Quito ETBs, August 2001
Presently two lines are in operation: C1
(for "Circuito 1") and C2 are operating under overhead.
C1 runs from La Ye, or the Wye, (North Station, near the airport)
to El Recreo (South Station).
C2 continues in as southerly direction from La Y to Morán
Valverde.
Fare is US$0.20 (the US dollar is legal tender in Ecuador) and
seniors, handicapped and children pay half fare "upon presentation
of proper credentials", as the sign on the change booth says
(apparently, gray hair or a pair of crutches are not proof enough
of age or infirmity).
Fare collection is automatic, and the machine gives change for
$0.25 coins. The machine automatically unlocks the turnstile and
gives no ticket. It also has a slot to take a fare card, but I
saw nobody use one.
No food or drinks, no animals, no smoking, no radio without earphones.
OK. But. There is a TV operating at the bus stations, the radio
plays on some bus's sound system and snacks and sodas can be bought
inside some bus stops.
The automatic doors on the shelters are not operating at most
stops.
Looking over the driver's shoulder, I saw no instruments for the
electric drive (no voltmeter or ammeter). There are three pushbuttons
for the diesel engine's transmission (D, N and R). While under
electric power, the transmission is in neutral.
On the right side of the main control panel is a small box with
an LCD display, numbered buttons and some buttons identified with
arrows. It seems to be the remote control for the overhead switches.
There is a diagram on the box, resembling a tree, with two horizontal
roots merging into a vertical trunk with one branch to the left
and then dividing into two symmetrical branches. I later realized
that this looks like the overhead at the entrance to the South
Station, where lines from the north and from the south join (the
"roots" on the diagram), the slip switch and a second
switch, allowing access to two platforms and a destination unknown.
However, all the buses I saw entering the station drop their poles
and enter and exit under diesel power (malfunctioning overhead
switches?). On the buses, a small gray box is mounted behind the
right windshield with a cable leading into it. Could it be a radio
or infra-red transmitter to activate the overhead switches?
Poles are lowered by air cylinders controlled from the driver's
seat. The retaining hooks are also powered and lean to the side
to allow the poles to seat and then move back. Once the hooks
are in place, the air cylinders release the poles into the hooks.
The process is reversed to raise the poles. No retrievers are
used. The driver carries a pole (which must be assembled from
three sections) with a hook to use in case of a dewirement.
On leaving the South Station, the buses stop in a box painted
on the pavement, the driver raises the poles (there are tent shaped
rewiring devices about 1 or 2 meters long over the wires at this
point) and turns off the diesel.
Too bad that there are no electric instruments. I would have loved
to know how much current the bus draws when climbing some of the
really steep streets. (I could probably research this and do some
calculations)
Cruising speed is 45 km/h and about 35 on the steepest hills.
20 is posted max when passing under overpasses where overhead
clearance is very low.
There seem to be two series of buses. The older ones have scroll
markers (reading "Municipalidad del Distrito Metropolitano
de Quito") and the new ones have dot matrix markers ("Troles
de Quito", "Trole Tour" or "Audio Bus").
Also, the older ones have a cage on the roof housing part of the
electrical system (resistors?), the newer buses have a closed
box about twice as large.
From the numbers on the buses, I guess they are now up to 120
units.
The main shops are behind the South Station, crossing the old
Guayaquil & Quito RR tracks. Access is by diesel only, no
wires. Inside, there are an automatic washer, tire repair shop,
inspection pits, covered work bays and a 100 meter section of
overhead, presumably to test the buses.
Watching the articulation bellows work from inside, as well as
from outside the bus is impressive. Pavement is quite wavy in
many places, causing the bus to pitch notably and some of the
minimum radius corners down town must be seen to be believed.
Most of the time the buses run on their own lane of the avenues.
In the old center of the city, they just run on narrow streets
closed to other vehicular traffic: constant use of the horn warns
the unwary pedestrians and bicyclists of imminent danger. With
the Andean's calm, they observe the approaching bus, decide that
prudence is the better part of valor, and slowly and reluctantly
give way.
Overhead is mostly supported by concrete posts and cross arms
(often one arm supports wires for both direction) or by span wires
from wall to wall downtown (sidewalks are so narrow that a post
would occupy a substantial part of their width). At the South
Station, fabricated steel masts carry long span wires, which support
the lines. The masts resemble those used by the German RR for
their catenary.
After the various colors used on the first buses (yellow, green,
red or blue combined with white) blue and white now seems to be
the color of choice.
Line C3 or "Eco Vía" is now in operation. I was
told that this line will operate with diesel buses with doors
on the left, using high platform island bus stops (something like
Bogotá's "Transmilenio" diesel bus service).
Until the new buses are delivered, service is with ETBs running
on the left, with poles retracted and with diesel power. A real
hazard for pedestrians crossing the street, despite warning signs.
I wonder how many Quiteños have been sent off to the other
world, courtesy of the "Eco Vía".