8474 on the 506 Carlton Shuttle.Towards the end of their service life, most 1981 D901s were assigned to streetcar routes as shuttles operating during track replacement sessions.

FIL D-700-A

Western Flyer emerged into the bus building market in the 1940s, with the introduction of a line of intercity buses known as ‘The Canuck’. Almost 693 intercity buses were built by Flyer before they began to focus mainly on the city transit market, with the introduction of the D-700 model in 1967.

The D-700 design was based on GM’s ‘New Look’ and was equipped with a 6V71 GM diesel engine mounted logitudunally (instead of the standard transverse style). They’re known to a few bus enthusiasts as the “Canadian Fishbowl” because of it’s resemblance the familiar GM fishbowl. A total of 23 were delivered to the TTC between 1969 and 1972. They were based out of Queensway division all their life and rarely travelled east of Yonge street. Due to various problems, most being mechanical and structural, the majority of these buses didn’t last the expected 18 years and were retired early. The last buses in this series were retired and hauled to the scrap-yard sometime in the late 1980s.

The TTC also operated 151 Electric (trolley bus) counterparts of the D-700. Please see the Toronto Trolley Bus Page for more.

D-700-A Condensed Roster:

• Fleet Numbers: 7500 - 7509 - D 700 A - Delivered 1969; retired late 1980s;
• 7510 - 7522 - D 700 A - Delivered 1972; retired late 1980s;

Flyer D-700 Image Archive

	A rare photograph of a TTC Flyer D700 in operation -- in this case, TTC 7522 on a charter at Humber Loop. Photo donated by Jim Blair.
	The maintenance crew at Queensway Garage gather for a group photo in front of a Flyer D-700 bearing a 37 ISLINGTON exposure, circa 1973. Photo donated by Pete Coulman.
	TTC Flyer D-700 bus #7521 was recently rescued from a Philadelphia scrap yard and added to the collection of the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. Although in need of a new paint job, the bus is in pretty good condition. This photograph was taken on September 25, 2010 by ck4049.
	Another view of TTC Flyer D700 bus #7521 at Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine. This photo was taken on July 4, 2009 by ck4049.

FIL D-800-A/D-800-B

The design of the D-800 was a joint venture between Flyer Industries and AM General of the United States. AM General would produce this model for United States transit properties under it’s banner and Flyer would do the same for the Canada properties. The D-800 design included larger windows and a restyled front.

In 1974 the TTC took delivery of 50 D-800-A buses. They had the longitudinally mounted engines and tranmissions similar to those of the D-700. Like their earlier cousins, they were also based out of Queensway division most of their lives, but toward the end some were re-allocated to Lansdowne to serve as replacements for the trolley buses. The last of these buses were retired in the early 1990s with the delivery of the 6700 series Orion Vs.

One D-800-A has survived the scrapper’s tourch and has become somewhat of a movie star. After it’s career with the TTC, number 8000 began it’s second life after being purchased by a film company for use in movies, tv shows and commercials. It still retains it’s TTC paint and original TTC interior, and was spotted recently in a Trident Gum commercial in 1999.

In 1977, TTC took delivery of the D-800-B model. These were equipped with the standard GM Diesel Division transverse mounted engine, and were based out of Queensway. Most ran on routes like 32 Eglinton West, 110 Islington South, Royal York and Royal York South. Because of the standard engine configuration these were a little more reliable than the previous Flyer models and lasted their life expectancy, some lasting as long as 21 years. By 1997 a few still remained in service.

All except one were retired and scrapped in 1997 - 98. Near the end of it’s career, number 8257 was restored by Queensway garage and ran in regular service and on charters as a historic bus. It was retired in summer of 1999 and is now part of the Canadian Transit Heritage Foundation’s historic collection.

Condensed D-800 Roster:

• Fleet Numbers: 7560 - 8004 - FIL D-800-A - Delivered 1974/75; retired early 1990s
• 8210 - 8223 - FIL D-800-B - Delivered 1977; retired 1998;
• 8230 - 8260 - FIL D-800-B - Delivered 1978; retired 1999;

Flyer D-800 Image Archive

	TTC Flyer D-800A bus #7968, seen here at Islington Station in the early 1980s. Photo by Brad O'Brien.
	TTC bus 8221 (Flyer Industries FIL D-800-B) poses at Long Branch loop in this 1979 shot. Photo by Peter Cox, courtesy BARP.ca.
	TTC Flyer D-800-B bus 8223 pulls into Eglinton West station in service on the 32 EGLINTON WEST route (32E "Martin Grove" branch). This photo, donated by Peter Coulman, was taken on September 7, 1978.
	TTC Flyer D-800B bus #8251 towards the end of her career, operating on 76 ROYAL YORK SOUTH. Photo by Brad O'Brien.
	TTC Flyer D-800-B bus 8257 poses alongside a Brampton Transit counterpart (7856) at Queensway garage. Photo by Brad O'Brien.
	TTC D-800-B Flyer bus #8257 operates on a bus fan charter, signed up for the abandoned route 138 SOUTH KINGSWAY. Photo by Brad O'Brien.
	A shot of the interior of TTC Flyer D-800B bus #8257. Photo by Brad O'Brien.
	TTC Flyer D-800B bus #8257, seen here after being restored by Queensway garage, on a bus fan charter.

FIL D-901

The D-901 model was introduced in 1981 with a newly designed front to provide a more modern look, winder front doors to allow space for a possible wheelchair lift to be installed and the option of air conditioning.

TTC took delivery of their first D-901s in late 1981, numbered 8380 - 8486. They were evenly split between divisions including Queensway, Danforth, Eglinton and Arrow Road. They were a common sight on 25 Don Mills and 32 and 34 Eglinton. The last 10 (8477-8486) in this series were specially equipped with air conditioning, special comfortable seats and a P.A. system for use on Grey Line sightseeing in the summer, all other times the A/C was shut off and they ran on regular TTC routes.

With the delivery of the Nova RTS buses in 1998, almost half of the fleet was retired while the remaining were restricted to rush hour only service. They also appeared on many streetcar shuttle routes during the summer while trackwork sessions were in progress. When the New Flyer Low Floors were delivered in 1999, the last were quietly retired.

An additional 198 D-901s were ordered and delivered in 1985 (6000 - 6204) and were TTC’s first power steering equipped Flyers. Many other minor improvements in design were made from the first order, most notably the drivers area and front doors. They still run in service today based out of Queensway, Danforth and Arrow Road divisions, most have been rebuilt and appear in the new TTC livery colours.

(Update: September 10, 2005): At the time of this writing, this brand of Flyer can be found running out of Queensway, Arrow and Malvern; most are running out of Malvern. The TTC has begun to retire these vehicles at a fast pace, and over 55% of the fleet is now gone.

Condensed D-901 Roster:

• Fleet Numbers: 8380 - 8476 - FIL D-901 - Delivered 1981
• 8477 - 8486 - FIL D-901-SS (sightseers) - Delivered 1981
• 6000 - 6122 - FIL D-901 - Delivered 1985
• 6130 - 6204 - FIL D-901 - Delivered 1986

Flyer D-901 Image Archive

	TTC Flyer D-901 re-build 6014, seen here operating on 505 DUNDAS at Dundas West station during track reconstruction in the year 2000. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	TTC Flyer D-901 re-build #6061 operates souhtbound on The West Mall just south of Burnhamthorpe (across from Etobicoke City Hall) is completing its inbound run to Kipling station on the 112B branch of WEST MALL. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	TTC Flyer D-901 re-build #6085 operates eastbound on Westhumber at Kipling in service on 96 WILSON, still a long way from York Mills Station. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	TTC bus 6097 operates through the York University's Common Area on November 27, 2001.
	TTC Flyer D-901 bus Route 6121 boards passengers in Main Street station in this post 1985 picture.
	TTC Flyer D-901 bus #6121, still in the old colours when this photo was taken, operating in the 510 SPADINA private right-of-way. Photo by Brad O'Brien.
	TTC Flyer D-901 rebuild 6192 is seen here, filled with passengers heading home from islington station. The bus is turning west onto Bloor before heading south on the 110 ISLINGTON SOUTH route. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	TTC buses 8257 and 8480, D-800 and D-901 models respectively, pose outside Queensway Garage. Photo by Brad O'Brien.
	TTC Flyer D-901 bus #8426 operates on the 502 DOWNTOWNER route as a temporary replacement for streetcars while trackwork is in progress. Photo by Brad O'Brien.
	TTC Flyer FIL D-901 bus Route 8452 pulls into Eglinton West station, in service on the "Trethewey" branch of 32 EGLINTON WEST. This 1984 photograph was donated by Peter Coulman.
	TTC GM New Looks and Flyer D-901 buses gather at Hillcrest, at the end of their service life. John Spence took this image of these buses bound for the scrap heap in 2006.
	TTC Flyer D901 #8472 crosses Yonge Street and prepares to turn left from Eglinton Avenue into Eglinton station. Bus is operating on 51 LESLIE in this March 1982 shot. Photo donated by Peter Coulman.

NFIL D-40-87

In July of 1986, the provincially owned Flyer Industries was purchased from Manitoba by Den Oudsten of Holland. The company was completly reorganized and redevloped as a privately owned firm. The D-901 was re-designed with a new body and interior design and re-named the D-40. (D for Diesel, 40 for the length and 87 for the year).

In 1987 the TTC placed an order for 60 of the D-40-87 model and they were spread equally throughout the system. They commonly appeared as ‘shrink wrap’ advertisement buses on many routes, mainly because they were one of the few buses with a smooth enough surface for the ads.

Unfortunatly these buses prooved to be a big dissapointment, most were retired early in 1998 - 1999 due to severe corrosion problems. While diesel buses are normally expected to last 18 years, these lasted only 11. The last bus of this class, 6330, was retired in February 2000.

D-40-87 Condensed Roster:

• 6300 - 6359 - - Delivered 1987; Retired 1998-2000.

Flyer D-40-87 Image Archive

	TTC New Flyer D-40-87 #6330 picks up a passenger in the Queens Quay and Spadina loop. Photo by Brad O'Brien.
	TTC Flyer D-40-87 6357 amongst a line of retired D-40-87s awaiting scrap. Photo by Brad O'Brien

NFIL D-40-88/89/90

The next New Flyer order arrived in 1988 and in 1989 with the delivery of the D-40-88/89 series. Only a few minor details set them apart from the previous order. They were rebuilt and repainted in the TTC’s new colour scheme.

In 1990 the D-40-90s arrived. They were the first regular TTC buses equipped with air conditioning (other than the D-901-SS, which did not use the a/c unit in regular passenger service) and a Cummins diesel engine. They were beset by problems and systematically retired through 2003 and 2004, with the last buses leaving the system in June 2004.

(Update: June 11, 2005): At the time of this writing, all remaining D-40-88/89s are operating out of Queensway garage.

Condensed D-40-88/89/90 Roster:

• 6420 - 6434 - NFIL D-40-88 - Delivered 1988
• 6440 - 6521 - NFIL D-40-89 - Delivered 1989
• 6560 - 6638 - NFIL D-40-90 - Delivered 1990/91; retired June 2004

Flyer D-40-88 Image Archive

	TTC Flyer D-40-88 bus #6430 is seen here, alighting and loading a crush of passengers on 45 KIPLING at Finch. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	TTC Flyer D-40-88 bus #6430 is seen here, pulling away from Kipling and Rowntree almost at the end of its northbound run. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	TTC Flyer D-40-88 re-build #6430 operates northbound on 45 KIPLING approaching Finch. Photo by David Cavlovic.

Flyer D-40-89 Image Archive

	Old and new but both rebuilt. TTC Flyer D-40-89 bus #6467 pauses at Kipling station (in service on 44 KIPLING SOUTH), with Flyer D-901 #6196 in background. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	TTC Flyer D-40-89 #6484 waits at Queensway Garage before entering service. Photo by Brad O'Brien
	TTC Flyer D-40-89 rebuild #6487 waits on the wrong platform at St. George station, thanks to D-40-89 rebuild 6453 blocking the regular 4 ANNETTE bus bay. Note that St. George has gained a bulge in front of the southernmost bus bay in order to accommodate two wheelchair elevators. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	A TTC New Flyer D-40-89 bus Route 6507 waits to enter service at Queensway garage in the late 1980s, bearing a 38 HORNER rollsign. Photo donated by Peter Coulman.

Flyer D-40-90 Image Archive

	Out of service TTC New Flyer D-40-90 #6562 speeds west on Sheppard after having crossed over Highway 404. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	TTC Flyer D-40-90 bus #6564, seen here being rebuilt at Hillcrest. Photo by George Davidson.
	TTC New Flyer D-40-90 rebuild 6573 is seen here running eastbound on 54A LAWRENCE EAST, approaching Victoria Park with GM rebuild 2097 following. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	TTC New Flyer D-40-90 rebuild #6585 operates westbound on Sheppard at Victoria Park, heading to Sheppard station on 85 SHEPPARD EAST service. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	TTC New Flyer D-40-90 rebuild #6594 operates eastbound on 39D FINCH EAST at Victoria Park. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	TTC New Flyer D-40-90 bus #6620 takes a break at the Arrow Road Garage. Photo by Brad O'Brien.

NFIL D-40-LF

In 1999 the TTC’s first New Flyer Low Floors arrived. They are equipped with air conditioning, extra large ‘LED’ electronic signs, a wheelchair ramp and kneeling features. They provide service out of Eglinton Division, although at first were tested and ‘broken in’ on 29 Dufferin.

(Update: June 10, 2005): All these buses are now at Queensway garage and can be found on routes 26, 30, 40, 44, 45, 49, 111, 123 and 192.

Condensed D-40-LF Roster:

• 7300 - 7350 - FIL D-40-LF - Delivered 1999

Flyer D-40-LF Image Archive

	TTC Flyer D-40-LF bus Route 7303 heads out from Kipling station on a run on 44 KIPLING SOUTH on March 19, 2010. Photo taken by G. Viloria.
	TTC New Flyer D-40-LF bus #7341 lays over in the Dufferin Loop while operating on route 29 DUFFERIN. Photo by Brad O'Brien.
	TTC Flyer D40LF bus #7343 pauses to pick up passengers at Royal York station in service on the 15 EVANS route on April 26, 2011. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Flyer D40LF bus # 7347, operating eastbound on Eglinton east of Mt. Pleasant, in service on 51 LESLIE. Photo by David Cavlovic.

References

• Bus World Encyclopedia of Buses, Stauss Publications, Woodland Hills (California), 1988.
• Diesel City Bus, Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto (Ontario), 1991.

Thanks to Mike Vainchtein for his corrections and updates to this web page