wil9402

108 is used for the final test at the end of training. 101 seems to have replaced 90 in recent years for recertification, at least before it was rerouted to Stanley Greene. Anytime between when the operator gets their license and the final test, Instructors can take them on any route they wish to do revenue service training.

Noticed they updated 17A and 102D to remove the extra fare signage. They likely did this for 68B as well which is why only 68B has no spaces. Lately, every time a sign with spaced out letters gets an update the spaces are removed.

The original RFP and contract award was for 310 buses. Once federal funding was secured, the contract was amended to add an additional 30 for a total of 340 buses between New Flyer and Nova. Nova's press release mentions that their contract is a base order of 124 with a potential for 12 more, bringing Nova's total to 136. That would mean 18 additional New Flyers were added bringing their total to 204.

Not surprising. At least 1 out of the 3 midday extras are assigned a 40ft on almost a daily basis. Last Wednesday all 3 midday extras plus 2 all day runs were 40ft, making 5 out of 9 buses 40fts that day. They had two RADs running on 905B to help out. Curious to see if they'll operate a mix or be strictly 40fts though.

Noticed one, possibly two, artics on 903A today sporting a new more clearer front destination sign. The new sign shows: "903A Kennedy-Scarb Express" (two line, same as original) > "903A To Kennedy Stn" or "903A To Centennial College" (one line) > "903A via Scarborough Ctr Stn" (one line). No "Express Network" exposure.

TTC 877X (8772 I believe) on 995 earlier this afternoon.

3645 is wrapped for Black History Month. It looks like the wrap was printed to fit a diesel Nova. Only the rear section of the roof panels is wrapped.

I believe I saw this one doing some sort of test run exiting STC and heading south on McCowan in the late afternoon some time last week. The Training Bus sign was up but it didn't look like operator training, possibly mechanics. I'm not 100% sure I remember the number correctly though.

Spotted it as well northbound on McCowan at Sheppard around 6pm today.

It's a result of a recent track geometry survey. They are working on fixing the issues found to remove the slow orders.

If you compare them to one of the W500-W647 ProMasters, you can see that W648 and up are larger. Look at the length between the rear wheels and the rear end.

Looking at the latest Service Summary it looks like W648 and up are listed as ARBOC/Creative Carriage ProMaster Plus. They've grouped them with the W700s so the fleet range is W648-W790. So I'm assuming from this that W648-W699 will likely be these 7-metre ProMasters. Also of note, looks like 1 of the original ProMasters from the W500-W579 batch is retired.

The pilot project ran at Queensway in 2006, likely the 9 months you're referring to. It was then expanded to all divisions and in use until 2009. Here's a link to the Procurement Authorization Amendment to stop using Biodiesel in 2009 from the August 28, 2008 Board Meeting.

Spotted two all white D40LFs travelling east on the 401 at Neilson Rd around 2:10p today. Would I be safe to assume they were headed to DRT or are they decaled before delivery?

At the last meeting the Board was discussing the Sale and Removal of Retired Buses Contract. A citizen made a deputation in which they asked the TTC to consider preserving 3 Orions (2 as parts buses) partially because of the history of Orion to the Province. The item was then amended to include this request, plus a few other amendments, and was approved on a 7-1 vote by the board. The Sale and Removal Contract that includes the Preservation request covers all remaining Orions. The contract is also for the next 5 years. So it can be any of the remaining Orions.