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May 1st, 2009
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Charters: May 2-3 Charter Weekend
Posted by Mystic on 2009-05-01 23:52:48 EDT
It's May, and it's time for the first charter weekend this summer! I'll be attending an RTL (Reseau de Transport Longueuil) charter on the south shore of Montreal on Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 where we will be aboard a 1990 MCI Classic with an authentic roll sign including all of the destinations that were used back in 1990.
And on Sunday, May 3rd, 2009, I will be going to another STL charter in Laval where we will ride a 1990 MCI, possibly #6018, a prototype bus. I'm not really much of a fan of Cummins, especially on a Classic. I'd prefer to ride a Detroit Diesel 6v92t, but historically speaking this will be an important charter, since it's the last prototype of this kind in the Montreal area, since the RTL retired theirs a few months ago.
So bright and early Saturday morning I should arrive at Angrignon metro station around 8:30, and at Berri-UQAM around 9:00am to catch the 9:10am Line 4 metro departure to Longueuil metro station for the start of the charter at 9:30am at the F-Wing in Quai #41. Unfortunately this terminus is completely sealed in and has no access to outdoors for photo ops, and the security agents at the terminus don't seem to appreciate transitfans... But we have all day to take photos, since this will be a long charter due to the fact we have a volunteer driver, and lower rates with the RTL.
Hope to see you all both days! (Click the 'Full Story' link below for official details regarding this charter). Read Full Story...
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April 25th, 2009
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Charters: STM 60-013 Charter
Posted by Mystic on 2009-04-25 20:05:33 EDT
In order to honour the long living 1990 STM Bus #60-013, we are holding a charter this Sunday (April 26th, 2009) to celebrate it's 19th and possibly 20th year in service. This bus is probably the most recognized by most if not all drivers and dispatchers as being a really special bus. It had been saved originally from retirement a few years ago and given a full restoration and rebuild, and several close calls as well over the last few years. Someone wants to keep this bus around, and they're doing a good job at it, making sure it's safe to ride and looks and sounds good too!
As for our charter; It will be a 3 hour trip and we will follow a few of the routes that the STM used back in 1990. We will make photo stops at the best locations in and around the Lasalle area, where this bus has resided during most of it's career.
The price is yet to be determined, but the more people that are interested, the lower the price will be. The charter will begin and end at the Lasalle garage in order to save on costs, but I will be meeting a few of you at Metro Angrignon around 9:15 - 9:30am in order to catch a 9:40am route #195 bus that heads towards the Lasalle Garage. There is also parking at Angrignon metro but at a cost, and there is free parking at 7770 rue Saint-Patrick, LaSalle (Montreal), H8N 1V1, at the Lasalle bus garage.
To confirm your presence or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the charter director at: yulbuscharter2008@gmail.com Or visit the Charter Website at: http://www.montrain.ca/yulbuscharters/2009/private/
Thank you all in advance for your support, and let's make this a great tribute to the most renowned STM bus still in service! Read Full Story...
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April 11th, 2009
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Charters: March 29th STL Charter Photos Added
Posted by Mystic on 2009-04-11 00:59:34 EDT
Just a quick update to let you know that the photos from the March 29th, 2009 STL farewell charter for #5924 are now online in the TransitFan Photo Gallery. Click on the image above or the link below to view photos from this charter, as well as other charters from the past.
TransitFan Charter Photo Gallery
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March 30th, 2009
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Charters: STL Charter Great Success!
Posted by Mystic on 2009-03-30 21:33:26 EDT
There's always something interesting and historical about saying to someone that you got to do the last of something, like the time we were last to ride the oldest Montreal bus still in service before it was retired (STM 59-005); Or the time we went to visit a 1986 GM at the STTR in Trois-Rivieres shortly before it was retired (ex-STO 8601). This time we got to ride in the last Roll Sign equiped Laval bus, and watched as we were there as Laval closed their era of roll signed buses, much as the STM retired their last roll sign equipped bus last year (STM 59-016). Now the only large transit society in the Montreal area that still uses roll signs is the RTL on the South Shore, and that will only be for a few more years at most. But enough pessimism, let's talk about the fun that occurred today.
I write this as I return home after a full day of riding our charter bus, as well as visiting the Laval bus bone yard afterwards. We all met at the cafeteria inside the STL garage until everyone arrived. We were hoping for a lot of people, and not just because more is better, it's because more would cost us less in the end since we split all costs between the participants. The garage security guard then lead us into the main bus garage where we had our bus, #5924, a 1989 MCI Classic, preparing for its departure. A few quick photos and we were on our way to our first of many photo stops throughout Laval, and even one at the old Terminus Laval at Henri-Bourassa Metro. We were also honoured to have a skilled driver who didn't mind taking us across town and make frequent stops to take photos, and he seemed to enjoy it as well. Even he got into the action it seemed, when he started taking photos alongside our group.
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March 25th, 2009
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Charters: Voyage Nolisé STL Dimanche 29 mars / STL Bus Charter Sunday March 29th, 2009
Posted by Mystic on 2009-03-25 22:00:32 EDT
We have decided to say a last goodbye to the STL 1989 MCI Classics by Chartering a trip this Sunday.
It will be a 3 hour trip and we will follow the routes where the STL Laval used in 1989. We will use the destination rolllers and make photo stops at the best locations.
The price is yet to be determined, but the more people we have interested, we can make the price lower.
We apologize for the short notice, but we were recently informed by the STL that these buses will be withdrawn from service March 31.
Thank you in advance for your support. I hope we have enough people to send off this generation bus with a bang!
To confirm your presence or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the charter director at: tourdelaval09@gmail.com Read Full Story...
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March 1st, 2009
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News: STM introduces the new 2009 model NovaLFS.
Posted by Mystic on 2009-03-01 21:48:44 EST
Still not yet 3rd generation, this year's NovaLFS has a few minor changes to it that differentiate it from previous years. Such as a new wider front door, wheel chair ramp moved to the front, and flip out instead of slide out, and front seat removed as well as a new paint scheme that some say resembles the new Bell ads.
You be the judge, they seem to be running well so far, they've stayed relatively clean, with the exception of 29-018 which appears to have been tagged already... It's a shame though that after all these years transit companies and manufacturers have still been unable to create a vandal proof bus. It's sad that after less than a week in regular service, they have already been vandalized.
After learning about some of the bus busfanning locations to spot 29's, I decided to spend the afternoon at Guy-Concordia metro station waiting for the new 2009's to appear, and I was not disappointed.
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