What's new (Monday January 17, 2000)
This was a wierd day.
Remember a while back when 9068 was retired I noted that Coral Way only had a few 9000 Flxibles?
Well that little issue was more than resolved over the weekend when CW took in almost all of Northeast's 9000 Flxibles. CW now proudly operates 9001 through 9043. CW also took in 8069, 8071, and 8074, and two refugees from Central, 7121 and 7122.
On the flipside, CW has idled 7004 and 7011.
The only 9900 buses CW hasn't received yet are 9984 and 9991, as well as anything that may be beyond 9993.
Well one of the ex- Northeast 9000 buses, 9031 had an interesting, nasty and foul introduction to Coral Way's routes. First it broke down while it was being taken to Coral Way from Northeast. Then , when it was on the Busway MAX, it arrived at Dadeland South during a near riot that was in progreess there.
A gang war erupted there at about 6 PM this evening between rival gangs. Specifically, they were all-female gangs. Yes, they do exist and there are plenty of 'em here in Miami. I also had to go there today, and I've written my story down here.
I took a look at 6020 tonight. It looks nice in it's new paint job. The part that's below the rubber trim is painted black, a nice touch. And there's a big wheelchair sticker on the lift doors. I was supposed to have this bus today but it wasn't in the yard so I got 6032 instead.
What's New (Thursday January 13, 1999)
A lot has happened in the past week.
I added some pages on some routes, including the X.
I also put in some post- retirement pictures of 7022 and 7068. I recently found an older edition of the MDTA's " Transit Rider's Handbook" which included a shot of 7068's front. I hope to scan it in and post it along with another picture of the bus' front side after it's retirement for an interesting before-and-after effect.
8020's 12 year career as a Metrobus has ended. It sat at CW for 1 day, then disappeared.
6022 has vanished. The last time I saw it was the Monday after I drove it on the E route, when it stalled on the 874 while running on the Killian KAT.
6020 has been redone in the new MDTA livery.
And the Power girl's reach is multiplying. She now graces the following buses: 7019,7032, 7035, 7042, 7094, 8008, 9067, 9070, 9311, 9319, 9335 and 9342.
What's New (Thursday January 6, 2000)
On Wednesday 1917 became the second Blue Bird to have a run-in with another vehicle. This one was much harder than the accident 1905 had on December 23rd. The bike rack on 1917 is mangled.
That rack costs $255.00 too!! That's $255 per rack, with over 100 big buses and all 19 Blue Birds carrying it.... wow! That's a lot of cash.
Coral Way must've thought they were getting a tad ahead of themselves by retiring 9068, a 9000 Flxible, so they backtracked and retired 7055 next. That bus just recently returned after a year's stay at Northeast. So once again, 7054 is the highest numbered active 7000 there.
Adding routes 28, 29 and V.
What's New (Wednesday January 5, 2000)
Overnight I added pages on routes A, B, and G.
It has been a scandalous morning here in Miami. If you've heard of the case of Elian Gonzalez, the 6 year old Cuban boy who was rescued off a capsized raft on Thanksgiving Day, then you know it's an emotional case here. This morning the INS decided to deport him back to Cuba. Well.....they say they're bringing him back to his father in Cardenas, Cuba, but it's really just a deportation. There was a huge protest outside the INS building on Biscayne Blvd. and NE 79 St., and another rally outside the boy's relative's home in Little Havana. They may form a human chain around the house to prevent the boy from being deported. The next few days will be interesting.
I'm adding a page on Route L.