7697 is most likely retired because of the following reasons:
1. I have video footage of this unit being driven in Newark found here:https://photos.app.goo.gl/A7Cc4uXgJeMJBp6t7 Taken November 2nd,2021
2. I check the tracker for this bus and followed it on the tracker until it arrived at Ironbound Garage.
3. I check the logs of when this bus last ran and it logged: September 28th,2021.
Rip