WMATA orders Orion VII NG's?

[LandoverDivision]

I really wouldn't mind seeing Ride On with some Gillig BRTs. Wouldn't kill them to get some Orion CNGs or diesel 30-foots like FFX got.

[Tritransit Area]

Orion needs to step their game up hopefully the NG's bring back good relationships

Daimler Buses North America and New York MTA destroyed the Orion name and its reputation.

Ever considered how beneficial MTA has been to Orion over the years?

Yes, but I think it's somewhat debatable.  MTA has purchased a lot of Orions, particularly the Orion VII, but then they clogged up production lines and who could forget the wonderful "shaker table" test that humiliated Orion?

In a way, I think that Orion (and Daimler) became so comfortable with the mega MTA contracts that they started to forget about the little/medium guys like our very own Ride-On and DASH that supported them for decades, and gave them crappy buses.  Now DASH and Ride-On are disgusted by the Orion brand name - a name that once stood for quality, reliability, and trust.

You know, once upon a time, Orion was a major contendor for Gillig among smaller agencies.  Now, Gillig just about has it all, with the exception of CNG orders.

Speaking of Ride On's latest batch of Orion VIIs, I don't think they are running well to this day!  Although it was a year or so ago, I rode a few of the ZFs.  The awful lurching and poor performance is uncharacteristic of a bus with a ZF.

It's too bad, really.  The Orion VII was the downfall of Orion...

[LandoverDivision]

Orion needs to step their game up hopefully the NG's bring back good relationships

Daimler Buses North America and New York MTA destroyed the Orion name and its reputation.

Ever considered how beneficial MTA has been to Orion over the years?

Yes, but I think it's somewhat debatable.  MTA has purchased a lot of Orions, particularly the Orion VII, but then they clogged up production lines and who could forget the wonderful "shaker table" test that humiliated Orion?

In a way, I think that Orion (and Daimler) became so comfortable with the mega MTA contracts that they started to forget about the little/medium guys like our very own Ride-On and DASH that supported them for decades, and gave them crappy buses.  Now DASH and Ride-On are disgusted by the Orion brand name - a name that once stood for quality, reliability, and trust.

You know, once upon a time, Orion was a major contendor for Gillig among smaller agencies.  Now, Gillig just about has it all, with the exception of CNG orders.

Speaking of Ride On's latest batch of Orion VIIs, I don't think they are running well to this day!  Although it was a year or so ago, I rode a few of the ZFs.  The awful lurching and poor performance is uncharacteristic of a bus with a ZF.

It's too bad, really.  The Orion VII was the downfall of Orion...

Well said. Agreed on the ZFs too. it's no wonder Orion discontinued production of the VII early. IMO WMATA's Orion VIIs are actually the best ones I've heard. But I hear they were having a lot of problems when they first ordered them. Orion seriosuly needs to step up their game or they will be no more. They should learn from New Flyer and Gillig.

[Annex4421]

Exactly. Hopefully the Orion VIII (If ever created) will bring Orion Back. Is NYC's Orion's VII AND VII NG still running well? Should Orion merge with another Bus company? Or should Orion Just stop making VII's period?

[Annex4421]

Besides WMATA, Ride-On,and MTA seem to be betting on hybrids because of the "Go Green" era. And Wmata and MTA is all over New Flyer with the hybrid orders, and Ride-On with Gillig. I think it's just a fad that'll probably run out and then Here comes Orion and their CNG's and then the TA's will jump all over them just watch.

[daimlerbuses]

Orion needs to step their game up hopefully the NG's bring back good relationships

Daimler Buses North America and New York MTA destroyed the Orion name and its reputation.

Ever considered how beneficial MTA has been to Orion over the years?

Yes, but I think it's somewhat debatable.  MTA has purchased a lot of Orions, particularly the Orion VII, but then they clogged up production lines and who could forget the wonderful "shaker table" test that humiliated Orion?

In a way, I think that Orion (and Daimler) became so comfortable with the mega MTA contracts that they started to forget about the little/medium guys like our very own Ride-On and DASH that supported them for decades, and gave them crappy buses.  Now DASH and Ride-On are disgusted by the Orion brand name - a name that once stood for quality, reliability, and trust.

You know, once upon a time, Orion was a major contendor for Gillig among smaller agencies.  Now, Gillig just about has it all, with the exception of CNG orders.

Speaking of Ride On's latest batch of Orion VIIs, I don't think they are running well to this day!  Although it was a year or so ago, I rode a few of the ZFs.  The awful lurching and poor performance is uncharacteristic of a bus with a ZF.

It's too bad, really.  The Orion VII was the downfall of Orion...

I woudn't say that, there are many small customers that are perfectly happy with Orion these days. Keep in mind Ride-On got some of the early Orion VII's (around 2003 and 2004). Every bus has problems in it's first few years of production, the Orion VII being no different.

As for DASH...I don't know what to say about that statement because they have an order for 10 Orion VII's for 2010 delivery. Hmm...

I highly doubt Orion would "just care about MTA" because they do have to consider if they did, then what would happen should MTA just decide to award a contract to someone else...

[daimlerbuses]

Orion needs to step their game up hopefully the NG's bring back good relationships

Daimler Buses North America and New York MTA destroyed the Orion name and its reputation.

Ever considered how beneficial MTA has been to Orion over the years?

Yes, but I think it's somewhat debatable.  MTA has purchased a lot of Orions, particularly the Orion VII, but then they clogged up production lines and who could forget the wonderful "shaker table" test that humiliated Orion?

In a way, I think that Orion (and Daimler) became so comfortable with the mega MTA contracts that they started to forget about the little/medium guys like our very own Ride-On and DASH that supported them for decades, and gave them crappy buses.  Now DASH and Ride-On are disgusted by the Orion brand name - a name that once stood for quality, reliability, and trust.

You know, once upon a time, Orion was a major contendor for Gillig among smaller agencies.  Now, Gillig just about has it all, with the exception of CNG orders.

Speaking of Ride On's latest batch of Orion VIIs, I don't think they are running well to this day!  Although it was a year or so ago, I rode a few of the ZFs.  The awful lurching and poor performance is uncharacteristic of a bus with a ZF.

It's too bad, really.  The Orion VII was the downfall of Orion...

Well said. Agreed on the ZFs too. it's no wonder Orion discontinued production of the VII early. IMO WMATA's Orion VIIs are actually the best ones I've heard. But I hear they were having a lot of problems when they first ordered them. Orion seriosuly needs to step up their game or they will be no more. They should learn from New Flyer and Gillig.

Learn from New Flyer and Gillig...HA HA! Sorry guys, but NFI and Gillig are far from the holy grain you guys make them to be, especially New Flyer as of late. They both have their major downfalls, just like Orion.

And you do realize that the Old Orion VII and the NG are pretty much the same? just take away the bonded in windows, and the extra molding on the front and rear and alas folks, I present you the Orion VII OG...

[Tritransit Area]

As for DASH...I don't know what to say about that statement because they have an order for 10 Orion VII's for 2010 delivery. Hmm...

Fascinating!  Either the NG impressed DASH officials or the low bid prevailed.  I still stand by my statement, though.  DASH's last 2 batches of Orion Vs were late and had more "teething" issues and headaches than the previous batches.  It seemed like they were very pleased with their latest batch of Phantoms as well.

Nonetheless, it'd be cool to see Orion VII NGs running in Alexandria.  I wonder if they will be in a new scheme, as I can't imagine an Orion VII NG fitting in the old scheme.

[Tritransit Area]

Exactly. Hopefully the Orion VIII (If ever created) will bring Orion Back. Is NYC's Orion's VII AND VII NG still running well? Should Orion merge with another Bus company? Or should Orion Just stop making VII's period?

Orion is owned by Daimler Buses North America, and is only a brand now.  The Orion VIII will allegedly be an articulated model based off of the Mercedes Citaro, which is supposed to be a very good bus.

[WES]

Orion needs to step their game up hopefully the NG's bring back good relationships

Daimler Buses North America and New York MTA destroyed the Orion name and its reputation.

Ever considered how beneficial MTA has been to Orion over the years?

Yes, but I think it's somewhat debatable.  MTA has purchased a lot of Orions, particularly the Orion VII, but then they clogged up production lines and who could forget the wonderful "shaker table" test that humiliated Orion?

In a way, I think that Orion (and Daimler) became so comfortable with the mega MTA contracts that they started to forget about the little/medium guys like our very own Ride-On and DASH that supported them for decades, and gave them crappy buses.  Now DASH and Ride-On are disgusted by the Orion brand name - a name that once stood for quality, reliability, and trust.

You know, once upon a time, Orion was a major contendor for Gillig among smaller agencies.  Now, Gillig just about has it all, with the exception of CNG orders.

Speaking of Ride On's latest batch of Orion VIIs, I don't think they are running well to this day!  Although it was a year or so ago, I rode a few of the ZFs.  The awful lurching and poor performance is uncharacteristic of a bus with a ZF.

It's too bad, really.  The Orion VII was the downfall of Orion...

I woudn't say that, there are many small customers that are perfectly happy with Orion these days. Keep in mind Ride-On got some of the early Orion VII's (around 2003 and 2004). Every bus has problems in it's first few years of production, the Orion VII being no different.

As for DASH...I don't know what to say about that statement because they have an order for 10 Orion VII's for 2010 delivery. Hmm...

I highly doubt Orion would "just care about MTA" because they do have to consider if they did, then what would happen should MTA just decide to award a contract to someone else...

Actually do you have the proof to say that DASH is ordering from Orion, I need  the source saying that this is so.  I have heard, from a reliable source who works for DASH that DASH is still considering who they are ordering from.

[Tristan]

Yea Alexandria DASH does not have an order for Orions of any kind as far as I know.  At our last discussion, we hadn't even decided how many 40-foot buses we'd try to squeeze into this order, so naming the manufacturer is a bit premature (most likely Gillig though).

[aznboy4305]

Orion needs to step their game up hopefully the NG's bring back good relationships

Daimler Buses North America and New York MTA destroyed the Orion name and its reputation.

Ever considered how beneficial MTA has been to Orion over the years?

Yes, but I think it's somewhat debatable.  MTA has purchased a lot of Orions, particularly the Orion VII, but then they clogged up production lines and who could forget the wonderful "shaker table" test that humiliated Orion?

In a way, I think that Orion (and Daimler) became so comfortable with the mega MTA contracts that they started to forget about the little/medium guys like our very own Ride-On and DASH that supported them for decades, and gave them crappy buses.  Now DASH and Ride-On are disgusted by the Orion brand name - a name that once stood for quality, reliability, and trust.

You know, once upon a time, Orion was a major contendor for Gillig among smaller agencies.  Now, Gillig just about has it all, with the exception of CNG orders.

Speaking of Ride On's latest batch of Orion VIIs, I don't think they are running well to this day!  Although it was a year or so ago, I rode a few of the ZFs.  The awful lurching and poor performance is uncharacteristic of a bus with a ZF.

It's too bad, really.  The Orion VII was the downfall of Orion...

Well said. Agreed on the ZFs too. it's no wonder Orion discontinued production of the VII early. IMO WMATA's Orion VIIs are actually the best ones I've heard. But I hear they were having a lot of problems when they first ordered them. Orion seriosuly needs to step up their game or they will be no more. They should learn from New Flyer and Gillig.

Uhh since when did Orion discontinue the Orion VII?

[WayneNYC]

Well as of now Ride On can't go to Orion as they have a 5 year contract with Gillig UNLESS they get CNG buses which they were suppose to order 8 additional units a few years back. But after the last batch of Orion VII's that came in were plagued with problems and were 6 months late, they backed out. If Ride On decides to move on to another manufacturer, it will probably be New Flyer because the Operations Manager is from SEPTA which is land of the New Flyer. But then again it is a bidding process so who knows....

A FIVE YEAR GILLIG CONTRACT?!  Oh Ride On, you're breaking my heart!  However, in terms of the C40LFs, how are they treating Ride On?  I never hear anything about them, and I generally avoid them since, well, I come from the land of the New Flyer.

I live in the middle of their operating area and one thing for sure is that those C40LFs are almost always on the road.  If I heard that Ride On wished they had more, I wouldn't be suprised.

[LandoverDivision]

Uhh since when did Orion discontinue the Orion VII?

Discontinued production in 2007. The Orion VII NG is still in production though. The only Orion bus still in production. It's a shame but it is what it is.

[Annex4421]

Uhh since when did Orion discontinue the Orion VII?

Discontinued production in 2007. The Orion VII NG is still in production though. The only Orion bus still in production. It's a shame but it is what it is.

The Orion VIII is comming soon. Also I think a BRT verson of the NG.