Greyhound seats and fleet questions

[rickycourtney]

So I take it you're planning a trip to the city of Angels soon?

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Well, I'll say I've been thinking about it. I want to catch Greyhound's Anniversary Tour. I can't exactly catch it anywhere but Los Angeles unless I want to hop over to San Francisco. I've been wanting to go to Los Angeles for a while, so I was thinking about it.

How's Los Angeles over December? A good idea to go, or a bad idea? Also, how's US 101 down from San Francisco at that time of year?

Here's a recent photo of an Americanos White D4505 interior: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24917258@N05/15857010001/sizes/l.

Those are the same seats as the White G4500 and look to be stained. Looks like they took out the curtains too. I noticed the bus appears to be mostly empty. Also, I believe the parcel rack lids might have some disadvantages because GLC is rumored to have taken the lids off in their rebuilt VIPs.

 

[rickycourtney]

Well, I'll say I've been thinking about it. I want to catch Greyhound's Anniversary Tour. I can't exactly catch it anywhere but Los Angeles unless I want to hop over to San Francisco. I've been wanting to go to Los Angeles for a while, so I was thinking about it.

How's Los Angeles over December? A good idea to go, or a bad idea? Also, how's US 101 down from San Francisco at that time of year?

I think you should go to see the Anniversary Tour! No clue if you'll learn anything in the museum, but it would be neat to see the old buses.

Los Angeles in December... I'll put it this way... there's a reason why people vacation in LA. It's usually in the mid-60's and there's usually not a lot of rain (about 5 days). In December the 101 is a crapshoot, it can be really overcast and hard to see, or clear as can be. But no matter the weather, it's a longer and more scenic trip than the 99 or the 5, if that's what you're looking for

I will point out that the Anniversary Tour stop in the Bay is at Six Flags in Vallejo and in LA it's at Six Flags in my hometown of Santa Clarita. Neither are particularly easy to reach by public transportation.

But if you enjoy taking public transit, the trip up to Santa Clarita from the Los Angeles Greyhound station does include a ride on the subway, a City of Santa Clarita D4000 or D4500 and a City of Santa Clarita transit bus.

Also, I believe the parcel rack lids might have some disadvantages because GLC is rumored to have taken the lids off in their rebuilt VIPs.

Well the enclosed bins do require a bit more maintenance. Each door has a small gas spring that pushes it open when you press the button. As you may have encountered with your car... those gas springs eventually wear out. It's only a $15 replacement... but it requires a little time in the shop and keeping those parts on hand.

Personally, I think it's worth it. Enclosed overhead bins are a cleaner look ascetically and I would think that it's safer in the event of a crash or a abrupt maneuver (like the driver attempting to avoid something on the highway).

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I just checked the dates again and it's impossible for me to go to the one in Vallejo so if I'm going to catch the Tour, I'll have to catch it in Santa Clarita. I'd be happy to visit Los Angeles, haven't been there in, oh, a dozen years?

Right now it's just a rumor that GLC took the lids off the parcel racks. All the "evidence" I could find was this: http://www.barraclou.com/bus/greyhound/greyhound1137.jpg.

That's #1137 at the Toronto terminal, it's a Western bus so it must have come all the way from Calgary. The racks appear to be open now, but it's parked at the terminal and perhaps they're just open until departure. Also, that vehicle has a wheelchair lift and that "open parcel racks" may just be the gap for the wheelchair position.

Here's what #1156 looked like pre-rebuild: http://www.barraclou.com/bus/greyhound/greyhound1156_back.jpg.

I'm seriously interested in those LED icons at the front, I think one of them is "Lavatory"? That would be a great feature actually, I've walked back to the lavatory sometimes only to find it locked and occupied.

And here's a better shot of that Americanos D4505 interior: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24917258@N05/15679285078.

You'll easily notice the plentiful amounts of legroom.

Edit: Oh, in terms of enclosed parcel racks, I believe the E/G/J don't have the air springs, they seem to have mechanical springs but they open inward which dilutes capacity: http://www.shopbuses.com/listings/2009-mci-j4500-ch534386.

 

[rickycourtney]

Any updates on eTicketing for Greyhound?

I thought it was supposed to be up and running by now...

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I don't know much but last time I rode Greyhound over Veteran's Day, I used Will Call and it was the same old Will Call. Greyhound does have a new mobile app now: https://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundBus/photos/pb.117755058267776.-2207520000.1416963713./779478752095400/?type=3&theater.

News Release: https://www.greyhound.com/en/newsroom/viewrelease.aspx?id=582&year=2014.

So, regarding Santa Clarita, do I just ride Red Line to North Hollywood then 757 to Santa Clarita then the local bus? I was also wondering if the Norwalk/Downey area is safe, The hotels there seem to have great value for money and it's also served by LACMTA Route 62, which goes directly to the Greyhound terminal and Downtown LA.

What equipment is usually on the 757? I'll be riding on Sunday so probably a 102D3 or D4000 instead of the D4500, right? I like the Shorty 102D3/D4000.

I was also looking at this picture: http://www.barraclou.com/bus/greyhound/greyhound1137.jpg, and saw that the VIP DL3 has two extra yellow lights in the nose. How come this isn't in the US ones? http://www.barraclou.com/bus/greyhound/greyhound6463_2.jpg

Thanks.

 

[railiner]

IIRC, those extra front flasher's have been on all original GLC coaches for a long time,,,,may be an option to meet some Canadian or provincial requirement......?

 

[rickycourtney]

I don't know much but last time I rode Greyhound over Veteran's Day, I used Will Call and it was the same old Will Call. Greyhound does have a new mobile app now: https://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundBus/photos/pb.117755058267776.-2207520000.1416963713./779478752095400/?type=3&theater.

News Release: https://www.greyhound.com/en/newsroom/viewrelease.aspx?id=582&year=2014.

I posted about that too. I like the app, but I find it strange that it launched without eTicketing. While you can still book on the mobile app and opt to print out the ticket before travel, Will Call is the top billed option. It's still a clunky system.

So, regarding Santa Clarita, do I just ride Red Line to North Hollywood then 757 to Santa Clarita then the local bus? I was also wondering if the Norwalk/Downey area is safe, The hotels there seem to have great value for money and it's also served by LACMTA Route 62, which goes directly to the Greyhound terminal and Downtown LA.

What equipment is usually on the 757? I'll be riding on Sunday so probably a 102D3 or D4000 instead of the D4500, right? I like the Shorty 102D3/D4000.

You'll take the Red Line up to North Hollywood, take the 757 to the McBean Regional Transit Center (the only stop on weekends) and catch a 3 or 7 to Magic Mountain. The big problem is that the 757 & 3/7 run infrequently, so you'll have to time that transfer correctly.

Personally, I wouldn't stay in the Norwalk/Downey area, especially in a cheap hotel. It's not close to anything and the area can be a bit shady. I would look for something that's along the Red Line corridor. Metro Plaza Hotel near Union Station comes recommended by a lot of AU members, but if that's too expensive I also know there's a Motel 6 in Hollywood near the subway. Staying at either location will allow you to do a lot more sightseeing.

The City of Santa Clarita Transit fleet is about half D4000 and half D4500. I'm not sure what the 757 is normally assigned... but it's the only route using the MCI's on weekends, so I'm sure it's crap shoot. You get whatever's not in the shop or whatever the driver wanted to take out. Also, transit buses are occasionally placed on the route.

I was also looking at this picture: http://www.barraclou.com/bus/greyhound/greyhound1137.jpg, and saw that the VIP DL3 has two extra yellow lights in the nose. How come this isn't in the US ones? http://www.barraclou.com/bus/greyhound/greyhound6463_2.jpg

From the pictures I've seen most of the "native" Greyhound Canada DL3 units have those extra lights, they seem to be an extra set of turn lights.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I looked at the hotels again. My options for areas are: Norwalk, Torrance, Long Beach, Burbank, Inglewood, and LAX Airport. Which one of those would you think is best? Probably not Inglewood, hehe, even though that hotel is rated 4.75/5.00.

Don't understand why Greyhound Canada needs extra turn signals and I don't see how it could be government regulation because the units transferred from the US seem fine without the extra lights. I do believe all the GLC-orginal DL3s have those lights. They have a lot of second-hand units from Hotard, Cha-Co, Grey Goose, Voyageur, Gray Line of Victoria, etc. GLC didn't have them on the 102A3, 96A3, or 102C3, but started in 1995 with the 102D3. Perhaps it's required for northern operations like Whitehorse?

Poked around Flickr and found the 757 to usually be a D4000 or 102D3.

Oh, BTW, I checked the G4500 specs and it has got a wheelbase akin to the X3-45. I was surprised but they sure ride a lot better than Van Hools. I looked at some pics and saw that its wheelbase really is that long: http://cptdb.ca/wiki/images/7/72/Greyhound_Canada_1230-a.jpg.

To my chagrin, neither GLI nor GLC has retired all their remaining White G's and that picture of #1230 shows it with the updated nose dog decal.

 

[rickycourtney]

I remember you complaining about your hotel in Merced... so I'm just trying to steer you towards a better choice.

Honestly I urge you to reconsider my suggestion to stay in the Union Station or Hollywood area, but if that's not doable, I would go for Burbank. It's one of the safest areas in the LA area, but it's not as easy to access by transit.
I don't know where the Long Beach hotel is and the area is a bit of a crapshoot... Downtown is nice and easily accessed by the Blue Line, but elsewhere Long Beach still has rough parts (it's the home of Snoop Dogg!)

The LAX Airport is generally safe, but you can expect near constant loud airplane noise if your hotel isn't insulated well enough. Plan on spending several hours going up to Santa Clarita. Also be careful, a lot of hotels in Inglewood (east of the 405) try to sell themselves as LAX Airport.
Which brings me to my final point... DON'T stay in Inglewood. Period. It's not safe.

Remember, you get what you pay for. When you consider the safety concerns and accessibility by transit, it might be worth it to you to spend a couple extra bucks to stay in a better area.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I'm afraid to say it is not possible for me to stay in Downtown LA or Hollywood. I looked everywhere and only found those aforementioned options. I guess I will stay in Burbank. Christmas hotels are very expensive in a warm place like Los Angeles. Burbank seems to have good enough transit and is close to North Hollywood.

That being said, I wouldn't mind a fallback plan, so out of those above options, what would be your second choice after Burbank? I'm using Hotwire.

On a different note, I went to Greyhound today expecting to see the Thanksgiving rush. To my surprise, it was simply another chill day at the terminal with 5 motorcoaches there, D4505 #86332 (to SFD 8311), #86357, 102DL3 #6353, 6572, and #6586. Then #86368 pulled in from SFD as 8306.

I was indeed surprised to see a trio of DL3s there, #6353 was in the Ready Lot (staying overnight before going to SLC?), #6572 has a DPF and is based from LAD, it has a "MOTOR COACH INDUSTRIES" plaque on the air intake, and #6586 had a bit of damage around the back, the grille had some cracks and the paint too. I think #6586 is tonight's bus to Denver, 1314, it was at Gate 2 which is now the "Denver/Salt Lake City" gate.

Edit: Oh yeah, the drivers saw my taking pics but didn't care.

 

[rickycourtney]

I'd check on Kayak.com too. They typically have low prices and they don't keep the hotel a secret.

If you need a backup I'd go with Long Beach and hope for the best.

Were you standing on a public sidewalk when taking those pictures?

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I took some pictures from the sidewalk but more when "roaming". That means I just kind of walk around the buses snapping pictures. Well, if the drive doesn't have a problem with that, and there were two drivers there to boot, I'm sure I would have no trouble in Los Angeles, except the Ready Lot in Los Angeles is huge and behind a gate so I'll have to prepare my angles carefully and shoot through the gaps in the fence.

I skimmed through Kayak after your post. I haven't seen much good deals yet but I'll have to see more.

 

[railiner]

I have found that the hotels in the LAX (The airport, not Amtrak), area to be among the lowest priced around any big city airport. Not very convenient to downtown, but if you're flying, a real bargain....

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

How many days would you guys recommend I stay in Los Angeles?

I'll have to stay in the Bay Area for an overnight layover if I want to ride the 101. Trying to juggle that with going on I-5 or US 99. Don't want to do either of those since I just rode US 99 on the way to Las Vegas and I-5 is not much different.

It was nice seeing some DL3s in Reno for a change. Haven't seen them for 4 months. It was always D4505s with a few Blue G4500s. I definitely like the plaque on the rear of #6572. MCI seems to have put them on at random. Very few DL3s have DPFs which means the same few are the only ones based from Los Angeles and allowed in California. I think they are #6309, #6334, #6381, #6487, #6572, #6660, and #6909, possibly #6394, #6606, and #6654 as well, I think those are DPF-equipped but not based from Los Angeles.

Any idea why Greyhound Reno doesn't have extra traffic for Thanksgiving?

 

[mightyjoe1201]

Any one know where I can find out info on greyhound's anniversary tour? I'd like to find out if it's gonna b out east here at all it if they are gonna snub us out here.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Right here Joe: https://www.greyhound.com/en/CentennialTour.aspx.

You missed it when it was in Philadelphia back in June. The only cities left are Phoenix, Las Vegas, Portland (OR), San Francisco, and Los Angeles. If I go to Los Angeles I'll be catching the last one. I don't get to catch the Scenicruiser and the older stuff but I do get to catch the Super Coach, ACF Brill, MC-7, and MC-9.

MCI recently did a feature article on Motor Transportation Co. of Hazelton: http://www.mcicoach.com/media-center/2014-11-21-motor-transportation.htm.

They only operate 40-footers and have been very successful. Now I'm wondering whether Greyhound should keep its 102D3s instead of selling them, since a lot of routes, including Reno-San Francisco, don't need a 45-footer; in the case of RNO-SFD, a 40-footer would be fine even for Thanksgiving.

Say, what prevents drivers from driving deliberately slow to get extra pay? I recently did a "honesty test" and found that many people would work deliberately slow to get extra pay or do less work for the same pay (namely intentionally hitting the duty time limit or running out of hours). I did poorly on the test and got a 37/100 but I don't think most people would have gotten a good score on that one.

 

[mightyjoe1201]

Thanks. Figures, that was before I found out they were doing one. Lol.

 

[mightyjoe1201]

Cool article about motor trans. Thanks for sharing the link. I'll have to show it to my boss on Monday. I thought the bus my boss sold to them was a dl3 but I was wrong, I only saw the bus from a distance not up close. Guess it was a d3. Lol.

 

[rickycourtney]

How many days would you guys recommend I stay in Los Angeles?

Depends. What do you want to do/see while you are in Los Angeles?

I definitely like the plaque on the rear of #6572. MCI seems to have put them on at random. Very few DL3s have DPFs which means the same few are the only ones based from Los Angeles and allowed in California. I think they are #6309, #6334, #6381, #6487, #6572, #6660, and #6909, possibly #6394, #6606, and #6654 as well, I think those are DPF-equipped but not based from Los Angeles.

When you say "plaque" do you mean that the grille looked like this? I think the addition of the MCI logo happened at around the same time as the 102DL3 was renamed the D4500. It's a possibility that 6572 was damaged and the grille you saw is a replacement.

No clue on which 102DL3's are DPF equipped... but where are you getting that "very few" are DPF equipped and that list of unit numbers? Adding a DPF is a relatively cheap modification, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot more than that have them.

Any idea why Greyhound Reno doesn't have extra traffic for Thanksgiving?

I checked in with Greyhound in Seattle and they said that it was a relatively quiet Thanksgiving for them too. Amtrak on the other hand sold out every Cascades train and had to add an extra run.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Yep, that's the right plaque. I'll attach a picture.

I got that list of unit numbers from all DL3s that have been spotted in California after the most recent CA Emissions updates. Very few DL3s have been spotted, but very many D4505s have been spotted, which suggests that most of Greyhound's DL3s don't have DPFs. Is a DPF even enough to meet the newest CA Emissions Standards? I know they said EPA 2010 by January 1st, 2013.

I do believe that all the G4500s now have DPFs since I saw many in the matter of minutes in Sacramento a few weeks ago. I also saw many D4505s, but I did not see a single 102DL3 or X3-45. The only Greyhound DL3s I've ever seen in California are #6334 and #6909. I almost never see DL3s in Reno either, so I really don't think most of them have DPFs, though if I were proven wrong, that would simply mean more rides on my favorite bus. :giggle:

What do you think is going on with Greyhound this Thanksgiving? Amtrak doesn't have a major presence in Reno. I would have loved to ride #6572; it's probably the best Greyhound out here. I was told a factory-installed lift always beats a retrofit.

I believe all the Americanos DL3s have DPFs, they've been seen in Los Angeles a lot. In fact, on Flickr I saw some really weird stuff: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24917258@N05/15275242154. That's inside #60649 ex-Americanos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24917258@N05/15894787165. It's got weird TVs, weird seating I've never seen before, and a retrofitted wheelchair lift: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24917258@N05/15709250058.

The reason those TVs are "weird" is because most DL3s have TVs offset to the sides (http://www.kevinsbusrail.com/greyhound/d/gry_1119int.jpg), this one has them hanging off the parcel racks.

I need to think about Los Angeles for a second.

 

[rickycourtney]

My fiancee booked us a trip up to Leavenworth for the annual Christmas celebration.

Beautiful trip up to the city. The bus was an older H3-45 owned and operated by Puget Sound Coach Lines. Rode great and despite showing signs of age the seats were very comfortable.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Nice! Was it a tour?

I looked on Puget Sound Coach Lines' website: http://pscoachlines.com/deluxecoach.htm.

Was it the H3-41 or the H3-45? Seems like they have late 1990s and early 2000s Prevosts, about the same age as Greyhound's DL3s. The seats are FAINSAs, same as the G4500s. How would those seats compare to the others you have ridden?

Speaking of the G4500, I recently found out that it has a very long wheelbase, 336"; the spec sheet: http://sales.mcicoach.com/preowned/pcoach.nsf/CoachSpecG4500?openform.

The X3-45 has 334.5". I did not expect the G4500 to have a longer wheelbase than the X3-45, though I remember National Bus Trader said the G4500 was 331". Maybe they changed the wheelbase sometime during production but still, even 331" is a hugely long wheelbase.

 

[rickycourtney]

It was with a tour company, but not really a tour. They took us on a trip up to the town and let us explore on our own. The town puts on a big festival every year and there is a lot to do.

Like I said it was a H3-45. The seats were showing their age (some had decorative panels missing, fabric was fading) but they were pretty comfortable. More comfortable than anything from American Seating, but not as comfortable as the A-2TEN.

 

[rickycourtney]

One thought I had... motorcoach builders could make bigger overhead bins by simply reducing headroom over passenger seats.

You been on a 737 with the Boeing Sky interior? When they are down the bottom of those bins are almost down to the top of my shoulder. I think motorcoach bins could easily come down another 3 to 6 inches.

The other benefit is that you bring the passenger service unit (reading lights, AC vent and speaker) closer to the passenger. Even I find them a bit of a reach on most buses.

That being said, I would only increase the size of luggage bins on intercity motorcoaches, you don't want to reduce the view on buses used for tours.