WHAT'S NEW (Monday July 3, 2000)
The Metrobus that was on fire was 9805. It was returning to Coral Way after finishing the 35/70 (It ended in Saga Bay as a 70) when a fire began in the engine. The bus had just cleared the northbound toll plaza, and the driver pulled over. The MDFR quickly responded and extinguished the blaze, which caused minimal outside damage. The story, however, is only beginning, as 9805 then embarked on a big Elian-like journey. While the fire was being extinguished, the tow truck company was called. Now I can personally tell you that waiting on the tow truck is a long experience that can last from 1 to as many as 7 hours. The Florida Highway Patrol showed up and the troopers started hysterically insisting that the bus was blocking traffic , even though 9805 was A) off the road and B) it was like 4:30 PM, during the evening rush-hour, and everybody was heading southbound anyway. The FHP called it's own tow truck, and at 7 PM the bus was towed away. It was towed not to Coral Way, but to a yard in HOMESTEAD!! Which is some 20 miles in the OPPOSITE direction, to the south. Now the MDTA's tow truck arrived at 8PM. It sat at the 874 toll plaza for a bit, then it was dispatched to Homestead. It arrived at the lot, where it was discovered that the towing company had impounded 9805. To take it away, they demanded $6,000. That's SIX THOUSAND dollars, to release the bus. They demanded that a Metrobus supervisor bring the money , in cash, to the lot. Otherwise, no bus. High drama prevailed that miserably hot night until Miami-Dade Police came and gave them the money, which didn't come from the MDTA, but from the county's funds. Finally 9805 was released, and was towed back to Coral Way. The bus will be in rehab for a few months along with 9803, which I suspect also had an engine fire recently, and 1904, which is still being repaired after the 'killer palm trees' incident.
I learned of some devastating news Sunday evening. One of my instructors, Clarence Patterson has been diagnosed with leukemia, and is ill. We must all pray for his recovery, as he will be out for 2 months. He has been an instructor for a few years, and previously was a Metrobus operator. Get well soon, Mr. Patterson!
Around the lot, NE has retired 7021, which until a few months ago had spent all of it's 13 years at CW. Several NE retirees have been towed off to Lehman. 9339 is still in the shop, awaiting it's new paint job. 6011 got a new coat of paint but no stripes!! 6005 and 6029 are being serviced at Potamkin South in Cutler Ridge, where your webmaster purchased a car yesterday.
WHAT'S NEW (FRIDAY JUNE 30, 2000)
A Metrobus is on fire right now on State Road 874 at the toll plaza. I have no idea what it is numbered at this point, I'll post an update in this section when I get more information. (4:38 PM)
WHAT'S NEW (Thursday June 22, 2000)
This past week has been a fairly dark and stressful one around here, thus the darker background here. One much loved co-worker passed away and another was severely burned. Last Wednesday June 14th Juan Soriano, the lead dispatcher, passed away after a long illness. He was at MDTA for some 30 years and was much loved. I personally never had the privelege of meeting him, but I've heard nothing but good things about him. My condolences go out to him family and friends.
Over the weekend another tragedy occurred that hit way too close to home. One of my fellow mini-bus operators, Lucy McGlocklin, was horribly burned on Saturday night. Over 40 percent of her body was affected. She is currently in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, where she is in Intensive care. Thankfully she is doing better, but she faces months of recovery, and she will need skin grafts. We are all praying for her speedy recovery.
The third thing that's going on is that the bus lot at Coral Way is being torn up. Brand new drainage pipes are going in. So the buses are being moved around. It began a few weeks back at the east end, by the mini-buses, which are double-parked. The work has slowly crept it's way west toward the shops. The STS vans are now residing with the retired buses behind the shops along SW 74 Ave., while the Blue Birds are parked in a row between the revenue island and the wash racks. Where the vans were there are a bunch of 9700's. It's just chaos.
6024 is the latest 'ambulance' to be done in the new livery. And suprisingly, 9339's old Metrozoo wrap is being removed. It might be done in the new livery next week. The 'Secrets of the Tobacco Executive' baby wraps, which adorn CW buses 7007, 7009, 7010 and 7034 are being replaced. 7009 and 7010 now are wrapped for the up-coming 'Zo's summer groove 4, which is a charity event hosted by the Heat's Alonzo Mourning each summer. NE has retired it's first bus in the new livery. 1904, the killer palm tree bus, is being worked on. The Lehman Center has some more retired buses, including 8005, which was bashed at Central 3 years ago. It looks lilke a balloon in the front.
Working on more pictures. I'm also planning to revamp the front page.