Pictures of the new Gillig low-floor buses

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I have ridden the new buses several times this week. Twice today!! I also happened to see one of them in training and noticed that the wheelchair ramp has a manual feature so if the ramp motor messes up, they can just pop a lever and flip it over manually!!

Yes, the manual feature will be a life saver!!! The retractable ramps in the Novas are just as finicky as the Check Engine light

 

[pumpkinboy]

Well. our family loves the low-floor buses (we didn't mind the Novas either, but then again we never had a breakdown on them either). 7 yr old DS is wheelchair bound, and the quick ramps and low floors seemed to load wheeled passengers more quickly than the old reliable buses with the lift (is this in fact true, Tyler?). DD also enjoys the image of the bus "sticking out its tongue" as the ramp extends for her big brother.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

They take less time for a number of reasons. First, you can just wheel right on. The second is the J-hook style straps. You just hook, tighten, and go! The old grey straps were always a pain in the posterior to use. I'm glad they're almost all gone. Many of the RTS buses are being retrofitted with the J-hooks.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I saw one of the new Gilligs the other day ... not all that unusual, I've now started seeing them every day. What was noteworthy about this was the destination sign. It had MOUSE EARS on it! I'm glad to see that at least some of the new busses can do the Mouse Ears.

(I believe it was 4887-04 that had the mouse ears on the display, but not entirely sure)

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

The mouse ears (which I love, and wish they would keep) is a feature of the old programming code.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Okay, I just wanted to post a comparison picture.

Top picture is a Disney Nova LFS, with 35 seats.
Bottom picture is a demo Nova LFS with 38 seats. (The bus was on loan to us while one of our Novas was sent up to Canada for some work. It stayed on the cast shuttle, and never saw guest service. Being a demo bus, it was fully loaded, and very nice. I could only wish our buses were that nice.)

You can see a big difference in interior space. The Disney Nova has much wider aisles, which comes in handy for guests with scooters, wheelchairs, or bulky strollers. The only downside is that it has 3 fewer seats. That's it though, only 3.

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

The new ones look great, I can't wait to ride in one!

 

[sue Z]

Tyler Dad said THANK YOU for the bus numbers!!!!
as always keep us posted!!!