What A Transit Bus From 2006 Looks Like | Orion Vii OG CNG Bus

In todays video we look at an old 2006 Orion Vii OG CNG bus that is still in service in Sacramento, CA. This is part of the bus driver life!
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P.O. Box 38794
Sacramento, CA 95838
United States
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VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN MY VIDEOS ARE MY OWN AND DO NOT REFLECT MY EMPLOYER.
FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!

[@thebronybusfan4740]

I never grew up around Orion buses but I sure would like an opportunity to drive them. Old buses are the best in my opinion. That diesel power you hear from the engine roaring excites me.

[@lajtaib0801]

I agree. The bus I take every day is from the 80s and I smile all the way through the bus. I like old buses better than modern ones.

[@trainmancorey]

I grew up with Orion back in Queens NY. First Orion I been on was the Orion V CNG. That was a beast of a bus. NY got almost every variation of VII OG. We had CNG, Diesel, and hybrid models. Then again with the Next Gen Hybrids, CNG's, and Diesels. Each model all great buses. Sad to see them go, and replaced by Novas and New Flyers.

[@dodge1515]

I have so many favorite O7 series buses in NY, I don't know where to begin! lol

[@ceoofprosciutto235]

Actually the MTA never ordered any Diesel OG's and NG's, they were either hybrids or CNG, my favorite Orion bus is the Orion V & Orion V CNG, Orion VII OG is my 2nd favorite Orion bus, but I heavily dislike the Orion VII NG and Orion VII 3G, poorly made buses, I'm happy MTA is replacing them with the Xcelsiors and Novas.

[@trainmancorey]

@@ceoofprosciutto235 MTA bus from JFK Depot had 3563. That was a Orion Hybrid OG conversion to Diesel. Used to ride that on the Q41 and Q11. Staten Island had Diesel NGs at one point.

[@ceoofprosciutto235]

@@trainmancorey oh that's interesting

[@Dondeenie]

The Orion CNGs were one of my top favorite fleets, I'll forever have them in my memories especially from those roaring engines you could hear from like blocks away... ;-;

[@knucklesdafunkeeog6523]

I’m from Atlanta and I miss both our Orion VII CNG and diesel units with a passion. The 2002 Orion VII CNGs were units 2101-2160 and S50G + B400R powered The 2004 Orion VII CNGs were units 2161-2190 and C Gas Plus + B400R powered (though built in ‘03) The 2004 Orion VII diesel units 2191-2230 and 2231-2240 were S50EGR + B400R powered (the last ten units were built in ‘02) Lastly C-Tran (Clayton County) had twelve units till they went defunct in March 2010 and all twelve moved to Elk Grove, California and also Gwinnett County Transit had their set of VII CNGs too and most were ‘02 units and the last ten were ‘05 units all of them were S50G powered

[@jfs1988]

Orion was a symbol of NorCal transit agencies. Even though Foothill Transit, Sunline Transit Agency, & Omnitrans had Orion V and LACMTA had Orion VI, they were still kinda rare for SoCal.

[@leodelacruz5485]

I went to Light Rail before I got to drive these Orion 7s. But I did drive the 2400 Ebus back when there was the 50E Stockton. I always imagine going down the road with the bus yelling “Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!”

[@stuartrutman4885]

I still drive the Orion 7 in Toronto. I LOVE IT. It's super comfortable for the driver and the visibility is PERFECT!!! We're getting new Flyers. Hope they're as comfortable for the driver as the old Orion

[@MrJamieBattle]

WMATA DC had a TON of Orion's. Now were down to a few 2012's that are 30 ft long. I miss them because they were the first buses I rode on WMATA. It's Excelsior nation up here.

[@dodge1515]

I know right, soon WMATA will have Xcelsiors replacing Xcelsiors. lol

[@Bosvark]

I love the Vii's. I drove a 2012(ish) diesel model when I first started. The panel on the right has 4way blinkers and stepwell heater switches as well as kneel/ramp.

[@Skillissuelol]

Epa10?

[@Maybabie]

I have driven Orion VII hybrid busses. My main issue was the brakes. They were too soft and if you’re coming down a steep hill which at the bottom, you have to stop, good luck! I hope the brakes on your Orions are better than the ones on ours 😁

[@olynnjones6274]

These were pretty good buses. In Minneapolis we have Gillig, New Flyer, and MCI Coach. When I was in New York, they had Orion, and it’s been a while since I was in one. I even see the old crank sign to display the run number or block number.

[@djijspeakerguy4628]

I think Seattle still has some ‘08 New Flyer DE60LF buses. I could be wrong though. They had them as of a few months ago. Either way, these seats bring back memories. Our really old high floor fleet had these exact American Seating 6466 seats, (specifically the ones up front) as well as some of the higher-backed 6566 version. Ours were a sort of bluish-green coated textured fabric with some streaks of red, if I remember correctly. The frames of our seats were black, and the bars on top were red. Imagine my surprise when I looked up American Seating only to find THEY STILL MAKE THESE SEATS!!!

[@jamesdukes1869]

I honestly loved the orion's because they act felt like a bus

[@JuliasCesar]

I live in Metro Vancouver British Columbia and our Mass Transit agency TransLink had a chance to make a massive order for these buses back in 2001 for about 300+ buses. Unfortunately the unit they sent for trials was just a randomly acting up during winter and TransLink was so shocked at how badly it ran they never made a order with Orion again! At least until the Orion V Suburbans came out in 2001 & the last batch of Orions ever built the 2008-2009 Model V Suburban but they weren’t even bought by TransLink but forcefully purchased by the Provincial Government! Most have all been replaced now as they were like 30 years old and now we have Alexander Dennis 500’s. It’s a true shame as all the buses from the TransLink order went to Toronto Ontario on the east coast of the country and we ended up with New Flyer only and only recently TransLink opened up to Novabus and even Alexander Dennis! Such a shame I never got to ride em but thank you for showing a detailed walk through of these incredible buses!

[@david123321ism]

Charleston, SC still has buses from 1996 running. I rode two of them yesterday.

[@Joshuasfunandgames]

I love the Orion busses. Where I live at they used to have them.But now they put the out of service and replaced them with newer busses.

[@yellowld9912]

4:41 that's smart because in mostly every eastern united states State everyone yells "BACK DOOR" when it's not opened

[@atheman90]

Orion VIIs are my favorite! Great tour of the bus!

[@BusDriverLife]

Thanks!!

[@atheman90]

@@BusDriverLife No problem! I actually rode a Bee-Line Orion VII Old Gen Hybrid yesterday and I have a video of it too!

[@cnmathias5187]

I remember when they first got the low floor buses like those and i was impressed with them. Nostalgia overload.

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

Great to see the old American buses and see how they compare to British buses.

[@jameswise3971]

4:30 what you just said brought back some memories on how passengers do the same way on the old RTS buses before they retired in 2015.

[@jameswise3971]

It was in 2003 when it all started

[@Enviro4000]

Nice looking motor, we had a bus type in the UK with a similar split windscreen/windshield, the type was a Leyland Lynx.

[@transitmaestro6410]

Reminds me of our MTA Orion’s 7 CNGs with the Detroit Series 50 Engines, the hybrids are also pretty good too, dope vid brotha!!

[@Nathan-ho7vr]

Still have diesel Orions and hybrids in regular service in Toronto. We don't have a fraction of the electronics though. Just got clever devices about 3 years ago because bell refused to maintain our transit system's old analog technology anymore. So sad how Toronto is the 3rd largest transit system in North America and still hasn't caught up to your 2006 standards. Oh, and we still don't have camera on all our buses...

[@Grace20218]

Where I’m from the doors have always been opened by bus driver 😂😂 so going to other places I would feel disrespectful just opening there doors thank you for showing us it may be out of towners that are confused

[@johnslyfield5096]

King county metro, they tried switching to the passengers opening rear door but we've always had the driver fully opening them so that did not work out so well so they gave up.

[@randydavis1943]

I grew up on these busses and the 2003 version wish they were still in service

[@BusDriverLife]

There are still 5 of the 2600’s in the fleet right now. I’m sure they won’t be around too much longer though.

[@randydavis1943]

@@BusDriverLife are there still any 2300s or 2400s or there all gone

[@knucklesdafunkeeog6523]

Nope the 2300s and 2400 series are long gone since late 2016

[@AaronhChisholm]

Here in Massachusetts they use only the Luminator and they use it like it’s a clever device also it changes right to not in service when it approaches a station

[@dangelohartley5977]

Speaking of oldest buses, we still have our 2nd Gen Nova Bus LFS from 2002 and this year may be the year they'll be retired and will be replaced with more Nova's

[@stephenhyland4256]

That's a good system for the rear doors I like that. Our oldest buses in Dublin the AX class from 2006 aswell as the EV and VG class from 2007/08 don't have rear doors at all only front doors the also old style bench seats which are quite comfy for passengers compared the individual seats on the newer buses. Typically the old buses are sold off to smaller operators or are converted into open top sightseeing buses as they're double deckers or learner buses for training new drivers.

[@TheTransportHub17]

Cool video Keywan. The oldest bus in London is a 2006 Enviro 400.

[@nysubwaydude5634]

I remember then growing up in the Bronx since my family move into NYC around 2010 and I was a little kid anyway I use see these bus around the every corner of the city and they retired in 2020 if I am correct and the only Orion vii og are still in service in the MTA are the hybrid power ones

[@jsunflyguy]

I wish we had cords growing up. We had RTS running NYCT in the 90s. we had the electric push strips. You had to MASH those buttons to get a stop request or open the back door. Which is BACK DOOOOOOR! Is the national anthem of New York. Many a door has been damaged fro passengers pushing their way out (against the motors) after pressing the strip didn't work.

[@_notsal00_]

I remember riding the 2003 Foothill transit orion and it was one of the best bus I've ever been on

[@davidlilly3564]

Yes I like it. I really love that bus.

[@notacab1975]

We use an init system which controls the signs, fare box and radio. So much better then the old ways of programming everything individually.

[@davidlilly3564]

Have a safe trip. And day.

[@BusDriverLife]

Thank you!

[@frankiedee3122]

Here in Tucson, we have to manually change the destination sign and we have GILLIGS. In our North Yard, we have Diesel and Electric buses. South Yard has CNG

[@marksman1416]

Where I live they still run Orion V's and New Flyer D40LF's(both from 2000) because we don't have enough newer buses to match the frequency on all routes.

[@wesclay6347]

Had the opportunity to drive an Orion while I was working out of town. Wasn't that different.. Re: the rear door, some buses you can open it from the driver seat and soom has to be activated by the passenger... it's almost funny when they get mad because they don't know how it works and all the passengers are trying to tell them how to work it, almost always the person right beside the door will reach over and touch the pad so they can get out and we can roll on.... Great videos, Keep em coming..

[@donalddodson7365]

Looks to be in pretty good shape for its age. Any idea how many engine and transmission transplants it has had? Supposedly LNG is not as damaging to the engine insides compared to gasoline or diesel, and supposedly reduces maintenance costs. Thanks, Kewan.

[@dddaddy]

Thanks for the tour! Really interesting to compare our vehicles, since we have some from that time (even older ones). This one seems in reasonable condition (do you agree?). It's a nice touch that there's no seat right next to the driver and that they are at least asked to get off at the back door (even if they don't wanna 😆). How comfortable would you say is the driver's seat? Can you adjust the steering column well enough? Thanks and stay safe ✌🏽

[@MessyJ]

We still have a number of Mack Renault PR100.2 buses from the mid nineties on the road. They’re a very, um, analogue experience.

[@smileyeagle1021]

Every time someone feels the need to point out that the pull cords are old school, I will feel the need to point out just how much better they are than the stupid push strips that so many transit agencies are replacing them with. The cords just worked, they were easier, they could be installed more places, they didn't break as often, please, every agency that has moved away from them, just let us have our pull cords back.

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

It's got the dandy small steering wheel. I'll bet that is just fun to drive.

[@nationalchampions]

I'm on a 2007 Gillig bus today.

[@PinePowerLI]

Wow that is quite an old bus, unfortunately the Orion VIING buses we had were retired at the end of 2021, they were unfortunately not maintained well and were on their last legs. Looks like they maintain their buses much better in Sacramento than here on Long Island. We also had the Orion V CNG's now those I miss a LOT. MTA in NYC has some VIIOG's left Hybrids through not CNG. Now we still have some Orion VIING's left from 2010 but they're going to be retired soon as well. Basically once they're 12 years old they're retired. It's a shame because if the MTA still ran buses on Long Island then they probably would have lasted longer. But they decided to have Veolia, (now Transdev) take over operations and they rebranded the system from MTA Long Island Bus To NICE Bus (which isn't really that NICE). They cut a lot of service and the buses aren't maintained as well. Which unfortunately hasn't been good for the Orions which started breaking down a lot when NICE took over. Do you know what engines those 2006 models had? Probably Cummins but the last V's we had from the early 2000's had Detroit Series 50G.

[@dodge1515]

Nah, we still have #1800-1839, so not all the NGs are done yet.

[@tfp_4215]

These OG's had the Cummins C gas Plus with a Voith Transmission.

[@LeeDfined]

We still have a 2005 Gillig in service

[@yongchen4158]

Very informative about bus

[@renarnoldbrown3995]

Wzup with the blue lights inside the buses

[@TheUnknown-zq6ym]

3:46 as a uk person moquette(cloth) >>>> leather or plastic especially in the winter or summer(u don’t want leather in the summer)

[@williamgreeter1855]

MCTS got 117 Orion V-buses in 1990 numbers 3700-3816 they had the Cummins diesel with the Voith transmission they got retired in 2005

[@BusDriverLife]

I remember those. I used to ride those buses all the time on the old 1 Metrolink route in the 90’s when Northridge mall was open. Good times!

[@williamgreeter1855]

@@BusDriverLife the one I really like where the 1980 Neoplan N416 numbers 3300-3334 and the 1986 Neoplan AN440 numbers 3500-3571 and 3600-3656

[@krystalstackhouse4134]

Mta had blue carpet with a black hvac cover

[@MCJaspi]

I like to see those old models too! And pushing the doors open, we dont have that in europe as far as i know.

[@josephheston9238]

Can't believe that low-floors are now vintage when I still think the RTS was the most modern looking bus.

[@warmike]

CNG as well. My city has only first got gas buses in like 2018 or 2019.

[@ddrdanganvloger2187]

Hey. Nice. We that that same Rt. Number. But like this: Route n72. See the letter in front of the number? Also, there’s still a lot of OG Orions in NYC.

[@seansheppard8635]

Hi there. As a transit enthusiast, I enjoy your channel. Just a quick question. Did you ever have a chance to drive GM New Looks? I love those vintage buses.

[@BusDriverLife]

Unfortunately I haven’t..I used to ride them as a kid. Hopefully I have a chance to drive one! There are a lot of people that still own them.

[@samp2754]

Those Orion VIIs are sick! How many does Sac RT still have? How many miles do they have on them? I know Yolo still has a couple with more that 900,000 miles on them.

[@rickl7024]

Got one question,, where is the rear heater controls at? Working on this model and can’t seam to find the controls

[@42luke93]

When was the last year they stopped making them with the front steps?

[@starklife1]

Parking brake on upper left near mirror? Where is the hazards switch? Ours was to the right of the steering wheel and that was probably my only complaint about the button layout in our orions, pretty sure they were V's tho and this is a vii?

[@richardmcdonald7188]

Couple of questions, I'm from NZ but living in Australia so it's awesome to see the differences in buses! At the back of the bus there is a huge white(ish) grill/vent, what is that? Also there was a metal leaver in the drivers cabin area that I have never seen on any buses over here. As for the rear door system....that's awesome but I feel like if they rely on the customers to activate the door then maybe they should have some sort of push button for it or maybe just leave it for the driver to operate.....over here all rear doors are controlled by the driver completely. Otherwise, loving ya content! And love seeing how different countries have such variety!

[@BurnedNoodle]

I'm think it's air conditioning.

[@chakaroff7276]

what are those vent at the back of the bus used for

[@Speedy4you10]

Nice video! When did you actually start driving for your company? Also does every bus have this system where you don't have to enter in destinations by hand? My old Paratransit fleet used to have a bucket where they would put extra tie downs but they did away with those when we got new fleet in 2018-19 and some more just arrived in 2021-21. We even got 2015 ones which I got to ride. All gas whereas the 2015's it is CNG. But since all new buses were ordered they have those point tie downs where they have them on the floor on the video you just posted. The weird thing is all of the left side of the bus has them but not all of them on the right side. (All of the right seats fold out as well.) There is only 3 or 4 total as opposed to 4 or 5 on the left. one of my paratransit fleet also does have destination sign as the old fleet did. My paratransit service in the Greater Cleveland area is the Regional Transit Authority. (RTA) Keep up the good work.

[@knightclassic1]

Nice, Do you still have this bus?

[@wheresnowbandspersist3398]

Do the emergency exits have a buzzer like in a school bus?

[@ontario_transit]

Yessir🙌🏽

[@leteizjordan298]

we had all gillg buses

[@keitho.sylvan1137]

I wonder how many NYC fanners are currently booking a ticket to CA just to see a Orion Vii OG CNG

[@patchya9719]

god damn still lives in another place gladly

[@Skillissuelol]

Has the tank expired?

[@adwarnissan8990]

Orion buses are like new flyer c40lf

[@metuberob]

i applied and passed all the driving stuff at translink but ultimately failed due to lack of people skills cuz you have to like people

[@arisusakayanagi5590]

The problem with that rear door is it never seems to work

[@andresdibella5471]

another spelling mistake, it is not: “personas mayores y incapacitados” is “personas mayores e incapacitados” the intention is good to include languages ​​but with good spelling to be a first world public transport.

[@jenniferklekamp8377]

Must be nice not to have to do the wheelchair tiedowns anymore I wouldn’t know myself I’m a little jealous

[@andresdibella5471]

Is “puerta trasera” not “puerta tracera”

[@ericmichaelm6545]

Are they dd50gs?

[@dodge1515]

Cummins C Plus Gas.

[@norwegianpromos8750]

What is the nicest Transit-bus you have ever seen?

[@justicewingfield2343]

Nice the orions scare me

[@BusDriverLife]

Why do they scare you?

[@justicewingfield2343]

Well Sacramento orions are good but golden empire transit Orion scares me the Detroit Diesel is just the worst

[@jenniferklekamp8377]

Just saying

[@kaa1135]

Keywan (sp?) first; what is the meaning of your name? 2nd- So what do you do when you are made aware of a peed on seat? Sure would hate to be the person who sat on it after the pee-or disembarked!

[@andresdibella5471]

“cilla” with “c” and not with “s”, this is a mockery for Spanish hahaha

[@KingCobra1968]

1:30 "Manlove Station" ? For real? Sacramento needs to change the name of that station. Sounds sick.

[@OliversElevators]

Wow, that Capitol logo on the seats at 3:38 looks _exactly_ like the Capitol icon in Capital Metro’s (the transit agency in Austin, TX) old logo. Here’s the old Capital Metro logo: www.austinchronicle.com/imager/b/original/1514585/a408/capmetro.logo.jpg As you can see, the Capitol symbol looks almost exactly the same!