MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses

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MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by gold_12th on Fri Jan 20 16:15:48 2017 edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr Vendor Name (Location): New Flyer of America, Inc. (St. Cloud, Minnesota) Total Amount: $95,039,286(Est.) Description: Purchase of 110 low-floor 60-foot articulated compressed natural gas buses Contract Term (including Options, if any): May 31, 2017–December 31, 2023 Discussion: It is requested that the Board declare competitive bidding impractical or inappropriate pursuant to subdivision 9(b) of Section 1209 of the Public Authorities Law on the grounds that the item to be purchased is available only from one single responsible source and approve this sole-source purchase of 110 low-floor 60-foot articulated compressed natural gas (“CNG”) buses from New Flyer of America, Inc. (“New Flyer”). The new buses will replace 40-foot buses that have reached the end of their 12-year useful life. Additionally, as the majority of these buses have CNG tanks that, by federal regulations, can only be used for 15 years from the date of manufacture, the buses must be taken out of service or undergo a cost prohibitive and technically intrusive CNG tank replacement program. These buses represent an expansion of articulated bus operation. Converting a route to articulated bus operation has an immediate impact on operating costs: Four 40-foot buses are replaced with three 60-foot articulated buses, resulting in a reduction in operator-related costs, fewer miles being driven, and a need for fewer buses to meet peak-service requirements. These buses will be operated out of the West Farms and Jackie Gleason depots in the Bronx and Brooklyn respectively. This sole-source solicitation was advertised in September 2016. Additionally, nine bus manufacturers were directly contacted, all of which indicated that they do not manufacture a low-floor 60-foot articulated CNG bus. New Flyer is currently the only bus manufacturer in North America that manufactures a low-floor 60-foot articulated CNG bus. Nova Bus, a division of Prevost Car (US), Inc., the only other bus manufacturer with a structurally qualified low-floor 60-foot articulated bus under NYC Transit’s New Bus Qualification Program, indicated that it has not yet developed a low-floor 60-foot articulated CNG bus and is not in a position to provide NYC Transit with these buses. New Flyer will build five pilot buses in order to expedite delivery of the production buses. Pilot buses are scheduled to be delivered in September 2017, and will be used for configuration audit and qualification testing. Delivery of the production buses is scheduled to begin in March 2018 and be completed in November 2018. This contract is subject to review and approval of the Office of the New York State Comptroller and award will not be made prior to this approval. This delivery schedule is based on the assumption that Notice of Award will be issued on or before May 31, 2017. New Flyer submitted its initial proposal for $872,700 per bus. Through negotiation, the price was reduced to $851,368/bus, representing a savings of $21,332/bus or $2,346,520. The total contract award of $95,039,286 will consist of $93,650,480 for the 110 buses ($851,368/bus), $726,937 for manuals, diagnostic tools and qualification testing, $349,850 for an estimated quantity of training, and $312,019 for capital spares. The final price has been deemed fair and reasonable by the Cost Price Analysis Unit based on the results of a cost audit conducted by MTA Audit Services. These buses will be outfitted with new features including improved driver visibility, pedestrian turn warning Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, automatic passenger counters, and new branding. It should be noted that while all 110 buses will be manufactured in St. Cloud, Minnesota, a portion of the work will be performed at New Flyer’s recently opened facility in Jamestown, New York. An MBE/WBE goal was not established for this procurement. However, New Flyer has submitted utilization plans indicating a total MWBE content of 2.88% for this contract and will report on attainment to NYC Transit on a quarterly basis.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by R36 #9346* on Fri Jan 20 18:08:36 2017, in response to MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by gold_12th on Fri Jan 20 16:15:48 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr CNG artics, eh? Any speculation as to which routes these will eventually run on? I read someone guess they'd be put on the B35, but I wouldn't be surprised if College Point gets a handful for their heavily utilized Flushing-Jamaica routes.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by northshore* on Fri Jan 20 18:28:06 2017, in response to MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by gold_12th on Fri Jan 20 16:15:48 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr The statement says the buses will be based at West Farms and Jackie Gleason
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by Bill from Maspeth on Fri Jan 20 18:28:58 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by R36 #9346 on Fri Jan 20 18:08:36 2017. edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr B35 yes and for West Farms.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by pragmatist* on Fri Jan 20 18:39:48 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by R36 #9346 on Fri Jan 20 18:08:36 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr Unless something changes, they are not destined for BC, so College Point would not be part of this batch. Artics have been spotted on the 25 doing some test runs, but I believe they were diesel.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by Olog-hai* on Fri Jan 20 19:32:19 2017, in response to MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by gold_12th on Fri Jan 20 16:15:48 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr I wish for some good old high-floor buses.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by pragmatist* on Sat Jan 21 00:52:30 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by Olog-hai on Fri Jan 20 19:32:19 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr low floor bus = the idea looks better on paper than it really is
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by Bill from Maspeth on Sat Jan 21 01:34:29 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by Olog-hai on Fri Jan 20 19:32:19 2017. edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr You're not getting them. Low floors make it easier for older passengers like me with bad knees easier to board and more importantly you have a far less maintenance intensive wheelchair ramp.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by r17-6599 on Sat Jan 21 07:37:56 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by Bill from Maspeth on Sat Jan 21 01:34:29 2017. edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr The basic premise behind the low floor thinking was to make it easier for elderly/ handicapped to board, with the front designated for that group primarily, and others toward the rear. Stats showed that most riders were older (or young students that didn't drive, and minorities). However if most riders were indeed older, the front filled up quickly, and it does. No one else wants to climb the stairs either, crowding ensues, making it difficult for the driver to see the back of the bus which has turned into a human cattle car. The novelty has worn off. Low floors, as currently designed, stink.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by northshore* on Sat Jan 21 11:54:35 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by r17-6599 on Sat Jan 21 07:37:56 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr Perhaps going back to longitudinal seating is the way to go.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by pragmatist* on Sat Jan 21 13:29:47 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by r17-6599 on Sat Jan 21 07:37:56 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr I am not a low floor bus fan, but I don't think anyone can dispute the wheelchair ramp simplicity as being a big plus.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by TransitChuckG on Sun Jan 22 18:59:14 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by pragmatist on Sat Jan 21 13:29:47 2017. edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr I agree with Bill from Maspeth, I have bad knees and I'm old, I like low floor buses, our Septa buses fold out ramps deploy in about 20 seconds or less.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by GojiMet86* on Sun Jan 22 20:40:57 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by pragmatist on Sat Jan 21 13:29:47 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr My grandma is happy riding the buses when she's here, because she doesn't have to step up. In Guatemala, though, buses new and old are highfloor.
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(322380)	view threaded
Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by pragmatist on Sun Jan 22 23:16:50 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by TransitChuckG on Sun Jan 22 18:59:14 2017. edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr It also depends on how good paratransit is in an area. Where I am, Access a Ride does a pretty good job and mobility limited people avoid the bus. Can't blame them, It's too hilly here. Capacity of the low floors is a problem, although they do help an important group of people, they also make service worse or more costly for a majority of people because they don't carry as many people when they are crowded, and carrying equivalent passenger loads raises costs quite a bit.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by Bill Newkirk* on Mon Jan 23 08:39:54 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by r17-6599 on Sat Jan 21 07:37:56 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr The novelty has worn off. Low floors, as currently designed, stink. Is it me or do older high floor buses seem to have more standee room than current low floor buses ? Bill Newkirk
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jan 23 08:43:51 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by Bill from Maspeth on Sat Jan 21 01:34:29 2017. edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr Low floors make it easier for older passengers like me with bad knees easier to board and more importantly you have a far less maintenance intensive wheelchair ramp. Bad knees aside, passengers board low floor buses faster than high floor buses. This has to account for dwell time at bus stops and keeping schedule. Bill Newkirk
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by GojiMet86* on Mon Jan 23 11:27:22 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jan 23 08:39:54 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr I personally believe it's because of the steps near the back door. People don't seem to want to move to the higher section unless there is a seat available.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by WayneJay on Tue Jan 24 10:41:29 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by Bill from Maspeth on Sat Jan 21 01:34:29 2017. edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr Yup! My mom still lives in the Bronx, and regularly uses the Bx1 and Bx2. She has recovered nicely from knee replacement surgery 1.5 years ago. Some years ago when Kingsbridge had rec'd their Nova LFS-A and NFI XD-60s I had mentioned to her that she must've ridden many of them. I was a bit amused when she told me how she'd could recognize the high floor (NFI D60-HF) from a distance and usually pass them up if she saw a low floor bus coming.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by Edwards!* on Tue Jan 24 13:47:46 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by WayneJay on Tue Jan 24 10:41:29 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr Wonder why none of the HIGH FLOOR NEW FLYERS never crossed the East River for Brooklyn service.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by Edwards!* on Tue Jan 24 13:49:59 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by WayneJay on Tue Jan 24 10:41:29 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr Wonder why none of the HIGH FLOOR NEW FLYERS never crossed the East River for Brooklyn service.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by r17-6599* on Tue Jan 24 15:23:35 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by WayneJay on Tue Jan 24 10:41:29 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr She'll be waiting a lot longer now. Seems more of the D60HF's have filtered over to KB. The Bx1 and Bx2 are swamped with 'em. See 'em every day, just outside my window.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by r17-6599 on Tue Jan 24 15:33:47 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jan 23 08:43:51 2017. edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr Boarding is not any faster. The front section, especially when packed with wheelchairs and/ or shopping carts, make for a very congested situation. Not to mention the idiots that, when they use a fare card, don't know which end is up. (beep, boop, boop, beep). I saw two people get on with carts, the exact same color red. The legs of the carts got tangled somehow. Did THAT ever hold things up. Then you get two arguing over which one is more deserving of the seat or wheelchair space. And, all that aside, people are just plane selfish and lazy. "Let the other guy move up the stairs; I'm staying right here". With high floors, a rider had no choice but to climb to get in. Now, its up for grabs. I argue this constantly with a friend of mine who rides a bus maybe twice a year. Poor thing! And that is probably a fan trip or a vintage bus on 42nd street. And the MTA reports in the media that bus ridership is at an all time low. I wonder why!
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by r17-6599* on Tue Jan 24 15:37:14 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by r17-6599 on Tue Jan 24 15:33:47 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr Oh, and did I mention the people that get off the front of the bus? That holds things up too. Some insist on walking the length of a 60 foot bus, from the rear, to get off the front, only to walk back again on the sidewalk. Only in NY!
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by Bill Newkirk* on Tue Jan 24 16:06:02 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by r17-6599 on Tue Jan 24 15:37:14 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr Oh, and did I mention the people that get off the front of the bus?. That was more common with the RTS fleet. Those back door steps are quite high and steep. Bill Newkirk
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by r17-6599 on Tue Jan 24 16:25:03 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by Bill Newkirk on Tue Jan 24 16:06:02 2017. edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr Still happens on all the stuff but especially irking on an artics.
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by northshore* on Tue Jan 24 19:37:35 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by r17-6599 on Tue Jan 24 15:33:47 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr I never ride buses
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Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses
Posted by WayneJay* on Wed Jan 25 14:59:44 2017, in response to Re: MTA to award New Flyer for 110 articulated low floor (CNG fuel) buses, posted by r17-6599 on Tue Jan 24 15:23:35 2017.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr Oh! Bummer!. She'll ride a D60HF, but if one shows up, and she can also see a XD-60 or LFS-A... she'll pass up the D60HF.
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