First Orion VII Next Generation stays in Canada

The Saint John (New Brunswick) Transit Commission has taken delivery of the new Orion VII Next Generation transit bus, the first production bus of this redesigned DaimlerChrysler model and the first of 11 Orion VII Next Generation buses purchased by Saint John Transit.

Saint John Mayor Norm McFarlane reported that this is the first of many new buses that are being purchased to launch the city’s new Comex Community Express this fall.

Introduced to the transit market earlier in 2007, the Orion VII Next Generation uses the same platform of the Orion VII with a new, redefined exterior design and an improved ergonomic driver’s area.

The Orion VII Next Generation, powered by a more efficient diesel engine, will provide an 80 percent improvement in particulate matter and a 50 percent improvement in NOx emissions in comparison to its 2002 predecessor.

Saint John Transit currently has a fleet of 47 buses, 11 of which are various models of Orion transit buses. The order of 11 Orion VII Next Generation transit buses will bring the agency’s total fleet of Orions to 22.