General Transit Sightings

[2822]

Oakville Transit 1985 Orion I #8540 has been officially retired from service. I was told it was supposed to get a few more months, but I guess they changed their mind.

We now have 3 Orion Is left in service, with #871 being the oldest, as well as the oldest bus to be in service.

How much longer do you think the remaining 3 Orion Is have left until they retire? What route would I have the best chance of riding one on?.

Thanks

[ORION]

How much longer do you think the remaining 3 Orion Is have left until they retire? What route would I have the best chance of riding one on?.

Thanks

I would assume they'll be gone by the summer...if not, then by the end of this year for sure. As for finding them in service, your best bet is rush-hour AM or PM at the Oakville GO Station...

They're usually dispatched out on school trippers, then are on regular routes, so the GO Station would be best bet...you'll see at least one for sure.

Good Luck!

[BT Invero]

I would assume they'll be gone by the summer...if not, then by the end of this year for sure. As for finding them in service, your best bet is rush-hour AM or PM at the Oakville GO Station...

They're usually dispatched out on school trippers, then are on regular routes, so the GO Station would be best bet...you'll see at least one for sure.

Good Luck!

883 was doing the 16 at 5:30 today...some rattles from the egine but not too bad.

6106 was on the 14...these buses do sound slightly different from the regular D40LFs...higher pitched engine noise when its going fast.

5105 was also on 14...this bus was making a thumping sound in the back every time it went over a bump.

951 was on the 6:10 19 with a full seated load.

Other buses included 9908, 2101, and some VIIs.

[newflyerinvero]

I wonder how unusual it is to have as many as about 2 HF's during mid-day service?

I had rode 906 on the 14 on its 1:15pm departure from Lakeside VIlliage. I had also noticed 907 being on the 1:55pm 11-Linbrook at the Oakville GO. And whether or not the 'mid-day' service ends at about this time, but at 2:20, saw I believe was 883. Didn't see the route number as I had basically missed all of those buses during the 2:25pm bus meet.

However, I did see 6110 and 6111 today. First saw 6110 on the 28 at 1:55 then 6111 at 2:55 on the 15.

Has anyone else seen eithet 6108 and 6109 in active reveunue service?

From Burlington....not too many sightings, but...

The 11/15 had Classics 7007-85 and 7004-85 (LF). Only 04-85 was the LF tripper today for that route.

15/11 actually had an LF on it...it was Invero 7025-03. I guess those engine problems where pretty temporary then.

Other LF trips taken over:

The 1/10 today had Orion V's 7077-94, 7067 and 7068-91 on seperate LF trips for these routes.

[general682002]

883 was doing the 16 at 5:30 today...some rattles from the egine but not too bad.

6106 was on the 14...these buses do sound slightly different from the regular D40LFs...higher pitched engine noise when its going fast.

5105 was also on 14...this bus was making a thumping sound in the back every time it went over a bump.

951 was on the 6:10 19 with a full seated load.

Other buses included 9908, 2101, and some VIIs.

The D40LFR have different MAN axles model that cause the higher pitch noise, not the engine. You will find the same on the HSR new D40LF once they go in service (if they follow the same standard model like Oakville).

There's seems to be getting quite an issues with the ArvinMeritor axles on the 51XX. I find one of them is noisy during decellerating.

Not common to see some routes are fully seated as they are coming from GO Train.

[newflyerinvero]

Burlington Transit:

Seems that the 11 and 15 were all operated by the proad bus manufactuerer...Orion...

Orion V's 7063-90, 7065-91 (LF) on the 15/11

Orion V's 7078-94, 7068-91 (LF) on the 11/15

Classic 7014-83 on the 6

Lastly, Invero 7019-03 (HF) and GM New Look 7026-78 on the 12. The fishie had the trip which lasted until 10:45pm. It started at 6:45 this morning...a long day for the all mighty fishbowl!

[newflyerinvero]

[/i]Burlington Transit:

The 1/10 today had Inveros 7009, 19 and 25-03, all of them on their regular LF trips. Didn't see any other trips on these routes to notice whether other LF trips were HF'ed...

The 11/15's LF runs were taken over by Orion V 7063-90. Been on this route (or the opposite direction) the last few days.

The 2/3 and 3/2's LF trips were taken by:

2/3: Orion V 7066-91

3/2: Orion V 7068-91

Blue Bird 7028-06 on the 4/5

Lastly, the 12 had Classic 7014-83. According to one driver, he mentioned that it's a very fast bus. I have to agree that since riding it today, it's running more faster then some of the 85 Classics...or even a V or two!

HSR:

Rode 510308 on the 11-Parkdale at 3pm, transferred to 8705 on the Barton. Saw 8909, 510512 and 9113 on the 2 as well.

Rode 8601 on the 10-Beeline. Rode it from Bell Manor Loop to Eastgate at around 3:45pm. Also there was 8902, 8803, 510209 I had ridden later in the day from EAstgate at about 4:30pm.

The 1/1A had 510310 and 9719. I had finally noticed that the Novas in Hamilton actually have the rear route number boxes. I think the Orion V and Orion V CNG's have this feature. Problem is that the route numbers are so faint.

The 5C had an undisclosed 99xx VI, which had its wheelchair ramp deployed downtown. The bus behind it, also on the 5C/A, was 510413. Meanwhile, the 52 (also on the 5-Delaware branch) had 510516.

Saw 9909 on the Barton as I saw it downtown.

Lastly, 8706 was on the 51-University just after 5pm.

The 52 had 5104

[newflyerinvero]

Before I make notes on sightings for today...

First, from yesterday:

Want to mention that Invero 7009-03, which was deployed for service during rush-hour (usually an HF assignment, too) was seen with its double turning signals outside the main loop of the Burlington GO. I wondered what had happened to it. Later did I find out that it was due to it not have its brake lights working. Pretty dangerous for that to happen. In any event, 7080-94 took over for it. Don't think I saw it today though.

One last note from yesterday. 7026-78 GM New Look was seen on the 12, out there for 15-hour shift.

Now, for today. BT:

Calssic 7004-85 and Invero 7019-03 (Shopping Cart) were on the 11/15

Orion V 7080-94 and Invero 7025-03 (rolling Blueberry) on the 15/11.

First time in awhile where both of these interliend looped routes had LF buses on their respective trips.

The 13 had Classic 7013-83. Smooth ride, considering it's an 83.

Orion V's 7079-94, Inveros 7024-03, 7021-03 were the mid-day scheduled buses I'd seen today. While on RH, though: Orion V's 7069-91, 7066-91 and Classics 7014-83 and 7005-85. Rode 14-83 and I have to say that it's powertrain is really getting lagged behind (kinda like 7069-91)...yep, it's getting that bad....not the smoothest of rides. These buses were on the 1/10.

The 62 GO Special had Orion V 7068-91. I rode that bus coming home this evening and it was struggling a bit with either accelerating or trying to reccelerate (is that a word ), after slowing down a bit).

Did a short stop in Oakville today. I saw 6108 and 6110. 6108 was doing the 14-Lakeshore West at 4:25pm departing oakville go. 6110 was seen at Oakville GO a half hour later, operating the 24-South Common Mall. Another D40LFR was just coming into Oakville GO as I was pulling out on 883 on the 15-Bridge.

Additionally, also saw 2 Orion I's in service, including riding 883 as mentioned above at 4:55pm. Saw 871 on the 26.

[crantila]

GRT afternoon evening:

2605 on 5

2606 on 12

2607 on 7

Transit math!

[Hybrid0920]

hsr: 510319, 510515

[yrt304]

hsr: 510319, 510515

Which Route were they on?

[Hybrid0920]

re: 510319, 510515 I didn't see, I saw it from my balcony going up the mountain. 510515 had full wrap 4 hamilton produce and 510319 had side wrap for luba mera.

[Hybrid0920]

I rode on hsr 510501 it was on 5c. had a nice smooth ride. cant wait till the 06s and 07s come out!

[newflyerinvero]

Burlington Transit:

As far as LF trips which are being operated by highfloors, it's becoming of a much less occurance.

Today, Inveros 7022 and 7023-03 were in service. In particular, 7022 I hadn't had seen for serveral weeks where as 7023 I think I've only seen for the first time in awhile.

Both of these were on the 1/10. The LF trips, which were two of them on the 1/10 were taken by Orion V's 7067 and 7068-91. The rush hour buses were Orion V 7063-90 and Classic 7012-83.

The 2/3 had D40LF 7034-06 (Rolling Flower Pot) while Classic 7007-85 was a rush-hour add on.

The 11/15 had Invero 7019-03 (Shopping Cart Express). I have to say that ever since the front BT logo and the fleet number's been removed about three weeks ago, makes me think that it's about due for some maintainence....thus far, it's still in service.

The 12 had Orion V 7066-91 (I think) and Classic 7016-83. The driver of this bus was putting on the back-door unlock brake on before the bus was completely stopped. This resulted in many times of bus lurching forward and forecfully stopping. A person almost fell over while trying to get to the back door.

Lastly, the route 8 had Classic 7004-85 as a rush-hour add on.

[newflyerinvero]

Some Burlington sightings:

The 1/10's mid-day buses were:

D40LF 7035-06, Inveros 7009-03, 7020-03, 7022-03 (later replaced by Orion V 7080-94). The rush-hour extras were: Invero 7023-03, Orion V's 7079-94 and 7068-91.

The 2/3 had Invero 7017-03. Classic 7011-83. Man, it's engine from the outside reminded me of a loud noise from an engine of a freight or a VIA train...well, sort of. It was louder then what it's been running lately, that's for sure. It also had a noticable "clicking" sound which followed in coordinance with the engine's acceleration/deceleration.

The 11/15 had Invero 7018-03 (Strawberry Swirl) while the 15/11 had Invero 7019-03 (Shopping Cart Express)...

Lastly, I rode GM New Look 7047-82 on the 12...the trip which lasted from 6:45 in the morning to start, only to finish at 10:45pm that night. Long night for the fishie.

[MaT]

From here in Windsor. I rode 552('97 nova) yesterday for my 5 minute ride home from Tecumseh Mall and man can that bus kick forward like nothing! It aslo sounded like it could have a different engine or tranny too, and it was louder than usual. And this morning I rode 515(98 VI) on the 1C Express to go downtown to catch a VII('04 dont remember the number) on the 3 to go to school. Come to think of it I think it was 433. I also noticed that the TTC bus that came in last week to the scrap metal place near the Transit Windsor garage is a VI. It's still sitting there at the back of the lot.

[newflyerinvero]

From Burlington:

Orion V 7080-94 and Invero 7017-03 were on the 15/11. I rode the Invero on the 15/11 and let me tell you that this ride was probably one of the smoothest, quietest rides on an Invero I've had in quite some time. Also of note...I've noticed a "Next Stop" button on 17. It was at the bar just before the step, left side, on the top deck. Were there supposed to be other buttons installed? That's the only one I've seen.

Orion V 7078-94 and D40LF 7035-06 on the 11/15.

On the 1/10's mid-day:

Inveros 7018, 7021, (probably changed over @ Appleby GO at 2:45 for 7023-03), 7022, 7024-03. Classic 7014-83 and Orion V 7065-91 were rush-hour add ons, including Orion V 7069-91.

The 2/3 had Invero 7025-03 while the 3/2 had Invero 7009-03.

The 6 had Blue Bird 7032-06.

The 4/5 had Blue Birds 7027 and 7028-06.

The 8 had Classic 7006-86 while the 12 had Blue Bird 7031-06 and Invero 7020-03.

[general682002]

Sheesh! Today I was on HSR 8914 on route 51 when a very poor guy boarded on a bus with a valid transfer. He did showed to the driver, driver asked his transfer again cause she wants to see it clearly. He then arguing "You want to see it for the 4th time, huh? You want to see it again for the 4th time?". Driver asked him again after sitting down, then he finally went up to the driver and shove her face showing the transfer and walked back to the seats. Driver asked him again to show the transfer and said "You want to see it for the 5th time, huh? You want to see it for the 5th time, huh?" and walked back to the driver and showed it and finally sat down and took off one of his broken hole shoe with a black cloth covered to get rid of snow. Then he was explaining to one of the passengers about the situation while the bus was packed. I simply ignored and he finally he got off at West Village. Me and another passengers couldn't belive this crazy guy!

[TC60102N]

Sheesh! Today I was on HSR 8914 on route 51 when a very poor guy boarded on a bus with a valid transfer. He did showed to the driver, driver asked his transfer again cause she wants to see it clearly. He then arguing "You want to see it for the 4th time, huh? You want to see it again for the 4th time?". Driver asked him again after sitting down, then he finally went up to the driver and shove her face showing the transfer and walked back to the seats. Driver asked him again to show the transfer and said "You want to see it for the 5th time, huh? You want to see it for the 5th time, huh?" and walked back to the driver and showed it and finally sat down and took off one of his broken hole shoe with a black cloth covered to get rid of snow. Then he was explaining to one of the passengers about the situation while the bus was packed. I simply ignored and he finally he got off at West Village. Me and another passengers couldn't belive this crazy guy!

Wonder if that was the guy Kyle and I encountered at the GO Station near the 51 bays ! He asked me for money, I said I didn't have any, but that "the guy taking photos of the bus" does, So then he asked Kyle, and Kyle bought him a sandwich! the BEST part is, When Kyle left, that guy gave some girl $10 and said "thanks"

Ohwell,

[newflyerinvero]

Even though this is'nt really too much of a particular sighting, but every time I'm in Oakville or see an Oakville LF bus (a VI or a VII), why is it that they don't have any wheelchair label stickers like the Blue Birds, D40LF's and LFR's? Wouldn't this discourage the wheelchair passenger of not using that bus because it's not designed to carry wheelchair passengers?

I guess I can also spread this question to Mississauga. Aren't their VI's without those stickers, too? The 97 D60LF's and their VII's?

I could go on and on (Brampton's VI's) but generally, that's my question.

[newflyerinvero]

Back on Wednesday of this week, one of the weirdest things happened in Burlington. Out of any bus which showed up on the 2/3 at around 4:30pm, it was..................A BLUE BIRD!!! 7028-06 was responsible for the impostor of that route!!! I did ride it and the engine was sounding quite rough...27-06 included.

My suspicion wss that it was quite cold that day and perhaps many of the buses, the bigger buses had a difficulty starting up in the morning.

Other then that, an Invero was found (7025-03) was on a rush-hour trip, which is usually served by a HF.

[Orion VIII]

A Guelph Transit Classic is at Tokmakjian in Vaughan.

[ORION]

The New Orion VII Next Generation Prototype was parked today at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, with a few people on board...not sure why...my friend told me he saw it, when he was passing by.

[general682002]

The New Orion VII Next Generation Prototype was parked today at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, with a few people on board...not sure why...my friend told me he saw it, when he was passing by.

Perhaps either publish photograph or Orion staff chartering it.

[newflyerinvero]

Just some notes from the last couple of days from Burlington.

Back on Friday, a Blue Bird, yes, a Blue Bird was doing the 2/3 on its lowfloor trips. I had seen it at the Burlington GO Station at around 4:40pm or so. It was 7029-06.

Meanwhile, Classic 7014-83 was on a LF trip for the 1/10. Plus, INvero 7025-03 (rolling Blueberry) was deployed for a rush-hour add-on trip for the 1/10.

Yesterday, D40LF (rolling flowerpot 7034-06 had returend into service, as I hadn't seen it for a number of days. Still, the part of the wrap on the right hand side at the last window still has a noticable tear in it. I guess Burlington's been quite lazy in taking it down, or else things like that happen to their wraps. Sure, some of the paint may have peeled off of some buses from wraps/ads lately, but it would look much cleaner/nicer when the natural livery of the bus was revealed.

Speaking of which...Orion V 7080-94 has since gotten it's half-wrap for Fast Signs taken down from its driver-side. It's revealing the buses' natural beauty. The "dark" old livery on the driver-side looks very nice and clean. It's as if that it had a new coat of paint or was just applied. Therefore, I'm suspecting that Orion V 7067-91, which has the EXACT SAME wrap on its driver side, would be taken down soon, if not already.

A Classic was in service yesterday (on a Saturday, yay) on the 15/11. A Blue Bird, 7030-06 was also on there, but on the low-floor trips. The counter-clockwise formation of the routes, the 11/15, had an Orion V doing the LF trips for it. It was 7069-91.