Greyhound seats and fleet questions

[Bob Dylan]

I understand your fondness for Greyhound and buses and I'm impressed that Greyhound is making a comeback and running new buses and with more routes!

Any form of transportation that gets you where you're going @ a price you can afford is good!

I choose to ride Amtrak on LD trips but when a bus, whether Greyhound, Megsbus or Bolt or whatever offers cheap fares for short run buses it would interest me!

I enjoy your trip reports and your love of travel, keep on keep in on!

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I understand your fondness for Greyhound and buses and I'm impressed that Greyhound is making a comeback and running new buses and with more routes!

Any form of transportation that gets you where you're going @ a price you can afford is good!

I choose to ride Amtrak on LD trips but when a bus, whether Greyhound, Megsbus or Bolt or whatever offers cheap fares for short run buses it would interest me!

I enjoy your trip reports and your love of travel, keep on keep in on!

Thank you. Let us all enjoy travel instead of nitpicking over personal preferences.

 

[jebr]

Here, to stop this argument once and for all, I offer something that you may find interesting.

If you want to ride from New York to Los Angeles, then ride Amtrak.

If you want to ride from New York to Pittsburgh to Saint Louis to Salina to Glenwood Springs to Las Vegas to Los Angeles, then ride Greyhound.

If you want to ride across the country, ride Amtrak. If you want to ride across the country and make tons of stops along the way, ride Greyhound.

That is technically the "correct" way to use Amtrak and Greyhound, so most people should agree with it.

There is no "correct" way to ride any mode of transport. I can certainly take Amtrak and stop along the way as well...there's no reason why I can't, I just (for the most part) must do it in 24-hour intervals (or multiple 24-hour intervals.) I can take Greyhound from New York to Los Angeles if I wanted. And neither of those is an incorrect way of traveling on either mode of transportation. I can also follow your guideline and not be incorrect either. That's the beauty of multiple modes of transport, each person can pick what's best for them.

That being said, part of the idea of a forum is to discuss our opinions, and people will differ on their opinions. That's okay. But if you're on an Amtrak forum stating that Amtrak is not a good mode of transportation (or that Greyhound is an amazing form of transportation,) expect a lot of people to disagree with that opinion.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

That's why I'm on GTE as well. I have to say, the people there are tight-knit and nicer. They don't grind axes. Apparently some people on AU are bent on grinding an axe against me, for the simple reason that our opinions differ. We have differing opinions of GTE as well, but I have never seen a brawl like I've seen many times on AU.

Maybe it's because Greyhound isn't government-owned, so everything they do can be written off by, "They just need the money". People were angry that Greyhound was putting their worst buses in Seattle, but then it was easily explained by, "Why put good buses in a place that makes bad money?"

Also, the reason I would those "mode tactics" is to take advantage of both Amtrak and Greyhound. You're not taking max advantage of Amtrak if you want to stop off all over the place, and you're not taking advantage of Greyhound if you're just riding straight all the way.

 

[Caesar La Rock]

I haven't been on Greyhound for a while, but I've seen some of the buses they have. I'd prefer to ride on the 102-DL3s. The last time I rode on Greyhound, they still had MC-9s (rebuilt and renumbered into the 5000-5400 series), MC-12s, and 102A3s (on their last legs).

Miss those old coaches, which truly were the Americusisers. Back then, Greyhound also bought some Eagle coaches, sadly I never got the chance to ride on them.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I haven't been on Greyhound for a while, but I've seen some of the buses they have. I'd prefer to ride on the 102-DL3s. The last time I rode on Greyhound, they still had MC-9s (rebuilt and renumbered into the 5000-5400 series), MC-12s, and 102A3s (on their last legs).

Miss those old coaches, which truly were the Americusisers. Back then, Greyhound also bought some Eagle coaches, sadly I never got the chance to ride on them.

Yeah, the DL3 is the best! No surprise my avatar and signature both contain it! They have ones from 1996 still rebuilt and running strong, and way better than those G4500's or even the D4505.

 

[rickycourtney]

I was in the area so I stopped by the Greyhound station again. Both 7146 and 7426 were there.



I've seen these buses a few times before, they seem to be regulars here in Seattle. I also noticed that 7246 has a small faded purple sticker on the back that says "SEA" with 3 numbers. Wonder what that means (old assignment stickers?)

I also have a few new spottings for you:

7121 Blue G4500

7253 White G4500, faded decals

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Thanks! That's a pool sticker, means it is part of the Seattle pool, every pool has a three-digit code. #7200-7270 (give or take) were Seattle's only fleet units before the rebuilds, other G4500's were in other pools. Many of the 7200's burned or wrecked.

They used to have DL3's assigned to the special "Los Angeles-Vancouver" pool, #627, which was disbanded in the early 2000's. That's why, a year ago, you wouldn't have seen much else in Seattle other than #7200-7270, maybe a few G's from Los Angeles or a D from the All 48 States pool. #7146 had probably never been to Seattle before rebuilds.

 

[rickycourtney]

Thanks Swad, that's neat. Interesting to hear how things have changed.

It's amazing how much better those G4500s look after the refurbishment... its like night and day. The G4500 also has the benefit that it was such a "modern" looking bus when it was introduced (heck the D4505 uses the same headlights)... when you put a fresh coat of paint on it, to the layperson it looks like a new bus from the outside.

The inside may be a different story... still haven't seen an interior shot of one of these rebuilt G4500 coaches.

 

[rickycourtney]

Thanks Swad, that's neat. Interesting to hear how things have changed.

It's amazing how much better those G4500s look after the refurbishment... its like night and day. The G4500 also has the benefit that it was such a "modern" looking bus when it was introduced (heck the D4505 uses the same headlights)... when you put a fresh coat of paint on it, to the layperson it looks like a new bus from the outside.

The inside may be a different story... still haven't seen an interior shot of one of these rebuilt G4500 coaches.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Didn't I show you a video of a G4500 interior? I remember it had the same seats but just with extra legroom, new covers, and the power outlets bar added, like the DL3's. But the rebuild can only be successful if the slew of breakdowns, accidents, and fires involving the G4500 are suppressed. This "reduced" rebuild, compared to the DL3, might not be enough to suppress that.

Also, none of the "modern-looking" buses are that great, the E4500 was bad, the G4500even worse, the J4500 just a cheap E4500, the D4505 is the only one made of steel instead of fiberglass, but is still a problematic downgrade from the 102DL3.

 

[rickycourtney]

Well that video wasn't that great... you just got small crappy views of the interior. We haven't seen a nice walk through video or any nice photos of the interior (like you shoot).

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Thanks! Ha, if no one else takes a good photo, I'll have to go to Seattle and ride one myself, that'll get a photo of the interior as long as I don't catch it when it's full of pax, they would think I'm weird.

Really interested in what Greyhound will be using for the new LAD-VAC and LAD-SEA routes, they will pretty much turn that highway (I-5) into one huge corridor with short-hauls supporting. I'm guessing D4505's since they just sent some DL3's to Reno from the East. Apparently the new X3's relieved the DL3's, which are now relieving D4505's so that they can run all the way to Vancouver.

But that leaves little room for the G4500's, especially since the H3-45's are running SEA-VAC O&D. We'll see, since almost all the Western routes are getting frequency boosts, including RNO-SFD. BTW, Greyhound just went through heavy Website Maintenance, maybe that introduces yield management nationwide and totally kills overbooking.

 

[Caesar La Rock]

I'm hoping Greyhound buys Setras. Love the looks on those buses. The Mercedes Benz engine could be rated at either 450hp or 500hp. I know Lynx is getting six motorcoaches late this year. Don't know if they will be MCIs or Setras.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I'm hoping Greyhound buys Setras. Love the looks on those buses. The Mercedes Benz engine could be rated at either 450hp or 500hp. I know Lynx is getting six motorcoaches late this year. Don't know if they will be MCIs or Setras.

Greyhound already tested and rejected Setra's. They are hated by drivers. They are about as bad as any other Mercedes buses: which means REALLY, REALLY BAD. High center of gravity, bad radiators, windshield too big, rear windows, and weak fenders are just a few reasons why Setra buses are terrible.

Any bus with rear windows is bad for intercity use, that means they have low-mounted radiator/air intake. Not possible to hit 1,000,000 miles with such a bus. Greyhound needs a bus that can run at least 2,000,000 miles, right now the D4505 might be able to do that, but generally, any bus with a modern look is s--t. 102DL3's after rebuild are expected to run 3,300,000 miles.

Besides, Greyhound needs no more than 400hp and 1500 lbs torque as long as the bus has a low center of gravity, something that only the X3-45 and D4505 have.

If you like Setras, just ask Railiner. He's driven them, and he hates them.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

New System Timetable now completed and released: http://extranet.greyhound.com/revsup/schedules2/pageset.html.

Still has a few minor errors, for example, Sked 1683 now runs NYD-LAD, but shows NYD-DEN. Then again, it does run NYD-DEN, so not too big of a deal. Also, 1446 shows LAD-PUT, it actually runs LAD-SEA.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

I'm hoping Greyhound buys Setras. Love the looks on those buses. The Mercedes Benz engine could be rated at either 450hp or 500hp. I know Lynx is getting six motorcoaches late this year. Don't know if they will be MCIs or Setras.

Greyhound already tested and rejected Setra's. They are hated by drivers. They are about as bad as any other Mercedes buses: which means REALLY, REALLY BAD. High center of gravity, bad radiators, windshield too big, rear windows, and weak fenders are just a few reasons why Setra buses are terrible.
Any bus with rear windows is bad for intercity use, that means they have low-mounted radiator/air intake. Not possible to hit 1,000,000 miles with such a bus. Greyhound needs a bus that can run at least 2,000,000 miles, right now the D4505 might be able to do that, but generally, any bus with a modern look is s--t. 102DL3's after rebuild are expected to run 3,300,000 miles.

Besides, Greyhound needs no more than 400hp and 1500 lbs torque as long as the bus has a low center of gravity, something that only the X3-45 and D4505 have.

If you like Setras, just ask Railiner. He's driven them, and he hates them.

Too big a front window? Presence of a back window? God what problems these busses have!

 

[Caesar La Rock]

JetSet seems to like them, since they have mostly those along with some Van Hools. Setra S417s I believe. This is a picture of JetSet's Setras.

 

[railiner]

I do dislike them, and have ridden in them, but have not actually driven them. But I agree that those driver's I speak with, (Academy and Martz) do dislike them. Academy has a large fleet of Setra's, and they are getting rid of them as fast as they can....They are returning to Prevost H3's. Martz doen't like them either, and is getting new J4500's The Setra's look very "Euro" (as they should), but they are probably the worst of the tour coaches currently available in the North American market....yes, IMHO even the Van Hool's are superior to the Setra's......

 

[rickycourtney]

New System Timetable now completed and released: http://extranet.greyhound.com/revsup/schedules2/pageset.html.

Still has a few minor errors, for example, Sked 1683 now runs NYD-LAD, but shows NYD-DEN. Then again, it does run NYD-DEN, so not too big of a deal. Also, 1446 shows LAD-PUT, it actually runs LAD-SEA.

Those appear to be typos. 1446 being LAD-PUT is only on table 600, it's correct on the rest.

Also interesting... Greyhound is running a through route from Fresno to Mexicali, Mexico.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Pretty sure the Van Hool is better than the Setra. As bad as the Hoot Owls are, they have sold much better than the Setra's. Arrow-Black Hills Stages, the biggest Setra operator in North America, is switching to J4500's for charters and D4505's for lines. In fact, their new D4505's with flat-screen televisions and wide headrests have replaced all the Setra's on lines.

DATTCO, who operates a few Setra's for Megabus, mainly uses Van Hool now, but also bought some D4500CT's, as with C&J.

I can't quote on this PC, but I'm appalled that "MC CJ" would like Setra buses, they may look cool to you, but I cannot see any way they are good buses. Look at those pathetic fenders. Drivers love sitting high, but Setra drivers sit lower than DL3 drivers, yet the passenger deck is higher! Ugh, no wonder no one wants to drive a Setra. I know one of the things drivers love about the DL3 is the high driver's seat, great sight lines ahead and not getting "dipped" from the passenger deck. It's slightly tiered but not a real dip.

 

[railiner]

As a passenger, the first thing I notice, when entering a Setra, is the rather "flimsy looking" stepwell and stairs in the entrance, compared to the "finished and rugged looking" ones in the other coaches. Another is the anemic overhead parcel racks.....not good for much more than a thin briefcase....

 

[railiner]

New System Timetable now completed and released: http://extranet.greyhound.com/revsup/schedules2/pageset.html.

Still has a few minor errors, for example, Sked 1683 now runs NYD-LAD, but shows NYD-DEN. Then again, it does run NYD-DEN, so not too big of a deal. Also, 1446 shows LAD-PUT, it actually runs LAD-SEA.

I was perusing the Greyhound Canada timetable a few days ago, and was surprised to discover that GLC has published some timetables of truck schedules. I knew they had some trailer's behind buses on several routes, but did not know that they also ran trucks.....some apparently Company operated, and other's contracted out, carry "Courier Express"......I wonder if they use bus driver's to operate the trucks, or a separate roster of driver's dedicated to that service? Would like to see a photo of their trucks, or any other fleet info......

 

[Green Maned Lion]

That's interesting, because I was talking to an NJ based Academy driver the other day, and he drives both NJT MCIs and Setras, and he said that he vastly prefers the Setra for its superior ride, better maneuverability, and better separation from passengers.

 

[Caesar La Rock]

Haven't really asked any of these drivers for these tour operators how they feel about Setras. I can tell you there are several companies that do have Setras, mixed with other coaches. Also, comparing bus performances up North is a different ball game compared to down South. Certain buses work well in certain areas in the country. This is JetSet's yard. Taken by Marcelo Concha Jr.