BrianD Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 23 minutes ago, BusRider said: Thanks for that. I'd also to be interested to hear what the deal is with seemingly keeping Industrial and ACC separate from all the other routes. Seems like it's something that could be getting more use out of it is going to waste. ACC shuttle is no more...they dropped it when the routes changed. From what I've been told industrial ridership has dropped off over the past few years and the route frequency has been changed to reflect this. From what I've observed operating the industrial early morning routes and late night take home the ridership is decent most days. The afternoon Maple Leaf to Mall loop has decent ridership too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusRider Posted December 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 I think the ACC shuttle suffered because nobody knew about it. I remember when you'd get a full standing load on the PM Industrial. They never include these routes on the main system map. I used to use the old Industrial to get into the East End sometimes because it was quicker than 6. Don't think anyone else ever figured out where it went. It's too bad, because the current version provides good service to the Shoppers Mall in the afternoon that I bet people would use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 1 hour ago, BusRider said: I think the ACC shuttle suffered because nobody knew about it. I remember when you'd get a full standing load on the PM Industrial. They never include these routes on the main system map. I used to use the old Industrial to get into the East End sometimes because it was quicker than 6. Don't think anyone else ever figured out where it went. It's too bad, because the current version provides good service to the Shoppers Mall in the afternoon that I bet people would use. I see your point....transit didn't and doesn't promote the industrial routes well enough. I agree with you regarding the industrial routes could be used for regular transit during their operating hours if people knew where they went. They cover Brandon quite well and perhaps the operating hours could be extended if promoted. They could exclude Maple Leaf after the first couple of loops. Currently Industrial A (One of the early morning Maple Leaf Routes, operates 05:30-06:30) makes one loop thru Brandon and drops off at Maple Leaf by 06:11 am and is full. If there are any passengers boarding at Maple Leaf the route goes to ACC east, drops off and the route is finished. If no passengers at Maple Leaf the route is finished. I've only ever taken a passenger once to ACC when operating this route. I've never figured out the reasoning for this route traveling to ACC. Industrial D (The other early morning Maple Leaf Route, operates 05:30-07:00) makes it's loop thru Brandon and arrives at Maple Leaf at 06:15am, then travels to the industrial hub at the mall, then back to Maple Leaf and if any passengers board at Maple Leaf it goes back to the Industrial Hub, then it is finished. This route is always full on the first drop off and close to full on the second drop off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusRider Posted December 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 Do you think 15 minute service is needed on the afternoon Industrial? I almost think a loop via Park Ave to 18th and then to the Industrial Hub, then back via Richmond could help serve more industry, and the city. (Eg: If it comes in via Richmond, it'll go out via Park and then have the other bus to the opposite) That'd give bi-directional service to the city which makes things a lot easier to get around. That's probably what I miss most about not having 20/21. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 8 hours ago, BusRider said: Do you think 15 minute service is needed on the afternoon Industrial? I almost think a loop via Park Ave to 18th and then to the Industrial Hub, then back via Richmond could help serve more industry, and the city. (Eg: If it comes in via Richmond, it'll go out via Park and then have the other bus to the opposite) That'd give bi-directional service to the city which makes things a lot easier to get around. That's probably what I miss most about not having 20/21. I think 1/2 hour service would work for the first hour of the afternoon loops. It gets busier after after 3pm and the 4pm loops is full. It comes down to money....BT provides basic service to and from Maple Leaf. Their thinking is the afternoon loops connect with regular transit at the hub and at a hand full of stops along Richmond Ave. so there is no need to extend them thru the city. If riders transfer to and from regular transit at the hub they collect more fare dollars. One thing I'd like to see changed is the Industrial Hub. Buses cannot (or should not) park there for any length of time due to being in a lane of traffic. The timing points are 00:00, 00:15, 00:30, 00:45 at the hub. You must time your arrival perfectly. I'd like to see them use the East Bound Richmond Terminal as the Industrial Hub but the issue with this is connecting with Route 17, which stops at the Industrial Hub. Route 17 is heavily used connecting with the Industrial Loops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted December 30, 2017 Report Share Posted December 30, 2017 I found out some info regarding the Maple Leaf runs.... Apparently the late night take home loops are chartered via Maple Leaf. This makes me wonder if "all" of the Industrial Runs are chartered. This would explain more the reasoning behind not including these with the regular bus routes. On a different topic... I've been operating regular routes quite often over the past weeks. My opinion on the two makes of buses we have. The Nova's are more modern, have better visibility, are extremely nice to drive, very comfortable and have good power. However the Nova doors are slow and the front door has a brake interlock which really slows you down at stops. The New Flyers are quicker on regular routes for this reason and have a nicer ride. The majority of the drivers prefer the New Flyer buses and I tend to agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted January 3, 2018 Report Share Posted January 3, 2018 Removed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Posted January 3, 2018 Report Share Posted January 3, 2018 Is that Courtney B?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusRider Posted January 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2018 4 hours ago, Dane said: Is that Courtney B?!? I believe it is actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 I had bus #50 on the Maple Leaf afternoon run today. The transmission is an Alison BR400 5 speed. In automatic mode it up shifts into 5th at 80km/hr. I put the transmission in manual mode and held it in 4th. I had it up to 90km in 4th and it was still accelerating I have no idea what the governed RPM is but the acceleration was starting to diminish at 90km so it was likely approaching the governed engine speed. Shifted into 5th and it began accelerating confidently again. Took it up to 98km/hr. I'm impressed with old #50 Told the dispatcher how I was impressed with 50 and how it ran..he agreed and said the Calgary buses were even better at highway speeds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 Removed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted January 12, 2018 Report Share Posted January 12, 2018 The city has tendered the replacement of two engines & one transmission for bus 55 & 57 Within a year most of the other New Flyers will be in the same situation https://purchasing.brandon.ca/ Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.A Posted January 12, 2018 Report Share Posted January 12, 2018 On 04/01/2018 at 10:38 PM, BrianD said: I was on the MPIC salvage website and came across this pic that has #59 in the background. 59 is not wrote off (as stated in an earlier post) and is in Ontario being repaired. Wonder if MTB picked it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusRider Posted January 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2018 On 1/11/2018 at 11:43 PM, BrianD said: The city has tendered the replacement of two engines & one transmission for bus 55 & 57 Within a year most of the other New Flyers will be in the same situation https://purchasing.brandon.ca/ Quote - Engine & Transmission Replacement.pdf Hopefully their two Xcelsiors are on the way soon then. I guess they'd be looking to retire 49 and 50 then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted January 13, 2018 Report Share Posted January 13, 2018 5 hours ago, BusRider said: Hopefully their two Xcelsiors are on the way soon then. I guess they'd be looking to retire 49 and 50 then? Nobody seems to know when the Xcelsiors are arriving. The four new Handi Buses are supposed to arrive this month but we have to wait and see. Nobody seems to know for certain if 49 & 50 are to be retired but this is the rumor...Kind of too bad if they do...they still run and drive good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusRider Posted January 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2018 5 hours ago, BrianD said: Nobody seems to know when the Xcelsiors are arriving. The four new Handi Buses are supposed to arrive this month but we have to wait and see. Nobody seems to know for certain if 49 & 50 are to be retired but this is the rumor...Kind of too bad if they do...they still run and drive good. Who know's, they might hang on to them for a while yet. If they're aware that the rest of the LFR's and probably the Nova's are going to run into the emissions related system issues/rebuild time then it might be worth having the LF's and XD40's around at the same time. After all, one Calgary unit is still there. Heck, they're short on cash, might be worth it to have a box on wheels instead of not. I imagine these Handi buses are a replacement and not an expansion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted January 14, 2018 Report Share Posted January 14, 2018 5 hours ago, BusRider said: Who know's, they might hang on to them for a while yet. If they're aware that the rest of the LFR's and probably the Nova's are going to run into the emissions related system issues/rebuild time then it might be worth having the LF's and XD40's around at the same time. After all, one Calgary unit is still there. Heck, they're short on cash, might be worth it to have a box on wheels instead of not. I imagine these Handi buses are a replacement and not an expansion. I hope they do hold on to 49 & 50 for awhile. I asked dispatch if they would ever recommission 65. I was told not unless they become desperate. I don't know what they consider desperate but it seems to be regular occurrence to have no spares available during the afternoon once the Maple Leaf routes start operating. Yes the Handi Buses are a replacement (Today I heard February is the delivery month). Transit traded in buses 20,22,23 & 24 on the new units...they are apparently keeping 21 as the 5th bus. (Spare) The new units are the same model as the current units (excluding bus 20)...Bus 20 is a beast but it does have a kick ass stereo!!! The only difference is this time they ordered 6.0L gas engines instead of the 6.6L diesel the current GM handi's have. IMO...Handi Bus 21 is the best of the current bunch...everything works well on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusRider Posted January 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2018 Seems like they're doing with the Handi buses what they do with the rest of the city fleet cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted January 22, 2018 Report Share Posted January 22, 2018 More Cuts coming to BT service Shaving two hours off Sunday Service & cutting service completely on stat holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted February 2, 2018 Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 https://purchasing.brandon.ca/ Maxim Truck & Trailer has been awarded the engine, engine & transmission replacement for buses 55 & 57 This can't happen soon enough....49 & 50 have been on consistent regular transit duty for the past couple of weeks. 49 is a great old bus when it decides to start but doesn't always cooperate... You never know if it will start....lol It has a problem with the ECM...sometimes it refuses to wake up. Award Document: Supplier:Maxim Truck & Trailer Amount:Various Award Date:2/1/2018 12:00:00 AM Description: Item Total Bid Price Engine Replacement – Bus 55 $50,921.39 Engine Replacement – Bus 57 $50,921.39 Transmission Replacement – Bus 57 $11,762.34 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted February 27, 2018 Report Share Posted February 27, 2018 Brandon Transit should be taking delivery of four new Handi Transit buses near the end of March and hope to have them operating in early April. Two new 40' Flyer buses should be arriving in early fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 The four new Handi Transit Buses arrived over the past weekend Fleet numbers 25,26,27&28...they look good!!! Identical model to the four buses they are replacing with the exception of the new buses have gas engines instead of diesel. It will take about a month before all units are in service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted March 14, 2018 Report Share Posted March 14, 2018 Brandon Transit has a posting for Temp Drivers Job closes Mar 22 2018 https://jobbank.brandon.ca/AvantiCareerConnector/Job/Details/180025 Once they hire people I'll finally get off the bottom... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusRider Posted March 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2018 On 3/14/2018 at 5:48 PM, BrianD said: Brandon Transit has a posting for Temp Drivers Job closes Mar 22 2018 https://jobbank.brandon.ca/AvantiCareerConnector/Job/Details/180025 Once they hire people I'll finally get off the bottom... Well, may as well fire off a resume in that direction. How long did they take to get back to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianD Posted March 21, 2018 Report Share Posted March 21, 2018 On 3/20/2018 at 4:27 PM, BusRider said: Well, may as well fire off a resume in that direction. How long did they take to get back to you? I think it was the third time I applied when they got back to me and it didn't take long. Do apply...and keep applying if you don't get called this time!!! This posting closes March 22 2018 I suspect they will be contacting possible hires within a few days of the closing date. They will want the new hire(s) trained and ready by the end of April so they can gain experience for the busy summer time season. On a different topic 55 is back in operation with it's new engine. I haven't driven it yet but the doesn't smoke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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