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| ABQ RIDE 400-series SLFs retired (295910) | |||
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ABQ RIDE 400-series SLFs retired |
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Posted by Pink Jazz on Fri Jul 25 23:47:14 2014 I just got confirmation that ABQ RIDE has retired the last four of their 400-series SLFs (402-404 and 436), and have been replaced by part of the 600-series New Flyer XN40 fleet. However, the only routes that used the SLFs (402-404 on the 40 D-Ride and 436 on the 250 Nonstop Airport Express) are now currently using 300-series Neoplans. Note that there are no longer any specific buses dedicated to those two routes; those two routes simply use whatever Neoplan is assigned to the driver.IMO I find the idea to use the Neoplans on the 250 pretty stupid, since now riders with luggage will have to go through the hassle of lifting their bags up and down stairs. With 21 XN40s in the fleet and with the four remaining SLFs gone, this leaves ABQ RIDE with 23 Neoplans in the fleet. In addition to the 40 and 250, it seems that ABQ RIDE is mostly assigning the Neoplans on lower ridership routes (1 Juan Tabo I think is still all Neoplans). I wouldn't be surprised if ABQ RIDE puts out an RFP late this year to replace the rest of the Neoplans next year. I expect New Flyer and Gillig will compete for the contract, and possibly Nova and ElDorado, although it seems Nova is mostly focused on the largest TAs unless the contract calls for artics. |
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