Tyler's Whoop-Dee-Doo Transportation Update

[Invero]

Originally posted by no2apprentice
Do you think they'll ever put any audio or video in the busses, or is that a long way off (if at all)?

We've had a few test buses...

2780 had a few video monitors, not sure how they worked out.

4814 had an audio system, but it played safety speils instead of music... rather annoying too. Anytime the left or right blinker would come in... "CAUTION! Bus is turning left!"

There have been rumors about installing a "Talking Bus" system with automated stop annoucements, as well as other stuff.

 

[pan11435]

[/QUOTE] By the way, there are also other legal reasons why we're not allowed to put characters on our buses, and whatnot... (ie: wraps) It's a big huge mess of useless red tape. Oh well.

Could you please explain this in greater detail.

 

[Invero]

Originally posted by pan11435
Could you please explain this in greater detail.

Actually, I can't. I really can't remember all the legal-babble that was used to explain it to me over a year ago. Sorry

 

[Main Street USA]

Tyler, this update is hardly useless. It's exactly the type of stuff that us Disney nuts want and need!

It's the stuff most of us can't get with a visit to the parks ourselves, whereas usual updates are. Bravo, and thanks for filling us in with truly insider info!

Please keep us up to date in the future!

 

[antoinebusby]

By the way, Tyler, I was on your bus one night while I was at Disney. I can't remember where we were coming from, but you were taking us back to the CBR. When I first heard you say your name, I was like...could it be the Tyler from the boards. Then you started telling your jokes...at that point I knew it was you. I only wish I could have talked to you for a bit, but it was a PACKED bus, and by the time I exited through the rear door, you were preparing to take off, and I didn't want to hold you up. Maybe we can chat the next time I get to come to Disney.

Oh yeah, you think you can let me drive for a little while. LOL!

 

[abu21]

I totally agree with Main Street USA. This is definately the kind of info that many people can't get their hands on. Thanks alot.

 

[kennyj29]

Thanks for the info

Tyler the reason for the expensive breakdown, is it because of the way the people are packed into it coming back from the parks, etc.? Maybe too much weight over a long period of time? Just a thought~!

 

[Invero]

Originally posted by antoinebusby
By the way, Tyler, I was on your bus one night while I was at Disney. I can't remember where we were coming from, but you were taking us back to the CBR. When I first heard you say your name, I was like...could it be the Tyler from the boards. Then you started telling your jokes...at that point I knew it was you. I only wish I could have talked to you for a bit, but it was a PACKED bus, and by the time I exited through the rear door, you were preparing to take off, and I didn't want to hold you up. Maybe we can chat the next time I get to come to Disney.

Never worry about holding my bus up... I'll always make time to say HI to a fellow WDWMagic person! Hope you enjoyed the ride. Look for me next time!

 

[Invero]

Re: Thanks for the info

Originally posted by kennyj29
Tyler the reason for the expensive breakdown, is it because of the way the people are packed into it coming back from the parks, etc.? Maybe too much weight over a long period of time? Just a thought~!

Nah... they're just poorly designed cheap pieces of crap, made by a company who skimps on quality parts, and has no quality control. Buses leave thier factory with HUGE clear as day defects. A good example, 4818's top exhaust pipe, which is only supposed to extend from the bus a few inches, was about 18" too tall. They forgot to size it properly. Oops. Another one, 4885, came without the proper restraints for a wheelchair. Ooops.

An example of thier cheapness... they happened to purchase the RTS design in late 1994. (About the same time the last of our RTS's were being made by Transportation Manufacturing Corporation, the old owner.) They kept the builders plate from TMC, because it was "too expensive" to redo it with NovaBUS. It wasn't until 1997 that NovaBUS updated the builders plate from TMC to NovaBUS. And they only did that because customers were complaining. Also, the "RTS" plaque on the front dash remained "TMC" throughout the production until NovaBUS closed down the Roswell plant in 2002.

It should be noted that NovaBUS has redesigned the rear axle assembly for the 2002 model year. Of course, judging by the fact that one of our '02 models (4872) got a replacement axle at 8,000 miles, not so sure if it was a good redesign or not. 4864 blew it's first turbo charger unit at 6,500 miles. 4819, one of the first ones we got, went through 3 turbo chargers in one year.

 

[Stitch79]

This may be a dumb question but why doesn't Disney go with a new bus company? Seems as if there have been so many problems that they would be shopping around for someone new.

 

[Invero]

Originally posted by Stitch79
This may be a dumb question but why doesn't Disney go with a new bus company? Seems as if there have been so many problems that they would be shopping around for someone new.

Before we got the LFS, we demoed a bunch of buses from different manufacturers, including the new RTS Express (no longer produced). We ended up going with the LFS because it was the lowest bidder by far. I wish Disney would realize Lowest Bidder usually means crap.

At any rate, when we got the LFS, we signed a contract for 71 buses divided into 3 shipments. That contract has expired. Last year, we had a demo Invero on property for about a month. And I'm hearing that we will have a few other demos on property by the end of the year. So, Disney is looking at other alternatives. However, nothing can happen overnight. The trial period and selection process can take a year or longer. Once the order is placed, it can take 1-2 years before the actual units get delivered.

 

[pmmimac]

Tyler,

In my opinion as a guest, bus and boat exhaust fumes are the worst aspect of Disney transportation.

Is there any chance that some of the buses that you will be testing this year will be powered by natural gas or any other alternative fuel?

Thanks for your info.

 

[Stitch79]

Thanks for answering my question! I guess I didn't realize how long these things took.

 

[Invero]

Originally posted by pmmimac
In my opinion as a guest, bus and boat exhaust fumes are the worst aspect of Disney transportation.

Is there any chance that some of the buses that you will be testing this year will be powered by natural gas or any other alternative fuel?

There's actually a lot going on that most people don't know. For example, today's Diesel engines are by FAR cleaner than those engines from just a few years ago. And those of tomorrow will be virtually pollution-free. As it stands right now, the newest Diesel engines are actually CLEANER than most Compressed Natural Gas engines. They're also cheaper to buy, run & maintain, they're more reliable, durable, and don't require the extra infrastructure than a CNG conversion would necessitate.

Alternative Fuels are misleading. They're in thier infancy, and still have kinks. They're not as reliable as Diesel, they're expensive, and require all new maintenance and fueling facility, complete with training.

Diesel has the reputation for being smokey and dirty... and yes, that's how they were 10 years ago. But today's Diesel is so vastly different.


As for Disney... we did experiment with different forms of alternative fuels, and decided that the newer Diesel engines were our best choice.

Most of our buses use the Detroit Diesel 6v92 engine. This older engine is a turbo-assist 6cyl 2-stroke engine, and without proper maintenance, it does tend to smoke.

Starting in 1994, our last order of new RTS's was equipped with the low-emission Detroit Diesel Series 50 engine. This engine is a turbo charged 4cyl 4-stroke engine, and has about 75% less emissions than the 6v92. We are in the process of repowering some of our 6v92 engines with the cleaner Series 50 engine.

Our Nova LFS buses use the ultra low emission Detroit Diesel Series 40 engine. (Turbo 6cyl, 4-stroke) These buses have even less emissions than that of the Series 50.

As it stands right now, approximatly 40% of our fleet is low-emissions. As we repower our buses, and/or replace the older buses with newer ones, that number will increase. Also, better maintenance would help get rid of the smoking at takeoff.



Here's a really great article:
Mass Transit Magazine - Diesel Report

 

[s25843]

Originally posted by pmmimac
Tyler,

In my opinion as a guest, bus and boat exhaust fumes are the worst aspect of Disney transportation.

Is there any chance that some of the buses that you will be testing this year will be powered by natural gas or any other alternative fuel?

Thanks for your info.

for the Boat problem Disney could use an Underwater Exhaust system which will shoot the exhaust in the water instead out the back of the boat. This is the new trend in Designs...

 

[GaryT977]

Hi Tyler! :wave:

Excellent update! I LOVE learning behind the scenes stuff like this.

Just a quick question: You mentioned earlier that bus routes to/from the All Star resorts are being tinkered with. I'm staying at 'Sports' in December, and the last time I stayed at 'Movies', it literally was an hour long bus ride to/from PI. I don't want to drive to PI, because I know I'll be drinking. Have the route adjustments had any affect on travel time to/from PI?

 

[Invero]

From like 5pm-midnight (give or take, they may adjust the times), there will be two routes:

#7 - Sports & Music
#8 - Movies

It's only 15 minutes from the All-Stars to the Downtown Disney area. Without traffic, I can do a round trip stopping at all 3 All-Stars in about a half hour. Add the typical traffic, and it might add 15 minutes to the round trip for all 3. So basically, a trip from Sports to Music to Movies to Marketplace to Pleasure Island should be no longer than 20 minutes... 25 minutes with extreme traffic and hitting every light.

 

[GaryT977]

Excellent! I had stopped staying at the All-Stars because it took so long to get anywhere. Sounds like it's been fixed.

 

[wdwmagic]

Tyler, you really know your stuff. Great job and thanks for the updates!

 

[kennyj29]

Tyler I have to ask

I've really enjoyed this topic also, do you do a regular bus route or do you change. We are going down at the end of November into December and would be happy to see you as our bus driver. Your very informative and I really enjoyed this.