10 replies to this topic

[jefffwd]

http://startelegram....g-to-the-t.html

[DrkLts]

That bus looks like a train!!! NeatO

[360texas]

LOLLL... sounds like Chug, Swish and it even folds in the middle !!!!

[Electricron]

Why is a longer bus cooler? And it will not be faster until Fort Worth installs signal preemption at traffic signals.

A larger bus will actually be slower until FWTA switches to smart cards. Paying fares as you board the bus will be slower because the bus has more passengers doing so.

[Papaw]

I have seen this type bus in several large cities a number of years ago, as the middle 'flex' was fascinating. I guess one positive would be that it might not be as deadly in a T-bone wreck due to the flex. But why would it be any faster?

[urbancowboy]

I didn't realize there were transit agencies in Cleburne and Parker County. I wish the T's service area was larger.

[Electricron]

I didn't realize there were transit agencies in Cleburne and Parker County. I wish the T's service area was larger.

Yes, many counties have a country transit authority under Chapter 458 of the Texas Transportation Code.
http://law.justia.co....000458.00.html

[FoUTASportscaster]

Why is a longer bus cooler? And it will not be faster until Fort Worth installs signal preemption at traffic signals.

A larger bus will actually be slower until FWTA switches to smart cards. Paying fares as you board the bus will be slower because the bus has more passengers doing so.

Did you read the article? That's exactly what is going to happen. Low floor bus load faster than regular buses, so that shoots you second point away.

[Electricron]

Did you read the article? That's exactly what is going to happen. Low floor bus load faster than regular buses, so that shoots you second point away.

Yes, I read it! Did you?

The agency, known to you an' me as the T, plans to use a big chunk of the money to buy articulated buses, with extra space for passengers. The T plans to put these new buses into service in fall 2010 on East Lancaster Avenue -- which happens to be the busiest corridor in the T's transit system.

The idea is to eventually use these buses for a new style of service known as bus rapid transit. The T wants to give people a bus riding experience that resembles trains, with lots of standing room and platform-style boarding areas. Also, the buses will have signal changing technology, so they can speed up green lights and get where they're going faster than today's buses.

Eventually use for bus rapid transit doesn't mean soon or fall 2010. Meanwhile, many will be paying fares as they enter the bus. I'm sorry, but that takes a while for the bus driver to do. People are lined out the bus waiting on the driver to process them, not actually climbing in and out of the bus.

Since this bus holds more passengers, and should have more passengers beng process by the driver, that delay will be longer, therefore the bus will be slower.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Yes, I read it! Did you?

I'm sorry. I just assumed that maybe you didn't when you said "And it will not be faster until Fort Worth installs signal preemption at traffic signals" and in the article it states that there will be signal priority given to these buses. My mistake.

Eventually use for bus rapid transit doesn't mean soon or fall 2010. Meanwhile, many will be paying fares as they enter the bus. I'm sorry, but that takes a while for the bus driver to do. People are lined out the bus waiting on the driver to process them, not actually climbing in and out of the bus.

Since this bus holds more passengers, and should have more passengers beng process by the driver, that delay will be longer, therefore the bus will be slower.

Low floor buses solve that problem. You take a step or two, swipe and sit. Now you have to climb stairs and such and that is where most of the time is taken. It has been proven within the industry that those with low-floors have increased their average speed.

[Electricron]

Low floor buses solve that problem. You take a step or two, swipe and sit. Now you have to climb stairs and such and that is where most of the time is taken. It has been proven within the industry that those with low-floors have increased their average speed.

FWTA buses have low floors already. How can new low floor buses be any faster?
Answers: Using SMART (swipe) cards and ticket vending machines (pre-ordering tickets).
Since FWTA isn't initially installing ticket vending machines nor using SMART cards, more passengers per bus will cause more processing by the bus driver which means a slower bus trip.

If and when FWTA starts real Rapid Bus services on the routes these buses run on, with at least ticket vending machines at the bus stops, then you might see faster overall bus services. And faster again upon initialing signal preemption.