New Gillig Buses

[mgf]

Since we seem to have some transit experts here, has Disney ever seriously considered hybrid or natural gas busses? I know they are more expensive, but WDW seems like a perfect location (mixed driving, high occupancy, simulated urban sprawl, highly visible and relatively popular "free" transit system, etc) for an industry subsidized or federally funded pilot. It seems like they could find outside money if they wanted to do it.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Where do the old busses go? Lynx? Bought by hotels for shuttles? (Bus heaven, eventually, I'm sure...but in the meantime...)

Enquiring Minds want to know.

The old busses go round and round... round and round...

 

[FireChiefGoofy]

I take it we are moving from this to the new bus design ? Sometome tell me I am correct in this thought pattern ? These busses had the lower floors IIRC and were very roomy. {and thanks to one driver when it got COLD this past January, very WARM AND COMFY, I think the guys name was Dave.. not sure though, I barely remember the bus numbers as it is!}

Even so, I like this version the best, however the new version as stated by @FireChiefGoofy does indeed go by the driver uniforms and I for one like the look. However I do not like the squared off design, the rounded front was indeed... aheh.... cuter and actually felt more Disney like to me. Straight boxed corner design reminds me far too much of downtown Hong Kong

NOTE: I rode on three busses that were rather high up in the air, {three steps to get into the thing! no wheelchair or motor scooter ramps!!} and severely cramped! Tell me THOSE are the buses getting replaced yes ?

Your picture is the old RTS buses with the three steps to get into. When fully loaded you feel like you're going to tip over making turns. They are also very slow and produce a lot of exhaust and soot. The new buses have exhaust scrubbers that make them cleaner.

 

[majortom1981]

Just poking fun here, but I find it hilarious that people bring up having to "climb stairs" to get onto the bus after a long day at the park(s). After 2-10 miles walked in one day are 3 stairs really going to be someone's downfall? I like the new look though, very sharp.

Some people like my mother have MS. They can walk around the parks but at a certain point the MS kicks in and those 3 stairs would cause problems. My mother does not use a wheel chair or power chair because she wants to be self sufficient as long as possible.

 

[Tom]

Some people like my mother have MS. They can walk around the parks but at a certain point the MS kicks in and those 3 stairs would cause problems. My mother does not use a wheel chair or power chair because she wants to be self sufficient as long as possible.

Good example.

Also, the low rider buses make the ECV process much faster since they only have to kneel and flop out the back ramp. Plus, the OP mentioned a faster harnessing system.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Since we seem to have some transit experts here, has Disney ever seriously considered hybrid or natural gas busses? I know they are more expensive, but WDW seems like a perfect location (mixed driving, high occupancy, simulated urban sprawl, highly visible and relatively popular "free" transit system, etc) for an industry subsidized or federally funded pilot. It seems like they could find outside money if they wanted to do it.

I've been told stories that they've been considered but nothing beyond the testing phase.

 

[draybook]

Ok, I should have stated that in my post meant in good humor that those with disabilities were not included. I'm strictly talking about perfectly healthy people.

 

[HDS]

Less seats? Aww man =(

 

[durhay]

Where do the old busses go?

An old farm upstate. Plenty of room to roam around on.

 

[durhay]

I read the thread title as "New Ghibli Buses"

 

[Goofyernmost]

Less seats? Aww man =(

I'm not sure about that. I don't have access currently to that information, but, it seems to me, if anything, they have more seats because they are generally bigger then the RTS buses. They do lose a couple of seats up front due to the front wheel wells, but I'm fairly sure it's made up for as you go toward the rear of the bus.

 

[Tom]

I'm not sure about that. I don't have access currently to that information, but, it seems to me, if anything, they have more seats because they are generally bigger then the RTS buses. They do lose a couple of seats up front due to the front wheel wells, but I'm fairly sure it's made up for as you go toward the rear of the bus.

In the Gilligs, the majority of the seats in the middle of the bus are along the wall, facing inward. And a couple sections fold up for ECVs. While the inside area of the bus is bigger, I believe they do actually have fewer seats....but carry more people, since you can fit more bodies-per-square-foot standing vs. sitting.

 

[Goofyernmost]

In the Gilligs, the majority of the seats in the middle of the bus are along the wall, facing inward. And a couple sections fold up for ECVs. While the inside area of the bus is bigger, I believe they do actually have fewer seats....but carry more people, since you can fit more bodies-per-square-foot standing vs. sitting.

I used to think that too, but when I counted I found that they can put as many seats in along the walls as facing front because the center lane is where you put your feet and leaving room between seat rows is not necessary.

 

[FireChiefGoofy]

I'll do a seat count when I go in tonight. Got an overtime shift at AK from 6pm-1:15am. The bus is considered full at 72 people.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I'll do a seat count when I go in tonight. Got an overtime shift at AK from 6pm-1:15am. The bus is considered full at 72 people.

Thanks! I'll bet it's close to the same, at least. 72 is a very full load for even a 42 foot bus. That means that almost the same number are standing as sitting.

 

[FigmentsFangirl]

Your picture is the old RTS buses with the three steps to get into. When fully loaded you feel like you're going to tip over making turns. They are also very slow and produce a lot of exhaust and soot. The new buses have exhaust scrubbers that make them cleaner.

OK the really up high ones, Hated those, really cramped there too.

Thanks for the clearing up, those were loud and to me are ready for the junk pile.

NOW: New question; when it comes to the new buses, what about the Nova buses ? there were some rounded style ones from what I recall. and I also recall news somewhere of disel/bio-disel hybrds being tested by disney, I think those were the Nova design ?

 

[Goofyernmost]

OK the really up high ones, Hated those, really cramped there too.

Thanks for the clearing up, those were loud and to me are ready for the junk pile.

NOW: New question; when it comes to the new buses, what about the Nova buses ? there were some rounded style ones from what I recall. and I also recall news somewhere of disel/bio-disel hybrds being tested by disney, I think those were the Nova design ?

Bio-diesel is a farce, IMHO. Even when it is used it usually isn't anymore than 10% and most bus companies have dropped it because it was doing damage to the engines. Florida doesn't have this problem but in cold climates it cannot be used at all.

 

[Tom]

I used to think that too, but when I counted I found that they can put as many seats in along the walls as facing front because the center lane is where you put your feet and leaving room between seat rows is not necessary.

Hmmm, could very well be.

I'll do a seat count when I go in tonight. Got an overtime shift at AK from 6pm-1:15am. The bus is considered full at 72 people.

Do the drivers actually use the electronic sensors to count passengers, or do you just "guesstimate" and stop boarding when people hit the line on the floor?

What I wish they'd install are some sort of fisheye cameras in the back or middle of the bus cabin, so that when the driver can't see over the standing heads, they can still tell if there's room for 20 more people in the very back...when people refuse to keep moving back. Too many times I've either seen a half-empty bus from outside (as I stare longingly through the windows from my position about 4 people back in the park-closing bus queue), or while on board, with hundreds of people still waiting to get to their beds after a long day.

Maybe a cattle prod of sorts would also work.

 

[englanddg]

Maybe a cattle prod of sorts would also work.

Hahaha

Chalk up my vote for "Magical Guest Mobility Motivators+".

Bzzzzt! Bzzzzt!

 

[Tom]

Hahaha

Chalk up my vote for "Magical Guest Mobility Motivators+".

Bzzzzt! Bzzzzt!

Mine too! I will often stand in the alcove near the back door if I'm boarding a full bus and have the opportunity. That way it keeps any kids away from it, opens up more space for others....and also let's me off first, lol.

So many times I'll be there and see that nobody is going up to the "upper deck" in the back of the Novas, or just aren't going any further than the rear doors on any given bus...and I just want to scream at the guests, and the driver.

But I know the driver can't always see it, so I can't get too upset with him/her, except for not making an obligatory PA announcement about it. Sometimes they need to be a little less magical, and a little more forceful, and insist on people moving further back. Something like, "We're not leaving until 10 more people board this bus - please keep moving to the very back of the bus" would work nicely. Then the Motivators