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| Valley Metro 2008 New Flyer C40LFR Observations (101408) | |||
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Valley Metro 2008 New Flyer C40LFR Observations |
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Posted by roscoman1986 on Fri Jun 13 14:48:38 2008, in response to Valley Metro (Phoenix) new buses is on the way, posted by transitbusfan on Thu Jun 12 22:21:43 2008. So as I type this summary I am looking at brand-spanking new New Flyer C40LFR 6600. I was an idiot and forgot my camera, and my cell phone camera blows. Yes, I said 6600, meaning there either could be a 6697-6699 or they just started at 6600 this time and are going up to 6650 (6651 including the CE40LFR/DE40LFR). I have also seen 6606 in service as of today.Exterior features: 1. The rear door is now two windows behind the front door like the 2007 D40LFs and unlike the other D40LFRs/C40LFRs. This is the easiest way to tell the difference between the 2006 C40LFRs and the 2008 C40LFRs. 2. The buses appear to have a new engine and/or a new transmission. 3. They have a mechanical style runbox that is probably used when the main route sign is not operational. 4. There appears to be a small box on the roof behind the CNG tank on the roof. 5. The rear number is vertical but on the right side of the A/C unit. 6. Unfortunately, no frameless windows, which was a surprise. Interior features (this is what I saw through the rear door): 1. Transit-style seating (no headrests this time around). However, it is still the USSC Aries seating (like on Los Angeles buses), not the Phoenix-style seating (American Seating) that was reported earlier (thankfully). I thought that these were going to be semi-suburbans, but I was wrong. Seats are identical to those in the 2006 C40LFRs in other words. 2. New seating configuration since the door was moved back. W/C ramp still at the rear. 3. Windows are the same type as on the 2007 D40LFR (lighter tint). 4. LED INTERIOR LIGHTING! Different type than what was seen on the NYC Transit C40LF and what I saw on a King County Metro bus. 5. BIG change: These are the FIRST buses since 1994 to have stop request tape instead of the stop request cord! Apparently the RPTA got sick of the stop request cords getting pulled off all the time. 6. The walls are no longer that Los Angeles-style "rough" type, but rather a smooth (but not glossy) white type. No sign of Transit TV either like they were supposed to put in. Bottom line: Pretty nice, but I guess I expected too much. I expected frameless windows, headrests, those LA-style corrugated walls that are vandal-resistant, and Transit TV. However, at least they came with the LED lights. I don't like the rear door being two windows (instead of three) away from the front door as it "destandardizes" the configuration. So, what happens to the RPTA fleet? The 1994 D40LFs are going to be history soon. Get your rides in NOW because they will be gone pretty quickly. The Nova RTS buses may end up being purchased by Valley Metro and remain in the fleet until a more viable replacement arrives (possibly an over-the-road coach?). Worst of all for the local riders (but good for Glendale riders) is I have a feeling the D40LFRs are all going to be shipped off to Glendale (Valu Trans) except for possibly 6453-6456, which are transit configuration. Since there are 4 new express routes starting pretty soon, Valu Trans is going to need more buses and they are coming from the RPTA. Hence the reason why they ordered the D40LFR-maybe because Valu Trans does not have a CNG pump. Also, the 1996 D40LFs are going to disappear pretty soon when the L40LFs come in. So far I have not seen any of the L40LFs, but they will probably come in sometime between July and December, possibly in time for the December service changes. (Another possibility is that the light rail elimination of the Red Line will free more buses up to go to Phoenix West (First Transit) and the 1996 D40LFs will be replaced. Time will tell... |
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