72 replies to this topic

[sdlinguist]

Nicholas Reed, on 17 April 2012 - 07:08 PM, said:

This Thursday the MTS Board will buy 53 new C40LFR's. 31 to replace the 1600 Fleet 1600-1631, and surprisingly enough, 22 of the 2700's... i think that is a mis-print however, they could mean the 2200's. I'll inquire more with some of the contacts i have at MTS.

http://www.sdmts.com...DAGENDAONLY.pdf

'2NW

"Delivery of the 53 buses shall begin approximately at the beginning of May 2012." Wow, they're serious about replacing the 1600s quite a bit sooner (12 years) than they had replaced the 1500s (14 years). Didn't see this coming. At this rate, we can even expect the 1800s to be replaced next year.

And I hope you're right that 2700s is a typo -- it doesn't really make any sense (and the 2700s are one of my favorite fleets!). Let us know what you hear!

[Nicholas Reed]

Apologies for not getting back in a timely manner on this critical information. There was indeed a mis-type in the agenda about the 53 bus order. The 22 going to Veolia are NOT replacing the 2700's. That was entered into the record in error. It will be the 2200's and 2500's that are being replaced out of South Bay division. The information on the 1600's is correct. I'm working on getting fleet numbers for the new arrivals. When i know that information, i will pass it along, or you can check the MTS page on Facebook. They are quite quick about getting back to me with specific info such as this.

No less, get your rides in on the 1600's while you can. While not my favorite ride currently (that honor goes to the wonderful 1900's), its still a part of our transit history.

'2NW

[sdlinguist]

Aaand...our 2012 C40LFRs are starting to show up! Looks like the main fleet portion of the order is numbered in the 700s:

http://www.flickr.co...in/photostream/

Probably relatedly, I saw 1627 and 1606 at the Kearny Mesa Division over the weekend looking like they were being retired. Not sure why they had to go to KMD (from Imperial Avenue, where all 1600s are based and where the 700s are presumably going) to be retired.

[neoartic7101]

ZF transmission?

[Nicholas Reed]

sdlinguist, on 30 May 2012 - 03:31 AM, said:

Probably relatedly, I saw 1627 and 1606 at the Kearny Mesa Division over the weekend looking like they were being retired. Not sure why they had to go to KMD (from Imperial Avenue, where all 1600s are based and where the 700s are presumably going) to be retired.

Most of the retired fleet usually ends up at KMD as its probably easier to get it transported onto freeways. Thats what i've seen at least.

'2NW

[sdlinguist]

neoartic7101, on 31 May 2012 - 03:27 PM, said:

ZF transmission?

Probably. I haven't actually seen any 700s in person yet, but as far as I can tell they're identical to the 600s. I'll definitely post here if that turns out to be wrong!

[Shakey077]

San Diego MTS is hiring if anyone is looking for work!

http://www.sdmts.com/HR/MTS_HR.asp

[Nicholas Reed]

neoartic7101, on 31 May 2012 - 03:27 PM, said:

ZF transmission?

Yes theyve got ZF trannies in them.

[FYBklyn1959]

Are there any of the Siemens-Duewag U2s (1000s) still running on the SD Trolley?

[Nicholas Reed]

FYBklyn1959, on 03 July 2012 - 11:38 AM, said:

Are there any of the Siemens-Duewag U2s (1000s) still running on the SD Trolley?

Any? Try the majority of the fleet. However the 4000's are starting to roll in. 10 of the U2's have been retired to the Mendoza, Argentina system. Higher numbers, like 1061-1071. The majority of the 1000's will be retired by 2015. However according to my MTS sources several will stay on the property for Special Event services. I believe 1001 will be included in that batch. Also, i have a feeling that 1001 will become some sort of historical vehicle at some point.

'2NW.

[FYBklyn1959]

Nicholas Reed, on 05 July 2012 - 12:49 AM, said:

Any? Try the majority of the fleet. However the 4000's are starting to roll in. 10 of the U2's have been retired to the Mendoza, Argentina system. Higher numbers, like 1061-1071. The majority of the 1000's will be retired by 2015. However according to my MTS sources several will stay on the property for Special Event services. I believe 1001 will be included in that batch. Also, i have a feeling that 1001 will become some sort of historical vehicle at some point.

'2NW.

I see, I thought that Mendoza had gotten more U2s. Glad to hear that many of them are still around, thanks for the info.

[Nicholas Reed]

Some nice new service improvements are coming to San Diego Sept 2nd. All information is on this page, http://www.sdmts.com...ptember2012.asp

Any specific questions, i'll try and answer them.

'NW.

[Benjamin]

Whatever happened to the 1981 GMDD New Look #916, that was at one point in the Pacific Bus Museum? Was it destroyed in some flood or something? That bus was powered by the 6V92TA Detroit Diesel engine and Allison V730 transmission.

~Ben

Edited by Benjamin, 03 September 2012 - 09:44 PM.

[Nicholas Reed]

Benjamin, on 03 September 2012 - 09:43 PM, said:

Whatever happened to the 1981 GMDD New Look #916, that was at one point in the Pacific Bus Museum? Was it destroyed in some flood or something? That bus was powered by the 6V92TA Detroit Diesel engine and Allison V730 transmission.

~Ben

Its on SDT Property at the Imperial Ave. Division (IAD), Downtown.

[Benjamin]

Nicholas Reed, on 04 September 2012 - 02:36 AM, said:

Its on SDT Property at the Imperial Ave. Division (IAD), Downtown.

Thank you for answering.

~Ben

[Nicholas Reed]

MTS is going back to Gillig's for 40ft buses! And is ordering New Flyer Artics (type not specified) for Rapid service along with some service expansion further down the road! Page 165 of the agenda for tomorrows meeting has all of the information!

http://www.sdmts.com...OARDPKG_000.pdf

'2NW

[sdlinguist]

Nicholas Reed, on 12 December 2012 - 10:27 PM, said:

MTS is going back to Gillig's for 40ft buses! And is ordering New Flyer Artics (type not specified) for Rapid service along with some service expansion further down the road! Page 165 of the agenda for tomorrows meeting has all of the information!

http://www.sdmts.com...OARDPKG_000.pdf

'2NW

Gillig is making such crazy inroads in SoCal since offering CNG. I wonder what (partial) fleet(s) the initial 50 units will replace, and what styling options will be spec'd.

And we get Xcelsiors too! (p. 174)

[Nicholas Reed]

sdlinguist, on 13 December 2012 - 04:08 AM, said:

Gillig is making such crazy inroads in SoCal since offering CNG. I wonder what (partial) fleet(s) the initial 50 units will replace, and what styling options will be spec'd.

And we get Xcelsiors too! (p. 174)

I'll see if i cant get some information tomorrow from my contacts through their facebook page!

[MAX BRT]

Nicholas Reed, on 12 December 2012 - 10:27 PM, said:

MTS is going back to Gillig's for 40ft buses! And is ordering New Flyer Artics (type not specified) for Rapid service along with some service expansion further down the road! Page 165 of the agenda for tomorrows meeting has all of the information!

http://www.sdmts.com...OARDPKG_000.pdf

50 40 foot Gilligs with option to purchase 300 more over 5 years! Gillig beat a competing bid from New Flyer

NFI had to settle for a consolation prize of 47 XN60s! Price of 40 million dollars. Option to purchase 118 more over 5 years.

[sdlinguist]

Artist rendering of the new Gilligs (no styling package apparently!) and XN60s, from SDMTS's flickr photostream: