BusTalk

DE60LF · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM

I have heard many rumors in the past that Orion is proposing an articulated bus. Are these rumors true? I know there are probably a few loyal Orion customers that would be interested, such as NYCT and TTC.

For several recent years, New Flyer has held a near monopoly position on the artic market in North America. NABI is primarily a niche manufacturer now, as they are the only ones who make a CNG artic. However, New Flyer's monopoly on artics may end if the Nova LFS artic is a success. The fact that Nova intends on returning to the U.S. market could give New Flyer a run for the money.

So, if Orion is really planning on producing an Orion VII NG artic, then we would have four manufacturers (three in the case of Canada) producing artics in North America. As I stated, NYCT and TTC would probably show interest in such model, as they are loyal Orion customers.

Also, don't ask about Gillig. Since Gillig is a company who primarily serves smaller transit authorities, there would be limited interest in a Gillig artic. However, this could change if Gillig is sold to another bus manufacturer.

RailBus63 · Moderator Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 1063

It's true - Orion is showing a Mercedes articulated demo around the country. I haven't seen any pictures yet and there is no word where or how it would be built, if it will be modified to look more like an Orion, etc.

kevlaf983 · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject:

JCL · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject:

DE60LF · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 142 Location: Albuquerque, NM

Well, if Orion does start to produce the Mercedes Citaro artic, they will have to optimize it for the U.S. market to meet 100% ADA compliance. This has been a common complaint about AC Transit's Van Hools, which are designed for the European market. There will likely have to be some interior differences to meet federal ADA laws.

The Dennis Dart SLF was remade by Thomas as the SLF200 for the U.S. market; I am pretty sure that Daimler AG (who owns Mercedes, Orion, and Thomas) can optimize the Citaro for the U.S. market.

In addition, Mercedes offers the Citaro G BlueTec hybrid, which could offer serious competition to the New Flyer DE60LF. Mercedes also offers a Citaro G CNG artic, however. Whether or not Orion will produce a CNG artic depends on LACMTA's satisfaction with the NABI 60-BRT CNG. I have been hearing things about suspension problems with the 60-BRTs, and NABI is doing very little to help. If LACMTA's 60-BRT CNG program turns out to be a bust, then maybe the Citaro G CNG could be a second option.

kevlaf983 · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:43 am Post subject:

Pics fresh off the camera from this morning at OC's St. Laurent Garage

-Kevin

RailBus63 · Moderator Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 1063

Interesting that this bus has no Orion markings or logos whatsoever.

kevlaf983 · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:29 am Post subject:

The Don of All Buses · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject:

That Mercedes looks kinda like an Orion VII NG, well at least the front looks like one.

RailBus63 · Moderator Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 1063