Gilligs in service yet?

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I seem to recall hearing from someone (probably Tyler) that Disney Transportation was switching from Nova busses to busses made by the Gillig company. I thought (but couldn't tell for sure) that I saw a Gillig in the Disney Transportation colors running today. Are the new busses in service yet?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

What you saw was 4886, our first Gillig Advantage. It arrived the first week of August, and is being tested throughout property to make sure that it can go everywhere, and that the wheelchair ramp will work with all of our load zones.

In the next few months, drivers will be trained on the new bus, however, it probably won't enter guest service. It might see some Cast Shuttle (MK) service though.

The rest of the new buses are scheduled to arrive late this year, and will hopefully be in service for the Christmas/New Years rush.


By the way, the Novas aren't going anywhere just yet. No word yet on what will happen when thier lease is up. However, the Gilligs are going to be replacing some of the older GMC RTS buses that will be retiring after 2+ million miles and 20-25 years of faithful service.

 

[Andrew_Lubow]

Tyler, OK I know how a GMC bus is set up and I figure the Nova busses are the newer busses I've used at WDW for the last few trips. What's a Gillig bus and how is it set up? Is their setup "better" then the busses in use now?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Andrew_Lubow
Tyler, OK I know how a GMC bus is set up and I figure the Nova busses are the newer busses I've used at WDW for the last few trips. What's a Gillig bus and how is it set up? Is their setup "better" then the busses in use now?

The Gillig Advantage is a low-floor bus, similar to the Nova LFS low-floor bus.

The main difference is that this bus uses a flip out style ramp, instead of a mechanically extendable ramp, meaning it is 100x more reliable. Even if it breaks down, it can be operated easily by hand. The wheelchair ramp will be in the back door, with the two fold up seats on the left side of the bus, just like the RTS and the Nova LFS that our guests are used to.

Other differences include that this bus has the Cummins ISL engine. Disney Transport has always been a Detroit Diesel operation, but we decided to go with the Cummins ISL for increased reliability.

Visual differences, the bus is a a little bit more 'boxy' but does look quite nice in the Disney livery. It will have the nice big bright orange destination signs that people still can't seem to notice.

Seating will be almost the same as the Nova LFS, with perimeter seating, and large aisles.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Originally posted by Chip 'n Dale Express

By the way, the Novas aren't going anywhere just yet. No word yet on what will happen when thier lease is up. However, the Gilligs are going to be replacing some of the older GMC RTS buses that will be retiring after 2+ million miles and 20-25 years of faithful service.

Kinda sad to see the RTS' being retired. 25 years, and from all outward appearances, still running strong. (I think I've heard numerous people refer to them as the most dependable mass transit bus ever produced).

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by SyracuseWolvrine
Kinda sad to see the RTS' being retired. 25 years, and from all outward appearances, still running strong. (I think I've heard numerous people refer to them as the most dependable mass transit bus ever produced).

Oh no, don't worry... only a select few are getting retired. (aka, the ones currently on the cast shuttle and ones being used as training buses... or as we call them, the Pride of the Fleet) Only about 24 of the oldest and junkiest will be retired. The rest are still here for about another 10 years, give or take.

(And really, even the biggest heap is still a decent bus)

The RTS really is the most durable and rock solid transit bus in the world, ever. It's only downfall is the rear wheelchair lift (which, while great for Disney, and easier for passengers, many transit authorities prefer the front door lift, for ease of the driver). That, and in the next 5-10 years, TA's will be required to purchase low-floors.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Here is a photoshopped preview of what the buses will look like (This isn't our bus, just one I made to look like how ours will)

 

[sue Z]

Funny this post is here I was just thinking of the Gilligs and wondering if they were in yet!!
Tyler will have to pass this INfo on to my dad!!!


here is some specs from the Gillig Web site on the Gillig LF's see link

http://www.gillig.com/LowFloor.htm

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I've been seeing the new Gillig, 4886-04, in cast member service at AK, and also sometimes being driven by the transportation coordinator that parks at AK.

It's a sharp looking bus. I haven't had my camera with to take a picture, but it looks basically like the photoshop that Tyler posted.

Semi-related question: A (transit-geek) friend asked me if Disney had ever run Flxibles. I replied that I was fairly sure there were never any of those in the WDW fleet, but that I'd check and find out ... so ... has Disney ever run Flxibles?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by SyracuseWolvrine
I've been seeing the new Gillig, 4886-04, in cast member service at AK, and also sometimes being driven by the transportation coordinator that parks at AK.

It's a sharp looking bus. I haven't had my camera with to take a picture, but it looks basically like the photoshop that Tyler posted.

Semi-related question: A (transit-geek) friend asked me if Disney had ever run Flxibles. I replied that I was fairly sure there were never any of those in the WDW fleet, but that I'd check and find out ... so ... has Disney ever run Flxibles?

We've got about 15 of the Gilligs in so far, and they are being set out to train the drivers. They basically look like the photoshop image I created, except the white between the windows is black, and the rims are painted white. Only 4886 was lucky enough to get the aluminum wheels.

As for the Flx, no, Disney never ran Flxibles. We started out with Twin Coaches in the 70s (there used to be one on New York Street at the Studios), and then the RTS in 1980.