Future WMATA bus orders

[Chargerdodge9]

Hello all, I was thinking, WMATA's 2001-2002 New Flyer C40LFs are not far from the end of their lifespan. Is WMATA working on a new CNG bus order? Also, what will replace the remaining 1997 Orion Vs and the 2000 Orion Vs? Any thoughts?

[Antozilla]

I suspect they are for all the reasons you said plus the 2000 series they retired earlier but what they will be is unknown

[Chargerdodge9]

I hope they get the new NABI 40LFW 3G CNG. I dislike the Xcelisors and would hate to see a CNG version serving WMATA.

[Chargerdodge9]

Perhaps an order of about 170 new CNGs will be made.

[Chargerdodge9]

The way I see it, about 350 near EOL buses will be due for retirement within the next 4 to 5 years. They are:
-2000 Orion Vs #2100-2231
-2001-2002 New Flyer C40LFs #2300-2399, #2401-2464
-2002 Neoplan AN460s #5301-5321
-1997 Orion Vs remaining #42xx-44xx (possibly).
-2008 NABI BRT 60 artics #5401-5422 (gone by 2020!)

[Chargerdodge9]

So depots that might get new buses within the next few years include:
-Bladensburg
- Royal/Cinder bed
- Northern
-Western
perhaps more.