Mystic Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Lately we've been having issues with passenger complaints about buses, and about service. Well, it appears that out of pure coincidence (I assume), the Classics are now really hard to find. There are two at the moment that are doing regular and rush hour service, but the others have been MIA for atleast a month, some since the fall. And now I see that Auger has purchased 6 brand new 2008 MCI D4505's. Things don't look too good at this point... For the last two weeks I've seen #847 and #849 on the roads day and night, but the rest are nowhere to be seen. I passed by the garage to see what was up, and they're all in there. Even the Orion V's are a rare sighting nowadays. #853 and #857 are the two that are out the most and #853 has been having constant problems and breaking down quite often, daily for that matter. My sister was aboard once when it broke down on the bridge, and I was on it the next day when it broke down on the bridge at the same place. And now mtltransitguy was aboard it for a visit on Tuesday and it brokedown that day as well. Not a good sign. Let's hope for the best, and that they are just sitting in the back of the garage for the winter, and will be back out in the spring. Let's just assume that they don't have winter tires, and that they only put them on a small number of transit buses, and kept the majority for their coach fleet, since that's where the money really is. Anyways, that's all for current CITSO information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general682002 Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Hmmm, Prevost must have cost them too high this time. Those Transit buses do beat up alot on the road, so might as well run it only tripper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Demers Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 The fault with the Orion's of CITSO lies with the motor pretty much - Detroit Diesel Series 50 or S50 for short. That motor is known to be crap with frequent turbo charger problems (black smoke is the symptom). Terrible, terrible engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtltransitguy Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Let's hope for the best. I really like CITSO's Classics!..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Posted March 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 The fault with the Orion's of CITSO lies with the motor pretty much - Detroit Diesel Series 50 or S50 for short. That motor is known to be crap with frequent turbo charger problems (black smoke is the symptom). Terrible, terrible engine. Yes, infact they backfire quite often as well. With puffs of black smoke. And until recently there were two Orion V's at CITSO that constantly had black smoke plumes emanating from the exhaust. It looked like a dirty fireplace was traveling down the street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtltransitguy Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Yes, infact they backfire quite often as well. With puffs of black smoke. And until recently there were two Orion V's at CITSO that constantly had black smoke plumes emanating from the exhaust. It looked like a dirty fireplace was traveling down the street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D. Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 It's very unfortunate but CITSO will eventually become of fleet of all MCI coaches because that is what the clientele wants and has been asking for for well over 6-7 years now (and that's at least!). They are even hesitant to buy more Suburban LFS'!!! Opting instead for new MCI coaches and listening to their clientele and not the QC gov't apparently which i would assume would be pressuring them to simply buy Suburban LFS'. I think it may be time people start bus fanning CITSO come in the next few weeks hardcore! IF u want to ride the V's and the remaining classics before they go the way of the "DODO" at CITSO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellergraham Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Would anyone be keeping track of a CITSO roster? (Or any other CIT for that matter)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMS Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 What! I thought they would get rid of the old 40 ft buses... the Vs are only from 2002 according to my understanding! Why ditch those?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Posted March 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 What! I thought they would get rid of the old 40 ft buses... the Vs are only from 2002 according to my understanding! Why ditch those?? I haven't heard any news about them ditching the Orion V's from 2002, however I do know from driver feedback that a lot of them do not prefer to drive them. And in actual fact, the decision is split between the LFS Suburban and the MCI Classics for driving preference (between transit models, all drivers I've spoken to love driving coaches, or "Limos" as they call it). The Orion's and the later Nova Classics are not preferred by most regular drivers for several reasons including the automatic braking system that applies when the gas pedal is released, which causes discomfort with passengers and in general makes the driver look like they can't drive properly. I personally have experienced several drivers drive like this... They've excused themselves, and explained that the system is extremely sensitive and the MCI's atleast coast when they're not punching on the gas pedal. The LFSes also have the same braking system as the Nova Classics and Orion V's, however it is fine tuned more so that the bus will ease to a stop, rather than slam on the brakes when the pedal is released. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMS Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 The Orion's and the later Nova Classics are not preferred by most regular drivers for several reasons including the automatic braking system that applies when the gas pedal is released, which causes discomfort with passengers and in general makes the driver look like they can't drive properly. Oh, they have retarders? Isn't there an override switch? Geez louise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Posted March 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Oh, they have retarders? Isn't there an override switch? Geez louise. It must have been removed, or none of them are aware of it, but it's really bad! Anyways, here's the fleet roster for CITSO as requested: CITSO: #701 - #719 ("Coach" Bus) ----- #701 - Prevost (Full Wrap - Patriotes Chateauguay) ----- #702 - Prevost ----- #703 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #704 - 1995 MCI DL3 (Bleu) ----- #705 - 1995 MCI DL3 (Bleu) ----- #706 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #707 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #708 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #709 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #710 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #711 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #712 - 2002 Prevost XLII Mirage ----- #713 - 2002 Prevost XLII Mirage ----- #714 - 2004 Prevost XLII Mirage ----- #715 - 2004 Prevost XLII Mirage ----- #716 - 2005 Prevost XLII Mirage ----- #717 - 2007 Prevost X3-45 ----- #718 - 2007 Prevost X3-45 ----- #719 - 2007 Prevost X3-45 #750 - #759 ("Coach" Bus Prevost H3-45 Series) ----- #750 - 1998 Prevost H3-45 ----- #751 - 1998 Prevost H3-45 ----- #752 - 1998 Prevost H3-45 ----- #753 - 1998 Prevost H3-45 ----- #754 - 1998 Prevost H3-45 ----- #755 - 1998 Prevost H3-45 ----- #756 - 1998 Prevost H3-45 ----- #757 - 1998 Prevost H3-45 ----- #758 - 1998 Prevost H3-45 ----- #759 - 1998 Prevost H3-45 (Has Chateauguay Jr. Raiders full body wrap). #844 - #860 ("Transit" Bus) ----- #844 - MCI Classic 1988 (MIA Since October 2007) ----- #845 - MCI Classic 1988 (MIA Since December 2007) ----- #846 - MCI Classic 1992 (MIA Since September 2007) ----- #847 - MCI Classic 1992 (Regular Day/Night/Weekend Service) - All white with gray skirt ----- #848 - MCI Classic 1992 (MIA Since December 2007) ----- #849 - MCI Classic 1992 (Regular Day/Night/Weekend Service) - Original Auger Paint Scheme ----- #850 - Nova Classic 1997 (MIA Since December 2007) ----- #851 - Nova Classic 1997 (MIA Since December 2007) - (LAST Classic ever built!!!) ----- #852 - Orion V 2002 - Ste-Julie Demo (Grey, Balios never installed, still has truck sounding brakes) ----- #853 - Orion V 2002 - Breaks down very often ----- #854 - Orion V 2002 ----- #855 - Orion V 2002 ----- #856 - Orion V 2002 - My favourite Orion bus. Has an extra Turbo kick to it. ----- #857 - Orion V 2002 - This one has that same kick as 856, but that one was first. ----- #858 - Transcar Classic 2002 (Regular Day/Night/Weekend Service) - Backdoor was recently blocked up to add another two rows of seats. ----- #859 - NovaLFS Suburban 2005 (Feb/March has only been used sometimes for Rush Hour, but regular Day/Night/Weekend are covered by Coaches/Classics and Orions.) ----- #860 - NovaLFS Suburban 2005 (Feb/March has only been used sometimes for Rush Hour, but regular Day/Night/Weekend are covered by Coaches/Classics and Orions.) #8001 - #8006 ("Coach" Bus MCI D4505 Series) ----- #8001 - 2008 MCI D4505 (MCI Demo Bus) Was wine coloured and said "Motor Coach Industries" on the side in gold, but now is completely white. ----- #8002 - 2008 MCI D4505 (Plain White - Contemporary MCI design) ----- #8003 - 2008 MCI D4505 (Plain White - Contemporary MCI design) ----- #8004 - 2008 MCI D4505 (Plain White - Contemporary MCI design) ----- #8005 - 2008 MCI J4500 (Has dark blue/light blue and wine coloured wavy line paint scheme) - (ex bus #7704 - written in gold not but sure where that came from, but they left it on the bus when they renumbered it) ----- #8006 - 2008 MCI J4500 (Has dark brown/light brown and wine coloured wavy line paint scheme) - (ex bus #7705 - written in gold not but sure where that came from, but they left it on the bus when they renumbered it) Other buses in the back lots of CITSO that were used last summer, but I haven't seen them since: ? - 8xx - Nova RTS ? - 8xx - Nova Classic 1994 (ex: CITLR #9451) Fleet = +/- 50 Autobus in service presently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMS Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Do the coaches have bathrooms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellergraham Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Do the coaches have bathrooms? Most of them do, and I've never used it in the 9 years I've been taking the Valleyfield / Angrignon route about every other week. I rarely see other people using them though. I guess an hour isn't that long to wait... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2044 Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 It must have been removed, or none of them are aware of it, but it's really bad!Anyways, here's the fleet roster for CITSO as requested: CITSO: #701 - #719 ("Coach" Bus) ----- #701 - Prevost (Full Wrap - Patriotes Chateauguay) ----- #702 - Prevost ----- #703 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #704 - 1995 MCI DL3 (Bleu) ----- #705 - 1995 MCI DL3 (Bleu) ----- #706 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #707 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #708 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #709 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #710 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #711 - 1992 Prevost Le Mirage ----- #712 - 2002 Prevost XLII Mirage ----- #713 - 2002 Prevost XLII Mirage ----- #714 - 2004 Prevost XLII Mirage ----- #715 - 2004 Prevost XLII Mirage ----- #716 - 2005 Prevost XLII Mirage ----- #717 - 2007 Prevost XLII Mirage ----- #718 - 2007 Prevost XLII Mirage ----- #719 - 2007 Prevost XLII Mirage Just a minor correction, 717-719 are Prevost X3-45s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Posted March 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Just a minor correction, 717-719 are Prevost X3-45s. You're right, they have different headlights. They're part of the new generation, the headlights should have given it away. I'll make that correction right now. Also, the destination sign scrolls, "Welcome / Bienvenue Prevostcar 2008" on these buses. It must be a default sign, since I've seen it say Sallaberry-de-Vallefield as a destination. Do the coaches have bathrooms? I've heard passengers request every once in a while to use them, but most of the time the driver either says that it's locked and he doesn't have the key, or that they've drained it, and they can't use it. But this is for the local Angrignon/Chateauguay runs, I think I've seen people use it on the longer Valleyfield runs, especially from Downtown TCV to Valleyfield, you're looking at about a 2hr ride if traffic is bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellergraham Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 For those interested, I just posted a "my own transit" which deals with a mega-CITSO transit authority. http://www.cptdb.ca/index.php?showtopic=183&hl= Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Posted April 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Some CITSO updates: - Classics #847 and #849 are still doing morning and evening rush hour and are no longer running 6am to 1am shifts like they did in February. - There's more talk today in the Journal de Montreal about the new BPA fare system that is going to be added to CITSO later this year. - The city of Chateauguay has requested that CITSO buses be better identified as Intermunicipal vehicles rather than charter coaches, so as of this week, all CITSO vehicles have front/sides/rear identification that either say, Metropolitain a proud partner of CITSO or vice versa depending on the location of the Metropolitain or Auger logos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMS Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Hey Mystic, how does Autobus Dufresne fit into the CITSO loop? Or are they CITHSL? I am confused... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtltransitguy Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Hey Mystic, how does Autobus Dufresne fit into the CITSO loop? Or are they CITHSL? I am confused... Yes they are CITHSL. Just in case you are wondering, they have had the CITHSL logo on their buses for as long as I've been spotting them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D. Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Some CITSO updates:- Classics #847 and #849 are still doing morning and evening rush hour and are no longer running 6am to 1am shifts like they did in February. - There's more talk today in the Journal de Montreal about the new BPA fare system that is going to be added to CITSO later this year. - The city of Chateauguay has requested that CITSO buses be better identified as Intermunicipal vehicles rather than charter coaches, so as of this week, all CITSO vehicles have front/sides/rear identification that either say, Metropolitain a proud partner of CITSO or vice versa depending on the location of the Metropolitain or Auger logos. I noticed this today! All the coaches i saw today said CITSO on the side! Including what appears to be a new coach.... I think it did the 28 this evening... 5pm ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMS Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Yup I saw soomething similar at TCV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellergraham Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 - The city of Chateauguay has requested that CITSO buses be better identified as Intermunicipal vehicles rather than charter coaches, so as of this week, all CITSO vehicles have front/sides/rear identification that either say, Metropolitain a proud partner of CITSO or vice versa depending on the location of the Metropolitain or Auger logos. Finally! That was my one and only complaint about CITSO is that they never branded their buses. A far cry from the intense branding of SURF / CIT Laurentides buses. I might drop by Angrignon later today or tomorrow for a few pics! Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Posted April 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Yes they are CITHSL. Just in case you are wondering, they have had the CITHSL logo on their buses for as long as I've been spotting them! CITHSL was only recently added to the Dufresne buses as well. Maybe about 6 months now, and they started with the newer vehicles. Even right now they have a bunch of new vehicles that have not been painted yet, and are all white, and someone could easily mistake that for a CITSO bus, since a lot of them are only white washed too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj.surf.lfs Posted April 17, 2008 Report Share Posted April 17, 2008 CITHSL was only recently added to the Dufresne buses as well. Maybe about 6 months now, and they started with the newer vehicles. Even right now they have a bunch of new vehicles that have not been painted yet, and are all white, and someone could easily mistake that for a CITSO bus, since a lot of them are only white washed too. What are the new vehicles for Dufresne? I've never seen them. Are they Prevost coaches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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