NovaBus RTS

In November 1997, the TTC tested RTS (Rapid Transit Series) bus number 1000 which was built to New York City Transit standards. This bus was on loan from Nova for demo purposes. The TTC was pleased with the performance and the stainless steal frame on this bus, therefore an order for 52 more of the RTS series was placed.

7200, the first ordered RTS arrived on TTC property at the beginning of July, a few days before 1000 left the property. Features on these buses include a rear wheelchair lift, air conditioning and wider front doors. The bus also has Luminator’s new ‘2000’ destination sign, which is backlit by LED lights and very easy to spot in the dark.

The buses are numbered 7200-7251 and were initially operated out of the Danforth Garage. As of June 2005, they have been moved to Arrow Road Garage and can be found on routes 60, 79 and 106

NovaBus LFS

The TTC’s first ever Nova LFS arrived on the property in May 1998. This bus was a demonstration vehicle purchased by the TTC to test Nova’s low floor design. It was successful enough that the TTC made another purchase of these low floor vehicles, and placed them in the 7000 series.

The prototype bus was numbered 1001 (because of it’s short term evaluation service) and operated out of the Eglinton garage and was mainly seen as an extra on any of Eglinton’s routes.

Nova Low Floor 1001 was decommissioned in April 2000 and sold to Barrie Transit for $306,000 on November 15, 2000. It left TTC property soon thereafter under its own power and drove to a plant Mississauga to be repainted in the new owner’s colours. The TTC never purchased any Nova LFS buses.

Statistics For Nova Low Floor

[based on original demonstration vehicle]

• Length: 40’8”
• Width: 102’
• Width/mirrors: 122”
• Front overhang: 9’7”
• Rear overhang: 10’11”
• Tailswing: 2’ with steering fully locked
• Engine: Detroit Diesel Series 40 (275 bph)
• Trans:    5 Speed Allison World Transmission (4 main gears with 5th overdrive)
• GVW:    39’558 lbs.. (36 seated, 40 standees)
• Ground Clearance: 9 1/2” with bus fully kneeled
• Turning radius: 45’
• Wheelbase: 20’5”, requires adjustment in positioning for turns. Much shorter then standard.

Nova Image Archive

	Nova 1001 seen here at Warden and Eglinton westbound towards Eglinton Subway Station, in service on 34 EGLINTON EAST. Photo by Rob Hutchison.
	TTC Nova LFS prototype 1001, seen here at Kennedy and Eglinton in service on 34 EGLINTON EAST. Photo by Brad O'Brien.
	Interior view of TTC Nova LFS 1001 prototype. Photo by Brad O'Brien
	Nova LFS 1001 poses beside 7311 at Wilson Station. Photo by Allen Dicion.
	TTC NovaBus RTS 7211 operates on route 75 SHERBOURNE. This 1999 shot was taken by Brad O'Brien
	Front interior view of TTC Nova RTS 7213. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	Mirror image. Shot taken from inside Nova 7213 as it speeds past the magnificently mirrored exterior of the Mercedes-Benz building on Eglinton east of Laird. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	Nova 7213 having a few moments of a breather just across from abandoned Bays #11-13 at Eglinton station. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	Back interior view of TTC Nova RTS 7213. Photo by David Cavlovic
	A busy station. Nova 7225 is ready to leave with a full load from Broadview station on a 100 FLEMINGTON PARK run while Flyer re-build 6194 loads passengers at its 62 MORTIMER bay. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	Nova 7241 has alighted passnegers from an 87 COSBURN run but has to wait its turn until Flyer 6135 (operating on 8 BROADVIEW) enters the bay first. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	TTC Nova RTS 7242 seen here at Broadview station, in service on 87 COSBURN. A 1999 photo by Brad O'Brien
	sunny day June 16, 2009 shot of TTC NovaBUS RTS #7219 picks up passengers on 165 WESTON RD NORTH at Wilson station's upper bay. Photo by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	TTC NovaBUS RTS #7221 shot on an angle servicing on 96 WILSON. Photo taken on June 22, 2011 by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.

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 updates and additions to this web page