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| ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet (112217) | |
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| (112217) | |
ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet |
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Posted by ABQ RIDE on Wed Aug 20 21:56:01 2008 Here in Albuquerque, our local transit authority ABQ RIDE is looking to expand their diesel-electric hybrid fleet. Currently, the plan calls for 30-40 new 40-foot hybrids, and 10 new 60-foot hybrids.Currently, ABQ RIDE operates 76 New Flyer hybrids (58 DE40LFRs and 18 DE60LFs). I called the Albuquerque purchasing department, and the person I spoke to said that so far only New Flyer has bid for the additional contract and the city is reviewing specifications. I hope the next batch of ten 60-foot buses for the Rapid Ride are DE60LFRs with frameless windows. Also, I wonder if the new 40-foot hybrids will be used to replace any older vehicles. In addition to the New Flyer hybrids, ABQ RIDE operates a fleet of Neoplan AN440 CNGs and Thomas SLF232 CNGs). The Neoplans were built in 1996, but are still going strong. The Thomases, on the other hand, were built in 2001, but suffer from poor performance and frequent breakdowns. I personally would rather see the SLFs retired rather than the Neoplans. The 58 DE40LFRs that were delivered late 2007/early 2008 replaced the aging fleet of TMC RTS buses built in 1989. I know therre are restrictions for retiring buses that are under 12 years old, however, the SLF232 CNG fleet was a huge mistake for ABQ RIDE's management. I actually heard ABQ RIDE (then known as SunTran) director-at-the-time Anne Watkins used taxpayer money to go on her own personal vacations. She made the horrible decision of purchasing those buses. The Neoplans are approaching 12 years old this year, but I think they can last at least 3-5 more years. Our city operated the TMC RTS buses for 19 years until they were retired this year. |
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| (112221) | |
Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet |
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Posted by 167T on Wed Aug 20 22:16:43 2008, in response to ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet, posted by ABQ RIDE on Wed Aug 20 21:56:01 2008. ABQ Ride is a nice operation (except for bus operator salaries)!Now only if those small blue and white unreadable and non-visible bus top signs would be replaced.... |
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| (112222) | |
Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet |
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Posted by 167T on Wed Aug 20 22:18:11 2008, in response to Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet, posted by 167T on Wed Aug 20 22:16:43 2008. ...that would be BUS STOP signs. Pselling erer, sorry. |
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| (112240) | |
Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet |
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Posted by ABQ RIDE on Thu Aug 21 00:20:08 2008, in response to Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet, posted by 167T on Wed Aug 20 22:18:11 2008. I agree. The signs still in fact say SunTran on them, even the new ones that are installed (except the Rapid Ride and D-Ride signs, that is). I personally think that if new signs are introduced, it should use the maroon, gold, and white color scheme similar to the new DE40LFRs.http://flickr.com/photos/28381956@N04/2760537861/ |
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| (112255) | |
Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet |
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Posted by lbt 9415 on Thu Aug 21 03:36:16 2008, in response to ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet, posted by ABQ RIDE on Wed Aug 20 21:56:01 2008. Yes those Neos are just some of the best built. They can last longer than that if ABQ Ride is more than willing to replace the CNG Tanks and repower the buses with the Cummins ISL-Gas. They still have the L10G just like LA's Neoplans... so I guess parts for that engine are easy to maintain.The Neoplans are approaching 12 years old this year, but I think they can last at least 3-5 more years |
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| (112272) | |
Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet |
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Posted by ABQ RIDE on Thu Aug 21 10:17:48 2008, in response to Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet, posted by lbt 9415 on Thu Aug 21 03:36:16 2008. Well, ABQ RIDE is largely moving away from CNG, considering that all bus purchases since 2004 have been for diesel-electric hybrids. As for converting the Neoplans to diesel-electric hybrids, that would be a very difficult thing. |
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| (112278) | |
Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet |
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Posted by lbt 9415 on Thu Aug 21 11:54:08 2008, in response to Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet, posted by ABQ RIDE on Thu Aug 21 10:17:48 2008. i didnt say they should convert the Neos to hybrids. If they wanted to keep the Neos a lil while longer. They can replace the CNG Tanks with new ones and repower them. |
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| (112282) | |
Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet |
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Posted by 167T on Thu Aug 21 12:32:41 2008, in response to Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet, posted by ABQ RIDE on Thu Aug 21 00:20:08 2008. Thanks... |
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| (112283) | |
Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet |
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Posted by ABQ RIDE on Thu Aug 21 12:47:45 2008, in response to Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet, posted by lbt 9415 on Thu Aug 21 11:54:08 2008. I understand. I was just pointing out that the City of Albuquerque has largely abandoned CNG. The Daytona Transit Facility built in 2004 on the Albuquerque Westside isn't even equipped with CNG, so the CNG buses continue to operate out of the old Yale Transit Facility. Because of this, I don't see ABQ RIDE doing any more investments in CNG technology.They still perform remarkably well, and even if they are not repowered, I still think they can run at least three more years. In fact, they still perform better than the Thomas SLF232 CNGs, which have slow acceleration and frequent breakdowns. In fact, I have heard that the SLFs often make up more than half of all breakdowns. |
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| (112302) | |
Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet |
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Posted by ABQ RIDE on Thu Aug 21 16:11:08 2008, in response to Re: ABQ RIDE (Albuquerque) to expand hybrid fleet, posted by 167T on Thu Aug 21 12:32:41 2008. Also, the city is installing new shelters through a contract with Lamar Advertising, however, they are still the old turquoise color. The shelters feature solar panels on top that charge the batteries for the backlight advertisements at night. |
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