There's more, according to the Metro press release, there is an option for up to an additional 498 42ftrs and some COULD be CNG powered. Also, there is apparently a side order of 71 NABI BRT60 artics (presumably similar to the 2008 NABI CNGs) in the works. This is just big! Just follow this link : http://www.wmata.com...?ReleaseID=5545.
It looks like the Neoplan AN460s, New Flyer C40LFs, and all the remaining Orion Vs could be gone by 2015-2016 timeframe. The first 85 buses alone would surely put an end to the remaining 1997 Orion Vs before the end of next year.
But, this of course leads to a lot of speculation as to what else these buses could be replacing. After all the 40 footers are gone (355 Orion Vs and C40LFs combined), there are still an additional 228 new NABIs. Any thoughts?
Since Metro wants to move to a 100% low-floor fleet, all of the Orion Vs (97 & 2000) and the Neos are gone. if they decide to make a big CNG order, they would be split between Bladensburg and Shepherd Parkway.
I doubt that this will be an all CNG order. I can see maybe 170 of these Nabis being CNG, the rest will most likely be hybrids. I assume the 228 extra 42 footers and the extra 50 60 footers will likely be fleet expansion buses, because WMATA had been planning to do that for some time. They want to have around 2,060 buses by 2025, so this order would be a good start.
Quote from: BigPimpinSlimDB on July 19, 2013, 05:11:48 AM
Since Metro wants to move to a 100% low-floor fleet, all of the Orion Vs (97 & 2000) and the Neos are gone. if they decide to make a big CNG order, they would be split between Bladensburg and Shepherd Parkway.
I believe that basically all the depots may get some of these buses. I also believe that future depots like Cinder Block will probably get the tail end of this order.
Quote from: BigPimpinSlimDB on July 19, 2013, 05:11:48 AM
Since Metro wants to move to a 100% low-floor fleet, all of the Orion Vs (97 & 2000) and the Neos are gone. if they decide to make a big CNG order, they would be split between Bladensburg and Shepherd Parkway.
In terms of numbers, I wonder what they'll be in. Maybe it will be:
42 BRTs: #1000-1582
60BRTs: # 5501-5571
This will be like buying DE42LFAs again.