GO Transit 8000-8011

Interior of the upper deck on 8002

GO Transit 8000-8011 were Alexander Dennis Enviro500 buses acquired in March 2008. They were the very first double deckers purchased by GO Transit (but not the first to operate with the agency, which was a Trident 3 built in 2002 and currently in service with BC Transit as 9036). All models are 43 feet in length with seating for 78 individuals (32 on the bottom level and 46 on the top level). All buses of this series are low-floor (the first such buses in GO Transit's fleet) and are equipped with wheelchair ramps.

These buses were delivered with the livery introduced on coaches 2328-2353. Inside, they feature reading lights (non-adjustable) and air vents (adjustable), as well as stop request buttons mounted on stanchions. The seats consist of high-back seats with angled tops in the upper deck, and low-back seats in the lower deck. They are upholstered in Holdworth Fabrics BAD309 "Discs and Diamonds" moquette, unique to this batch.

There are also four LCD screens, two on each level, controlled with a Luminator controller intended to display information. However, since the installation of INIT CAD/AVL systems on each vehicle, they have been largely deactivated in favour of two LED signs, one mounted above the monitor on the lower deck behind the door, and another on the side of the monitor at the front of the upper deck.

A shipment of these buses made news when a group of individuals smuggled themselves onto one of GO Transit's Enviro500s during international delivery.

Engine	Transmission	Seating	Destination sign
Cummins ISM 330 hp	Allison B500R 6 speed	32: Lazzerini Pratico 2845, 46: Lazzerini Grand Tourismo 3600	Luminator Horizon

History

Assignment

This series of double deck buses had a height of 14 feet. Due to MTO restrictions on overheight vehicles, they were restricted to selected routes along the 407 West corridor, specifically routes 45, 46, and 48B. They were originally based out of the Bramalea satellite garage, but were moved to Streetsville Garage upon its opening in 2009.

From 2009 until 2012, some units would be based out of Niagara Falls during the summer months to operate on route 12. This practice ended with the year-round assignment of DDL buses on route 12 in 2013.

Refurbishment

These buses were refurbished by MTB Transit Solutions, alongside 8012-8021. Refurbishment included body and mechanical overhauls, and being repainted into the current two-tone green livery that was introduced on the latest double deck buses. The first bus returned to GO Transit in January 2015, and all units were refurbished by the end of 2015.

Retirement

Retirements for this series began in Fall 2017, as Enviro500 SuperLo buses continued entering service. After the opening of Highway 407 Station in December 2017, these buses could only operate on route 45, severely restricting their usage. The last day of service was March 1, 2018. After being withdrawn, all buses were moved to storage in a parking lot near Meadowvale GO Station. In November 2018, all units were sold to CVS Tours, and were transported to Vancouver by rail.

Details

Fleet number	Date	VIN	License plate	Status/Disposal	Notes
8000	01/2008	SFET555217GN11948	594 7BF (prev. BN3 337)	Retired November 2017	Displayed at Trans-Expo 2008.
8001	01/2008	SFET5552X7GN11950	901 0BF (prev. BN3 338)	Retired December 2017	Was missing front GO logo from March to May 2009.
8002	01/2008	SFET555217GN11951	902 4BF (prev. BN3 339)	Retired Early 2018
8003	01/2008	SFET555237GN11952	903 9BF (prev. BN3 336)	Retired December 2017	Image before refurbishment
8004	01/2008	SFET555277GN11954	903 3BF (prev. BN3 335)	Retired December 2017
8005	01/2008	SFET555297GN11955	906 5BF (prev. BN3 334)	Retired December 2017	Was the bus shown to reveal the new double deckers in March 2008 at Steeprock. Is the bus used for the main page image on the GO Transit website during late 2008 and 2009.
8006	01/2008	SFET555257GN11953	902 3BF (prev. BN3 340)	Retired Early 2018
8007	01/2008	SFET555267GN11959	595 0BF (prev. BN3 341)	Retired March 1, 2018
8008	01/2008	SFET555237GN11949	594 0BF (prev. BN3 342)	Retired Early 2018
8009	01/2008	SFET555207GN11956	902 6BF (prev. BN3 343)	Retired December 2017
8010	01/2008	SFET555227GN11957	903 1BF (prev. BN3 344)	Retired Early 2018
8011	01/2008	SFET555227GN11958	593 9BF (prev. BN3 345)	Retired October 2017	Rear view before refurbishment