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About this blog

Ramblings about nothing important

Entries in this blog

For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Chinatown Buses

Often referred to as "Dragon Buses" or simply "Chinatown Buses are services offered by companies founded by Chinese American or Chinese Canadians which offer low cost no frills transportation from a Chinatown District in one city to another. (Boston Chinatown <---> NYC Chinatown <----> Washington DC Gallery Place Chinatown)   Despite the efforts of larger companies like Greyhound (Bolt Bus) and Coach USA-Stagecoach Group (Megabus) to capture some of this market Chinatown bu
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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Minneapolis Metro Transit

Nearly 400,000 people rely on Metro Transit in the Minneapolis-St.Paul area as its the largest transit network in the State of Minnesota.       Metro Transit Gillig Advantage    Type: Public   Union Representation: Metro Transit employees are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005   Fleet Size: 679 Low Floor Transit Buses, 169 Articulated Buses, 60 Highway Coaches, 86 Light Rail Vehicles, 6 Heavy Locomotives paired with 18 Rail
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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Transportes de Baja California

Providing Transportation for the Mexican State of Baja California     Transportes de Baja California Flxible Metro B     Type: Public   Union Representation: Not Unionized   Fleet Size: Unknown, Approximately 250-300   Routes: Unknown, Service adapts as demand changes   Manufacturer and Powerplant: The State of Baja California acquires used American transit buses and school buses to be used in its bus fleet as purchasing
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For The Transit Fans: Vehicle Profile: Grumman LLV

For over 20 Years rain or shine the LLV has kept the Mail moving and become a staple of American Suburbia     USPS Grumman LLV          Manufacturer Quick Facts:    Founded: 1929 (Merged with Northrup in 1994 to form Northrup Grumman Corporation) Headquarters: Bethpage, New York Industry: Aerospace, Airplane Manufacturing, Electrical Equipment, Delivery Vehicles Notable Product: Apollo Lunar Module, Grumman F4F WIldcat, G
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For The Transit Fans: Landmark Profile: Lincoln Tunnel

A traditional right of passage for nearly every bus driver who must enter New York City, The Lincoln Tunnel is the Gateway to the Big Apple       The Lincoln Tunnel   Type: Tunnel   Management: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey   Construction-Completion-Cost: 1934-1937, Project cost $85 Million ($1.52 Billion 2017 Inflation Adjustment)   Termini: Weehawken, New Jersey <-----> Manhattan, New York City   Trave
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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Peter Pan Bus Lines

One of the most successful privately owned bus enterprises, Peter Pan has been in the industry for 75 years      Peter Pan Bus Lines MCI J4500   Type: Private   Union Representation: Peter Pan Bus Drivers are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1512   Fleet Size: 132 Highway Motorcoaches in both Long and Medium Distance configurations   Routes: 10 routes linking major cities in the Northeastern Corridor such as Boston, NYC, W
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For The Transit Fans: Industry Perspectives: Pathway to Commercial Driving

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Bus Driver? Lets Find Out!     NYCT/MTA New Flyer D60   Overview: Many people in the job market will come across job postings for the position of bus driver and consider doing it for a career. However most people are very unaware of the challenges this career path brings. I am always asked by my friends, family and even my passengers what the best way to get started is. I will get into that as well as what this job is actuall
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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Kokusai Kogyo

​(Been Away Helping Family in Japan, Now Lets Start The Countdown to 200!)                 ​A perfect example of how a private entity should serve the people, Kokusai Kogyo is well known in Tokyo for its public transportation services.         Kokusai Kogyo Isuzu Erga       ​Type: ​Private   ​Union Representation: ​Not Unionized   ​Fleet Size: ​500 Isuzu Erga Low Floor buses, 150 Isuzu Gala Highway Coaches, 50 Toyota Century Limousines, 20 Subaru L
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For The Race Fans: Driver Profile: Ken Block

An iconic visonary of the modern era, Ken Block is often credited with making the sport of Rallying more popular among youth in North America and worldwide.     Ken Block with the Team Hoonigan Ford Mustang "Hoonicorn"   ​Driver Quick Facts:   Name: ​Kenneth Block Birthday: ​November 21, 1967 Hometown: ​Long Beach, California, United States Series: ​World Rally Championship, FIA European Rallycross Team: ​Hoonigan Racing Division Spons
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For The Transit Fans: Intermission: Washington Auto Show

I have always loved the auto show, it comes to Washington DC every year in January and I always miss it. This year I got my tickets early and made it. I thought it be interesting to share my thoughts on what I saw​.   Noticeably absent this year were Volvo, Tesla and Mitsubishi   Here are my top picks from this years auto show         ​2018 Volkswagen Atlas   Volkswagen: ​When Samsung was facing difficulties with its Galaxy Note 7 and issued a global recall i
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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Dublin Bus

Serving the largest city and the capital of Ireland, Dublin Bus provides 125 million rides a year.         Dublin Bus Alexander Dennis Enviro 400       Type: ​Public, Statutory Corporation owned by the Irish Government   Union Representation:​ All Dublin Bus Operators and other employees are represented by the National Bus and Railworkers Union (NBRU)   Fleet Size: ​987 Low Floor Double Decker, Single Decker and Articulated Transit Buses   Routes: ​136 Routes,
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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Fairfax Connector

​Serving the bustling Fairfax County, Virginia suburbs of Washington DC. The Fairfax Connector was one of first of the smaller transit agencies in Suburban Washington to grow into a much larger operation.     Fairfax Connector New Fyler XD40       ​Type: ​Public/Private, Service privately operated by Transdev   Union Representation:​ All Fairfax Connector Bus Operators are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1764   ​Fleet Size: ​210   ​Routes: ​90   ​Manuf
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For The Transit Fans: Vehicle Profile: GM Scenicruiser

The next inductee into the Hall of Transit Greats helped shaped American Road Travel for Decades.     GM Scenicruiser in service with Greyhound     ​Manufacturer Quick Facts: ​​   Founded: 1901 Main Office: Detroit, Michigan Industry: Trucks and Buses Notable Product: GM New-Look, GM Old-Look, RTS. GMC Topkick, CCKW, DUKW, Sierra, Yukon, Terrain     GM Scenicrusier Taken Out of Service       Model Quick F
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For The Race Fans: Series Profile: World Rally Championship

​(Happy New Year!)         ​Formed in the late 70's, the WRC is the highest caliber of Rally Motorsports in the world and formally united rallying events which were held separately and were unaffiliated.     Current Generation World Rally Cars   ​Series Overview: ​A Formation of the European Rally Championship which consisted of mostly privateer teams and the International Championship for Manufacturers or ICM which was a rally only for Manufacturers to
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For The Transit Fans: Industry Perspectives: U.S. Import Law

​     U.S. Customs and Border Protection Jeep Wrangler Rubicon       Laws regarding the importation of cars into the United States are set by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection a branch of the Department of Homeland Security.       ​Overview: ​In the 1980's Mercedes Benz and other German Automakers reigned supreme, however they began to lose business due to the arrival of Japanese brands into the U.S. in the late 70's and this continued into the 80's and as
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For The Race Fans: Event Profile: Isle of Man TT

The oldest and most prestigious motorcycle race in the world, only the best race at the Isle of Man.   First Organized: ​1907   ​​Type: ​Time Trials, GP Race   ​Course: Snaefell Mountain Course   ​Class: ​Tourist Trophy       ​The Isle of Man is a small island located in the Irish Sea surrounded by Northern Ireland and England. Every year in May and June motorcyclists descend on this island for one of the most challenging races in the world.     Racers at the 2015 I
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For The Transit Fans: News, Stories and Lore: Performance Utility

​Americans have very specific buying tastes, Americans like large crossover SUVs with preferably a V8 engine under the hood and enough room for at least 5 people. Noticing these trends has opened up a brand new segment of luxury vehicles which may have seemed ridiculous 5 years ago.     ​Porsche Cayenne Turbo   ​Porsche: ​Arguably the one that started it all, Porsche was the first to attempt a realistic fusion of a sports car and a family SUV. The Cayenne launched in 2002 and m
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For The Transit Fans: Manufacturer Profile: Elio Motors

​(So Sorry I've been AWOL, work/life been crazy)     A newer automotive startup, seeking to reinvent personal mobility while achieving astonishing goals of building cars with high fuel economy, improved safety and low MSRP.   ​Manufacturer Quick Facts:   ​Founded: ​August 1, 2009 ​Main Office: ​Phoenix, Arizona, United States ​Industry: ​High MPG Economy Cars Notable Products: ​P4, P5     Elio Motors P4 in "Creamsicle" color
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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Trailways Network

A unique partnership joining dozens of bus companies under one umbrella, Trailways ensures all private charter bus companies get a fair share of business.     Susquehanna Trailways Prevost H3-45       ​Type: ​Private, Alliance of 70 Charter Bus Operators   ​Union Representation: ​Some Locations Unionized   ​Fleet Size: ​Not Disclosed   ​Routes: ​Few Dedicated Routes, Mostly Chartered Point to Point Service   ​Manufacturer and Powerplant: ​Most companies operat
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For The Transit Fans: News, Stories and Lore: Rewind Pt 1

Let's take a look back at some of the brands we lost over the last decade and some of the vehicles which made them notable     2012 Saab 9-5 (Final Release)   ​Saab: The Swedish Yin to Volvo's Yang, Saab had a very interesting history and a very strict company culture which it could not deviate from. That eventually led to Saab's sad end which could have been prevented. In 1989 General Motors invested $600 Million in Saab essentially taking a 50% stake in the company. This
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For The Transit Fans: Company Profile: Puerto Rico Metropolitan Bus Authority

​Operating as a branch of the Department of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico (DTOP), the service is more commonly known by its abbreviation in Spanish. Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses de Puerto Rico or AMA.     AMA Orion V   ​Type: ​Public/Private, Some routes operated by contractor First Transit   ​ Union Representation: Not Unionized   Fleet Size: ​149 Transit Buses, 33 Suburban Medium Duty Buses, 60 Paratransit Vehicles   Routes: ​50   ​Manufa
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For The Transit Fans: Industry Perspectives: Emergency Stop (Rail)

Sometimes accidents happen, but as an opertator of a train with hundreds of lives on board its always up to the driver to be on the lookout for trouble.     Controls of an Amtrak Siemens ACS-64 Sprinter   As is blaringly obvious, train drivers do not have a steering wheel and trains cannot change direction at will, this means that a large part of the train drivers job is observing the tracks ahead and the signals for any signs of danger.   ​Practice: ​All railways use s
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For The Transit Fans: Manufacturer Profile: Mack Trucks

​One of America's oldest heavy duty vehicle makers, Mack Trucks specializes in truck building and design. The brand nearly disappeared due to the economic collapse of 2009 but was saved after being purchased by Volvo Group.   ​​Manufacturer Quick Facts:   Founded: ​June 11, 1900 Main Office: ​Greensboro, North Carolina, United States Industry: ​Heavy Duty Trucks in Classes 6 through 8, Buses (formerly), Chassis Building, Fire Engines ​Notable Products: ​Pinnacle, Te
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For The Transit Fans: Intermission: Building a Project Car III

(Happy Indigenous Peoples Day)     2015 Ford Focus       I know I haven't been keeping you posted on the status of this project, this is largely due to the frustrations my daily driver has been causing me since my last update in July. So now get a snack and a drink and allow me to fill you in on the situation for the last few months.     2003 Toyota Rav4 and TCM Location behind the glove compartment   ​Prologue: ​In 2012 I was given a 2003 Toyota Rav4
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For The Transit Fans: News, Stories and Lore: Death of Scion

The brand which had a lot going for it, but never really went anywhere has been cancelled after a noble 13 year production run.             "What Moves You?"   ​Project Genesis:​ In 1999 Toyota assembled a taskforce of senior executives at its Toyota USA branch to attempt to capture sales of younger first time car buyers. The team began Toyota's "Project Genesis" an initiative launched by Toyota USA to do just that. The 3 vehicles which started this project were The To
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