User:Mliu92/sandbox/Orion I
| Orion I | |
|---|---|
 .jpg) Orion I buses Top: Original production (round headlights) Bottom: Late production (square headlights) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ontario Bus Industries |
| Production | 1978–1993 |
| Assembly | |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Transit bus |
| Body style | Monocoque, all-welded steel frame |
| Layout | RR |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
|
| Length | over bumpers: |
| Width | 96 in (2.44 m) [30' or 35'][1] |
| Height | 114 in (2.90 m)[1] |
| Curb weight | |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | |
The Orion I was a line of rigid high-floor transit buses available in 30', 35', and 40' lengths manufactured by Ontario Bus & Truck (renamed to Ontario Bus Industries (OBI) in 1977) between 1976 and 1993 for the Canadian and United States mass transportation markets. The Orion I was the first bus offered by OBI and was available in transit (2-door) and coach/suburban (1-door) models. It was replaced by the rigid Orion V (introduced in 1989) and low-floor Orion VI (introduced in 1993).
A licensed version of the 30-foot model was produced by Transportation Manufacturing Corporation (TMC) as the T‑30 Citycruiser from 1979 to 1982.
Design[edit]
The bus was available in both transit (two-door) and suburban (single front door) configurations;[1] in addition, OBI used the Orion I to produce an ambulance and a motorhome.[3]: 4–158 It uses a welded monocoque steel tube frame clad with steel panels.[1] Although a prototype was produced in 1976, serial production did not begin until 1978.[3]: 4–158
OBI marketed the Orion I to both the Canadian and United States transit markets. Canadian buses were assembled at the OBI plant in Mississauga, Ontario. For the US market, to meet 'Buy America' requirements for federally-subsidized transit vehicles, the Orion I was initially produced under license before OBI incorporated the wholly-owned subsidiary Bus Industries of America (BIA) in 1981 to assemble the Orion I in Oriskany, New York.
TMC marketed the T‑30 Citycruiser as an ideal vehicle for smaller transit agencies; although it only seated approximately 2⁄3 the passengers of a typical 40-foot transit bus (31 versus 47), it offered better fuel economy at 7.7 mpg‑US (0.31 l/km), compared to 4.5 to 6 mpg‑US (0.52 to 0.39 l/km), with a turning radius of 28 feet (8.5 m).[4]
Models[edit]
Internally, OBI designated the bus model as 01.5xx, with xx denoting a combination of vehicle length and door configuration.
| Model number | Length | Width | Years available | Fuel type | Suburban (1-door) or Transit (2-door) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01.501 | (30-ft) 31 ft 7 in 9.63 m |
96 in 2.44 m |
1976–93 | Diesel or CNG (1988+) | |
| 01.502 | |||||
| 01.503 | Suburban | ||||
| 01.504 | (35-ft) 36 ft 8 in 11.18 m |
1979–93 | |||
| 01.505 | Suburban | ||||
| 01.506 | |||||
| 01.507 | |||||
| 01.508 | (40-ft) 40 ft 7 in 12.37 m |
1984–93 | |||
| 01.509 | Suburban | ||||
| 01.510 | (35-ft) 36 ft 8 in 11.18 m |
Citycruiser[edit]
TMC, a subsidiary of Greyhound Lines, began manufacturing buses in Roswell, New Mexico in 1975, producing approximately 450 per year to replace older suburban coaches for its parent company.[5] Because Greyhound retired its coaches seasonally, production at TMC was inconsistent, and TMC acquired a license from OBI to produce the Citycruiser in 1979,[3]: 4–155 ensuring that year-round work could be sustained.[6] TMC unveiled its first Citycruiser on May 31, 1979,[2] during dedication ceremonies for the new factory.[7] The entire 1979 production had already been sold.[8]
TMC sold its license back to OBI in 1981,[3]: 4–155 and the last Citycruiser left Roswell in 1982.[9]: 26 OBI subsequently incorporated its wholly-owned subsidiary Bus Industries of America, which began assembling Orion I buses for the United States transit market in Oriskany, New York; production of the Orion I in New York began in June 1982.[3]: 4–158
Deployment[edit]
The Orion I was OBI's initial transit bus.[10] Customers included many small transit agencies.[11]
By 1984, more than 1400 Orion I buses had been produced, including approximately 950 Citycruisers built under license by TMC. The Mississauga and Oriskany factories had a capacity of 3 and 10 Orion buses every two weeks, respectively.[9]: A-5
Competition[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "The bus you've been waiting for (brochure)". Ontario Bus Industries.
- ^ a b "TMC completes first Citycruiser". The Roswell Daily Record. May 31, 1979. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Weiers, B.; Rossetti, M. (March 1982). Transit Bus Manufacturer Profiles (PDF) (Report). U.S. Department of Transportation, Urban Mass Transportation Administration. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ "Citycruiser makes its debut". Arizona Republic. May 14, 1978. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ Martinez, Thomas (July 16, 1978). "Firm Builds 450 Buses a Year". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ "TMC's first Citycruiser bus will roll out — soon". The Roswell Daily Record. April 6, 1979. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ "Greyhound official praises Roswellites". The Roswell Daily Record. June 1, 1979. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ "New Citycruiser". The Roswell Daily Record. May 31, 1979. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Weiers, Bruce J. (January 1985). Small Bus Manufacturing Industry (PDF) (Report). U.S. Department of Transportation, Urban Mass Transportation Administration. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
- ^ Brophy, Jim (July 16, 2016). "Bus Stop Classics: Orion I Thru VII – Cross-Border Cruisers…". Bus Stop Classics. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ Bow, James; Lubinski, Robert (January 5, 2017). "The Orion I Bus". Transit Toronto. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
External links[edit]
- "Orion I". Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board wiki.
- "Orion Vehicle Identification Number Explanation". Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board wiki.
- "The making of a Citycruiser. . ". The Roswell Daily Record. May 31, 1979.