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What was the WORST piece of equipment SEPTA ran?
Topic Started: Jul 8 2007, 10:32 PM (2,651 Views)
philabob1
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I'd nominate two groups - both groups of articulated buses. The Volvos were OK when new but could never climb the Roxborough/Manayunk hills and only got worse with age. And then there was the issue of the exhaust leaking through the bus, which seemed to be a problem with each bus of the order. They also leaked like sieves in rain/snow, both from the roof and wheel wells.

The Neos were a little better when new but are not aging well (and SEPTA's maintenance isn't helping). On my occasional rides on them these days, and in daily sightings, they often have broken signs. The noise level in the rear section, never good, is getting worse. I've noticed more and more of them have broken seats - not sure if it's just wear and tear or particular vandalism. The NW hills are taking their toll as well, as many of them can barely lumber up Ridge Ave and Manayunk Ave these days.

I hope SEPTA has learned its lesson and buys no more artics in the future.
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philabob1
Jul 17 2007, 07:35 AM
I'd nominate two groups - both groups of articulated buses. The Volvos were OK when new but could never climb the Roxborough/Manayunk hills and only got worse with age. And then there was the issue of the exhaust leaking through the bus, which seemed to be a problem with each bus of the order. They also leaked like sieves in rain/snow, both from the roof and wheel wells.

The Neos were a little better when new but are not aging well (and SEPTA's maintenance isn't helping). On my occasional rides on them these days, and in daily sightings, they often have broken signs. The noise level in the rear section, never good, is getting worse. I've noticed more and more of them have broken seats - not sure if it's just wear and tear or particular vandalism. The NW hills are taking their toll as well, as many of them can barely lumber up Ridge Ave and Manayunk Ave these days.

I hope SEPTA has learned its lesson and buys no more artics in the future.

I always thought of the artics to be one of the quieter buses in the back. However, the engine sounds really suspect. I agree with you about the hills - i was on 7158 when it broke down on Ridge Ave. It really doesn't help that there's a stop on the hill for Wissahicken Station.

Don't give up on artics - our city needs them. It would be good, though, to have them with more powerful engines. It's hilarious that there are 35ft buses with ISMs while our artics only have DD50s...especially with those hills. Perhaps hybrids would be best.

SEPTA did a poor job spec'ing them in terms of power - Bee-Line and WMATA both have DD60s, and they do just fine - you wouldn't believe a Neoplan artic could take off so fast!

I can't believe SEPTA wouldn't repower them, but oh well...in the summer, they are really dropping like flies out there...
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Neoei3318
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Those artics are dogs with the turbo lag and everything, but you have to remember, SEPTA's AN 460's were designed and speced out 1998-99 (7101 is a 1998 bus).
Houstons' METRO run theirs with the Series 50 as well (and I think Nashville too). Both TA's ordered AN-460's around that time as well .

Bee-Line didn't Order their buses until late 01' or 02 when the 60 was floated as an option.

Retrofitting a bus for a motor that big takes some hefty re-engineering (Which is why NJ Transit had shear a FOOT off of their AN 460's and make them 459's when they ordered them with Caterpillar engines).

However, if you want an Artic ride wuth some cahones, try the hawk on the 65 on a Friday night. The trip is only scheduled for 25-30 minutes and the operator will hold to that promise. There were times where I had to hold on to the seat handle. Trust me.
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Neoei3318
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I cant believe anyone left these out. AMG Trackless Trolleys! Any time a manufactuer has to build a repair shop in the city to handle warranty repairs, your product stinks!
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Neoei3318
Jul 17 2007, 07:37 PM
Those artics are dogs with the turbo lag and everything, but you have to remember, SEPTA's AN 460's were designed and speced out 1998-99 (7101 is a 1998 bus).
Houstons' METRO run theirs with the Series 50 as well (and I think Nashville too). Both TA's ordered AN-460's around that time as well .

Bee-Line didn't Order their buses until late 01' or 02 when the 60 was floated as an option.

Retrofitting a bus for a motor that big takes some hefty re-engineering (Which is why NJ Transit had shear a FOOT off of their AN 460's and make them 459's when they ordered them with Caterpillar engines).

However, if you want an Artic ride wuth some cahones, try the hawk on the 65 on a Friday night. The trip is only scheduled for 25-30 minutes and the operator will hold to that promise. There were times where I had to hold on to the seat handle. Trust me.

Nite Owl is often fun. I remember the last time I rode 5680 on the L Nite Owl - the driver was flooring it. We were scheduled to run about 41 minutes - we made it end to end in under 30...
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septaman
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Jul 12 2007, 01:38 AM
Tfaldasyantyst06
Jul 11 2007, 10:02 AM
5427 has this annoying problem with its firewall in which hot air from the engine is blown into the bus, negating any cooling effect of the AC, but other than that they're good. Worst equipment? Nabi 416 HANDS DOWN. Bad suspension, slow takeoff, the obnoxiously loud engine, I can't wait until we get rid of those Icky Ikaruses.

Yeah, that firewall thing is probably the main thing I really can't stand with those New Flyers. When it's not sealed properly, it tends to flap open, letting in the heat and noise from the engine. I've never been on another type of bus that did that. I rode 5666 the other day, and because of this, the back of the bus was hot as hell (pun intended). I had to move forward for fear of burning my bottom on the back seat.

I like the NABIs, they are really cool in their own sort of way. I don't see how they are "louder" than a normal DD50 New Flyer (I think the latter is louder) but I like the rich, unique sound the NABIs make. I'll certainly miss that when they are retired...

On some of the New Flyers, hot air is blown from the engine on the back and the engine becomes loud but when the bus starts moving the engine quiets down.
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TheOneCalledA1
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If it wasn't for the seating capacity on the 460s, I'd really hate them. BUT, theres nothing like being on a crowded Ikarus running from Fox Chase on the 18 at 7:30ish in the morning. If we're lucky, we'll get a New Flyer. But, most if not all morning 18s are 460s.
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CACrafter88bk2504
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TheOneCalledA1
Jul 18 2007, 08:37 PM
If it wasn't for the seating capacity on the 460s, I'd really hate them. BUT, theres nothing like being on a crowded Ikarus running from Fox Chase on the 18 at 7:30ish in the morning. If we're lucky, we'll get a New Flyer. But, most if not all morning 18s are 460s.

A crowded NABI on the 47 isn't very fun either. The 47 is a stop and go route at every intersection during rush hours. I don't know how the Southern operators handle the 47 but I'm certain that the Midvale operators get their asses kicked whenever coming north of Market Street in the afternoon.
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Neoei3318
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As Someone who lived in South Philly along the 47, I can share that pain quite easily. It dosen't matter which direction you're going, as soon as you hit Market, One lumpsome of peeps gets off the bus in exchange of another.

I think the South Philly end is ALOT worse, as you have to fight traffic down the bottlenecks at Walnut, all the way down to South St. plus Washington/Passyunk Avenues. The bus doesn't clear out until you hit Tasker/Morris.

80 percent of the time I lived there, I walked from Miflin to Downtown where I worked. All 21 Blocks from Miflin to Market. I saved alot of scratch and I lost 40Lbs.

But yeah, the 47 sucks untill Nite Owl. The Best ride I had was on 5195, 3558 Block. Market to my bed in 7 Minutes. Long story short, we was flyin'.

Back to the artics, Most of the Early blocks (3001 to 3012) on the 18 use artics, and they flip flop between the local and express. But for the most part they use whatever bus is available.
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TheOneCalledA1
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Also, we (Central High School) should be getting a few chartered buses that will run the 18 route, but in express service from Broad and Olney to Cottman and Oxford without stopping, then hitting the other stops from there to Fox Chase.
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