MCI is an industry leader in the design and manufacturer of highway coaches for the North American market primarily in intercity and sightseeing tourist operations.
MCI J4500 Factory Demonstrator
Manufacturer Quick Facts:
Founded: 1933 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada by Harry Zoltok
Main Office: Des Plaines, Illinois, United States
Notable Product: J4500, D4500, D4505, G4500, E4500, A and B Series, MC-9, MC-12
Plagued with an extremely
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van is the current incarnation of a long line of heavy and medium duty Mercedes-Benz Diesel work vans.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (European Spec)
Overview: The Sprinter Van is marketed toward business owners large and small who want a higher build quality and level of dependability out of their fleet vehicles. The Sprinter Van underwent extremely unusual testing (that only Mercedes would do) to ensure that the van would endure virtually any work env
The heart of any vehicle is its engine, in the world of commercial vehicles, the engine is often made by a separate manufacturer and each one has different characteristics. The manufacturer can often be identified by the color of the engine block.
Cummins Inc.
Manufacturer Quick Facts:
Founded: 1919 in Columbus, Indiana by Clessie Cummins
Main Office: Columbus, Indiana
Industry: Diesel Engines, Filtration Systems, Power Generators, Turbo Chargers
Operated by BC Transit within the Provincial Capital of Victoria in British Columbia, The Victoria Regional Transit System is organized and maintained by the Victoria Regional Transit Commission in association with BC Transit, which acts as the umbrella agency for all smaller agencies in the province.
Victoria Regional Transit System Alexander Dennis Trident and Enviro 500
Quick Facts:
Type: Public, Canadian Crown Agency
Fleet Size: 260 Single and Double Decker L
The Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority was formed in 1996 in an alliance by three counties in Washington State. It operates Bus services as well as heavy and light rail. Service is operated jointly by several different Transit agencies that are part of the alliance.
Sound Transit New Flyer D60LFR
Quick Facts:
Fleet Size: 280 Low Floor, Single Deck and Articulated Buses
Routes: 25
Manufacturer and Powerplant: Sound Transit and its sister agencies p
DART as it is called locally, operates the mass transit system in the City of Dallas and adjoining cities. Cities near DART's service area can elect to join DART and pay a 1% sales tax.
DART NABI LFW
Quick Facts:
Type: Public
Fleet Size: 612 Low Floor Single Deck Buses, 163 Light Rail Vehicles
Routes: 113 Bus Routes, 4 Light Rail lines, 1 Commuter Rail line
Manufacturer and Powerplant: DART enter into an Agreement with NABI to purchase 459 LFW buses over
Transit Buses are equipped with a device known as a Door Interlock. It's function pretty simple to understand. Door Interlocks are devices which prohibit the bus from moving while the bus is alighting. This is to prevent passengers being dragged under the wheels, doors accidentally closing on passengers and passengers falling off the bus while alighting. Depending on agency requests and demands regarding bus specifications some are activated by Air pressure some are activated by electric switche
The Gillig Low-Floor began the "Low-Floor" transition in the transit field which was necessary for easier ADA compliance. Utilized primairly by medium sized and smaller transit agencies due to lower running costs the Gillig Low-Floor has had repeat customers for decades.
Sound Transit Gillig Low-Floor Hybrid (Revision)
Manufacturer Quick Facts:
Founded: 1890 by Jacob Gillig
Main Office: Hayward, California
Industry: Transit Buses, Forme
Since its introduction in 2008 the Xcelsior has already earned its place among the transit legends in its relatively short service life.
New Flyer Xcelsior XDE40 Factory Demonstrator
Manufacturer Quick Facts:
Founded: 1930 by John Coval
Main Office: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Industry: Transit Vehicles, Coachwork
Notable Product: Xcelsior, C/D40LF
Fairfaix Connector New Flyer Xcelsior XD40 in Fairfax, Virginia
The VanHool A300 Series of transit buses has seen great success in both European and American markets but however has seen difficulty in the latter. VanHool is better known for its well produced line of highway coaches produced in Europe and North America. A great handling and performing vehicle but isn't adaptable to certain enviroments. I drive one of these on a daily, to begin our vehicle profile series we start with the VanHool A300 Series.
DC Circulator VanHool A330 in Washi
The daily life of a Bus Operator is one that must be considered before deciding on this career path. Bus Operators all have similar lifestyles due to the demands of the job.
Bus Operator in the United Kingdom
Title: The term Operator is preferred over "driver" in that anyone can drive, not everyone who drives is as familiar with the aspects of driving as a bus operator. An Operator is familiar with more than just the operation of the vehicle. Operators know how to drive
La Camioneta as it is frequently called in spanish refers to the used American school buses which after they reach the end of their service life must be sold. Because these buses have been maintained as part of a fleet, old school buses are frequently in fairly good condition when sold and because of the need to sell them quickly they go for low prices. This has provided an alternative to purchasing expensive newer buses from known manufacturers.
Decorated and Newly Arrived Chick
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority services five counties in the State of Pennsylvania and one in the State of New Jersey. Unique, in that it is not a state agency, its primary responsibility is to the counties and the City of Philadelphia. It is the 6th Largest Rapid Transit System in the U.S.
SEPTA New Flyer DE40LF
Type: Public
Fleet Size: 2,295 Multi-modal vehicles to include Buses, Trolleys, Streetcars and Subway Rolling Stock
Routes: 196
I dont know why it didnt occur to me to do this sooner. Print out cut and fold these paper models. Browse the web to find your favorite combination of Fleet Livery, Manufacturer and Model.
Toronto Transit Commission New Flyer D40
WMATA New Flyer C40LF
NYCMTA Orion V
Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) Alexander Dennis Enviro 500
Greyhound Van Hool C2045
Hertz Rent-A-Car Gillig Low Floor Airpor
The Smith System Driver Training Program has been in continual use since the 1940s due to its success at creating better drivers. Proper application of the system greatly reduces the risk of an accident. The program is still the standard today for training new professional drivers as well as training drivers who have been ordered to take a driver improvement course.
Old School Buses are often used to teach beginners the basics of professional driving, and to get used to the large
Operated by the Coach USA/Coach Canada Subsidiary of UK based Stagecoach Group, Megabus offers quick, cheap travel between "hubs" providing a faster, more comfortable alternative to flying.
Megabus Van Hool TD925 Astromega
Quick Facts:
Type: Private, Owned by Stagecoach Group, Operated by Coach USA/Coach Canada
Fleet Size: Undisclosed. Approximately 150+ Single and Double Decker Highway Coaches
Routes: 30, Surrounding major hubs such as NYC, Washington DC, Ph
The Department of Transportation and its sister agency the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulate the safe operation of Commercial Motor Vehicles and their operators to ensure they are in compliance with all current regulations which change frequently.
Jointly these organizations set the rules for CMV operation
DOT Inspections occur at random. Generally speaking DOT officers are State Troopers who have received additional training regarding the rules and regulati
Disney Transport is the transit service offered by Walt Disney World Resort. Connecting the main resort to Disney's numerous other parks, hotels and attractions.
Disney Transport New Flyer Xcelsior XDE60 Articulated
Quick Facts:
Type: Private
Fleet Size: 325 Single Deck and Articulated Buses
Routes: None, Direct Service from every Hotel to Every Attraction and park is provided.
Manufacturer and Powerplant: Disney Transport sources its fleet from various m
Flxible was an American manufacturer of Transit Buses, Motorcycle Sidecars and custom coachwork for various chassis applications such as Ambulances or Hearses.
WMATA Flxible Metro B
Manufacturer Quick Facts:
Founded: 1913, in Loudonville, Ohio
Defunct: 1996
Notable Product: Metro-B/Grumman 870
Almost every transit agency in the United States operated a fleet of Flxible Metro B's in the late 80's to the early 90's. Among the last of the
"Since your a bus driver, tell us where you work and what its like" Fair enough.
The DC Circulator is an interior bus service which connects the various landmarks/Tourist Attractions and Government Buildings of Washington DC. Supplementing the service provided by the regional transit authority WMATA, The Circulator is primarily used by tourists.
DC Circulator Van Hool A330
Type: Public-Private Joint Venture, operated by First Transit
Fleet Size: 49 Low F
Google's Self Driving Car Project involves the development and improvement of technology regarding the autonomous operation of passenger cars. The device has improved over the years but its legal status is the subject of controversy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_driverless_car
Google Lexus RX350h Hybrid Autonomous
The technology which is retrofitted to Hybrid and Electric cars for autonomous operations is called Google Chauffeur. Google has improved this t
Uber is a rideshare and taxi service which provides for hire car service with the use of a smartphone application. Uber's ease of use and "lower" prices in comparison against currently operating Taxi companies have launched Uber to success.
Uber Cadillac Escalade
Quick Facts:
Type: Private
Fleet Size: Unknown
Routes: Unspecified, Customer Requested
Manufactuer and Powerplant: Uber's business model allows its employees to use their own personal vehicle for
Google Maps, A web based mapping service which displays street level GPS maps and routing services has become invaluable in making travel easier.
Google Maps Subaru Impreza Mapping the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Zone in Japan
Quick Facts:
Type: Private
Fleet Size: Unspecified, fleet deployed worldwide
Routes: Global
Manufacturer and Powerplant: Google utilizes the most practical size and type of vehicles for each type of area being mapped. Smaller hatchbac
If you've ever heard the distinctive "Pffft" noise that heavy trucks and buses make and been curious as to why they do this. Continue reading. If you have no interest in trucks or heavy vehicles this will be useless knowledge you can use to say you learned something today. If you ever want to get your CDL license so you can drive trucks and buses this information will help you pass your written and driving test.
On an 18-Wheeler Semi truck, The Red Knob activates the spring brake
I have received messages from readers of my blog who are intested in transit fanning but are unfamilliar with many of the concepts and terminology used in the field. This guide should provide insight into a few misunderstandings.
Lets start with some common terminology:
Low Floor: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-floor_bus Simply put, Low Floor buses do not have steps to climb. The use of this type of bus is almost an entierly universal practice for several reasons. (In the US and UK) Bu
