Public Transit
Public Transit

Public Transit

Public Transit

Transit infrastructure, buses, subway trains, and trams/LRVs/streetcars

Transit Spotting

The most accessible and relatable form of public transportation. While relatively uninspiring and utilitarian on the surface, operational aspects, rare glimpses behind-the-scenes, and historical timelines are what are giving this mode of transportation well-deserved interest.
Infrastructure
Buses
Subway Trains
LRVs/Streetcars

Highlights

Highlights

Transit Bus of the Century: The GM "New Look"

Buses started to become the dominant form of public transit in North America in the second half of the 20th century and the industry was largely influenced by the introduction of the iconic General Motors "New Look" bus in 1959. The model was incredibly influential and successful thanks to its spacious and comfortable interior, versatile configurations, durable construction, and distinctive aerodynamic appearance and design [1].

Synonymous with Urban Transit

With tens of thousands of examples built, widespread adoption among transit agencies across the continent, and a decades-long production run, the GM New Look bus became an iconic symbol of public transportation, replacing many streetcar systems and becoming a de-facto standard for urban North American transit buses throughout the middle of the 20th century [2].

An Industry Leader: New Flyer

New Flyer, a prominent Canadian multinational bus manufacturer, currently dominates the North American transit bus manufacturing industry with an approximately 45% market share in the US and Canada [3]. Their market share is so large that transit agencies in certain cities in the US and Canada operate mostly or exclusively New Flyer buses [4].

Less Overall Competition

While there are a few new transit bus manufacturers that have emerged as part of the push towards electric vehicles in the past couple of decades, there are a few well-established manufacturers that have ceased operations due to market shifts and economic challenges. The two most notable manufacturers were NABI (North American Bus Industries) and Orion.

North America's Largest Electric Bus Fleet

As of September 2020, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates the largest electric bus fleet in North America with 60 units out on the road: 25 New Flyer XE40s, 25 Proterra Catalyst BE40s, and 10 BYD K9Ms [5]. Due to their limited range, they are most often seen in service during peak periods and on daytime runs on weekends.

More Electrics Coming

A lot more electric buses are going to be added to the fleet in the next couple of years with additional units from New Flyer and a new order from Nova Bus, the LFSe+ model. Once all have arrived, the commission will have a grand total of 400 electric buses [6].
Sources
  1. “New Look.” New Look - CPTDB Wiki, 22 Jan. 2024, https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/New_Look
  2. Bow, James. “A History of the GM/MCI/Nova Buses.” Transit Toronto, 25 June 2015, https://transittoronto.ca/bus/8504.shtml
  3. “NFI: TSX Investor Presentation.” NFI Group, 9 May 2019, https://nfigroup.com/static-files/0b5bebe6-3f59-4792-9969-2ad2c4a81979
  4. “Main Page.” CPTDB Wiki, 21 Oct. 2022, https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
  5. “TTC Now Has the Largest Fleet of Electric Buses in North America on the Road with Arrival of Third New Electric Bus Model.” Toronto Transit Commission, 8 Sept. 2020, https://ttc.ca/news/2020/September/TTC-now-has-the-largest-fleet-of-electric-buses-in-North-America-on-the-road-with-arrival-of-third
  6. “TTC Welcomes New Battery-Electric Buses.” Toronto Transit Commission, 27 Sept. 2024, https://ttc.ca/news/2024/September/TTC-welcomes-new-battery-electric-buses
  1. “New Look.” New Look – CPTDB Wiki, 22 Jan. 2024, https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/New_Look
  2. Bow, James. “A History of the GM/MCI/Nova Buses.” Transit Toronto, 25 June 2015, https://transittoronto.ca/bus/8504.shtml
  3. “NFI: TSX Investor Presentation.” NFI Group, 9 May 2019, https://nfigroup.com/static-files/0b5bebe6-3f59-4792-9969-2ad2c4a81979
  4. “Main Page.” CPTDB Wiki, 21 Oct. 2022, https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
  5. “TTC Now Has the Largest Fleet of Electric Buses in North America on the Road with Arrival of Third New Electric Bus Model.” Toronto Transit Commission, 8 Sept. 2020, https://ttc.ca/news/2020/September/TTC-now-has-the-largest-fleet-of-electric-buses-in-North-America-on-the-road-with-arrival-of-third
  6. “TTC Welcomes New Battery-Electric Buses.” Toronto Transit Commission, 27 Sept. 2024, https://ttc.ca/news/2024/September/TTC-welcomes-new-battery-electric-buses

Media Gallery

Media Gallery

Media Gallery

Media Gallery

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) PCC and CLRV Streetcars resting at Russell Carhouse ready to take part in the annual Beaches Easter Parade on April 16th, 2017.

$

Media Gallery

Media Gallery

Other Galleries

Related Galleries

Explore
Drag