1994 Neoplan AN340 operated by SLR Transportation-soon to be converted.


007 by ea0719, on Flickr


LAWA 694 & 702 - both are 2008 NABI 35LFW with a Cummins ISL-G engine and ZF 6HP-594 transmission


013 by ea0719, on Flickr


028 by ea0719, on Flickr


We see 3 different motorcoaches, all operated by CoachAmerica


007 by ea0719, on Flickr


I thought this would be a good shot on my break. I parked my bus so as to include the terminals in the background.


006 by ea0719, on Flickr

Quoting glid4500 (Thread starter): 1994 Neoplan AN340 operated by SLR Transportation-soon to be converted.

What is soon to be converted?

Been waiting for this... great photos as always; thank you  

I like the photo with the three buses -- largest to...not-as-large (that is a C2045 in the middle, right?).

I'm going to class now out on Long Island, and I'm taking the week off from work. I'll try to get some photos when I get the chance. Golden Touch has this real interesting bus I've never seen before, will try and snap one the next time I see one of them.

-J.

Quoting glid4500 (Thread starter): 1994 Neoplan AN340 operated by SLR Transportation-soon to be converted.

This look like one of the 8V-92 powered AN340s, that AVTA used to operate.

Thank You for the photos glid4500, I really enjoy them.   

Quoting WarRI1 (Reply 1): What is soon to be converted?

The Neoplan will be converted into a party bus...its just a matter of time

Quoting KingFriday013 (Reply 2): I like the photo with the three buses -- largest to...not-as-large (that is a C2045 in the middle, right?). I'm going to class now out on Long Island, and I'm taking the week off from work. I'll try to get some photos when I get the chance. Golden Touch has this real interesting bus I've never seen before, will try and snap one the next time I see one of them.

Thank you for your comments, The C2045 is the one in the middle. Some people from 3M wrapped these buses in July. See if you can get some Long Island bus shots. I hear its suppose to be run by Veolia Transportation in December or January. I love those CNG Orions. I may be out there in December.

Quoting 747400sp (Reply 3): This look like one of the 8V-92 powered AN340s, that AVTA used to operate. Thank You for the photos glid4500, I really enjoy them.

The Neoplan has a Detroit Series 60 ( non-EGR ) engine and Allison B500 transmission with retarder.
Thank you for your comments

Glid, you have some amazing collections of buses down LA way....

Here... same old, same old.

I'd include yet another shot of a Nova or a New Flyer. Sadly, they're just Novas and New Flyers.

Bus Roadeo on Sunday though. I'll try to mix in a self-pic with a bus..... and a few of the old buses from the transit museum.

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 5): Glid, you have some amazing collections of buses down LA way.... Here... same old, same old. I'd include yet another shot of a Nova or a New Flyer. Sadly, they're just Novas and New Flyers. Bus Roadeo on Sunday though. I'll try to mix in a self-pic with a bus..... and a few of the old buses from the transit museum.

thk u much cbz. i love going to bus roadeos. when i was at OCTA, I tried out for the roadeos when i had the chance. do get photos. Novas, Flyers, Orions, theyre all good.

Quoting glid4500 (Thread starter): 1994 Neoplan AN340 operated by SLR Transportation-soon to be converted.

RTD got some of these when they first started the skyride back when DIA opened. They were replaced after a few years by the 1998 102DL3s that RTD still operates. RTD operates 71 102DL3s, 85 AN345s, plus 6 bluebirds and 6 new MCI coaches (See pic below)


RTD Fleet Number 1994 at DIA. RTD has 6 of these coaches. This was my ride to the airport three weeks ago when I started my vacation.


Coach America VanHool fleet number 69121. What's with these european coaches that they bounce on rough roads? the MCIs i've been on don't do that! This was my ride from LAX to the Long Beach pier at the start of my Baja Cruise


Classic MC-96 tour bus at Ensenada, Mexico. Seen from the Carnival Paradise


A beautifully restored classic. What it is, i have no idea. Ensenada, Mexico. Seen from the Carnival Paradise


Cadillac. MCI D4505 at Greybull, Wy. This is this nicest bus i've ever been on.
It had individual seatbelts, a blaupunkt entertainment system, a drawer mounted wheelchair lift, and the engine cuts off automatically if the bus is idling for more than a few minutes. This was my ride from Billings, Mt to Denver at the end of my vacation. Shotgun seat the whole way, nice scenery, great drivers. I would definitely ride Arrow again.

Quoting NorthstarBoy (Reply 7): Coach America VanHool fleet number 69121. What's with these european coaches that they bounce on rough roads? the MCIs i've been on don't do that! This was my ride from LAX to the Long Beach pier at the start of my Baja Cruise

lol, I prefer the bounce over the stiffness. If you ride back of the bus, it feels more stiff. Some of them have soft suspensions. Last time I drove 69121 was about 4 weeks ago from Long Beach to Victorville climbs hills like a champ and has loud jake brakes lol.

All ways nice to see photos from Glid   I often think of the interesting runs he gets to do and different buses he gets to drive while I ply the same highway in the same bus day in and day out  

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 5): Here... same old, same old. I'd include yet another shot of a Nova or a New Flyer. Sadly, they're just Novas and New Flyers.

Same here ... just a couple of Novas and Dennis Darts     

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 5): Bus Roadeo on Sunday though

Oh Lord ... I think the last Bus Rodeo we had would have been in the 80s ... of course, I was a wee lad back then ... even though I got to back up an Orion into the cone parking stall  

Quoting NorthstarBoy (Reply 7): Classic MC-96 tour bus at Ensenada, Mexico. Seen from the Carnival Paradise

Yes, thats coach is classic, but I think it a 102C3. They have a D series front and an A series or MC-9 like rear.

Quoting glid4500 (Reply 4): I hear its suppose to be run by Veolia Transportation in December or January. I love those CNG Orions. I may be out there in December.

I heard something like that too. I think they have operations way out in Suffolk County (maybe even as far as the Hamptons?), but they might be taking over all of Long Island Bus; I'll figure it out. Golden Touch is owned by Veolia I think. There are lots of Orions around here!

But yes, I think the stops around my campus serve 3 or 4 lines. I've only seen Orion buses, from the Orion Vs with the quadra-fold doors to very new VII NextGens. I believe they're all CNG. I'll get some photos on a nicer day. We get lots of different Orions in Queens around where I live too.

Quoting NorthstarBoy (Reply 7): A beautifully restored classic. What it is, i have no idea. Ensenada, Mexico. Seen from the Carnival Paradise

I think that's an MC-6... you really don't see those every day.

-J.

Quoting KingFriday013 (Reply 11): I think that's an MC-6... you really don't see those every day.

No, that a Dina 35 footer, I do not know the name, but I know it is a old school Dina. The MC-6, was the only 12 foot tall bus that MCI built from scratch. The MC-6, was MCI's first 102, ( wide body coach) and was design to replace Greyhounds GMC PD 4501 Scenicruisers fleet. There was only 100 MC-6 built, due to the their width, ( take in mind this was the 60's and 70's) so the MC-7 ( a stretch version of the 35 ft long, 96inch wide MC-5) was greyhound 40ft bus until 1973, when the MC-8 and in 1978 the MC-9 came. MCI did not start building 102 inch, coaches again, until the mid 80's with the 102 A series.
It's funny, with 12 ft tall motor coaches being popular today, it crazy that MCI's only 12 ft tall bus model, is over 40 years old.

PS: A MC-6 has a three level roof, where a MC-7 and MC-8 has a two level roof and a MC-9 has a one level roof. MC-6s also was power by Detroit Diesel's 12V71, where MC-7s, MC-8s and MC-9s had 8v71s. Some MC-6s, that was sent to California, was re-engined with 8v71s. I believe, the MC-6 was the only 40 ft coach before the 102D3, to actually hit the 40 ft mark. The rest was about a few inches off.

2005 NewFlyer GE40LF for Gardena Municipal Bus Lines ( Gardena, Ca ).
Gardena's 2005 GE40LFs were part of a joint-piggyback Long Beach Transit order split between OCTA, Norwalk Transit, Montebello Bus Lines, and Fresno Area Express ( Fresno, Ca )


2005 NewFlyer GE40LF #709 by ea0719, on Flickr


a baby NABI operated by LACMTA


LACMTA NABI # 3149 by ea0719, on Flickr


2010 NewFlyer C40LFR for Culver City Bus Lines

001 by ea0719, on Flickr

It was rather warm here near LAX yesterday, these pigeons doing all they can to quench their thirst

001 by ea0719, on Flickr


...my bus was no exception for the pigeons

005 by ea0719, on Flickr

This was the bus I drove on my very last day of being a city bus driver.

-Mark

Quoting EmiratesA345 (Reply 14): This was the bus I drove on my very last day of being a city bus driver.

Hey Mark thanks for sharing your photos of the NovaLFS. I like that interior layout. The drivers compartment is interesting. Ive never driven a LFS before, needless to say, theres none out here. How is it compared to a NewFlyer ?

Quoting glid4500 (Reply 15): Hey Mark thanks for sharing your photos of the NovaLFS. I like that interior layout. The drivers compartment is interesting. Ive never driven a LFS before, needless to say, theres none out here. How is it compared to a NewFlyer ?

I thought I saw a calling for Novas so I had to share.

The Novabus LFS is the Cadillac of city buses. The turning radius is absolutely amazing. You can make turns in that bus that you'd never even attempt in a New Flyer D40LF.

In the driver's area, everything is well layed out and very comfortable for operators of all shapes and sizes. I also found that the vehicle has been refined year after year and I've been driving them since 2005. The latest models that I drove were 2011 and they were some of the nicest driving buses I've had the pleasure of driving.

All that being said, I'm a big fan of the D40LF but the Novabus LFS is definitely my favourite.

-Mark

Quoting EmiratesA345 (Reply 14): This was the bus I drove on my very last day of being a city bus driver.

I'm sure your pax will be sorry to see you go. What can there possibly be after the life of a transit operator?

Recaro seats with arm rests? Wow. I am -r e a l l y- jealous!

Turn signals on the steering wheel stock? I thought all transit buses had turn signals under our left feet!

And does GRT use Cubic information systems on board ? (I see a small screen behind the farebox similar to what we use in Vancouver.)

I'm with Glid- great shots!

Ok-
Here's a shot from April.... another Nova.

The route is bit of history now. The #50 doesn't go to Willow and Broadway anymore, much to the consternation of the regulars on the #50.

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 18): Ok- Here's a shot from April.... another Nova.

Theres something about those LFSs up in Canada.. a lot of them look great in the various paint schemes.

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 17): Recaro seats with arm rests?

Frosting on the cake !!!!!

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 17): I'm sure your pax will be sorry to see you go. What can there possibly be after the life of a transit operator? Recaro seats with arm rests? Wow. I am -r e a l l y- jealous! Turn signals on the steering wheel stock? I thought all transit buses had turn signals under our left feet! And does GRT use Cubic information systems on board ? (I see a small screen behind the farebox similar to what we use in Vancouver.) I'm with Glid- great shots!

I was actually thinking of doing a bus driver "trip report" about my last day including why I resigned. Perhaps I might do that tomorrow.

The turn signal lever only controls the high-beams. This and all other GRT vehicles do in fact have the turn pedals under the left foot.

The system GRT uses is called INIT. This system calls out and displays all the stops on the route and if I remember correctly, it also has passenger counting capabilities.


As for whats after life as a transit operator:


2011 Motor Coach Industries J4500


This is my new office.


Very comfortable AMAYA seats equipped with a 3-point restraint and foot rests, 15 inch monitors, Blaupunkt entertainment system and if I remember correctly, this one was equipped with 110v outlets throughout the entire cabin.


Enjoy!

-Mark

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 17): I'm sure your pax will be sorry to see you go. What can there possibly be after the life of a transit operator?

Quoting EmiratesA345 (Reply 20): As for whats after life as a transit operator: 2011 Motor Coach Industries J4500 This is my new office. Very comfortable AMAYA seats equipped with a 3-point restraint and foot rests, 15 inch monitors, Blaupunkt entertainment system and if I remember correctly, this one was equipped with 110v outlets throughout the entire cabin. Enjoy! -Mark

I would rather, drive a MCI J4500, Prevost H3-45, Van Hool T2145 or C2045 any day over a transit bus. I think a motor coach is THE bus to drive.


PS: Now, a 102"/40' slope back GMC RTS with a 8v71 or a 40' 10 wheel Crown Supercoach school bus, with a 300+ hp Cummins 855, both in mint condition, could change my mind.  

Quoting EmiratesA345 (Reply 14):

Ooooh a Nova LFS! We've just started to get those here in NYC. I saw one up close last night for the first time on the way to the shop (dropping off the car... Dad had to rescue me and he drove while I followed in our Jeep). An LFS pulled up next to me at the red light. They look reeeeaaally nice. Especially with that window in the back 

-J.

Quoting EmiratesA345 (Reply 20): The system GRT uses is called INIT.

Yeah- that's what we have too.

Quoting 747400sp (Reply 21): I would rather, drive a MCI J4500, Prevost H3-45, Van Hool T2145 or C2045 any day over a transit bus. I think a motor coach is THE bus to drive.

I agree from a driving standpoint. I've actually gone the other way.... 13 years driving highway coaches (including Prevost H3-41s, MCI 102DL3s- even picked one up from the factory in Winnipeg, Renaissance E-Models and a J-Model.

But the work in Vancouver is sporadic- busy in the summer... DEAD in the winter. Seasonal layoffs contribute to manic-depression... not good. Plus, I find that management at transit is much more professional. For me personally, I got really tired of working for a company that made a profit despite the efforts of the management.

Quoting EmiratesA345 (Reply 20): As for whats after life as a transit operator:

Nice. Congratulations!

Quoting glid4500 (Reply 4): See if you can get some Long Island bus shots.

Here you go buddy:



Orion V CNG with the quadra-fold doors. I've only seen these doors on the LIB Orion Vs; all the other bus lines (back when they were private -- i.e., Triboro Coach, Queens Surface, Green Lines, etc.) have regular double doors.



I'm not sure how long they've been running these for, but this one seems to be a little beat up. Also notice the green route indicator signs; they've been replacing them with strips with orange LEDs (although some of the early Orion VIs have the green as well).



This bus is in worse shape than I thought. But check out that Orion plaque! You only see those on LIB Orion Vs too (although I saw one with a different Orion logo today too... couldn't get a shot in time though). This is on the N16 line (N for Nassau county).



Orion VII CNG Next Generation. They don't sound as good as the Vs, but these buses sure are nice. The only thing I don't like is that right behind the rear set of doors is a set of seats that are sort of on the half-step, so they're lower and they feel smaller. On Wednesday when we dropped our car off at the shop in the morning, took one of these on the Q60 route home, but that one had frameless windows. I think LIB is the only company to have them with framed windows on some buses; I've only seen frameless windows with MTA Bus and NYCT.



Old and new: Orion VII Next Gen CNG and Orion V CNG. If you look closely you'll see the logo I was talking about before on the Orion V.

Sorry the quality isn't so great... these are from my phone (I meant to bring my camera to school today, but we're watching my friend's dog for the weekend and when I went to give her a treat before I left I forgot to grab my camera bag). However on campus today I saw a 102DL3 and a new-ish H3-45... I wonder what they were doing on this side of the street. Usually stuff like that goes to the Coliseum (sporting events and stuff).

-J.

So Glid- a couple of little presents for you....
I thought to myself, "Hmmm... Glid likes Novas. OK, I'll take a cab shot and an outside shot of the bus I'm driving today." So I did, and here they are.

Bus 9542. A Nova LFS hybrid... the smoothest driving transit bus I have encountered to date. On this sheet (schedule) I do an interlined 50 and 15. I start at West Cloverleaf (South end of the Granville St Bridge) and go past Granville Island under the bridge. At Cambie Street, the run turns into a 15 and I head south to Marine Drive Station. I took the shots there before heading back up Cambie Street, turning back into a 50. From there I go past Granville Island, over the Granville Street Bridge, through downtown, and have a layover at the edge of Chinatown. Then I head back through downtown, over the Granville Street Bridge and get off at West Cloverleaf. Exactly 2 hours.

In the shade for 5 minutes at Marine Drive Station....


By the way... "Amber Alert" is a notice to the public of a child abduction. A little boy was abducted from his home in Sparwood, waaaay closer to Calgary than to Vancouver but this notice is posted province-wide for people to tune in for updates or information so they know what car to look for.

The destination sign scrolls, "AMBER ALERT" then "LISTEN TO RADIO" then the destination. In this case, the destination would read, "OUT OF SERVICE".

The driver's compartment...


And then....

At the end of my afternoon piece, I learned that we had a bus fire. So I have ANOTHER Nova to show you! Only this one ain't so pretty.

Bus 9506. Another LFS Hybrid. It's probably a write off. No injuries, thankfully.


And here's an interior shot....


Here's a newsarticle about the fire from The Vancouver Province.

And the omnipresent YouTube video..... terrible video but it gives you an idea of the blaze. Apparently, the fire was much bigger....

Anyways Glid... TWO Novas for your enjoyment... kinda.
[Edit- a child abduction, not a chile abduction]

[Edited 2011-09-09 22:14:57]

Quoting EmiratesA345 (Reply 16): The Novabus LFS is the Cadillac of city buses. The turning radius is absolutely amazing. You can make turns in that bus that you'd never even attempt in a New Flyer D40LF.

As much as I love driving the Nova and I'll agree that the turning radius is fantastic for a 40fter ... but the Dennis Dart (although it is 10ft shorter) can out turn most American cars  

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 17): Recaro seats with arm rests? Wow. I am -r e a l l y- jealous!

We have a few Recaro's on the Dart's with armrests but the Nova's don't have the armrests ... which would be nice being they get driven on the highway for most of the day. How are the seat adjusments on your Nova's? We have the dials that adjust the angle of the seat and another one for the seat back while the height, position and lumbar supports are air operated. The Dart's on the other hand have a power switch for the seat back which makes it alot easier to use if you need to make small adjustments while driving.

Quoting EmiratesA345 (Reply 20): I was actually thinking of doing a bus driver "trip report" about my last day including why I resigned. Perhaps I might do that tomorrow.

I think that woud be a great idea ... would be very interested in what happend  

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 25): By the way... "Amber Alert" is a notice to the public of a child abduction

Are all the Translink buses running Amber Alerts? Don't think that anyone else in the Province with maybe the exception of Victoria has that capability.

How often and how are your destination signs computers updated? Ours, for example can only be updated by having the computer hook-up device sent to us from BC Transit in Victoria and they pre-determine what we can and cannot display ... for example, we have no "Go Canucks Go" or anything like that ... just the basics such as the routes for our City and the usual "NIS", "Garage", "Happy Holidays", etc. The most frustrating thing about having to get Victoria's "blessing" in regards to the destination sign is that we have inherited a 35ft Dart from Kamloops to be used as a spare and on the Armstrong/Enderby run ... we got the bus back in May and still haven't gotten the computer from BC Transit so the destination sign just reads "Special" and we had to print off our own destination signs on the computer and tape them to the windows.

I have some questions on some observations I made ...

Quoting EmiratesA345 (Reply 14):

I noticed that you have two power mirror switches ... we have only one, just to adjust the drivers side (regular and convex) ... is the other switch for the passenger side?

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 25):

Do your Nova's not kneel? I just see the ramp deployment switch ... on ours its quite a process ... first you have to switch up the activate toggle which you first have to open the red cover safeguard that covers it ... then you can lower the bus with another toggle switch (after the parking brake has been set) ... then you can deploy the ramp with yet another toggle switch and then do the reverse to retract the ramp, unkneel the bus and go ... but you have to make sure the red safeguard cover on the first toggle is down again otherwise the bus won't move.

Also, I noticed you have extra buttons by the gear selector ... ours are only equiped with the standard "D, N, R" as in Emirates' photo. What are the other switches for? Engine brake or hybrid specific?

Mercedes O365, only way to go! I used to take this one and its eventual replacement, the O371, all over São Paulo in the late 80's/early 90's.

Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 26): I think that woud be a great idea ... would be very interested in what happend

I second that!

Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 26): Are all the Translink buses running Amber Alerts?

Yes, most annoying. Great idea in theory and for a day, that's good. But four days running.... Some of our destination signs are now a mish-mash of text.... take the following...

AMBER ALERT
.
.
LISTEN TO RADIO
.
.
84 VCC - CLARK STN
.
.
EXPRESS


- or -


AMBER ALERT
.
.
LISTEN TO RADIO
.
.
100 FALSE CREEK S
.
.
VIA GRANVILLE ISL

It takes 12 second to cycle through those signs!
The pax are getting really annoyed because we're not giving them twice the time they legitimately need to read the signs.

Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 26): How often and how are your destination signs computers updated?

As needed. Each depot (and we have 6) have their own specific signage. They're updated when they need to be.

Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 26): Ours, for example can only be updated by having the computer hook-up device sent to us from BC Transit in Victoria

That, my friend, is a serious bummer.

Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 26): we have inherited a 35ft Dart from Kamloops to be used as a spare and on the Armstrong/Enderby run ... we got the bus back in May and still haven't gotten the computer from BC Transit so the destination sign just reads "Special"

Oh, how they are on the ball...  
May I ask whether you actually work for Far West?

Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 27): Also, I noticed you have extra buttons by the gear selector ... ours are only equiped with the standard "D, N, R" as in Emirates' photo. What are the other switches for? Engine brake or hybrid specific?

It is an Allison Hybrid Drive selector- also seen with their regular transmissions. The Up and Down arrows are supposed to vary braking and hence regeneration- and the mode button is supposed to do something as well but they have been deprogrammed.

Our straight diesel version of the Nova also have the ZF transmission with the simpleton D-N-R buttons.

We also have right-hand mirror adjust on our Novas. Actually, all of our new buses have right hand adjust. We may not have air conditioning but we do have electric right side mirror adjust!

Yes, we have a safety protected kneeler switch. It's just better located. I'll know for sure tomorrow but I think both the kneeler and ramp deploy switches on our most recent New Flyer diesel buses are both on the right side.

On the trolleys, the kneeler and the ramp switch are on the left panel. This switch way off on the right side is very awkward.

Here's the workflow for kneeling and then deploying the ramp on a Nova-

• Left Hand: Open Door, Apply Maxi
  
• Right Hand: Hold up hand to stop people from charging in through the door
  
• Left Hand: Put bus in Neutral
  
• Right Hand: Deploy Ramp
  

Watch wheelchair (or walker) putter on or off the bus

• Right Hand: Retract Ramp (God help you if you try to raise the bus AND retract the ramp- the interlock won't release and you have re-kneel the bus)
  
• Left Hand: Reach across and hold up hand to stop people from boarding while ramp is starting to lift off sidewalk. (THIS IS SILLY STUPIDLY AWKWARD!!!)
  
• Right Hand: Wave to people to board
  
• Left Hand: Engage Transmission (Press "D" with service brake applied)
  
• Right Hand: Issue Transfers
  
• Left Hand: Release Maxi
  
• Left Hand: Raise Bus, Close Door
  

All the while, looking slightly over my shoulder at the passengers (because of the driver's seat position while I'm leaning forward working my magic on all these wildly positioned switches) who may still try to board while the ramp is deploying or retracting. I feel so gangly when deploying the ramp on the Nova.

The work flow is so much better on the trolleys with the ramp switch there on the left. I can do everything without looking at or for the switches. Each switch is placed so the correct hand is able to do each task in sequence without having to cross arms or look where to move my hand to next. (Although the transmission is on the right side.) On the trolleys, I just don't feel so awkward because things can be done in one fluid motion.

Quoting RGElectra80 (Reply 28): Mercedes O365, only way to go! I used to take this one and its eventual replacement, the O371, all over São Paulo in the late 80's/early 90's.

Yeah- good old fashioned B-U-S.

(Edit- Forgot to include electric mirror adjust comment)

[Edited 2011-09-10 21:37:24]

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 29): The pax are getting really annoyed because we're not giving them twice the time they legitimately need to read the signs.

Your pax actually look at the destination signs? Most of ours just get on a bus assuming its theirs and then freak out at you because you're going in the opposite direction  

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 29): May I ask whether you actually work for Far West?

You may ask ... Far West is actually owned by FirstCanada since 2007 so technically, I work for First  

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 29): It is an Allison Hybrid Drive selector- also seen with their regular transmissions. The Up and Down arrows are supposed to vary braking and hence regeneration- and the mode button is supposed to do something as well but they have been deprogrammed. Our straight diesel version of the Nova also have the ZF transmission with the simpleton D-N-R buttons.

I figured it had something to do with it being a Hybrid ... just wanted to confirm my assumptions ... thanks  

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 29): We also have right-hand mirror adjust on our Novas. Actually, all of our new buses have right hand adjust. We may not have air conditioning but we do have electric right side mirror adjust!

As much as I'd love to have the right side power mirror ... I'd rather have the A/C   I'm actually surprised how well our A/C units on the Nova's work ... even in 35 degree weather I find I'll have to tone down the front fan a bit because it actually gets a bit too chilly at times.

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 29): Yes, we have a safety protected kneeler switch. It's just better located. I'll know for sure tomorrow but I think both the kneeler and ramp deploy switches on our most recent New Flyer diesel buses are both on the right side.

Our three Novas (all 2008 models) have all three switches on the right side right by the speedometer ... where the ramp switch is located on your photo.

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 29): On the trolleys, the kneeler and the ramp switch are on the left panel. This switch way off on the right side is very awkward.

On your photo, you indicated that its the one right under the door lever ... on ours thats where the door interlock switch is but it doesn't have a red safeguard cover over it.

I also love the three spoke steering wheel ... one of my peeves on our Nova's is that the way I sit, the 2 spoke wheels like in Emirate's photo, the right spoke blocks part of my view of the speedometer. Also, I find the cup holder useless for a travel mug, keeps tipping over because the holding clamps are too low ... I just pop the cover off the heating vent beside the cup holder, stick my travel mug in there and the bonus is that it keeps it nice and warm when I've got the heater on during the winter 

I was walking back home today after doing some shopping, and spotted this brand new beauty.



New Mercedes Benz Citaro bendy-bus

The Citaro is one of my favourite buses out here, and the new ones look really nice! and the TMB livery is also nice as well.

Some other buses around BCN.



And the Aerobus direct service Airport-City

All photos copyright of their author

MIAspotter

Quoting MIAspotter (Reply 31): The Citaro is one of my favourite buses out here, and the new ones look really nice! and the TMB livery is also nice as well.

Yes, that looks like total sweetness!

It's really interesting to note with ACDC8's comment about how he works.... eventually.... for FirstCanada that much of our mass transport industry in Canada is becoming European.

For instance:
Greyhound Canada is owned by the FirstGroup.

Much of BC's transit (outside of the Vancouver and Victoria areas) is operated by the Canadian subsidiary of FirstGroup from the UK.

Nova is owned by Prevost which, in turn, is owned by Volvo.

Orion is owned by Mercedes.

Groupe Gaudreault and Oléans Express is owned by Keolis.

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 32): It's really interesting to note with ACDC8's comment about how he works.... eventually.... for FirstCanada that much of our mass transport industry in Canada is becoming European.

What do you mean eventually? I've been driving since 06  

Interesting observations though ...

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 32): For instance: Greyhound Canada is owned by the FirstGroup. Much of BC's transit (outside of the Vancouver and Victoria areas) is operated by the Canadian subsidiary of FirstGroup from the UK. Nova is owned by Prevost which, in turn, is owned by Volvo. Orion is owned by Mercedes. Groupe Gaudreault and Oléans Express is owned by Keolis.

You can also add that BC Transit still operates a fleet of Dennis Darts and Alexander Dennis Enviro500s, which are both British built, to that list.

Interesting to note that the whole low floor idea is very European as well. I remember my dad (who's driven transit in Germany and Canada for longer than I've been alive) pointed that out when we were visiting family in Germany back in 1985 ... I'm sure that larger transit agencies in Canada have had low floors longer than we have in Vernon, but our first low floors didn't arrive until 1999.

Another thing I've noticed is that many highway coaches such as Greyhound, have the convex mirror on top of the regular driver's side mirror as opposed to on the bottom like most transit buses. I would find that getting some used to.

Also, I enjoyed the Barcelona shots, never really paid attention to the buses last time I was there.

[Edited 2011-09-11 12:15:16]

The bus roadeo was today. As promised, here are a couple of shots from the event.

The transit museum didn't bring as many buses as I thought there would be. There was only an 1964 Jimmy....


Driver's Compartment... (Oh, how some things never seem to change!)


Looking to the back...
You'd be amazed at how many old timers wish the days of a "comfortable bus" like this... never mind you'd be completely deaf when you stepped down (no ramp, no kneeling) off the bus...


... thanks to what was under the hood at the back.

One Screamin' Jimmy....


Meanwhile, the Roadeo was at the Surrey Transit Centre, one of the suburban depots. It's amazing how much space you need to do a roadeo... all the buses not being used today (it's Sunday and service is a bit thin) were packed into a side lot. Here's a shot of a few of them....


And this is what I competed in. A New Flyer Low Floor Cummins Diesel. FYI- To confirm, the kneel and ramp switches are both on the right above the transmission selector.


Here's another shot of a New Flyer Low Floor....


And finally, here is Yours Truly.... later in the day after he competed.


Oh... "And how did he do?" you might ask?

Not too badly, would be the reply. First for Vancouver Transit Centre (for the third year in a row) and Fifth over all (for the second year in a row). Considering this is my third roadeo, that's not too shabby! *Grin*

And la Piece de résistance....

I'll close this posting with this last image... it's from the Show and Shine. Lots of beautiful cars, old and newer.... British and American....

Imagine your Dad driving you to Little League baseball in this beautiful land yacht....

A Chrysler Imperial. It was way above anything Lincoln or Cadillac were producing at the time.

Get a load of the Buck Roger's dashboard. That is one sick dashboard!!! lol


[Edit- I forgot la Piece de résistance! lol]

[Edited 2011-09-11 21:54:54]

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 32): It's really interesting to note with ACDC8's comment about how he works.... eventually.... for FirstCanada that much of our mass transport industry in Canada is becoming European. For instance: Greyhound Canada is owned by the FirstGroup.

Coach Canada is also owned by a British company - Stagecoach, based in Perth, Scotland.

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 34): The bus roadeo was today. As promised, here are a couple of shots from the event.

Thank you for uploading the roadeo pics. Im sure u had a fun competing against fellow co-workers. Definitely love the GM and that engine...real power.

Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 30): Your pax actually look at the destination signs? Most of ours just get on a bus assuming its theirs and then freak out at you because you're going in the opposite direction

lol i second that.Most of the buses in California have talking announciators which says the route and destination...and ... well....lets just say the talking announciators answers the customers question

Quoting KingFriday013 (Reply 24):

Thank you for the Long Island bus photos, I look forward to riding the older Orion Vs. I will be making an appearance out there for 7 days sometime in the first or 2nd week of december. I will be booking my ticket later tonight or sometime tomorrow via Delta.

The NYCT NovaLFSs look nice, But I love their NovaRTSs. I know a friend/bus enthusiasts that drives both RTSs and LFSs in Brooklyn...cant wait to ride both. So is it safe to say that LIB is completely 100% CNG ?

Quoting MIAspotter (Reply 31): The Citaro is one of my favourite buses out here, and the new ones look really nice! and the TMB livery is also nice as well.

the Citaro is a nice looking low floor bus. Whats the powertrain in those ? When it comes to any bus, Im a sucker for ZF transmissions. Definitely love the ZF Ecomats, totally hate the ZF ASTronic in motorcoaches

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 34): There was only an 1964 Jimmy....

Every year the NYC Transit Museum has some outside thing with all these old buses... I've seen ones like that before. Inside the museum they have cabs from a Nova RTS and an older bus sort of like the one in your photos. I haven't been there in years, I should try and head there on a weekend or something.

Quoting glid4500 (Reply 37): Thank you for the Long Island bus photos, I look forward to riding the older Orion Vs. I will be making an appearance out there for 7 days sometime in the first or 2nd week of december. I will be booking my ticket later tonight or sometime tomorrow via Delta.

Let me know when you're in town! MetroCard's on me  One of the lines near me, the Q64, does a not-too-long route from Forest Hills to Electchester and back, and I'd say is 98% Orion Vs. Back when I was younger it used to be the Q65A. Here are some photos I took today and yesterday...


Q64 at a red light. On the other side of the light is the last stop, Ridgewood Savings Bank (a landmarked building) on 108th & Queens Blvd. It makes an INCREDIBLY tight turn onto Queens Blvd. and picks up pax at the end of the block. Sometimes they drop people off there too... it's awesome to be on the bus on that tight turn.


A sleeping Orion V. Also on the Q64 route, but not just yet.


Another very tight turn as it turns off Queens Blvd. onto Jewel Avenue. They take this one pretty fast, too.

Quoting glid4500 (Reply 37): So is it safe to say that LIB is completely 100% CNG ?

Not sure. I may have been mistaken about the Orion VIIs; here in queens on MTA Bus they're all hybrids. But the LIB Orion VIIs sound sorta different and don't say Hybrid on them, so I'm really not sure. According to Wikipedia, LIB only has CNG so maybe that's the case after all.

I remember when Triboro Coach operated the QM12 with these Orion Vs (not the same ones exactly perhaps, but basically the same kind of bus). They had plush seats; with Queens Surface only some had plush seats and others didn't. It was always a real treat to go on those buses; if any of them were placed on the Q23 I'd wait in line to get on the bus instead of walking home. Now that MTA Bus does everything, the QM12 is D4500s, and I have yet to go on one of those (operated by MTA Bus). Also, all the seats on the Orion Vs (all of them) are now the regular hard blue seats.

-J.

EDIT: Additional info/anecdote  

[Edited 2011-09-12 20:58:01]

Quoting KingFriday013 (Reply 38): Let me know when you're in town! MetroCard's on me One of the lines near me, the Q64, does a not-too-long route from Forest Hills to Electchester and back, and I'd say is 98% Orion Vs. Back when I was younger it used to be the Q65A. Here are some photos I took today and yesterday...

I love those MTA CNG Orion Vs... Especially the 9900s and most of the 7200s. I call those "Ringers" because of the sound they make from the exhaust. Its funny how Orion went through different decals, nameplates. The Original diamond plaque will always be the fan favorite. I have a few of the original NABI plates as well.

Quoting KingFriday013 (Reply 38): Every year the NYC Transit Museum has some outside thing with all these old buses... I've seen ones like that before. Inside the museum they have cabs from a Nova RTS and an older bus sort of like the one in your photos. I haven't been there in years, I should try and head there on a weekend or something.

I believed what youre referring to is Bus Festival. From the info I gather, Its suppose to take place October 2

[Edited 2011-09-13 09:10:58]

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 34): There was only an 1964 Jimmy.... Driver's Compartment... (Oh, how some things never seem to change!) Looking to the back... You'd be amazed at how many old timers wish the days of a "comfortable bus" like this... never mind you'd be completely deaf when you stepped down (no ramp, no kneeling) off the bus... ... thanks to what was under the hood at the back.

Ah, good old GMC New Looks. When I was a kid, almost every agency in the LA area had one. SCRTD had them with the big ac ducts on the top of back of the bus and some older one with out the duct. I believe the one with the duct had the exhaust shoot out of the top, and was powered with 8v71, while the non ac ones had 6v71 and the exhaust coming out the bottom of the bus, also the ac buses GMC on the front of the bus, while the non ac had only GM . Torrence Transit had non ac GM New Looks, the rest of the LA area, GM New Looks operators, like Gardenia, Santa Monica,(BIG BLUE BUS) and Culver City, had the big ac duct on their GMC New Looks.

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 34): One Screamin' Jimmy....

Is that a beautiful 8v71,    or a 6v71   

Quoting glid4500 (Reply 39): I love those MTA CNG Orion Vs... Especially the 9900s and most of the 7200s. I call those "Ringers" because of the sound they make from the exhaust.

Those are the best. And that's the vast majority of what we get around here!


Here's a "ringer" for you!  Q64 loading outside Ridgewood Savings.

I didn't take this picture, I got it from Wikipedia; but this is an original non-CNG Orion V built circa 1995:


I'm showing this because we get several of these a day on my nearest line, the Q23. These are the oldest buses in the entire fleet. I saw # 133 last night while walking home from the car.

Quoting glid4500 (Reply 39): I believed what youre referring to is Bus Festival. From the info I gather, Its suppose to take place October 2

Yup I just got the Transit Museum calendar in the mail today and it's on October 2nd, 10am-5pm. It's the same day as the the Atlantic Antic (the largest street fair in Brooklyn) which is right nearby, so there's always a lot of people. I'm definitely going to try and go to that.

I should mention back in August, in a taxi from LGA to Times Square we were driving on the BQE (this was August 23rd, a little after 8am I guess), and I saw a bunch of these real old buses (like the ones they have at the bus festival) going northbound. No idea what was going on that day but it was awesome to see them driving by.

-J.

Quoting 747400sp (Reply 40): Is that a beautiful 8v71,    or a 6v71

I is sorry.... I didn't look. I thought I'd be able to see on the photo but I couldn't.

However.... I did a little sleuthing at the TRAMS website and found the bus here. It's a 6V71. Given the space between the engine and the cooling fan, that would make sense.

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 34): Meanwhile, the Roadeo was at the Surrey Transit Centre

Are the rodeo's just for Translink now or do you have drivers from BC Transit competing as well? Back in the day when Translink was still BC Transit, they'd hold a final competition for top driver's in various region's in Vancouver. I can't even remember when we had a Bus Rodeo up here, would have been in the early 90s sometime. Would be fun though.

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 34): Not too badly, would be the reply. First for Vancouver Transit Centre (for the third year in a row) and Fifth over all (for the second year in a row). Considering this is my third roadeo, that's not too shabby! *Grin*

Congrats  

Quoting glid4500 (Reply 36): lol i second that.Most of the buses in California have talking announciators which says the route and destination...and ... well....lets just say the talking announciators answers the customers question

We have those too ... they're called driver's ....   

Seriously though, so the announciators annouce the route information on the outside of the bus or do you mean just en-route information inside the bus like "Next stop so and so"?

Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 43): Are the rodeo's just for Translink now or do you have drivers from BC Transit competing as well?

It's for Translink ops only, alas... We don't need the extra competition   Is there any way for you to.... say... organize one for youze guys in the Okanagan?

Quoting ACDC8 (Reply 43): Seriously though, so the announciators annouce the route information on the outside of the bus or do you mean just en-route information inside the bus like "Next stop so and so"?

If theirs is anything like ours, on the outside when you open the door it says the route. Inside, it calls out all the stops- as well as connections at SkyTrains.

So at every stop right now, I get....

FIFF-TEEN........... DAHNTOWN.... VIA.... GRANVILLE... ISLAND

or if you're on the 100....


ONE HUNDRED....... TWENTY...SECOND... AVENUE... STATION....., ... VIA TRAPP

Inside, you get....


KLANG!!!! RABSON STREET

or a classic on the 351...


KLANG!!!! KING... GEORGE... HIGHWAY.......... SOUTH.... SURREY... PARK AND RIDE


Oh, if only there was a way to embed sound clips! lol

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 44): It's for Translink ops only, alas... We don't need the extra competition

How about BC Transit spectators?   Would love to come down and just watch you guys for a day ... my Dad would love it too, I think it was 1986 the last time he did one down in Vancouver.

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 44): Is there any way for you to.... say... organize one for youze guys in the Okanagan?

There are a few of us in Vernon that have talked about starting one up again. I'm pretty sure First would be behind it 100%, not sure about BC Transit though (allowing us to use the buses). It would be nice to get Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, Salmon Arm and even Kamloops involved. I think the hardest hurdle would be the fact that most of the drivers in Vernon only drive the 30' Dart and in Salmon Arm, just the Ford Polar compared to 40' Nova's and New Flyer's in Kelowna, Kamloops and Penticton. Still, just to get everyone out of a work environment for a day and just have fun is important IMHO.

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 44): If theirs is anything like ours, on the outside when you open the door it says the route. Inside, it calls out all the stops- as well as connections at SkyTrains.

There is talk about us installing a PA system in our buses for stops, but I have a feeling that we're going to have to be the ones calling them out. Should be fun, especially when half of your stops in town are only 100 meters apart  

Quoting KingFriday013 (Reply 41): I'm showing this because we get several of these a day on my nearest line, the Q23. These are the oldest buses in the entire fleet. I saw # 133 last night while walking home from the car.

Thank u for showing off the Orions. Those 100s are unique. They were originally owned by Westchester County Bee-Line and were numbered as the 400 series.

Quoting 747400sp (Reply 40): Torrence Transit had non ac GM New Looks, the rest of the LA area, GM New Looks operators, like Gardenia, Santa Monica,(BIG BLUE BUS) and Culver City, had the big ac duct on their GMC New Looks

Speaking of Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, they still have the last GMC Fishbowl built. Bus # 5180..and its pretty much part of their historic fleet

Quoting czbbflier (Reply 44): If theirs is anything like ours, on the outside when you open the door it says the route. Inside, it calls out all the stops- as well as connections at SkyTrains.

Here in Los Angeles, almost all the transit companies use this system in different voices. The most intresting one Ive heard so far has to be the announcements for Gardena Municipal Bus Lines ... which announces everything in great detail both english and spanish.

2001 NewFlyer C40LF - LA Metro # 5355 at Artesia Transit Center. Most of the NewFlyers have been repowered to Cummins ISL-G engines.


070 by ea0719, on Flickr


NABI 45ft CompoBus - LA Metro # 8378


2009 NABI 45C.03 LFW by ea0719, on Flickr


One of the SilverLine NABIs broke down yesterday, so this was the bus replacement


052 by ea0719, on Flickr


2010 NewFlyer GE40LFR operated by Torrance Transit

2009 NewFlyer GE40LF - Torrance Transit # 302 by ea0719, on Flickr


2009 NewFlyer GE40LF operated by Gardena Municipal Bus Lines

2009 NFI GE40LF Gardena Bus Lines # 734 by ea0719, on Flickr


Sadly the dying breed in the L.A. Fleet...surely the best looking buses in the fleet.

023 by ea0719, on Flickr


2009 NewFlyer GE40LF

2009 NewFlyer GE40LF - Montebello Bus Lines 2920 by ea0719, on Flickr


Sardine Can

020 by ea0719, on Flickr

Quoting glid4500 (Reply 47): 2010 NewFlyer GE40LFR operated by Torrance Transit

Wow, Torrance Transit switch from it's red and white livery to a multi green and white livery! I have been away from LA for a while, next LADOT have it MCI buses. The LA buses scene has change a lot since I used to lived in Los Angeles. Earlier this years while visiting my parents, I went to LA Union Station, Hoping to see an AVTA Neoplan Double Decker, and an AVTA driver ( he drove a MCI D4500) told me, AVTA stop using the DDs.

Quoting glid4500 (Reply 46): Thank u for showing off the Orions. Those 100s are unique. They were originally owned by Westchester County Bee-Line and were numbered as the 400 series.

Yep. Here's a pic I got today of 131 and a former V CNG of Queens Surface (9800 or 9900-something).

Quoting glid4500 (Reply 47): Sardine Can

What the heck is that?? That reminds me a bit of the Glaval buses that are on some of the shuttle routes at the University of Rochester; they're all run by First Transit. I think they have the Glaval Apollo model. They also have turtle top Chevys and some Blue Birds. One time one of the Blue Birds broke down and they subbed it with a 102DL3 (I had NO idea they even had one of those), but by the time I got around to going to the bus (I had classes) they had the Blue Bird back in service.

Speaking of Rochester, I'm heading up there this weekend. The RTS (that's the name of their transit system--which doesn't have any Nova RTSes) has lots of different Gilligs, so I'll try and get a few shots of those. Their new Gillig Advantages look pretty cool.

-J.