The Baltimore City Paper finally gave some long overdue kudos to the local transit system when it's Best of Baltimore Issue featured a category "Best Leap Forward in Local Mass Transit."The Winner?!? The Hampden Shuttlebug, the circuitous route that pioneered a new concept long thought obsolete in Baltimore, the concept of short feeder and circulator lines.
Power behind this Shuttlebug comes in the form of the newest addition to the Baltimore Transit Bus Fleet, the Thomas SLF-230, the first low floor buses to operate in Baltimore. These coaches, with their catchy external graphics, have changed how many in the region view Public Transit, from an often unwanted eyesore, to a desirable convenience, much of this due to the appearance and versatility of the Thomas' themselves.
Year: Numbers: Model: Notes: 2000 3001-3004 SLF-230 Specifically lettered for the Hampden Shuttlebug 2001 3005-3009 SLF-230 For use on the Mondawmin Metro Shuttlebug, though not specifically lettered for such. 2001 3010-3016 SLF-230 Probably destined for the Digital Harbor Shuttlebug, though still at Carroll Park in all white. The first set of 4 coaches arrived in November of 2000, and were quickly wrapped and rushed into service by the MTA, eager to embark on this new experiment. Despite little in the way of advertised publicity, the line's operation became known partly through word of mouth, and partly through visibility of the flashy coaches as they plied the Hampden Streets. Interestingly, the line was merited by most accounts as a success, and for the first time in many years, there was an outcry from numerous communities who all wanted their own Shuttlebug line (as opposed to the all too often sight of NIMBY's protesting the implementation of new service).
The first coaches, #3001-3004, continue to serve the Hampden Line (officially the #98), and were joined in December of 1992 by an additional 5 coaches, #3005-3009, for service on the new Mondawmin Metro Shuttlebug. This figure-eight shaped line radiates from the Transit hub to serve numerous destinations and communities, including Walbrook and Ashburton. Coaches on the new line are attired in a different scheme from those on the Hampden Line, but all are basically the same coach. Also on the property are 7 more Thomas SLF's rumored to be destined for a forthcoming Neighborhood Shuttle line to be called "Digital Harbor," probably an operation along the Waterfront, connecting Canton, Fells Point, Little Italy, the Inner Harbor, and Locust Point.
THOMAS LOW FLOOR PHOTO GALLERY One of the only transit vehicles in history that would proudly proclaim itself as a bug, coach #3001 saunters past 36th Street and Hickory Avenue in Hampden while working Afternoon service on the #98 line in October of 2001. Adam Paul photo. Among the most major stops of the service, 36th Street and Roland Avenue is the scene where #3001 boards riders on the #98 line. Adam Paul photo. Coach #3002 makes its way West on 36th Street at Elm Avenue in the Summer of 2001. Coaches run a 17 minute headway to make connections with light rail service. Adam Paul photo. Despite some teething problems, specifically with operators "curbing" the coaches resulting in underfloor damage, the coaches have performed rather nicely. Most impressive is just how fast each order has been readied for service, apparently lacking the depth of problems that plagued the 2000 full size Bus Order.
While the Thomas buses would never make it on the #8 or #13 lines, they are remarkably proficient at moving respectable numbers of people through the communities of Baltimore and its environs, and may see expanded service levels in the years to come.
THOMAS LOW FLOOR FAST FACTS:
- When first delivered, the Thomas buses did not carry any graphics, the wraps were applied while on MTA property.
- The first set of coaches also carried no front fleet numbers, even after being applied with the wraps. It was not until several months later that the coaches finally received small numbers on the right side of the front dasher.
- One thing that the Thomas buses DID have in the early days was removed. Interestingly, the coaches carried AM/FM Radios. However, differences in musical tastes between and among riders and the Operators likely led to complaints leading to their removal.
