Missing in Action buses

[BusFanForever]

10 hours ago, bus_7246 said:

1044 & 1075 received new plates late last month, only to lose them a few weeks later lol. I have a strong feeling that 1105, 1114, 1125 & 1139 are pooched for good. Some of them haven’t moved for over a month

I had the list but forgot it when I left work. I do remember 1044 and 1075 are retired. The Presto readers have been removed. All of the retired units need engines but also have much needed parts which are no longer available to repair other units that already have new engines . I'll confirm the remaining retired units tomorrow.

 

1 hour ago, Articulated said:

Quite the opposite - I'm legitimately shocked to hear that the TTC is removing license plates from buses and not replacing them for days.

Why are they deplating buses? There is usually no need to do that unless the bus is being retired, or the plate has been confiscated by the relevant authorities. And if it's as simple as replacing a license plate that's worn out - they should be able to put the new plate on immediately after taking the old one off, not leave the bus sitting out of service for days if not weeks at a time.

The plates being replaced are worn out and peeling. Many of them were just permanent marker on bare aluminum. Ideally when re plating any vehicle still requiring a validation sticker, the old plates should be returned at the same time the new ones are issued to receive maximum reimbursement for the cost of the sticker if it still valid (prorated of course). This is usually done while the bus is out of service for MTO repairs and is the case for all the ones that received new plates today. The ones that were out of service for weeks needed engines but are now being retired. Those plates will be returned to the MTO and the sticker $$$ will be returned to the piggy bank. 

[Bus_Medic]

3 hours ago, Articulated said:

Quite the opposite - I'm legitimately shocked to hear that the TTC is removing license plates from buses and not replacing them for days.

Why are they deplating buses? There is usually no need to do that unless the bus is being retired, or the plate has been confiscated by the relevant authorities. And if it's as simple as replacing a license plate that's worn out - they should be able to put the new plate on immediately after taking the old one off, not leave the bus sitting out of service for days if not weeks at a time.

MTO wants possession of the cores before re issuing.

^also what the poster above me said.

[Xtrazsteve]

This also applies to any personal license plates. If you paid for the sticker and need to transfer the sticker to a new plate, you have to return the old plates. BUT Ford is refunding the stickers for personal vehicles now... 

[Articulated]

Thanks @BusFanForever and @Bus_Medic for the explanations. If they're timed with repairs or MTO inspections, where the buses are already scheduled to be out of service, that makes more sense; just it wasn't fully clear that was the case from the initial postings. Having a dozen or more "unplated" buses sit around out of service that were otherwise usable would certainly be an issue/scandal.

I've seen other agencies do mass replating programs before, where large portions of their fleets (dozens of buses) get new license plates to replace the faded old ones within maybe 2 weeks; clearly they couldn't park like 40% of their fleet at once, but maybe it's possible that the plate replacements were timed to when the stickers expired (or the agency cares less about refunding the "unused" portion).

[Someguy3071]

Relax dude. It's not like there is a bus shortage and they need every unit on the road. Hardly cause for a scandal.

[bus_7246]

1259 received plates, but was in the backyard (not a direct foot path when showing up or heading home). 1105, 1114 & 1125 are parked indefinitely 

[Tom1122]

3745 is back in service for the first time in who knows how long