current 8 round trips to 12 round trips in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCW Metrobus Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Another option is that they get off at the Berry Rd exchange in Winfield and take the 8/23 which arrives there about 5min after the 90 does and goes to the airport southbound before UBCO ... I'll admit it is a pain with luggage, but thats what you need to realize if you only want to spend $2.50 for a trip to/from the airport. I think this is what you actually meant? Think you left out a few words there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 I think this is what you actually meant? Think you left out a few words there... Yes it was ... thank you, apparently I can't multitask but I did edit it. Another thought I've had for a while is that there's no advertising for the service. How about a couple of nice posters, ads with the Nova sitting by the runway with a 737 or A320 taking off behind it, or even the Nova parked up by a gate with the airbridge lowered down to it ... would look pretty cool Could even have a couple of taglines like "$2.50 Can Give You The World" or "The 90 North Okanagan Connector - Your Connection To The World" or something like that. Wouldn't be hard to do, I know someone who knows one of the top directors at YLW and I'm sure they can pull some strings from NavCanada and the MOT to let have access to the tarmac. I know, I know, I'm living in a fantasy world, but hell, you never know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted April 26, 2011 Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 940 left for Williams Lake early last week ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9924 Posted May 27, 2011 Report Share Posted May 27, 2011 35 foot Dennis 9058 arrived in Vernon yesterday (from Kamloops I believe) ... supposed to be used on the 60 Armstrong/Enderby run. We've had several 35 foot Darts before buy none have seen service as of yet ... maybe this will be the first finally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
323 Surrey Ctrl Stn Posted May 27, 2011 Report Share Posted May 27, 2011 35 foot Dennis 9058 arrived in Vernon yesterday (from Kamloops I believe) ... supposed to be used on the 60 Armstrong/Enderby run. We've had several 35 foot Darts before buy none have seen service as of yet ... maybe this will be the first finally What about C-619? Chris Cassidy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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