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PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by PHXTUSbusfan on Thu Feb 3 21:21:20 2011

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Here are some photos I took today:

2008 New Flyer D62LFA:

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2010 New Flyer D42LFA:

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Rear of 2007 New Flyer D40LFR:

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2008 New Flyer C40LFRs:

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1999 NABI 40LFW:

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1998 NABI 40LFW:

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1998 ElDorado National EZ Rider:

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Note, due to service cuts, the 1998 ElDorado National EZ Riders will likely be retired in July 2010.


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(221864)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by WayneJay on Thu Feb 3 23:28:36 2011, in response to PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by PHXTUSbusfan on Thu Feb 3 21:21:20 2011.

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I'm so tired of the LFAs that are close to dominating WMATA's fleet, but I am glad they took off those wheel covers.

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(221899)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by The Flxible Neofan on Fri Feb 4 09:32:00 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by WayneJay on Thu Feb 3 23:28:36 2011.

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The colors look awesome on these buses! I'd say I wish they weren't LFAs, but then they'd likely be tons of LFRs, which WMATA already runs tons of!

Having no wheel covers really allows those wheels to shine, though, but I never really minded them too much...although I found them more tolerable on the artics than the 40 footers.

Did they take the wheelcovers off the NABIs? Now THOSE look horrible!

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(221900)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by The Flxible Neofan on Fri Feb 4 09:50:12 2011, in response to PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by PHXTUSbusfan on Thu Feb 3 21:21:20 2011.

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Hmm, so they installed LED signs on the 1998 NABIs but left the 1999 ones alone?

Thanks for the pictures - I was wondering if you would catch pics of the new D42LFAs. I wonder if they would ever consider providing "express" service on the MetroRail. It really is a long ride from Mesa to Pheonix.

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(221905)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by lbt 9415 on Fri Feb 4 11:48:34 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Fri Feb 4 09:32:00 2011.

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LA Metro are taking off the wheelcovers on ALL NABI BRTs. and replacing them with the conventional splashguard

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(221908)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by PHXTUSbusfan on Fri Feb 4 12:04:10 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by lbt 9415 on Fri Feb 4 11:48:34 2011.

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Makes sense. The wheel covers tend to get scratched up or other type of damage to them easily anyways.

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(221924)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by WayneJay on Fri Feb 4 14:17:38 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Fri Feb 4 09:32:00 2011.

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I'd say I wish they weren't LFAs, but then they'd likely be tons of LFRs, which WMATA already runs tons of!

I wouldn't say WMATA has tons of LFRs. They have 117 D40LFRs, 11 DE40LFRs and 25 C40LFRs. I will say that WMATA has tons of New Flyers, but the good thing is that they have them in many different flavors.

C40LF (2300-2399, 2401-2464)
DE40LF (6001-6039)
DE40LFR (6040-6050)
D40LFR (6101-6217)
C40LFR (2801-2825)
DE37LFA (3751-3770)
DE42LFA (6301-6609)
DE62LFA (5431-5452)

Did they take the wheelcovers off the NABIs? Now THOSE look horrible!

Yes, they finally took them off in the Fall of 2010.




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(221933)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by CentrolinerDD on Fri Feb 4 16:36:11 2011, in response to PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by PHXTUSbusfan on Thu Feb 3 21:21:20 2011.

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Wow, I had no idea the RPTA received D42LFAs. I rarely head that far east anyway, so I would have had no idea that they even existed. Thanks for posting.


Note, due to service cuts, the 1998 ElDorado National EZ Riders will likely be retired in July 2010.

Not only the EZ-Riders; I heard that Tempe wants to retire all buses shorter than 40 feet.

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(221936)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by CentrolinerDD on Fri Feb 4 16:53:31 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Fri Feb 4 09:50:12 2011.

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I wonder if they would ever consider providing "express" service on the MetroRail. It really is a long ride from Mesa to Pheonix.

If you mean express METRO service, there is no opportunity for that because there are only two tracks. A third (and possibly fourth track) would be required for express service.

If you mean non-stop (or limited-stop) service by bus from Mesa to Phoenix, I doubt this. First of all, it would require funds that are not available at the moment. Second, it would be a duplication of service and undermine the success of the METRO. Third, the frequency and reliability of the METRO is probably good enough that the travel time from Mesa to Phoenix is not a pressing concern at the moment.

But 20 years from now, I am sure that travel times between Mesa and Central Phoenix will need to be addressed. And that is where commuter rail comes into the equation. Hopefully a station will be located in Downtown Mesa (and/or just south of the Sycamore Transit Center). This will provide a quicker option and let the METRO do what light rail systems are designed for: intra-urban transport. For people who need to commute longer distances, a commuter rail is much more effective.

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(221972)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by bond007 on Fri Feb 4 22:31:37 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by CentrolinerDD on Fri Feb 4 16:36:11 2011.

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That means the culling of the NABI 35-LFW's as well?

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(221981)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by T8H5307N on Fri Feb 4 23:11:35 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Fri Feb 4 09:50:12 2011.

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>>Hmm, so they installed LED signs on the 1998 NABIs but left the 1999 ones alone?<<

City of Tempe replaced signs on all of its buses (NABI and EZ Rider). Phoenix and RPTA did not.




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(221983)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by The Flxible Neofan on Fri Feb 4 23:40:44 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by T8H5307N on Fri Feb 4 23:11:35 2011.

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Ah, that explains a whole lot! Thanks! :)

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(221985)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by The Flxible Neofan on Fri Feb 4 23:44:42 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by CentrolinerDD on Fri Feb 4 16:53:31 2011.

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With proper scheduling you can run express service with 2 tracks (but this often includes short turning trains). The RiverLINE does this as does SEPTA's rt 100, 101, and I think the 102 lines. Doesn't HBLR have express service as well? I'd hope the issue of addressing travel times would be addressed sooner than 20 years though, especially if they want this to be a serious commuter option.

Maybe they can figure out ways to enhance the speed of the line too.

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(221989)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by CentrolinerDD on Fri Feb 4 23:56:41 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by bond007 on Fri Feb 4 22:31:37 2011.

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Yes. But I am not sure what the timeline is for the complete elimination of the EZ Riders and 35-footers.

The ridership on Tempe's routes have grown considerably since these buses were purchased. While they still run, they no longer provide the capacity needed. Using 40-footers will provide additional capacity, especially during rush hour.

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(221996)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by The Flxible Neofan on Sat Feb 5 00:34:06 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by CentrolinerDD on Fri Feb 4 23:56:41 2011.

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Oh yes, the 35-LFWs on the 77 always get crowded. Does Tempe have a shortage of 40 foot buses?

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(222002)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by CentrolinerDD on Sat Feb 5 01:00:44 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Sat Feb 5 00:34:06 2011.

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I have no idea. But as PHXTUSbusfan said, the service cuts to be made over the next few years will probably require fewer buses to be in operation. So if there is a shortage now, it probably will not be a problem until (if) service enhancements and expansions resume once the economy improves.

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(222005)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by PHXTUSbusfan on Sat Feb 5 01:28:45 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by CentrolinerDD on Fri Feb 4 23:56:41 2011.

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I believe that the EZ Riders and the non-rehabbed 35 footers will be history come July. The non-rehabbed 35 footers are the ones that are still in the old color scheme but have Luminator headsigns and the original seat fabric.

I don't know about the RPTA 35 footers.

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(222006)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by PHXTUSbusfan on Sat Feb 5 01:34:29 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by CentrolinerDD on Sat Feb 5 01:00:44 2011.

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The service cuts are planned to be phased in and then phased out. There's another round of service cuts that may/may not happen in July 2012 after the 2011 cuts.

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(222746)

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Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11

Posted by CentrolinerDD on Sun Feb 13 20:42:08 2011, in response to Re: PHOTOS: Valley Metro D62LFAs, D42LFAs, and others 2-3-11, posted by bond007 on Fri Feb 4 22:31:37 2011.

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At the public meeting yesterday for the proposed July cuts, someone brought up the issue of running 35-footers if and when the reduced service comes into effect. He suggested Tempe should consider purchasing articulated buses.

The Tempe Transit Manager responded by saying that over the next one to two years the 35-foot buses will be phased out. Then he added that they are currently working to purchase 60-foot buses.

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