Text by Robert Lubinski

See Also

• A History of the GM/MCI/Nova Buses
• The GM Old Look Buses
• The GMC New Look Fishbowls
• The GMC/MCI Classic Series
• The NovaBus LFS
• The NovaBus RTS
• The NovaBus LFS Articulated Buses

In 1982, the TTC tested twelve articulated buses produced by General Motors as part of a demonstration program sponsored by the Ontario government. At the time, articulated buses were a revolutionary idea for North American transit, although such vehicles had been in use in Europe for many years. The GM vehicles were also different because, rather than “pulling” the trailing section of the bus, the buses used rear wheel drive, so that the trailer section pushed the rest of the bus. These 60 foot buses boasted a seating capacity of 55 passengers, and were powered by an 8-cylinder diesel engine.

In addition to the “unique ‘pusher-type’ turntable”, the bus was designed to limit its angular motion to 7 degrees whenever the bus was driving at normal speeds in a straight direction and 2 degrees whenever the bus was at highway speed. Automatic control systems were supposed to correct things should the vehicle exceed these limits.

The vehicles were tested for two years. Although concerns were raised about maintaining these non standard vehicles, the fact that they could carry 1.5 times the passenger load of a normal 40 foot bus meant that the TTC could improve capacity on heavily used bus lines without having to pay extra drivers to do it. Due to the provincial government’s strong encouragement in the 1980s to purchase buses from transit vehicle makers such as Orion and UTDC, however, Toronto did not purchase any of the GM articulated vehicles, choosing instead Orion Ikarus models. The twelve GM articulated buses were sold to Mississauga Transit in 1987.

If you have pictures of the GM articulated buses in operation on the TTC and would like to share them with the public, please e-mail us.

GM Articulated Specifications

• TTC 8500-8511 Model GMC-TA60-102N Delivery in 1982
• Length: 60’ (18.3 m)
• Width: 102” (2.6 m)
• Height (maximum): 121.5” (3.1 m)
• Wheelbase - 1st to middle axle: 235” (597 cm)
• Wheelbase - Middle to last axle: 281.7” (716 cm)
• Turning circle: 43’9” (13.3 m)
• Weight: 33,260 lb (15,087 kg)
• Engine: Detroit Diesel Allison 8V-71N
• Horsepower: 255 HP @ 2,000 RPM
• Displacement: 568 cu in (9,308 cc)
• Transmission: Detroit Diesel Allison V735 Automatic
• Fuel Tank: 125 Imperial Gallons (568 litres)
• Seating Capacity: 55
• Heating: 114,000 BTU (28,500 kcal) main system, 41,800 BTU (10,000 kcal) front and defroster system, 80,000 BTU (20,000 kcal) booster unit
• Ventilation: 4 roof hatches for ventilation and emergency, 9 fully opening windows.

GM Articulated Image Archive

	TTC GM articulated bus #8502 operates in service on 39 FINCH EAST in this early-to-mid 1980s shot by John Calnan.
	In the 1980s, the 81 THORNCLIFFE PARK service was popular, with service so frequent, the TTC decided it was worthwhile to run the service using articulated buses. Here, TTC GM articulated 8502 operates on Overlea Drive. Photo by Bob Hussey.
	TTC GM articulated bus #8506 operates on 39 FINCH EAST on March 10, 1986. The photographer is unknown.
	TTC GM articulated bus #8507 operates on 39 FINCH EAST service in this early 1980s shot by John Calnan.
	TTC GM Articulated 8511 rests at Malvern Garage, waiting to enter into service on 13 ROUGE HILL. This 1980s photograph was taken by Bob Hussey and is courtesy the Pete Coulman collection.

References

• Bus World Encyclopedia of Buses, Stauss Publications, Woodland Hills (California), 1988.
• Diesel City Bus, Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto (Ontario), 1991.
• Toronto Transit Commission 7200-7251, Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board Wiki, Website.
• Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board Wiki