Metropolitan Transportation Authority 1302-1391

Metropolitan Transportation Authority 1302-1391 are 2009-2011 DesignLine EcoSaver IVs. The order for these buses followed a demonstration of a similar bus for 60 days in October 2008. The demo buses was a 35 foot long gasoline turbine-electric hybrid built in the Olymbus style. It was used in Manhattan for 30 days and in Queens for another 30 days.

In mid-December 2008 a test and evaluation contract with MTA was signed worth $50.4 million. The contract allowed the initial delivery of 30 new DesignLine buses to the agency with an option of an additional 60 buses. These buses would differ from the demonstrator mainly in length (40 feet) and it's use of the curved body style. The first bus, 1302, entered service on August 14, 2009 and underwent a 90 day test on New York streets. This was to determine any changes that should be made and if the option for 60 more should be taken.

A further seven EcoSaver IV buses were to be delivered for evaluation. A total of five buses were delivered to the MTA, and were evaluated in service on New York streets.

The buses were intended to use the Capstone C30 MicroTurbine to generate electricity. After some testing with 1302, the larger Capstone C65 MicroTurbine was found to be more appropriate. 1302's C30 turbine was switched out for the C65, and all subsequent buses received the C65. The original seating arrangement consisted of 35 seats or 29 seats with two wheelchairs. The wheelchair areas were immediately after the wheel wells on either side. On the door side four more longitudinal seats run to the rear door. On the driver's side, four pairs of double transverse seats continue to the high floor section. The high floor section has six longitudinal seats on either side to the rear with a five-seat rear bench. A revised seating arrangement, yielded 39 seats or 36 seats with two wheelchairs. The low floor section arrangement remained the same, but the high floor section received all double transverse seating. Seat shells are in light blue with dark blue fabric inserts. Side walls under the windows are upholstered in the same material. Flooring is of black rubber with white flecks.

In February 2011, the MTA announced that the DesignLine order was cancelled and that the delivered buses would be returned. A lack of reliability of the bus was blamed for the program cancellation.

Unit(s)	Engine	Electric motor	Seating	Destination sign
1302-1303, 1305	Capstone C65 MicroTurbine	2 x Bosch RexRoth Idramat 3-phase	35 4ONE Angel	Luminator Titan
1304, 1306	Capstone C65 MicroTurbine	2 x Bosch RexRoth Idramat 3-phase	39 4ONE Angel	Hanover LED

Details

Fleet number	Thumbnail	Year	VIN	License plate	Paint	Depot	Notes
1302		2009		M 63970	MTA blue stripe	Manhattanville
1303		2009		M 66439	MTA blue stripe	Manhattanville
1304		2009		M 66465	MTA blue stripe	Michael J. Quill
1305		2009		M 64314	MTA blue stripe	Manhattanville
1306		2009		M 64537	MTA blue stripe	Michael J. Quill