eclair14

Two quick news - RTC is currently testing the Xcelisor Charge artic , they are so far testing it without passengers. - RTC will hold an open door event at Metrobus center May 26th from 10am to 4pm, more details to come

Yesterday on the 810: 23-206, 24-293, 30-248,31-115, 37-035, 37-074,37-099

More then likely related to the closure this week-end of Côte-Vertu station For the few 810 shuttle that were trackable, no artic also to be see there

Didn't saw one in 2019 in service ... so yes they are retired In others news, today the Vanhool was presented to the press. They are 8 bus in service for now, they can be found for now on routes 4, 34, 39, 54, 61, 82 and 86 (can add 64 to that list)

Nope, it's specified in the tender that then want intermediate (Vicinity, Ez-rider, Alexander Dennis) or full size (LFS / Xclisor)

There will be some change in Shawinigan, Autobus Fleur-de-Lys has won a 10 years contract to operate the service in replacement of the current operator Transport Urbain de la Mauricie (TUM). They plan to use hybrid bus for the new service. Change will happen July 1st News report in french https://www.lhebdodustmaurice.com/un-nouveau-transporteur-a-shawinigan/

Seems a driver today went for a drive in Laval today (and not a 439 trip !)

No, not safe for the moment Thing is that the fire station is 30 seconds away from the fire, so firefighters were probably quick to arrive on scene and that may have kept the bus frame in good shape. Maybe it will be worth the shot to do the repair on that one We will see

Can confirm 0953 is indeed the fire victim

Gradual introduction into service i guess

Vanhool deployment is underway, buses L1904,07,11,12,17 and 22 were spotted in service last couple of days

The story of the Vanhool begins with the retirements of the electric Technobus that was running in the old Quebec. RTC needed something to replace those bus has they seems to have horror of 40 footers running in the old city, to be fair they is few roads that welcome huge buses and it's only take a badly park delivery truck, coach or car with a Quebec plate beginning by the letter F - read here rental car. The shorter bus (32 ft) and narrower bus (96 ft) should reduce the number of times service must be diverted out of the old city. The big problems was the following, the government at the top of the hill want to show they are green, at all cost possible, so the RTC wanted hybrid bus, however, as you know y'all, no such product exist in the north American market (diesel or full electric only), so Vanhool was the only company that bet on that contract, so they were awarded it. [personal opinion mode begin ] However, since the product did not exist at the time, Vanhool needed a sizable order to make profits and the RTC needed a sizeable order so someone would provide the bus, and considering the mayor seems to have close relations with the company. This is also IMO the reason why the order was bumped up from 32 to 64 units [end personal opinion mode ] Routes 11 was slated to receive those bus as this is the old Quebec route, route 19 also was in the plan as generally only a few passenger ride that route, that would require maybe 12 to 15 units to service both route. Now with 64 units, buses will be allocated on many low ridership routes BUT this will have a effect on RTC flexibility has those buses will be require to stay during rush hours on low ridership routes, preventing economy by interlining routes, off peak and weekends most local routes can operate with a Vanhool without capacity problem

Someone reported that some Vanhool 19xx units were seen today in revenue service

At least units up to 1928 were received as I spotted it today at Cummins

Yes, some units have arrived at the RTC garage and are undergoing road test and drivers training, 1801 is still for now the only unit in revenue service