Novabus in Western Canada..., Your opinions, please... Options

[Tranzit]

Having visited Victoria briefly this past March, I noticed a few Novabusses downtown and wonder how passengers are accepting them (or not) as compared to those of other existing manufacturers.

I didn't get a chance to climb aboard any in Victoria or Vancouver to see what has been placed over the front wheel wells: which would be either an open space for luggage or strollers, and so on, or what we in Montreal have installed here called a "point" or "pyramid" which prevents anything from being placed there or anyone from unsafely sitting there.

Apparently our earliest Novabusses of 1996 did originally have a luggage space there, but because over time rowdy students insisted on climbing up on them when busses were crowded; some almost falling backwards out of windows, etc., those spaces were subsequently blocked.

Perhaps someone can post a pic or two of the interior--particularly the wheel well area--of a Victoria or other western Canada Novabus for comparison purposes?

This would be very much appreciated, thanks!

[M. Parsons]

Having visited Victoria briefly this past March, I noticed a few Novabusses downtown and wonder how passengers are accepting them (or not) as compared to those of other existing manufacturers.

I didn't get a chance to climb aboard any in Victoria or Vancouver to see what has been placed over the front wheel wells: which would be either an open space for luggage or strollers, and so on, or what we in Montreal have installed here called a "point" or "pyramid" which prevents anything from being placed there or anyone from unsafely sitting there.

Apparently our earliest Novabusses of 1996 did originally have a luggage space there, but because over time rowdy students insisted on climbing up on them when busses were crowded; some almost falling backwards out of windows, etc., those spaces were subsequently blocked.

Perhaps someone can post a pic or two of the interior--particularly the wheel well area--of a Victoria or other western Canada Novabus for comparison purposes?

This would be very much appreciated, thanks!

Do the LFS suburbans operated by Strathcona County Transit count? They have seats over the wheel wells.

[A. Wong]

Here is a picture by Mike Dasher of the interior of the SCT Novas (which are very nice if I may say so myself):

[Tranzit]

Sure...any Novabus variable will count.

Nice pic of the interior. First time I've seen seats over those wheel wells!

Thanks!

[David D.]

Here is a picture by Mike Dasher of the interior of the SCT Novas (which are very nice if I may say so myself):

Are those folding foot stands on the front wheel well!!???
And what are those two metal things in the floor right under it?? Somthing to hook somthing too?

[general682002]

Are those folding foot stands on the front wheel well!!???
And what are those two metal things in the floor right under it?? Somthing to hook somthing too?

Yes and yes. The floor hook are for wheelchair.

[mike from edmont...]

Are those folding foot stands on the front wheel well!!???
And what are those two metal things in the floor right under it?? Somthing to hook somthing too?

Yes, those are foot stands to help you CLIMB into the wheel well seat

As for those other two things, thought they were for hooking wheelchairs into, but I really didn't pay them too much attention

[T6H-5307N]

That seating layout is pretty cool. Why? It actually makes sense! Just add a rear door and you have what every transit bus should look like on the inside.

[Tranzit]

Surely the photo above must be of an inter-city or regional bus type used for longer distances?

I say this because generally inner-city busses don't have luggage racks over the seats. If they did, for one thing there would definitely be more lost and forgotten items.

[M. Parsons]

It is. It's not long ride to Sherwood Park.... Maybe 15-20 minutes, but SCT seems to have the right idea about making the commute on a bus a bit more pleasent and attractive.

[dennyip]

Here's a pic I found floating around the Internet..it's the interior of a Victoria LFS 9213.

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[Scania K230UB]

Here's a pic I found floating around the Internet..it's the interior of a Victoria LFS 9213.

I know whose picture that is. (Hint: it's taken by a former member of this board)

Anyhow, returning to the topic... apparently Translink's first production LFS is completed and is now being inspected at the St. Eustache factory. No pictures as yet, but we've been told photos have been taken and when we do get a hold of them, they will be posted in the BC section.

[CN7066]

Those Victoria Novas have comfier seats than Victoria's D40LF's.

[A. Wong]

How about their DE40LFs? I thought those were some of the most comfortable seats I've sat on!

[Shaun]

Is it safe to be sitting so high on the wheel well? If i remember correctly it's about 3ft high off the floor, and i think it would be annoying since people with stollers cant get thru without kocking other people's feet.

[M. Parsons]

Is it safe to be sitting so high on the wheel well? If i remember correctly it's about 3ft high off the floor, and i think it would be annoying since people with stollers cant get thru without kocking other people's feet.

The wheelwells on the Nova's are shorter than a D40LF. Anyways, people sit on the middle wheelwells on a D60LF.

[mike from edmont...]

Is it safe to be sitting so high on the wheel well? If i remember correctly it's about 3ft high off the floor, and i think it would be annoying since people with stollers cant get thru without kocking other people's feet.

They appear to be used as "seats of last resort", in that they are the last filled. Haven't seen an LFS with a standing load, so not sure how that would work.

As for high, yeah, it's a climb, but consider the options, stand or wait for next bus, I'd ride in 'em

[Scania K230UB]

Those Victoria Novas have comfier seats than Victoria's D40LF's.

How about their DE40LFs? I thought those were some of the most comfortable seats I've sat on!

Victoria's Novas and DE40LFs have the same model seats. I've got a couple of pictures of the interior of one of the Victoria Novas which I'm pretty sure I sent you.

[general682002]

The wheelwells on the Nova's are shorter than a D40LF. Anyways, people sit on the middle wheelwells on a D60LF.

I've ridden a couple of LFS in Quebec with seats on wheelcover passenger side. And from the feeling of it, it feels fine, although the spacing will be cramped if sitting with another passenger.

[Tranzit]

I've ridden a couple of LFS in Quebec with seats on wheelcover passenger side. And from the feeling of it, it feels fine, although the spacing will be cramped if sitting with another passenger.

My favourite spot is that first raised widow-seat over the left wheel well since I don't really like sitting low down on an LFS. Otherwise, on the Classics I generally favour the single seats on the left side, preferably where I can crack open a window.