It was a big deal when 14 Nova Bus articulated buses—the “double” buses, with a hinge in the middle—showed up on the streets of Halifax in 1993. “We weren’t sure they’d be able to handle the hills,” says Metro Transit’s Lori Patterson. “But they’ve really proven themselves. And the kids especially liked them; they called them the ‘bendies.'”
Those 14 buses have been workhorses. With seating for 69 and standing room for another 35, they reduced double-heading, improved rush-hour service and cut labour costs. It’s anyone’s guess how many passengers they’ve ferried over the years—hundreds of thousands each, certainly, possibly into the millions.
But now they’re being retired, victims to poor fuel mileage and emissions and increased maintenance costs. The first two—the venerable #708 and #710—were taken out of commission last week, their fare boxes yanked, their engines cannibalized for parts and their carcasses unceremoniously discarded to the rear of the bus barn lot in Burnside, in limbo until they’re towed to Surplus Land for scrap. The pair are being replaced by two New Flyer hybrid articulated buses, financed by the province.
The other 12 will soon follow. Thanks to a relatively aggressive transit expansion plan approved by Halifax council, 45 new Nova Bus articulated buses will arrive over the next three years—15 each year. The new buses, which cost about $700,000 each, will be placed on the busiest routes, notably the #1, with the smaller buses now on those routes used to increase service on other routes.
This is a good news story, but perhaps we should pause to consider the humanity carried by the buses passing into history: the overheard conversations, the thousands of books read, the relationships formed, the relationships lost, the fights with drivers, the…OK, maybe not.
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This article appears in Feb 4-10, 2010.
This story brought a tear to my eye. I remember excitedly riding these busses when they were brand spanking new when I was a boy. Ohh the many trips I would take on the Number 10, the route they most often served, across the bridge over to MicMac Terminal and back. I remember several drivers even asking me if I had missed my stop or if I was lost, but no. I just liked riding the busses. I loved sitting in the middle seats because you were right in the middle of all the action, they would turn differently than the rest of the bus, and they bounced more. Many fond memories of these busses. It’s sad to see them go, may they rest in peace. However, I would like to wish a very warm Maritime welcome to the new articulated busses joining Metro Transit’s fleet! May your service be long and your passengers be merry.
It is also sad to see the last of the old fishbowl busses go, as well. Haven’t seen them on the streets for a few months now. If you go out to the Valley though, just outside of Kentville there is an old junked fishbowl bus located right across from a gas station. Pretty cool.
Throughout the UK and in Victoria, BC, they have double decker busses. Could that ever be a possibility for Metro Transit here? You get nice views from the top and they don’t take up as much space on the roads as the articulated busses. In fact, in London, UK, Mayor Boris Johnson has actually pledged to get rid of all their “bendy busses” due to problems associated with them, particularly their danger to cyclists. Article here:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article…
Wow. It’s crazy to see these bad boys go, really it is. While I’ve maybe ridden on less than 10 of them in the past 15 years, they were always fun. On the other hand, when they retire the old bus that has the cushy seats (is that the fishbowl bus you’re talking about Q?), that’ll be a sad day for me. I love those things.
The “fishbowls”, aka the cushy seat buses, are all junked and sitting with 708 and 710 in the graveyard section of 200 Ilsley.
Tim, I know you had a connection as you ride the 10 quite a bit, but I never thought you’d be sentimental lol. They can go up hills, but as anyone who got caught behind a 33 on Main Ave can tell you, they don’t do it well at all. If the bus was expected to run from morning till late night (like the 10 or 20 on Saturdays), they had to be changed off midday due to lack of fuel capacity. The new buses won’t have this issue, and hopefully they’ll ride the hills better too.
Personally, I’ll be sad to see them go. Only 16 Classic articulated buses were ever made, and 14 of them belonged to us. Some drivers hated driving them, others (myself included) liked them as even if they’re slow, they command more respect on the road. The New Flyer buses are here and they look great, but don’t expect to see them before August, unless I get my way and steal one to drive the 1 on Saturday.
Oddly enough, I’m actually disheartened to hear the cushy seated bus has been finally given the heave-ho.
Your federal and provincial taxes at work.
Save one for a museum or stick it down at Pier 21 near the old railway carriages.
Brilliant that they get rid of them before the new ones come in to take their place, I especially love trying to get the 10 or the 1 on the weekend and getting to experience first hand what it’s like to be a canned sardine. (And driver guy I’m not blaming the drivers, you guys rock, pay you more I say for all the crap you put up with, it’s the idiots in management who probably don’t even ride the bus who are at fault)
Why can’t they make more busses with cushy seats? Seattle has modern busses with cushy seats that are durable and easy to clean.
It is sad that we will no longer see any fishbowls working the streets of Halifax. How could this happen with such little fanfare, like we had for the last streetcar in Halifax? This is an outrage if you ask me! I thought for sure they would be operating a lot longer considering at least one of them just got the sexy new Metro Transit paint job.
Fuck that they are going to raise bus fares and and not to mention the tickets and passes anyway, probably the schedule aswell so thopse who need to get to work or school in the morning or night. They really dont care about you they only care about them selves
Metro Transit should donate one of the artics and a GM new-look to the Museum of Industry in Stellarton. They would go well with their collection of rail and motor vehicle transportation.