Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion II

[jollyburger]

Identical twins.



https://oshkoshdefense.com/vehicles/delivery-vehicles/

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Buses aren't supposed to be beautiful, they're supposed to be functional.

Just because something is ugly doesn't mean the main purpose of a vehicle shouldn't be functionality. The fact that it's ugly doesn't indicate that the front bit makes the bus any more functional except maybe being more safe for the driver in a crash. I mean it's not impossible to make something that looks okay and still be very functional.

[ilikeredheads]

Just think of it as a low floor step van with an extra large windshield lol.

That being said, I think it's an odd choice for a 30ft bus to have a front hood. Wouldn't you want the driver seat out front to have better visibility? Plus you'd want as much interior space as possible.

[jollyburger]

I wonder how functional it is for wheelchair/scooters it looks tight with the driver's seat position.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Just because something is ugly doesn't mean the main purpose of a vehicle shouldn't be functionality. The fact that it's ugly doesn't indicate that the front bit makes the bus any more functional except maybe being more safe for the driver in a crash.

It's not as if keeping the driver safe in a crash is something easily tossed aside. And let's not forget that anything which reduces peak crash forces for the driver also benefits all the other occupants.

The USPS vans seem very similar in some ways and were roundly criticized for their look, but from what I've been reading the postal workers really love them because the design sprang directly from all of the features and requirements they asked for.

And so it is with this bus. It'll be trialed and from that will come a judgement as to whether or not it's suitable for its intended use. I can only hope that this bus will be judged against the other buses based on requirements rather than beauty.

If some other company can design a "better looking" bus that fits the needs at least as well, more power to them. But if this bus is judged better suited to it's purpose, IMHO you'd have to be rather foolish to hold its looks against it.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Just because something is ugly doesn't mean the main purpose of a vehicle shouldn't be functionality. The fact that it's ugly doesn't indicate that the front bit makes the bus any more functional except maybe being more safe for the driver in a crash. I mean it's not impossible to make something that looks okay and still be very functional.

Since it's electric, the ugly front is probly a function of aerodynamics.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

It's not as if keeping the driver safe in a crash is something easily tossed aside. And let's not forget that anything which reduces peak crash forces for the driver also benefits all the other occupants.

The USPS vans seem very similar in some ways and were roundly criticized for their look, but from what I've been reading the postal workers really love them because the design sprang directly from all of the features and requirements they asked for.

And so it is with this bus. It'll be trialed and from that will come a judgement as to whether or not it's suitable for its intended use. I can only hope that this bus will be judged against the other buses based on requirements rather than beauty.

If some other company can design a "better looking" bus that fits the needs at least as well, more power to them. But if this bus is judged better suited to it's purpose, IMHO you'd have to be rather foolish to hold its looks against it.

Well the only reason it looks like that is because it's such a short wheel base/they designed it for every 5th percentile female (4 foot 11 inch tall) person needs to be able to see over the hood in front of the vehicle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt6z4QvtQL8

Why should architecture look good.. should just be functional.

[Mac Write]

Originally Posted by madog222

CBMC will be trialing a Letenda Electrip out of Hamilton TC, reportedly to be four weeks non-revenue followed by two weeks revenue service.

Just looking at the bus accessibility is reduced for 32" wide wheelchairs which there is a growing and growing user base.

I already can't fit my wheelchair on community shuttles too wide and the space on the double deckers is 1-2inches too narrow. They need to thon about bariatric wheelchairs and scooters.

HandyDart is a nighttmare for me. it may seem better with a door to door service but it comes at an extremely high price to my health in waiting for HandyDart 30 minute window. It's pure torture. So I would rather grab a regular bus as it's just easier and less stressful. Don't get me started on people who climb over me to get into the elevator.

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Buses aren't supposed to be beautiful, they're supposed to be functional.

I vaguely remember a story from... Spain? where they found that bus ridership increased when they got buses that looked better. Better paint jobs, better lighting, that sort of thing. Functionally the same, but reduced the stigma of "haha you're riding on an ugly bus" and more people used them.

[cganuelas1995]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Translink/comme...smoking_and_transporting_a_table_on_the/

[madog222]

Solaris has won the trolley bus contract supplying their Trollino 12 (40') and Trollino 18 (60' artic), they demoed the the Trollino 12 here back in 2023.

The contract is for an initial supply of 107 40' trolleys with options for up to 201 additional 40' and up to 204 artics. To recap, the current fleet has 188 40' and 74 artics.

Configuration to be similar to the rest of CMBC's fleet, they won't have the extra rear door that the demo trolley did.

The pilot trolley will arrive next year.

https://buzzer.translink.ca/2025/03/comi...ancouvers-next-generation-trolley-buses/

[Mac Write]

If memory serves me right, Seattle got 2042 to go 2km of of battery during their testing.

Also I hope this buses better support bariatric wheelchairs which are 32" wide and 48" long?

[Lexus]

Originally Posted by madog222

Solaris has won the trolley bus contract supplying their Trollino 12 (40') and Trollino 18 (60' artic), they demoed the the Trollino 12 here back in 2023.

The contract is for an initial supply of 107 40' trolleys with options for up to 201 additional 40' and up to 204 artics. To recap, the current fleet has 188 40' and 74 artics.

Configuration to be similar to the rest of CMBC's fleet, they won't have the extra rear door that the demo trolley did.

The pilot trolley will arrive next year.

https://buzzer.translink.ca/2025/03/comi...ancouvers-next-generation-trolley-buses/

Seems like these made in Poland. (Probably, in significant part, by Ukrainian hands). Wonder is these would actually have comfortable ride!

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Mac Write

If memory serves me right, Seattle got 2042 to go 2km of of battery during their testing.

Also I hope this buses better support bariatric wheelchairs which are 32" wide and 48" long?

Seems super accessible if it's rear door loading. I wonder if they'll keep that seating layout.

• Video Link

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Seems super accessible if it's rear door loading. I wonder if they'll keep that seating layout.

Translink have said that their buses won't have the rear door, (as Maddog noted) and the interior will be configured to their specifications.

[RedArbutus]

Originally Posted by madog222

CBMC will be trialing a Letenda Electrip out of Hamilton TC, reportedly to be four weeks non-revenue followed by two weeks revenue service.

Saw a few yesterday from my office on Canada Way, going up and down Deer Lake Parkway/Norland throughout the day. I think yesterday was the first day they've been on the roads.

[jollyburger]

The Seattle order for Solaris had a rendering that might hint and what Translink's buses might look like.



https://www.solarisbus.com/en/press/sola...ies-to-the-united-states-of-america-2263

They also have a bodykit that can be added to any of their buses for BRT type routes.

[jollyburger]

It seems like they'll get a pilot articulated bus as well. Replacement in 2028-2029

2028-2029 Conventional Bus Replacement (1 pilot trolley bus)

Purchase 1 pilot trolley bus for the upcoming 60' electric trolley bus replacement. The pilot will be used for testing and evaluation in advance of the production of the remaining 73 trolley buses due for retirement in 2028 - 2029.

$4,433

https://www.translink.ca/-/media/transli...-board-mtg-agenda-posting-04-12-2024.pdf

[officedweller]

That bus is wearing an asymmetrical blouse.

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by officedweller

That bus is wearing an asymmetrical blouse.

It's European fashion, darling.