BusTalk

Q65A · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:56 pm Post subject: Orion I Question

I believe that the Orion I was evaluated as a demo by NYCT (who did not buy that model).
I also think that CBC actually did operate a few Orion I's in regular passenger service (at least one of which was a CNG unit).
Finally, a small private bus line (Private Transportation?) operates used Orion I's in and out of Midtown (perhaps to Brooklyn).
Question: Which NYC area operators purchased the Orion I as a new bus?
If so, are any of these units still in service?

MarkW · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:48 am Post subject:

As far as I know, the closest place to NYC that ordered Orion 1's new was CDTA in Albany.

The ones that Private Transportation uses are ex-Broome County and ex-PACE.

-Mark

Bill D · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 332 Location: Waterbury, CT

Housatonic Area Regional Transit (HART) in Danbury purchased Orion I's and still operates a handful as spares.

Bill

ICMC 1982 Flyer D901A · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:17 am Post subject:

RailBus63 · Moderator Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 1063

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/TORONTO/builders/orion1.html

Newburgh-Beacon Bus Corp. #32-34 - 12/82
Huntington Area Rapid Transit #301-303 - 11/84
Lester Lines (Newburgh NY) #201-202 - 1/87
Putnam Area Rapid Transit #80-83 - 11/87 - 2/88
City of Poughkeepsie Transit #268 - 5/90

RailBus63 · Moderator Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 1063

Hart Bus · Age: 74 Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 1150

ICMC 1982 Flyer D901A · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:28 pm Post subject:

"Putnam Area Rapid Transit #80-83 - 11/87 - 2/88"

OMG You're kidding me.

You mean to tell me PART HAD REAL BUSES AT ONE POINT IN THEIR LIVES!?!?!?!?! Angry

When were they retired and what replaced 'em?

Cuz as of now, PART has nothing but Cutaways and maybe ONE Blue Bird minibus with WMATA Orion 5 style seating.

Bill D · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 332 Location: Waterbury, CT

HART #106

Bill

ICMC 1982 Flyer D901A · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:22 am Post subject:

ripta42 · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:35 pm Post subject:

Command had two 1988 Orion I CNGs. I believe they did initially run in regular passenger service; they finished out their careers in Dowtown Brooklyn shuttle service for Varsity. Here they are at Arverne in February, 2004:

Q65A · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:25 pm Post subject:

Thanks for those shots!
I used to ride light yellow Varsity Bus Service school buses back when I was a little kid living in Queens.
They used mainly 30'-35' GMC S4000 chassis with V-6 gas engines and 4-speed manual trannies, and Superior Coach "high headroom" bodies.

ICMC 1982 Flyer D901A · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:21 pm Post subject:

ripta42 · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:16 am Post subject:

They were pretty well stripped and vandalized three years ago. They may still be in existence, but I wouldn't call them saved.

nycbusfan · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 258 Location: Brooklyn, NY

One of them is currently at a yard on Fountain ave. in Brooklyn. This is what it now looks like.