Let the Bidding Begin

[mrpete]

http://www.servcorpii.com/auction_no5.htm

[Tritransit Area]

Hmm, already retiring 1998/99 Orion Vs?  Wonder if anything was wrong with those particular buses, or if they just got so many Orion VII NGs they don't need them anymore?

If in good shape, I wish Krapfs Transit would get some and put those Gillig Phantoms out of their misery.

[ECBuzz]

Don't forget that these buses originates from NORTA in New Orleans, and they are likely to be flood victims during Katrina, and they may be in rougher shape that you'll anticipate for buses of similar vintage.  Also, the 1994 New Flyer D40HF's are 16 years old, well past the FTA's 12-year retirement guideline, the 97's are 13-years old, the 98's at 12 and the 99's at 11 are right around the retirement territory.  Also, NORTA in pre-Katrina days is one of the most heavily used TA in the South (no-doubt due to NO's large transit-dependent population, plus some tourists), and their buses can easily clock up the 500,000 miles that make them eligible for replacement under FTA rules.  These buses are probably suitable only for spares.

As for their Orion VII NG's, the 100-series 35ft. were the initial mainstay for post-Katrina recovery purchased after adjusting for decreased post-Katrina ridership, while the 200-series (probably 40ft.  Can anyone confirm me on that?) might be purchased to serve on the lines were ridership has ticked upwards.  Lines with lowest ridership are now served with Dodge Sprinter Lil' Easy vans.

A final side-note to NO area transit:  Jefferson Transit (JeT) in suburban NO is about to receive an unknown number of Gillig BRT (40ft.?) buses, probably their first low-floor buses, and has sold a few of their 40ft. phantoms to Omaha's Metro Area Transit

[RailBus63]

As for their Orion VII NG's, the 100-series 35ft. were the initial mainstay for post-Katrina recovery purchased after adjusting for decreased post-Katrina ridership, while the 200-series (probably 40ft.  Can anyone confirm me on that?)

I can confirm that the 200-series buses are 40-footers - I spotted a large group of them at the Orion plant in New York getting ready to head down south.

[mrpete]

NORTA ordered 75 O7NG's last autumn.