New DesignLine Buses Arrive

Earlier this year we learned all about the brand new buses that would be hitting the streets — and now the fleet of experimental turbine hybrid DesignLine vehicles are here. We rode one this morning and the biggest thing we noticed is that a voice comes on before every stop telling you to exit out of the back door. This request went widely ignored by passengers.

However, that's the most noise you'll hear from the new buses — as the NY Times points out, they are quite quiet. In fact, the MTA described them as: “Quiet as a tomb," which may not be the way to go when describing a mode of public transport.

There are currently three operating, and there may be 87 more on the way by the end of next year. Other features: "The buses have 37 seats inside a brightly lit interior with glowing LED panels. The rear doors open after a slight nudge, and the batteries recharge every time the driver hits the brakes." Now, how can we make them arrive on time?

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By Jen Carlson in News on December 7, 2009 2:56 PM

Comments [rss]

Sommelier

Want the knuckleheads to exit through the rear doors? Put in a card swiper at the back door & reimburse 25 or even 50 cents per ride on their Metrocard.

VoidoidRamone

I've never understood the desire to exit a bus through the front. You usually have to push through people on the bus and the people outside waiting to get on the bus.

On the new buses, there isn't the huge step for the back door, either. And the cords are awesome.

Snoopy

Is the message also in Spanish? That could also be part of the problem.

Where were these buses manufactured?

Another simple solution is to make a one way turnstile so you can't exit through the front door. DUH designers.

Gwinny

The M4 and M5 buses already tell you to exit through the rear door. Are these the new buses already?

Also, only the infirm/elderly/overburdened really *need* to exit in the front (because the driver can make the bus kneel for them). Everyone else is a selfish douchebag.

jaycjay

"The M4 and M5 buses already tell you to exit through the rear door. Are these the new buses already?"

New buses, but probably not the same new buses. The DesignLine buses look unlike any others in the fleet from the front; the windshield is rounded off... it looks really sort of like a smiling face:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MTA_New_York_City_Bus_DesignLine_EcoSaver_IV_(2009).jpg

What you're talking about is probably the Orion VII Next Generation buses, which started coming into service a couple of months ago. They're low floor buses (no steps when you first board) with pretty much a standard look:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MTA_Bus_Orion_7_Next_Generation_hybrid.jpg

bittycakes

I am so happy to be pulling the ding thing again, you have no idea!!!! And I *love* these new buses!

CR

"Now, how can we make them arrive on time?"

Create bus-only lanes and ticket the sh*t out of any vehicle in it that's not a bus - including cops not responding an emergency. Also, no one gets off the bus in the front - only the back.

BotanistPrime

Seriously! Why doesn't anyone understand that when you get off at the front, everyone else has to wait to board?

RevWaldo

Simple solution - open the back door for five seconds before you open the front. Count it off - five seconds is a long time. Do it on all the buses and people will head for the back automatically. (Except for those who need the "kneeling bus" feature so they don't have to step down a foot to reach the curb, assuming the bus actually pulls up to the curb!)

jaycjay

"Count it off - five seconds is a long time."

Exactly why that's not a good solution, because that's a five second delay before any of the people waiting to board can begin to do so.

blackwhole

Rode one on the B43 last Friday. When I die, I plan to install a robotic voice in my tomb telling people to exit out the rear door. It really is that quiet.

barryap

Hope they're not too quiet. Nothing more awkward than a bus or subway car when the engine/fan cuts out and you can hear everyone's conversation.

Kojak

Horray

I haven't been this excited since my last boweling

Kevin Walsh

Bronx, Queens and Staten Island should see 'em around 2016 or so.

www.forgotten-ny.com

longacre

Queens already has an impressive number of the updated Orion 7 Hybrids, which also have the pull cords and "please exit through the rear door" announcements. They're also quieter than the original hybrids.