Bad News, Orion Bus Fans

Jeff Gray 1 has bad news from River City (actually Toronto, but I like being overly dramatic). But, the all too familiar news is bad for Johnson City because the BAE Systems plant involved in production / testing of components for the Orion buses is right around the corner . The popular Orion serial hybrid bus is a favorite After Gutenberg subject. All too familiar because the batteries died earlier than expected in my electric car. On the other hand, the Toronto Transit Commission paid a bit more for their wheels . The box-like batteries on top of the premium-priced hybrid electric-diesel buses are lasting only half as long as promised by the manufacturer. Gary Webster, the TTC’s chief general manager, told the Globe and Mail reporter that the lead-acid batteries were supposed to last five years. In about a third of the current fleet of 275 hybrids - which started arriving in 2006 - some cells have already worn out, which, as I can sadly attest, means re...