[FutureMayor]

This Thursday at quarter to noon the TTC will publicly unveil the first of 150 new hybrid buses for it's fleet.

April 20, 2006
Nathan Philips Square - 11:45 a.m.

Louroz

 

[fiendishlibrarian]

1000 has been reported with its license plate for some time now. Almost 20 7900s are now in service as well.

 

[doady]

These would have been better if they weren't Orion VIIs.

 

[spmarshall]

I hate Orion VIIs - not quite as much as Orion VIs, but loathing is there - the leg room is less than on any other bus for the forward-facing seats, they replace high floor buses on routes designated high-floor (not accessible) without increase in frequencies, causing off-peak crowding, and really bad, boxy windows. The New Flyers are a superior product, and Grand River Transit has these dating as far back as 1992.

There are two things though that they've got over a New Look (well, besides the low floor) - air conditioning, and the fact you can see one coming a mile away at night with the LED orange and blue lights.

 

[thenay]

Thanks for the news, atleast the ttc is trying to save money on gas and be cleaner

 

[astObs]

So, have they been unveiled yet?

 

[spmarshall]

As of May 1, there are at least 3 in revenue service - 1001, 1002 and 1003. As I mentioned, I got 1002 on the 165 that Monday evening - the new bus smell was a novelty.


Not being a bus fan, what's the big deal with the 7900s anyway?

 

[Suicidal Gingerbread Man]

^
There's no real big deal, they're just new Orion VIIs.

80 diesel Orion VIIs will be delivered this year (7900-7979), and 100 will be delivered next year (8000-8099).

So 180 Diesel + 150 Hybrid
-----
230 new Orion VII.

 

[billonlogan]

There are two things though that they've got over a New Look (well, besides the low floor) - air conditioning, and the fact you can see one coming a mile away at night with the LED orange and blue lights.

Sounds cool, but I'll stick with my wheels to get around. It's equipped with a standard 3.2-litre, V6, 290-horsepower engine with Air Conditioning, Alloy Wheels, Anti-Lock Brakes, Anti-Theft Vehicle, Cruise Control, Rear Defogger, Power Locks, Power Mirrors, Power Steering, Power Windows, AM/FM/XM Radio with CD player, Power Antenna, Power Driver Seat, Power Passenger Seat, Leather Seats, Rear Spoiler, Tachometer, Tilt Steering, Traction Control. Oh baby!

 

[crackpott]

Sounds cool, but I'll stick with my wheels to get around. It's equipped with a standard 3.2-litre, V6, 290-horsepower engine with Air Conditioning, Alloy Wheels, Anti-Lock Brakes, Anti-Theft Vehicle, Cruise Control, Rear Defogger, Power Locks, Power Mirrors, Power Steering, Power Windows, AM/FM/XM Radio with CD player, Power Antenna, Power Driver Seat, Power Passenger Seat, Leather Seats, Rear Spoiler, Tachometer, Tilt Steering, Traction Control. Oh baby!

A bus is equipped with a chauffeur allowing me to read.

 

[EnviroTO]

Not only to you get a chauffeur, the specs on the vehicle are more impressive... 320 peak hp and 2,700 ft lbs or torque at 0 rpms, far more seats, optional personal entertainment devices (sold separately) for AM/FM/TV/DVD/Gaming/Reading while enroute and also has some of the features mentioned (i.e. power driver's seat and power steering) for the chauffeur. Vehicle insurance is included.

 

[simply Dan]

Ah, but there is plenty of time to read in your car - when you are stuck breathing in fumes in gridlock on the 401. Now that's what I call quality of life!

The absolute last thing I would ever want is a car in the city. I can find a FAR better use for those thousands upon thousands of dollars every year to improve my life in truly meaningful ways.