Model: Orion VII NG HEV 07.501
Engine: Cummins ISB
Transmission: BAE Systems HybriDrive
1200-1423 were delivered in 2007-2009. The first vehicle to enter revenue service was 1203. Delivery of these vehicles was often sporadic, and deliveries continued even after the next order (1500-1689) were nearly all delivered.
Due to the unsatisfactory performance of the Sealed-Lead Acid (SLA) batteries they were delivered with, their batteries are being converted to Lithium-Ion batteries at MTB.
Retirements:
Birchmount: GM/MCI Classic, 1991 Orion V (6640-6745)Malvern: GM New Look
Mount Dennis: 1991 Orion V (6640-6745), GM New Look
Queensway: New Flyer D40-88/89, 1991 Orion V (6640-6745)
Wilson: GM New Look
Division Histories:
Arrow: Arrow started accepting deliveries in 2008, as Malvern started reaching capacity. When Mount Dennis opened, they sent some of this series to Mount Dennis, but also sent 1050-1149 to Wilson and Malvern to accommodate more deliveries from this series. They currently have most of the fleet.Malvern: All initial deliveries were to Malvern. Their delivery allowed all of Malvern's New Looks to be retired or moved to Wilson (and later Mount Dennis). Although originally Malvern was supposed to have 1200-1289, most units have since been moved to Arrow or Mount Dennis; only 25 units (from 1200-1229) remain, having being pushed out by 1100-1149 and 1700-1829.
Mount Dennis: Lower-mileage units were sent to Mount Dennis when it opened, hoping that the new mechanics there would have less problems with newer units (however, Mount Dennis did not accept any new deliveries). Many of the units have been sent to Arrow in exchange for most of the 1500-1689 series.
Wilson: Wilson started accepting deliveries after Arrow, and they received most of the 14xx units. This allowed 8000-8099 to be moved to Queensway. Most of this series has been sent to Arrow and Mount Dennis as the 1700-1829 series is being delivered.
Recommended Sightings: 35, 36, 37, 60, 84
Although they may appear on any route at Arrow, Malvern, Mount Dennis or Wilson, they are most common at Arrow and therefore the highest chance will be on any large Arrow route.
