Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM
Bus order now official - New Flyer wins contract
Well, I called Walter Jaramillo today, and he said that the order is now official. The buses will be made by New Flyer. Here are a few questions that I asked him:
Will the new Rapid Ride buses have the new style front/rear ends and windows?
He told me that the city is actually trying to get the old-style front/rear ends for the new Rapid Ride buses (the standard DE60LF). However, he said that they will not rule out the DE60LFR, as he said that he believes that New Flyer actually now charges more for the old-style front/rear ends than for the new-style. It actually makes me wonder how much more would the DE60LFA BRT cost compared to the DE60LF or DE60LFR.
Will the new 40-foot buses replace any existing buses?
He told me that for now, the new 40-foot buses will be used for service expansion. I would actually like to see ABQ RIDE refurbish the 300 series, installing new Cummins ISL G engines, Thermo King rooftop HVAC, new floor and wall panels, and new CNG tanks. For the 400 series, if possible, the Cummins B-Gas Plus engines should be replaced by Cummins ISL G engines, as they are underpowered with their current engines. Perhaps both the 300 and 400 series (espeically the 300 series) should be repainted into the new livery that the 700 series buses feature.
When should these new buses be delivered?
He told me that it should be by February of 2009.
Will the new Rapid Ride buses have the new style front/rear ends and windows?
He told me that the city is actually trying to get the old-style front/rear ends for the new Rapid Ride buses (the standard DE60LF). However, he said that they will not rule out the DE60LFR, as he said that he believes that New Flyer actually now charges more for the old-style front/rear ends than for the new-style. It actually makes me wonder how much more would the DE60LFA BRT cost compared to the DE60LF or DE60LFR.
Will the new 40-foot buses replace any existing buses?
He told me that for now, the new 40-foot buses will be used for service expansion. I would actually like to see ABQ RIDE refurbish the 300 series, installing new Cummins ISL G engines, Thermo King rooftop HVAC, new floor and wall panels, and new CNG tanks. For the 400 series, if possible, the Cummins B-Gas Plus engines should be replaced by Cummins ISL G engines, as they are underpowered with their current engines. Perhaps both the 300 and 400 series (espeically the 300 series) should be repainted into the new livery that the 700 series buses feature.
When should these new buses be delivered?
He told me that it should be by February of 2009.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by New Flyer DE40LFR on -
Unfortunately, I forgot to ask him. However, since they will be used for service expansion (for now), 20 additional 40-foot buses is a welcome addition to add frequency on some routes and/or begin some new routes.
Also, I asked him what will be the fleet numbers of the buses, and he said that the numbers will be assigned after they are delivered. I am guessing they will be the 800s and 6800s, however, I can't say for sure.
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