Text mode

 
Riding Sound Transit News & Events Projects & Plans Sound Transit 2 Working With Us About Us




Accountability

Home Page > Riding Sound Transit > Our Vehicles > ST Express NF 60' diesel

Printer Friendly | Tell a Friend

ST Express 60-foot Diesel Low Floor Bus Specifications (New Flyer)

ST Express 60-foot Diesel Low Floor Bus Specifications (New Flyer)

Sound Transit has been operating 60-foot New Flyer low-floor articulated buses since the start of ST Express service in 1999. These buses have an articulated, or “slinky” section in the middle that allows the vehicle to bend and flex. They carry many more people than a conventional 40-foot bus.

For the 1999 purchase, Sound Transit contracted with New Flyer for 25 articulated buses, with an option to buy 50 more.  These buses were built with King County Metro Transit's and Community Transit's specifications, because these partners of Sound Transit's actually operate the buses.

In 2000, Sound Tranist used the option to purchase 12 more buses, which are operated by Metro.

In 2004, Sound Transit “piggybacked” on Metro’s New Flyer bus contract and purchased an additional 16 buses. (The piggyback contract process reduces delivery time, administration costs, expedites the purchase process, and is eligible for federal grant funding.)  These buses were built with virtually the same specifications, except for the addition of a more reliable low-emission Caterpillar engine and M-A-N axle-suspension system.

ST Express 60' New Flyer Low Floor Diesel


Quick information about the ST Express New Flyer 60-foot Diesel Low Floor Bus 

Length

60.7 feet

Height

10 feet

Weight

41,000 pounds

Width

8.5 feet

Passenger capacity

Seating for 60 passengers

Fuel type

No. 2 diesel and biodiesel

Fuel capacity

140 US gallons

Power

1999 - Detroit Diesel Engines Series 50
2000 - Detroit Diesel Engines Series 50
2004 - CAT (Caterpillar) C9 engine

Year of manufacture

1994, 2000 and 2004

Number of vehicles in fleet

1999 purchase - 25
2000 purchase - 12
2004 purchase - 16

Cost per vehicle, inclusive

1999 purchase - $456,255
2000 purchase - $483,560
2004 purchase - $512,083

 

Additional information:

 

Manufacture and assembly of the bus

The New Flyer bodies were built in Winnipeg, Manitoba and assembled in Crookston, MN.

 

First bus vehicle delivered

1999.

 

Modifications, once delivered

No modifications.

 

Testing of the bus

Testing was conducted by Metro.

 

How this bus works

All Sound Transit diesel buses use a combination of clean diesel and biodiesel.

A diesel engine works differently than a gasoline engine. With a diesel engine, air is compressed into a very small space, raising the air’s temperature so high that anything introduced into it will ignite. No spark plug is used. As a result, a mini-explosion inside the engine cylinder pushes the piston connected to a shaft that, in turn, moves the wheels on the bus.

To make biodiesel, vegetable oil and lye are mixed and heated to separate glycerin from the oil (glycerin makes oil heavy and slippery). A lighter liquid results, which can then be used in any diesel fuel tank and burned in any diesel engine.

There is no “engine conversion” when using biodiesel.

 

Overall benefits of the bus

These buses are dependable and carry many more people than a conventional 40-foot bus.

 

How the bus fits in Sound Transit’s fleet

These vehicles enhance service originating from East King County, and meet service demand identified by the Board-approved 2003 Service Implementation Plan.

 

Other features

  • Recliner seats
  • Air-conditioning
  • Parcel racks with integrated reading lamps
  • Wheel chair ramps

 

Location of Maintenance Base

These vehicles are stored at Metro’s South Base.