[Special] TTC New Flyer Xcelsior Articulated Hybrid "XDE60"

So the funny story about this is that TTC just randomly put this into service for the PM rush which is unusual since they normally put new buses into service at the start of the day and return around midnight. Due to the unit being sent out late, it's going to be (or was depending when you view this video) on the 329 Dufferin Blue Night until 4 am.
Shoutout to ‪@JackoNiceo‬ who told me on Discord after hearing about the bus being in service: "if you dont catch that im gonna... idk"
Recorded: 05/02/2024

[@TorontoTransit3722]

Great catch, glad to see one finally in Service!

[@stinkyroadhog1347]

Cant wait to see these (and articulated buses in general) on 35/935. Jane has needed artics for so long and its surreal that the time is finally almost here to see them on Jane. The overcrowding during rush hour was only getting worse as the years dragged on

[@martingr0ve64]

The 35 did get articulated buses for a bit during the pandemic. The reason why they haven't really pushed the idea of articulated buses on that route before and now simply has to do with how Jane station is laid out. From what I remember is that they were doing a different looping during the pandemic in a way where they could actually run those buses on the route. I think the issue was exiting Jane station, since there isn't enough space for an articulated bus. Also I think none of the bays at Jane are long enough for a bus that size but I might be wrong on that.

[@stinkyroadhog1347]

@@martingr0ve64 Jane station definitely has plenty of space for the articulated buses. From what i remember, 35 did not get articulated buses during the pandemic. I believe only the 89 in my area got them. Additionally, the XDE60s have been doing training runs at and through Jane Station, handling the turns just fine

[@martingr0ve64]

@@stinkyroadhog1347 They ran articulated buses both on the 35 and 89 back then and I have photos of one on the 35: twitter.com/martingr0ve64/status/1755159197182771495. They stopped putting artics on the 35 when they switched divisions for the route from Arrow Road Division to Mount Dennis Division in 2021 (or possibly right before the switch I don't exactly remember when it happened). I completely forgot they were testing the XDE60s at Jane station and I also checked Google Maps cuz I don't visit Jane station often so I really don't know how the length of the bays, and yes you are correct, it's possible for one to board passengers, lol.

[@thisiswhatbrianthinksadventure]

Amazing! I Hope This Amazing New Flyer XDE60 (Xceslior Electric 60 Foot Low Floor) Articulated Bus Will Do Streetcar Shuttle Bus Replacement Routes, Too.

[@AlexGetsAroundTO]

Finally!! I wasn’t able to catch it today plus I really hate Dufferin but hopefully the next time I see it it will be on Keele or Jane

[@martingr0ve64]

Yeah, 29 was a weird route to chose, but glad they're finally out.

[@Novaflyer7000]

It's not only these routes, but they will also appear on the 903, Finch and Steeles once McNicoll picks up the other half.

[@martingr0ve64]

@@Novaflyer7000 I'm aware.

[@AlexGetsAroundTO]

@@Novaflyer7000 Yup I’m aware

[@thisiswhatbrianthinksadventure]

Great Angle From The Back.

[@finnmacdonald4439]

Nice. I hope more enter service soon and I can ride some when I come for a trip this summer

[@JackoNiceo]

YESSS 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@thevultrantransituniverse1487]

Very well done Espeon!!

[@martingr0ve64]

lmao, thanks!

[@thevultrantransituniverse1487]

@@martingr0ve64 I always prefer New Flyers over Nova Buses. The New Flyers have very nice interior, the ride was smooth, the seats are soft, and it smells very good inside.

[@ttccam]

nice video i just watched the entire 30 minutes in 10 minutes

[@martingr0ve64]

3x speed.

[@Queensway8033]

Finally!

[@Queensway8033]

Are they better than the novas?

[@martingr0ve64]

Too early to tell honestly. Also it isn't really a fair comparison considering those Nova Artics are 10+ years old now. For the most part though, they're pretty similar to the XDE40s, pretty smooth.

[@Queensway8033]

​@@martingr0ve64oh