Why is WMATA not repainting the Orion Vs in the new scheme?

[Chargerdodge9]

I just can't help but wonder. I know the 1997 Orion Vs are being retired and I can understand those, but why not repaint the 2000 Orion Vs? I don't get it.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

Because I honestly don't see the 2000 Orion Vs hanging around much longer, either.  They are already 13 years old after all.

[Chargerdodge9]

I read somewhere a while back that WMATA plans to have around 50 or so diesel buses by 2017 (the 2006 D40LFRs and 25 of the 2012 Orion VII 3Gs are clean diesels, so those don't count and the 2002 Neoplan AN460s are to be retired by 2015). That implies that at least some of the 2000 Orion Vs (likely the best units) will be around for another 4 to 5 years. There has been times in recent history when WMATA had not purchased new buses for several years in a row (from 2002 until 2005). So, I could see some of the Orion Vs getting repainted. Besides, I remember seeing Royal street repainting their Metro Bs as late as 2007, so you never know.