Orion VII

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Orion VII
TTC Orion 07.501 VII 7906.JPG
NICE Bus 2010 Orion VII Next Generation CNG on the N20G.jpg
MiWay 1040.jpg
Top: 2006 Orion VII OG Diesel, TTC
Middle: 2010 Orion VII NG CNG, NICE Bus
Bottom: 2010 Orion VII EPA10 Hybrid, MiWay
Overview
Manufacturer Daimler Buses North America
(Orion Bus Industries)
Production
  • 2001–07 (original)
  • 2007–10 (Next Gen)
  • 2011–13 (EPA10)
Assembly Mississauga, Canada
Oriskany, New York
Body and chassis
Class Transit bus
Body style Monocoque
Layout RR
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • 190 in (4.83 m) (30' NG) [1]
  • 226 in (5.74 m) (35' NG) [1]
  • 286 in (7.26 m) (40' NG) [1]
Lengthover bumpers:
  • 33 ft 2.23 in (10.1 m) (30' NG) [1]
  • 36 ft 2.23 in (11.0 m) (35' NG) [1]
  • 41 ft 2.23 in (12.6 m) (40' NG) [1]
Width101.8 in (2.59 m) [1]
Height127 to 133 in (3.23 to 3.38 m) [2] [3] [4]
Curb weight
  • 27,950 to 30,220 lb (12,700 to 13,700 kg) (40') [2] [3] [5]
  • 29,730 to 31,610 lb (13,500 to 14,300 kg) (40' EPA10) [4] [6] [7]
Chronology
Predecessor

The Orion VII is a line of low-floor transit buses available in 30' rigid, 35' rigid, and 40' rigid lengths manufactured by Daimler Buses North America's subsidiary Orion Bus Industries between 2001 and 2013 in three generations. The conventional powered buses, either with longitudinally-mounted diesel or natural gas engines, used a T-drive transmission coupling. A series hybrid variant powered by a diesel-driven generator was also available. The Orion VII replaced the fully low-floor Orion VI and high-floor Orion V buses, and was manufactured until its parent company DaimlerChrysler withdrew from the transit bus market in 2013.

Contents

Design

The two-piece windshield of the original Orion VII has the driver's windshield canted towards the back of the bus to reduce reflections; the second and third generations also had a two-piece windshield, but both panes are curved similarly and collectively resemble a single piece. Externally, the three generations may also be distinguished by the position of the top of the doors. In the original Orion VII, the top of both the front and rear doors is at the same level as the top of the side windows. In the Orion VII Next Generation (VIING), the top of the front door is at the level as the bottom of the standee windows. In the Orion VII EPA10, the tops of both doors are at the height of the bottom of the standee windows.

The Orion VII uses a monocoque stainless steel frame clad with aluminum and fiberglass panels. [2] The interior floor height is 15.5 inches (390 mm) [1] except for the portion starting at the rear wheels, which is elevated to provide mechanical clearance for the engine and transmission. All conventional (diesel/CNG) buses use longitudinally-mounted engines with a T-drive transmission coupling driving the rear axle.

Series Hybrid

Lockheed Martin Control Systems (later acquired by BAE Systems) [8] developed the HybriDrive™ series hybrid propulsion system [9] used in the Orion VII. [10] In this system, the diesel engine is mounted transversely and drives a generator, and an electric motor drives the wheels directly. [11] A roof-mounted battery pack supplies additional power for acceleration and hill-climbing. The traction motor is rated at 250 hp (190 kW) continuous and 320 hp (240 kW) peak, offering a stall torque of 2,700 lb⋅ft (3,700 N⋅m). The traction motor also operates as a generator for regenerative braking, with the power returned to the battery pack. [10] According to a 2008 paper, the Orion VII hybrid buses, in service with New York City Transit since 2002, had per-mile maintenance costs comparable to CNG-fueled buses, with improved overall operating costs per mile mainly due to better fuel economy (3.00 to 3.22 mpg‑US (0.78 to 0.73 L/km) for the hybrids evaluated, compared to 2.33 mpg‑US (1.01 L/km) diesel equivalent for the CNG buses). [12] In 2008, it was reported that Toronto Transit Commission's Orion hybrid bus fleet suffered from early failure of lead-acid batteries in roof-mounted battery pack and much lower fuel savings than expected. [13] [14] [15]

Allison Hybrid

Orion announced the Allison Hybrid H 40 EP two-mode parallel/series hybrid system would be offered starting in 2011. [16] A demonstration unit with this powertrain was delivered to DART.

Deployment

The first operator of the Orion VII was Mississauga Transit (MiWay) for the first 14 production models powered by the Detroit Diesel Series 50 diesel engine. These buses were retired in 2013. MiWay also ordered 15 hybrid models and 35 diesel BRT models in 2010 and 2012, both of which are EPA10 models.

Although New York City had previously evaluated ten Orion VI and five NovaBus RTS buses [17] equipped with series hybrid propulsion as a small pilot program starting in 1998, [18] the first major deployment of hybrid buses were the 125 Orion VII HybriDrive buses ordered in 2001/02. [19]

In 2013, New York MTA announced plans to convert approximately 1⁄4 of their hybrid fleet to solely conventional diesel power; [20] after the warranty expired, the agency was not willing to bear the cost of traction motor replacement. [21] However, only two buses, both now retired have been converted.

The Toronto Transit Commission is another notable operator of the Orion VII, having purchased buses in both diesel and series hybrid diesel-electric propulsion configurations between 2002 and 2012. As of 2024, the Orion VII buses remain in service and maintained at Arrow Road, Malvern, Mount Dennis, Queensway and Wilson garages. At 879 diesel buses ordered, they were the largest operator of Orion VII diesel buses in North America.

The San Francisco Municipal Railway (SF Muni) announced the acquisition of 86 series hybrid Orion VII buses in 2004, delivered in the last half of 2007; [22] [23] however, the hybrid buses proved to be unreliable. [20]

Two Orion VII Hybrids are also operated by the Edmonton Transit System. Both buses were built in 2006.

Models

GenerationImageModelLengthProduction yearsPowertrains
Original Brantford Transit 9022.JPG 07.50140 feet (12 m)2001–2007 Diesel, CNG, Hybrid
07.50235 feet (11 m)
07.50332.5 feet (9.9 m)
Next Generation Fairfax Connector Orion VII NG.jpg 07.50140 feet (12 m)2007-2010
07.50235 feet (11 m)
07.50332.5 feet (9.9 m)
EPA 10 CCC Orion VII 1206 Purple.jpg 07.50140 feet (12 m)2011-2013
07.50235 feet (11 m)
07.50332.5 feet (9.9 m)

Competition

Related Research Articles

North American Bus Industries, Inc. (NABI) was a manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses with its headquarters, bus manufacturing and assembly operations, located in Anniston, Alabama. Its products ranged from 31-feet to 60-feet in length, and were sold to operators throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. NABI's U.S. operations also include an aftermarket parts division in Delaware, Ohio, and an after-sales service center at Mira Loma, California.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercedes-Benz Citaro</span> Low-floor bus from Mercedes-Benz/EvoBus

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro is a single-decker, rigid or articulated bus manufactured by Mercedes-Benz/EvoBus. Introduced in 1997, the Citaro is available in a range of configurations, and is in widespread use throughout Europe and parts of Asia, with more than 55,000 produced by December 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toronto Transit Commission bus system</span> Bus system serving the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario, Canada

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orion Bus Industries</span> Bus manufacturer based in Ontario, Canada (1975-2013)

Orion Bus Industries, also known as Bus Industries of America in the United States, was a private bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orion V</span> Transit bus

The Orion V was a line of rigid high-floor transit buses available in 32', 35', and 40' lengths manufactured by Ontario Bus Industries between 1989 and 2009. The conventionally powered buses, either with longitudinally mounted diesel or natural gas engines, used a T-drive transmission coupling. The Orion V replaced the Orion I, and was in turn replaced by the low-floor Orion VI and Orion VII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orion VI</span> Low-floor transit bus

The Orion VI was a low-floor transit bus available in 40' lengths manufactured by Ontario Bus Industries between 1995 and 2003. The Orion VI was intended to provide an alternative to the existing high-floor Orion V; both the V and VI were replaced by the partially low-floor Orion VII.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nova Bus LFS</span> Motor vehicle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Flyer Xcelsior</span> Line of transit buses built by New Flyer

The New Flyer Xcelsior is a line of transit buses available in 35-foot rigid, 40-foot rigid, and 60-foot articulated nominal lengths manufactured by New Flyer Industries since 2008. In addition to the different available lengths, the buses are sold with a variety of propulsion systems: conventional diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), diesel-electric hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell, overhead electric wire and battery electric. A future autonomous bus variant was announced in January 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Flyer High Floor</span> American passenger bus type

The New Flyer High Floor is a line of conventional (high-floor) transit buses available in 35-foot rigid, 40-foot rigid, and 60-foot articulated lengths manufactured by New Flyer Industries between 1987 and 2006. The buses were powered by conventional diesel or natural gas engines using either V-drive or T-drive transmission couplings, with the exception of an articulated electric trolleybus variant manufactured for a single customer, the San Francisco Municipal Railway. The New Flyer Low Floor, a low-floor bus with a similar external appearance, was introduced in 1991 and proved to be more popular than the High Floor, which was discontinued in 1996 in diesel rigid form. CNG high-floor buses continued to be made until 1999, and the articulated version was manufactured until early 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NABI LFW</span> American low-floor transit buses

The NABI LFW is a line of low-floor transit buses available in 30' rigid, 35' rigid, 40' rigid, and 60' articulated lengths manufactured by North American Bus Industries (NABI) between 1997 and 2015. In addition to the different available lengths, the buses were sold with a variety of powertrains, including conventional diesel, LNG, and CNG combustion engines along with a diesel-electric hybrid system

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NABI SFW</span> American standard (high)-floor transit buses

The NABI SFW is a line of standard (high)-floor transit buses available in 40-foot rigid and 60-foot articulated nominal lengths, manufactured by the Ikarus USA joint venture, then by American Ikarus and North American Bus Industries (NABI) between 1989 and 2013. In addition to the different lengths, the buses were sold with a variety of prime movers, including conventional diesel and CNG combustion engines and hybrid diesel-electric power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NABI BRT</span> Motor vehicle

The NABI BRT is a line of low-floor transit buses available in 60' articulated (60-BRT) and later 42' rigid (42-BRT) nominal lengths manufactured by North American Bus Industries (NABI) between 2004 and 2015. In addition to the different available lengths, the buses were sold with a variety of prime movers, ranging from conventional diesel and CNG combustion engines to diesel-electric hybrid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proterra EcoRide</span> American battery electric transit bus

The Proterra EcoRide BE35 is a 35 foot (11 m) fast-charge battery electric bus that seats 38 with a total passenger capacity of 60 in its composite low floor body. Foothill Transit was the first transit agency to operate the buses in revenue service, starting in September 2010. It is the first 30 ft (9 m) or larger, heavy-duty all-electric bus ever to complete federally required durability, reliability and safety testing at the Bus Research and Testing Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The 12yr/500,000 mi (800,000 km) STURAA test was completed on March 5, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ENC Axess</span> Motor vehicle

The ENC Axess is a line of low-floor transit buses available in 35-foot and 40-foot nominal lengths manufactured by ENC in Riverside, California starting from 2003. In addition to the different available lengths, the buses are sold with a variety of prime movers, ranging from conventional diesel, LNG/CNG combustion engines, diesel-electric hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell with a traction motor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ENC E-Z Rider</span> Motor vehicle

The ENC E-Z Rider and its successor E-Z Rider II are a line of low-floor, mid-sized, heavy-duty transit buses available in 30', 32', and 35' nominal lengths manufactured by ENC in Riverside, California starting from 1996. In addition to the different lengths, the buses are available with several powertrain options including traditional diesel, CNG, LNG, Propane, and diesel-electric hybrid.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Product Specifications: Orion VII (2007 - 2009)". Orion Industries. Archived from the original on December 26, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 STURAA Test: 12 Year, 500,000 Mile Bus from Orion Bus Industries, Inc,; Model Orion VII (PDF) (Report). Altoona, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Bus Testing and Research Center. January 2002. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 Partial STURAA Test: 12 Year, 500,000 Mile Bus from Orion Bus Industries, Model Orion VII (PDF) (Report). Altoona, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Bus Testing and Research Center. February 2003. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Partial STURAA Test: 12 Year, 500,000 Mile Bus from Daimler Buses North America Ltd., Model Orion VII EPA10 Diesel (PDF) (Report). Altoona, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Bus Testing and Research Center. April 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  5. ↑ Partial STURAA Test: 12 Year, 500,000 Mile Bus from Orion Bus Industries, Model Orion VII (PDF) (Report). Altoona, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Bus Testing and Research Center. December 2003. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  6. ↑ STURAA Test: 12 Year, 500,000 Mile Bus from Daimler Buses North America Ltd., Model Orion VII EPA10 (PDF) (Report). Altoona, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Bus Testing and Research Center. November 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  7. ↑ Partial STURAA Test: 12 Year, 500,000 Mile Bus from Daimler Buses North America Ltd., Model Orion VII EPA10 CNG (PDF) (Report). Altoona, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Bus Testing and Research Center. February 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  8. ↑ "BAE Systems Agrees to Acquire Control Systems Business From Lockheed Martin for $510 Million". Lockheed Martin. April 27, 2000. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  9. ↑ Grewe, T (May 1998). HybriDrive Proulsion System: A cleaner, more efficient way to go!. The 1998 Bus Operations, Technology and Management Conference. Phoenix, Arizona: American Public Transportation Association. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  10. 1 2 Barnitt, Robb (March 2008). BAE/Orion Hybrid Electric Buses at New York City Transit: A Generational Comparison (PDF) (Report). National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Orion VII Hybrid Product Overview" (PDF). Daimler Buses North America. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 31, 2010.
  12. ↑ Barnitt, Robb A. (June 2008). In-Use Performance Comparison of Hybrid Electric, CNG, and Diesel Buses at New York City Transit (PDF). International Powertrains, Fuels & Lubricants. Shanghai, China: SAE International. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  13. ↑ "TTC wants to back out of hybrid bus purchase". Toronto. CTV News. October 22, 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  14. ↑ Gray, Jeff (May 16, 2008). "TTC hybrid bus batteries losing their power". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  15. ↑ Alter, Lloyd. "Hybrid Buses a Bust in Toronto (23 Oct 2008)". TreeHugger. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Allison hybrid system to be offered on Orion VII". Metro Magazine. August 16, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Lockheed Martin to deliver more diesel electric propulsion systems for New York City buses". Dieselnet. January 13, 1999. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  18. ↑ Chandler, Kevin; Walkowicz, Kevin; Eudy, Leslie (July 2002). New York City Transit diesel hybrid-electric buses: Final results (PDF) (Report). Department of Energy / National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Advanced Technology Vehicles in Service: New York City Transit – Diesel Hybrid Electric Buses" (PDF). National Renewable Energy Laboratory. September 2001. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  20. 1 2 Eskenazi, Joe (January 8, 2014). "Shock and Awe: The Little Hybrid Engine That Couldn't". SF Weekly. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  21. ↑ Young, Angelo (July 1, 2013). "New York City Scrapping Nearly A Fourth Of Its Hybrid Bus Engines For 100% Diesel Bus Engines". International Business Times. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Muni to Be First Transit Agency in California to Acquire Buses With Latest Hybrid Bus Technology" (Press release). San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. September 8, 2004. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  23. ↑ "7: Fleet Program". DRAFT FY 2008 SRTP for Public Review (PDF) (Report). San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
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