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Articulated (Bendy) Bus, TTC Open House, Harvey & Duncan Shops, Hillcrest Complex, Toronto, ON

Excerpt from Wikipedia: An articulated bus (either a motor bus or trolleybus) is an articulated vehicle used in public transportation. It is usually a single-deck design, and comprises two rigid sections linked by a pivoting joint (articulation) enclosed by protective folding bellows on the in- and outside of the vehicle (usually of gray or black colour) and a cover plate on the inside of the vehicle. This arrangement allows a longer legal overall length than single-decker rigid-bodied buses, and hence a higher passenger capacity, while still allowing the bus to maneuver adequately on the roads of its service route.

 

Around the English-speaking world, articulated buses have acquired several different synonyms that allude to their articulated design, such as bendy buses, bending buses, tandem buses, stretch buses, double buses, banana buses, slinky buses, wiggle buses, caterpillar buses, accordion buses or vestibule buses. Due to their high passenger capacity, articulated buses are often used as part of bus rapid transit schemes, and can include mechanical guidance.

 

Used almost exclusively on public transport bus services, articulated buses are approximately 18 metres (59 ft) in length; standard rigid-construction buses are usually 11 to 14 metres (36 to 46 ft). The common arrangement of an articulated bus is to have a forward section with two axles leading a rear section with a single axle, with the driving axle mounted on either the front or the rear section. Some articulated bus models have a steering arrangement on the rearmost axle which turns slightly in opposition to the front steering axle, allowing the vehicle to negotiate turns in a crab-like fashion, similar to hook-and-ladder fire trucks operating in city environments. A less common variant of the articulated bus is the bi-articulated bus, where the vehicle has two trailer sections rather than one. Their capacity is around 200 people, and their length about 25 metres (82 ft).

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Excerpt from www.ttc.ca: The Articulated Low-Floor Diesel Buses manufactured by NovaBus, a Division of Volvo Group-Canada, in Ste. Eustache Quebec, are now on Toronto streets.

 

In keeping with TTC’s commitment to improved customer service, the new “Artics” are 60 feet long and will replace aging existing buses that are scheduled for retirement due to high mileage and general deterioration.

 

As part of the TTC’s modernization plan the accessible low-floor bus fleet will increase capacity on our busiest routes. Each bus has a capacity of 46 seated passengers and approximately 31 standing passengers. Features include LED interior and exterior lighting, automatic central air conditioning and heating, and ergonomic seating for passenger comfort.

 

Buses are designed to accommodate two standard wheelchairs and nine priority passenger seats, identified by bright blue upholstery. To minimize engine exhaust emissions, clean diesel engines are furnished with the latest electronic engine controls and diesel exhaust after treatment systems.

 

TTC’s new fleet of Articulated Low-Floor Clean Diesel Buses is being solely funded by the City of Toronto to improve customer service and replace some of TTC’s aging 40 foot buses.

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Uploaded on September 20, 2015
Taken on September 19, 2015