5300-series Flxible Metro 'B'

CTA Service Information

Status	Retired
Quantity	470
Numbers	5300-5769
Delivery Year	1991
Retirement Year	2009

Specifications

Series	5300-series
Manufacturer	Flxible
Model	Metro 'B'
Length	40'
Width	102"
Propulsion	Diesel
Engine	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA 5300-5544, 5765-5769 Detroit Diesel 6L71N 5545-5744 Cummins L10 5745-5764
Transmission	Allison V731 5300-5744, 5765-5769 ZF 4HP500 5745-5754 Voith D863.3 5755-5764
Seat Model	AMSECO Model 6468
# of Seats	40
Destination Signs	Flip-Dot (Slow) 5300, 5303-5544 Flip-Dot (Fast) 5301-5302, 5545-5769
Interior Customer Information Displays
Air Conditioning	Yes
Wheelchair Accessible	Yes

Service History

Around the same time CTA purchased the 4400-series TMC RTS buses, an order was also placed for 470 “Metro” buses from Flxible Corporation.

Unlike the 4400s, the 5300s included air conditioning upon delivery. The CTA had previously decided in the 1980s to eliminate air conditioning in future bus purchases due to funding issues. However, in 1991 the decision was reversed and subsequent bus purchases were required to include AC.

Retirement of the 5300-series began in 2006 and was completed in January 2009.

Photo Gallery

Bus #5762 at State and Washington, working route #62 Archer, on November 17, 2003.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5546 at Michigan and Madison, working route #157 Streeterville/Taylor, on November 17, 2003.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5444 at Michigan and Washington, working route #20 Madison, on November 22, 2003.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5551 at State and Washington, working route #60 Blue Island/26th, on February 26, 2004.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5573 at Michigan and Washington, working route #60 Blue Island/26th, on February 28, 2004.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5554 at Michigan and Washington, working route #60 Blue Island/26th, on April 28, 2004. Note the missing bike rack.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

The interior of bus #5751, working route #53A South Pulaski, on May 20, 2004.

Photo by Ryan Balla

Bus #5688 at US Cellular Field, working route #35 31st/35th, on March 29, 2005.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5408 at Grand and Orleans, working route #65 Grand, on June 18, 2005.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5376 at Wacker and Wabash on April 13, 2006.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5718 at Wacker and State, working route #10 Museum of Science and Industry Express, on June 3, 2006.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5531 at Kedzie and Archer, working route #52 Kedzie/California, on June 8, 2006. Starting June 18, 2006 service on the #52 was extended to 63rd St. during all times of service. An updated bus stop sign, along with service alerts detailing both the #52 and #52A route changes can be seen.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5765 at North and Halsted, working route #72 North, on June 16, 2006.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5519 at Columbus and Grand, working route #29 State, on June 28, 2006.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5489 at Illinois and Columbus, working route #66 Chicago, on June 28, 2006.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz

Bus #5653 at Kedzie near the Kedzie-Homan Pink Line on August 27, 2006.

Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz