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Chris.A

Chris.A

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On 11/8/2019 at 12:13 AM, Orion6025 said:

b24,32,39,47,62 and the q58,59. In theory it is possible that one could show on the b38 but I wouldn't count on that, it really depends on how many XD60s  can run.

I was back in Brooklyn over the weekend and there's still alot of 2005 Orion 7s in service. Saw like 7-8 of them, which I don't mind, I always liked the Fresh Ponds batch of hybrids.

 

Still, it is very depressing to not see RTS's in service anymore. I haven't been back to NY since may of last year until this pass Saturday, so alot has clearly changed since my last visit. 

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Chris.A

Chris.A

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On 8/24/2019 at 3:29 PM, Orion6025 said:

We’ll see what happens. There’s been so much bitching that the MTA may lessen the severity of the (rumored) cuts

307

Only sbs running exclusively buses without SBS colors. The q53+ is assigned 6234 in normal colors

None have been replaced. The XDE40s should take care of these.

That didn’t happen in the end. Every hybrid orion is off SI

I'm late on this, but the MTA had just retired the last set of R42 subway train cars on 12/30/2019, after making their final run on the J line. What a way to end the decade with a retirement, for these are the first (and last) train cars to retire this ( or rather last) decade since the R44s (NYCTA units) in late 2010. RIP

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GojiMet86

GojiMet86

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And the R42 is back in service, after all Bombardier R179 cars (300+) had to be taken out of service.

 

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/mta-pulls-nearly-300-brand-new-subway-cars-for-safety-reasons/2256699/

 

MTA Pulls Nearly 300 Brand New Subway Cars Over Door Problems
There were two recent incidents that prompted concerns about passenger safety, but no injuries were reported
By Andrew Siff • Published January 8, 2020 • Updated at 5:09 pm on January 8, 2020


The MTA said Wednesday it has pulled nearly 300 newly delivered subway cars for safety reasons effective immediately, citing an analysis of "two recent incidents" involving doors. No passengers were injured in either case.

The problems with the Bombardier trains happened "over the holidays," possibly in late December and early January, one source familiar with the incidents tells News 4. Further details on exactly what transpired weren't immediately clear. In total, 298 cars were pulled from service overnight; the affected cars were on the A, C, J and Z lines.

The MTA said all lines were operating at normal service levels Wednesday morning with the exception of the J and Z lines, where "headways have been increased by two minutes in between trains for the AM peak period, and skip-stop service suspended."

In a statement, NYCT President Andy Byford said two recent incidents with the Bombardier R179 subway cars raised questions about "the reliable operation of a door mechanism" on the newly delivered cars.

"Out of an abundance of caution, NYCT removed all R179 train cars from service overnight for thorough inspection and re-deployed other spare cars to continue service for this morning’s rush and ensure minimal impacts to customers," Byford said Wednesday.

He added that updates would be provided "as they become available."

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer blasted the MTA in a statement shortly after the news, saying his office released an audit last month that showed how its contract with Bombardier was late -- three years behind schedule -- and cost taxpayers "millions" of additional dollars.

Stringer said that audit showed layers of mismanagement in the MTA's oversight of the contract, repeat failures to meet contact deadlines, poor project management, technical breakdowns and structural defects that delayed cars being put into service. Other defects had cars yanked.

"The New York City subway riders who foot the bill for the MTA’s $600 million contract with Bombardier were promised new, state-of-the-art train cars to help modernize our ailing transit system," Stringer said Wednesday. "Now, all the cars that were delivered so far have been pulled from service due to critical defects. It is completely unacceptable."

News 4 has reached out to Bombardier for comment.
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Chris.A

Chris.A

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On 1/15/2020 at 7:21 AM, Len90 said:

Anyone know about this MCI D45 that is testing on Staten Island? Bus had a lot of extra wires on it for testing and was owned by MCI bus sales. Driver was an MCI employee. I thought the new express contract went to Prevost. 

64B93A17-6068-40E3-9EF4-68A1D14E784E.jpeg

The MTA just tested one of these less then 2 years ago. Make is the all Electric version, since I heard they were going to make an EV variant. Yes, the MTA just awarded the contract to Prevost back in October IIRC.

BTW, Fresh Pond just got 8 2005-2006 Orion VII OG hybrids from East NY including #6490.

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GojiMet86

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https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/nyregion/awkafina-subway-mta.html

Quote

 

Awkwafina’s Latest Role: Subway Announcer. New Yorkers Have Thoughts.
Listen to the actress’s recorded subway announcements, now playing on the No. 7 train for one week. “Welcome to my borough!”

16subwayannounce-jumbo.jpg?quality=90&au

By Christina Goldbaum
Published Jan. 16, 2020
Updated Jan. 17, 2020, 8:24 a.m. ET


Regular riders aboard the No. 7 train could tell something was different on Thursday as it rumbled between Manhattan and Queens. The voice crackling over the subway’s speaker system seemed off somehow: It was peppy — sarcastic even — and lighthearted in a way that clashed with the usual, ponderous tone of the daily commuting grind.

“This is 69th Street, which is definitely, definitely not funny in any way,” it chirped.

“This is Times Square 42nd street, where New Yorkers go to relax,” it crooned.

The voice belonged to rapper-turned-actress, Nora Lum, who is better known as Awkwafina and who has taken over the conductor announcements on the 7 train as part of a publicity campaign to promote her new show on Comedy Central, “Nora From Queens.”

Ms. Lum, who had roles in “The Farewell,” “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Ocean’s 8,” grew up in Forest Hills, Queens. She also just became the first Asian-American to win best actress in a motion picture at the Golden Globes.

The recordings — peppered with dad jokes (“The next stop is Manhattan so we’re going underwater, hold your breath!”) and fun facts about New York (“This is 42nd Street-Bryant Park, the New York City Public Library is here!”) — are the first in a pilot program by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its advertising partner, Outfront Media, to tap celebrity announcers.

Awkwafina will be the voice of the 7 train for the next week.

“We are exploring new and different ways to generate much needed revenue, while also surprising and delighting customers,” said Sarah Meyer, chief customer officer at M.T.A. New York City Transit, in a statement. “Our focus will always be to run the trains safely and on time, and if a well-known voice can bring attention to in-car messaging, we are all for it.”

Transit officials said they had not yet added another celebrity announcer to the list and are soliciting feedback from riders about the Awkwafina No. 7 train takeover to determine if they will do so. They did not say how much Comedy Central had paid for the campaign.........

 

 

 

 

 

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81-717

81-717

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22 hours ago, GojiMet86 said:

Really no idea, but the MTA is making slow progress on getting the R179 trains back. I believe each train has to be re-tested.

Thanks for the info. Are the 42's currently used on the weekends or only during rush hours?

16 hours ago, DCTransitFilms said:

Better get those R42s before they retire. Won’t be in NY for a while so unfortunately I can’t get pics of them ?

Same, I have no idea when I'll be going back.

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GojiMet86

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On 1/19/2020 at 12:00 AM, 81-717 said:

Thanks for the info. Are the 42's currently used on the weekends or only during rush hours?

Same, I have no idea when I'll be going back.

 

On 1/19/2020 at 12:56 AM, Orion6025 said:

They’ve been seen on weekends

 

On 1/20/2020 at 7:53 PM, DCTransitFilms said:

I say give it at least until the spring. 

 

Not too long I guess......

 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/01/21/business/21reuters-bombardier-nyctransit.html

 

Quote

 

NYC Transit Expects Return of Bombardier Subway Cars to Service This Week

By Reuters

Jan. 21, 2020Updated 5:19 p.m. ET

MONTREAL — New York City Transit expects subway cars recently built by Bombardier Inc to return to service this week, after an estimated 300 cars were yanked earlier in the month due to safety concerns, agency President Andy Byford said on Tuesday.

"The good news is, subject to confirmation, we are expecting a return to service this week of the R179 trains," Byford told a committee meeting of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which includes New York City Transit.

Bombardier is facing pressure in its transportation division, the Canadian company's largest unit by revenues, over a handful of problematic rail contracts, primarily in Europe.

The plane and train maker shed nearly a third of its value last week after warning its 2019 profits would be lower because of contract problems in the rail division, which incurred a $350 charge.

Bombardier stock closed up 5.74% on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Tuesday following a Bloomberg report that the company held preliminary talks with France's Alstom to potentially combine their rail businesses.

Earlier in January, New York City Transit, North America's largest public transportation agency, directed the subway cars to be temporarily removed from service to address a "suspected systemic issue involving the door mechanism."

It was the latest concern for the agency, a longstanding Bombardier customer, over the long-delayed R179 car order, which was initially expected to be completed in 2017 for around $600 million.

Byford said inspections and adjustments of all door systems and software upgrades "are now all complete for the entire R179 fleet. That's 298 cars."

Bombardier said in a statement that it "stands by the quality and integrity of its door design and its components, and wants to reassure customers and passengers that this particular issue does not involve any design or mechanical defects."

Engineering consultant LTK, acting as a third party, signed off on the inspections, Byford said, which included an additional 20 subway cars that have not yet been put into service.

"Bombardier and their independent safety adviser have issued formal written statements assessing the actions taken to date and giving their assurance that the fleet is safe to return to service," he said.

New York City Transit and LTK were reviewing the information provided by Bombardier in support of those assessments, he said.

"Once - and only once - all parties concur, we expect the fleet to return to service," he added.

(Reporting by Allison Lampert; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Rosalba O'Brien and Jonathan Oatis)

 

 

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GojiMet86

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https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/nyregion/andy-byford-resigns-mta.html

 

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Andy Byford Resigns as New York City’s Subway Chief
He arrived nearly two years ago to turn around the city’s failing subway, making significant progress.

 

By Christina Goldbaum and Emma G. Fitzsimmons
Jan. 23, 2020
Updated 6:03 p.m. ET

Andy Byford, who was brought in to help revive New York City’s ailing subway, resigned as its leader on Thursday, ending a tumultuous two-year tenure marked by repeated clashes with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Mr. Byford had been widely praised by riders and transportation advocates for reversing the steep decline of the nation’s largest subway, and his departure raises significant questions about the future of an antiquated system struggling to become a 21st century transportation network.

Mr. Byford had considered quitting for months, but finally decided to resign after chafing over having his job duties scaled back as part of a reorganization plan, according to his resignation letter.

His new role would “focus solely on day-to-day-running of service,” instead of more ambitious projects, Mr. Byford wrote. There were other leaders, he said, who could “perform this important, but reduced, service delivery role.”

The reorganization plan had become a priority for Mr. Cuomo.

Mr. Byford’s departure could jeopardize the current campaign to fix the subway, though Mr. Cuomo on Thursday said that the system was making significant progress and would continue to do so under a new leader.

Mr. Byford had been hired after the governor had declared the subway to be in a state of emergency.

He had ambitious plans to transform the system and his dogged work ethic made New Yorkers rally around him. Mr. Byford’s arrival in January 2018 was celebrated as a turning point for the subway, and profiles in The New Yorker and on 60 Minutes followed.

Mr. Byford had considered quitting since last spring and struggled to get along with Mr. Cuomo, who controls the subway and the flow of money to the system.

Mr. Cuomo was angry after Mr. Byford tried to resign in October, according to officials familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The governor signaled to state officials that the tense relationship had reached its end point and that he expected Mr. Byford to be gone by the first quarter of 2020, the officials said.

By December, Mr. Byford made up his mind that he would leave after completing his second year, those officials said. Another likely departure, officials say, is Pete Tomlin, who was brought in by Mr. Byford to run a multibillion dollar overhaul of the signal system.

On Thursday, Mr. Cuomo dismissed claims that disagreements between the two men led to Mr. Byford’s resignation, suggesting that plans to reorganize the transit agency — and take some responsibilities away from Mr. Byford — might have contributed to his decision.

“He did the job for two years,” Mr. Cuomo told reporters. “Nobody does these jobs for a lifetime.”

In a phone interview, Mr. Byford said he was not pressured to resign.

“This was 100 percent my decision,” he said. “There was no external pressure for me to go. This is something I’ve given careful thought to.”

Mr. Byford’s departure was first reported by Politico.

When Mr. Byford took over running the subway, only 58 percent of trains were on time. There were near constant meltdowns and several train derailments raised safety concerns.

Mr. Byford helped push the on-time rate over 80 percent through a series of operational changes and a focus on the basics. He said he wanted to bring the on-time rate into the 90s and proposed an ambitious overhaul of the subway’s ancient signal equipment.

Colleagues say both Mr. Cuomo and Mr. Byford have supersize egos and wanted credit for the subway’s success. They quarreled over plans to fix the L train, a major line between Manhattan and Brooklyn, and new technology to upgrade signals.

Some believed Mr. Byford’s rock star status may have irked Mr. Cuomo. They compared the dynamic to Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and his police commissioner, William J. Bratton, who resigned in 1996 shortly after being on the cover of Time magazine.

When Mr. Byford publicly questioned Mr. Cuomo’s decision to call off the shutdown of the L train tunnel between Manhattan and Brooklyn, Mr. Byford suddenly found himself sidelined. The two men did not speak for four months in 2019.

Their relationship appeared to improve in recent months. Then Mr. Byford tried to resign in October, citing concerns over budget cuts and interference by Mr. Cuomo’s office. His bosses at the transit agency convinced him to stay, but the détente did not last long.

“Andy Byford will be departing New York City Transit after a successful two years of service and we thank him for his work,’’ said Patrick J. Foye, the chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the agency that operates the subway.

Mr. Foye’s statement did not hint at the problems that had been unfolding behind the scenes in recent months. He thanked Mr. Byford for improving the subway and helping to secure new funding for the system, along with Mr. Cuomo and state lawmakers.

Officials at the authority will face a big decision in replacing Mr. Byford. Sally Librera, Mr. Byford’s top lieutenant and the first woman to lead the subways division, could be a top contender. She is a respected technocrat who joined the transit agency in 2004 and has taken a prominent role in touting the subway recovery.

Mr. Byford had developed a cult following among transit enthusiasts, who plastered stickers with his face on street posts with the slogan: “Train Daddy Loves You Very Much.” He could often be found greeting riders at stations with a huge smile and focused attention on the needs of disabled New Yorkers. He even once grabbed a broom to help clean a flooded station.

When Mr. Byford’s future seemed uncertain in April, Corey Johnson, the City Council speaker posted on Twitter: “Losing Andy would be a tremendous loss. In Andy We Trust.”

On Thursday, Mr. Johnson posted a one-word reaction on Twitter: “DEVASTATED.”

Transit advocates immediately raised concerns about his departure, calling it “a terrible day for riders.”

“It’s an unfortunate and predictable outcome when you have M.T.A. leadership that work in a highly politicized environment,” said Rachael Fauss, a senior research analyst at Reinvent Albany, a watchdog group. “It’s going to be extremely difficult for the M.T.A. to bounce back from this, it’s going to be challenging to find someone capable who will work in this environment.”

Mr. Byford came to New York after leading the subway in Toronto, where he won an award for transit system of the year from the American Public Transportation Association. He has also worked on both London and Sydney’s transit networks.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the subway and buses, is facing a major financial crisis that could deepen if there is a recession. Transit leaders are planning to cut hundreds of workers and they have considered service cuts.

At the same time, subway officials are planning an ambitious effort to modernize the system after Mr. Cuomo convinced state lawmakers to approve congestion pricing, a plan to toll drivers entering Manhattan to raise $15 billion for the transit system.

Mr. Byford was key to those plans and it remains to be seen whether his successor will be able to carry them out on the same aggressive timeline.

Mr. Cuomo must deliver on his many promises to fix the subway, said John Raskin, the co-founder of the Riders Alliance, a public transit advocacy group.

“The future of the transit system hangs in the balance,” Mr. Raskin said.

 

 

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Chris.A

Chris.A

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On 2/2/2020 at 6:36 PM, MAX BRT said:

 

MTA Deploys All-Electric Bus Fleet On Harlem's M60 Route

A new pilot program using the electric buses on Harlem's M60 line will test the zero-emission vehicles on one of the city's longest routes.

https://patch.com/new-york/harlem/mta-deploys-electric-bus-fleet-harlems-m60-route

XE60 #4958 has now been delivered to MJQ depot.

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GojiMet86

GojiMet86

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https://new.mta.info/r42retirement

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Final Run of the R-42

So long, and thanks for all the trips

The historic R-42 is making its final run on Wednesday, February 12, on the A line. See the approximate schedule below:

Leaves Euclid Avenue at 10:30 AM to go to Far Rockaway, making all A stops along the way

Leaves Far Rockaway at 11:30 AM to go to 207 St, making all A stops along the way

Leaves 207 St at 1:30 PM to go back to Euclid Av, making all A stops

About the Historic R-42

R-42s first rolled out in 1969, eventually totaling 400 cars in our fleet. The first cars were used on the BMT Broadway Line, known today as the N train.

1969 was a big year: Sesame Street debuted, the New York Mets won the World Series, Woodstock drew over 350,000 people to a farm in upstate New York, and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon.

Along with the R-32, the R-42 is the only post-war car to reach the 50-year service mark. The R-32 still run on the A and C.

The R-42 were featured in the famous “car vs. subway chase” in William Friedkin’s 1971 thriller The French Connection. The two cars, #4572 and #4573 became part of New York Transit Museum’s collection.

Seated capacity on the R-42 is 44, and they were the first car type to arrive in service completely air-conditioned.

A majority of the fleet was retired between 2006 and 2009. About 50 cars remained in service on the J and Z lines. Some of the retired cars were sunk in the Atlantic Ocean as part of an artificial reef program.

The R-42 was the last car type to be designed as "married pairs," which means the two cars are semi-permanently linked together.

 

 

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