01-28-2022, 04:10 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-28-2022, 04:10 PM by danbrotherston.)
(01-28-2022, 04:01 PM)ac3r Wrote:(01-28-2022, 01:28 PM)KevinL Wrote: I don't recall hearing about this, but midsize buses have been added to the fleet. They'll first appear on the Chicopee route.
https://twitter.com/GRT_ROW/status/1487068948017266690
Makes sense to me. Some routes don't need full sized buses, particularly the 27. At most that route gets 5 passengers...but usually no more than 3 per bus. Such routes also do indeed have to make awkward turns - often driving over curbs which destroys the suspension as well as forces buses (including the 27) to add time on a route so they can take streets that offer more turning radius. I think it's useful.
Again, sizing a route to the number of passengers is of no value unless it costs significantly less to operate the smaller buses which I don't think it does. 3 passengers don't care if they are on a smaller bus or not.
As for tighter turns, I have no idea where that is, our region and cities have spent 60 years eliminating turns that a 45 foot bus can't navigate, but I suppose there might be a few that haven't been enlarged yet.