The "i-Bus". Deal or Dud?
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:48 pm
Since 2001, DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) has launched a set of i-Buses. They're 10 feet shorter than the regular buses.
On October 6th, 2003, 60 of 'em were sent to the auto graveyard because of engine and shock problems. The remaining 30 are serving Downtown Dallas, Garland, Richardson, Rowlett, and Plano.
Pic of the new i-Bus.
The idea behind the 30-foot iBus is to bring transit closer to the customer. The "i" in iBus emphasizes the individuality of the smaller bus and the way DART will deploy it. "Using 30-foot buses instead of 40-footers will make it possible for more flexible routing in certain locations, and that means we can do more to attract customers," said Tim Newby, assistant vice president of planning. In other words, the bus will provide more individualized service.
The smaller buses are powered by a turbocharged Cummins 6-cylinder diesel engine that produces 210 horsepower. The engines are low emissions vehicle (LEV) certified.
"These buses will primarily be deployed on shorter, neighborhood routes, many of them feeding rail stations or transit centers in Irving, Garland, Rowlett, Richardson, Addison, Plano, Oak Cliff, and suburban areas of Dallas, where we don’t need the capacity of a 40-foot bus," said Newby. "They'll start showing up throughout our service area as they are delivered to DART."
On October 6th, 2003, 60 of 'em were sent to the auto graveyard because of engine and shock problems. The remaining 30 are serving Downtown Dallas, Garland, Richardson, Rowlett, and Plano.
Pic of the new i-Bus.
