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.
Quick information about the ST Express New Flyer 60-foot Diesel Low Floor Bus
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Length |
60.7 feet |
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Height |
10 feet |
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Weight |
41,000 pounds |
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Width |
8.5 feet |
|
Passenger capacity |
Seating for 60 passengers |
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Fuel type |
No. 2 diesel and biodiesel |
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Fuel capacity |
140 US gallons |
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Power |
1999 - Detroit Diesel Engines Series 50 |
|
Year of manufacture |
1994, 2000 and 2004 |
|
Number of vehicles in fleet |
1999 purchase - 25 |
|
Cost per vehicle, inclusive |
1999 purchase - $456,255 |
Additional information:
Manufacture and assembly of the bus
The New Flyer bodies were built in Winnipeg, Manitoba and assembled in Crookston, MN.
1999.
No modifications.
Testing was conducted by Metro.
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.
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.
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Recliner seats
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Air-conditioning
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Parcel racks with integrated reading lamps
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Wheel chair ramps
These vehicles are stored at Metro’s South Base.
