Los Angeles Metro Rolls Out North America’s First...

[Trainspotter]

Los Angeles Metro Rolls Out North America’s First 65-foot Articulated Compressed Natural Gas Bus on Metro Orange Line

• Super-sized Success

In response to greater than anticipated customer demand for Metro Orange Line service, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) today announced the public debut of its gigantic new 65-foot Metro Liner demonstration bus for daily revenue service.

 

[float=right][/float]Just 10 feet shorter than a Metro Rail subway car, the extra-long transit vehicle made by North American Bus Industries, Inc. (NABI) is a first-of-its-kind, designed exclusively for operation on the Metro Orange Line, and is the highest capacity articulated compressed natural gas bus in operation in North America.

 

The bus is a full five feet longer than its 60-foot predecessor, and provides room for 66 seated passengers compared to the 60-foot model’s 57 seats. These nine additional seats represent a 16 percent gain in seating capacity. When fully loaded with seated and standing passengers, the new 65-foot bus can accommodate up to 100 passengers compared to the 60-foot model’s capacity of 84.

 

[float=right][/float]“Due to the overwhelming success of the Metro Orange Line, San Fernando Valley commuters have said ‘Super-size me,’ and Metro has listened,” said Pam O’Connor, Santa Monica City Councilmember and Metro Board Chair. “This new vehicle is roomier, quieter, more streamlined and, what’s more, operates on environmentally clean natural gas.”

 

The addition of the extra-capacity bus comes at a time when the Metro Orange Line has reached a new ridership milestone. The line has recently logged its 10 millionth boarding since it opened in October 2005. Ridership has nearly doubled since the first month of operation. Boardings on the 14-mile line reached more than 24,000 per weekday during the most recent reporting period of July 2007.

[twinlotus617]

I rode the Orange Line today and I have been looking for the new bus. I think there is just one right now. Can't wait for that improved air conditioning system:o

[Harry]

Prototype bus 9495 is the only 65-footer in service on the Orange Line right now, and that Metro has pledged to buy 10 units. So maybe you'll see it in the coming days.