Blue Bird Ultra LF
Years of manufacture | 2002 to 2009 |
Length | 30 or 35 feet |
Width | 102 inches |
Power/Fuel | Diesel or CNG |
The Blue Bird Ultra LF is a low floor bus produced for transit and shuttle applications. The model was first introduced in late 2002 for the 2003 model year. It was available in two lengths: 30 and 35 feet. NABI acquired the Ultra LF along with Blue Bird's transit segment in 2006. Production of the Ultra LF was idled in 2009 and never resumed.
Design history
The Ultra LF was designed in the United Kingdom by Plaxton, which along with Blue Bird in the 1990s, had become part of Henlys Group. Plaxton developed a concept bus body called Bus 2000 which included a left-hand drive variant on a chassis built by Blue Bird in the United States. The right-hand drive variant was built on the Volvo Buses B6BLE chassis.
The very early Ultra LF buses had a front fascia that closer resembled the right-hand drive Bus 2000 prototypes. The bumper was more flush with the body and came in three pieces. Two pieces wrapped around the front quarters under the headlights, and one piece was incorporated into the centre panel. The headlight bezels tapered around the front quarter panels. Production Ultra LF buses would incorporate more American components which included a one-piece front bumper and new headlight assemblies.
Other photos
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35-foot CNG-powered Blue Bird Ultra LF.
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30-foot diesel-powered Blue Bird Ultra LF.
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Interior of a 2004 Blue Bird Ultra LF.
Specifications
Dimensions | ||
---|---|---|
Length: Under 30' and 35' | ||
Width: 102" | ||
Height: 122" (132" CNG) | ||
Wheelbase: Varies by model (157" / 222") | ||
Step Height: (f/r) 10" in kneeled position | ||
Overhang: (f/r) 89.5" / 112" | ||
Interior Headroom: 96" Main seating area and 76" in rear area | ||
Aisle Width: Varies by floor plan | ||
Turning Radius: Varies by model | ||
Tire Size: 265/70R 19.5 | ||
Fuel Tank: 60-gallon with right side fill (Emco Wheaton fuel fill option available) | ||
GVWR: 30'- 26,455 lbs. / 35'- 28,660 lbs. (2000 Series / Transmission limited application) | ||
Engine | Emissions | Availability |
Cummins ISB 5.9L, 200 to 275 hp | EPA 2004 | 2002 to 2007 |
Cummins ISB 6.7L, 240 to 280 hp | EPA 2007 | 2007 to 2009 |
Cummins Westport B Gas Plus 230 hp | 2005 to 2009 | |
Transmission | Availability | |
Allison B300(R) | 2002 to 2009 | |
Allison LCT 2000 Series | 2002 to 2007 | |
Axles | ||
ArvinMeritor | ||
Suspension | ||
Front: 10,000 lb independent, 2-bag air ride | ||
Rear: 21,000 lb Trailing arm 2-bag air ride | ||
Kneeling option | ||
Yes | ||
Brakes | ||
Meritor all wheel disc | ||
Steering | ||
TAS 65 | ||
HVAC | Availability | |
Thermo King CRT-SP | 2002 to 2009 | |
Carrier A/C 313 | 2002 to 2007 | |
Carrier A/C 136 | CNG only, 2002 to 2007 | |
Doors | ||
35" Wide | ||
Wheelchair lift option | ||
Ricon Power Ramp | ||
Seating Ccpacity | ||
Multiple floor plans available from 19-35 passengers |
Operators
Canada
- Brantford Transit - Brantford, ON
- Burlington Transit - Burlington, ON
- Cobourg Transit - Cobourg, ON
- Greater Toronto Airports Authority LINK - Mississauga, ON
- Milton Transit - Milton, ON
- Oakville Transit - Oakville, ON
- Porter Airlines Shuttle Bus Service - Toronto, ON
- Welland Transit - Welland, ON
United States
- BAT Community Connector - Bangor, ME
- Bull Runner Transit (University of South Florida) - Tampa, FL
- Burbank Bus - Burbank, CA
- Capital Area Transit System - Baton Rouge, LA
- Cleveland Area Rapid Transit (CART) - Norman, OK
- Corning-Erwin Area Transit System (CEATS) - Corning & Erwin, NY
- El Monte Transit - El Monte, CA
- Grand Valley Transit - Grand Junction, CO
- Harvard University Shuttle - Cambridge, MA
- Hialeah Transit System - Hialeah, FL
- Kings Area Rural Transit - Kings County, CA
- LakeXpress - Lake County, FL
- Lewiston-Auburn Transit Committee - Lewiston and Auburn, ME
- Macatawa Area Express - Holland & Zeeland, MI
- Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority (MTA) - Macon & Bibb County, GA
- Monterey Park Spirit - Monterey Park, CA
- OSU-Stillwater Community Transit System - Stillwater, OK
- Pasco County Public Transportation - Port Richey, FL
- ShuttleBus - Biddeford, ME
- Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority - Toledo, OH
Demonstrators and engineering units
Below is a ist of known demonstrator and engineering buses.
Fleet Number |
Thumbnail | Build Date |
VIN | Engine | Transmission | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | 1BAGJBPA93F209609 |
| ||||
11/25/2002 | 1BAGHBPA53F211157 | Cummins Westport B Gas Plus | Allison B300R |
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2003 | 1BAGHBPA03F211213 | Cummins ISB | Allison B300R |
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2005 | Cummins ISB | Allison B300R |
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References
vantage.blue-bird.com Unit Dashboard
Blue Bird Ultra LF Specs
Personal notes & sightings