[carloverboy2k]

View attachment 627312

Is there a known date for 249 to go back into service?

 

[Coolibop]

Yes, the glorified prisoner transports. The MCIs are positively luxurious in comparison.


In my 10 years of quasi-regular GO bus use, I've seen the luggage area used exactly twice. Once for a suitcase, once for an e-scooter.

Id make an argument that it's a challenge with those with strollers and imagine a bit of a barrier with those with mobility issues even if they have a lift. The process to load etc is much more lengthy than with the high floors but I'll save too much judgement until I see the new ones.

Personally, the double deckers were much nicer than the old MCIs from a ride experience. I'm unsure what is is, but the few times a year I take the older bus variant, I often get car sick.

 

[T3G]

Personally, the double deckers were much nicer than the old MCIs from a ride experience. I'm unsure what is is, but the few times a year I take the older bus variant, I often get car sick.

I have the exact opposite opinion. I think the double deckers are abhorrent, the ride quality on the bottom level is atrocious and the insulation is also awful. On the highway or out in the country, if I'm sitting on the bottom level I would have to crank my audio to dangerous levels just to be able to make out any individual details of the song. Needless to say, I sit on the upper level, which I wish I wouldn't have to do because the process of exiting at a local stop from the upper level is cumbersome and annoying.

Every single MCI I get is a blessed relief. If GO never bought another product from Alexander-Dennis for as long as they exist, it would be too soon.

Apropos of nothing: it would also be nice if they cut it out with the reclining seats.

 

[turbanplanner]

I have the exact opposite opinion. I think the double deckers are abhorrent, the ride quality on the bottom level is atrocious and the insulation is also awful. On the highway or out in the country, if I'm sitting on the bottom level I would have to crank my audio to dangerous levels just to be able to make out any individual details of the song. Needless to say, I sit on the upper level, which I wish I wouldn't have to do because the process of exiting at a local stop from the upper level is cumbersome and annoying.

Every single MCI I get is a blessed relief. If GO never bought another product from Alexander-Dennis for as long as they exist, it would be too soon.

Apropos of nothing: it would also be nice if they cut it out with the reclining seats.

I couldn't tell if the noise on the 2 floor bus was wind noise or some mechanical failure, it was incredibly loud, otoh the MCI buses I took were falling apart

 

[JJTheJetPln]

Finally some new buses for GO.

MCI Awarded Major Contract from Metrolinx - MCI

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada – January 21, 2025: (TSX: NFI, OTC: NFYEF, TSX: NFI.DB) NFI Group Inc. (NFI) a leading independent bus and coach manufacturer and a leader in zero-emission electric mass mobility solutions, subsidiary Motor Coach Industries (MCI), today announced it has been awarded a...

www.mcicoach.com

This design is definitely going to turn a few heads.

The only question I have is whether they're doing the full 63 seats or are doing a different configuration.

 

[Dan416]

When I took a GO bus to the airport, the luggage section on the double decker was used. I think I prefer the single deckers though, but the double deckers seem more spacious on the lower level. I don't think I've ever ridden from upstairs.

 

[nfitz]

The double deckers seem more spacious on the lower level

That's really my only point.

Obviously when I compare to a school bus, I'm talking about the basic poor layout. Not the level of comfort, padding in the seats, or singing.

 

[carloverboy2k]

249 entered service yesterday, went on the Stouffville Line for the 20:12 to Mt Joy and 21:34 back to Union with loco 614

I heard, saw a vid on youtube and it has a K5LA. I find that odd since the fleet had their horns changed to the K5CA-LS around 2010-2012.

 

[lenaitch]

Gad. Not this again.

 

[Jayson9999]

via supermariotransitfan16 on instagram

 

[WB62]

^ Came across the refurbished coach this morning:

The most notable thing I noticed was USB-C ports on the outlets:

 

[SaugeenJunction]

Another shot of it from Union. I believe this batch of cabs was refurbished by Alstom in Thunder Bay. Note the upgraded snow plow, the Ontario Northland refurbished cabs didn’t get that.

 

[nfitz]

^ Came across the refurbished coach this morning:

View attachment 627711

The most notable thing I noticed was USB-C ports on the outlets:

View attachment 627703

Looks nice. But how can they be doing that level of refurbishment and not have to meet accessibility standards, such as electronic signage for the deaf?

 

[WB62]

Looks nice. But how can they possibly be doing that level of refurbishment and not have to meet accessibility standards, such as electronic signage for the deaf?

Because the current system requires a hardline connection to the accessibility coach where the CAD/AVL system is and there isn’t any pins available for that. This is the reason why only the accessibility coach has powered screens right now.

I’m sure it’s not impossible though, I know next to nothing about this sort of stuff but there’s probably a system that doesn’t need a hardline connection.

 

[nfitz]

Because that requires a hardline connection to the accessibility coach where the CAD/AVL system is and there isn’t any pins available for that. That’s why only the accessibility coach has screens

I wasn't aware that the accessibility coach had screens. Even on the upper level?

I always avoid that one. But I'm not deaf. With all the @#G "information" GO emails and puts up in stations these days, I'm surprised they don't mention this (or post a full schedule).