Kitchener Transit's Bus Models

Here's an unofficial rostor Alan Gryfe has put together on the Kitchener Transit system.

The numbering system used by Kitchener transit detailed the year the bus was purchased in the first two digits, and the order in which the buses were bought for that year in the remaining digits. Before 1985, a three digit system was used, because Kitchener's computer system couldn't handle four digit fleet numbers at the time. Grand River Transit has inherited has five distinct models currently in operation, with a number of variations within certain models. A few have been painted in the new Grand River Transit colours, but most have simply had the Grand River logo affixed over the old Kitchener one. These models are listed here:

(Above) Bus 9210 sits at the Kitchener Transit Centre waiting to depart for Victoria Hills. This vehicle was among the first generation of Kitchener Transit's low floor vehicles.

(1) NEW FLYER Low Floor Model

• The newest buses of the fleet are best known for their low floor design, which is supposed to enable full accessibility for the system. The newest generation of this model is natural-gas powered, meaning lower emissions, and lower cost (primarily because the City of Kitchener also owns the local natural gas utility).
• There were three purchases, one in 1992 (9200 series), another in 1994 (9400 series) and the latest one, in 1996 (9600 series).
• The 9200 series were the closest to the prototypes, featuring small roof units, a lack of forward facing seats, and small, first generation electronic signs.
• The 9400 series improved on the earlier design, with thicker and flatter roofs; and oversize, second generation electronic sign capable of two lines of text and oversized letters.
• The 9600 series is almost identical to the 9400 series, except for the fact that it is powered by natural gas, and has a very large roof unit in order to handle the fuel.
• Earlier in 1999, Bus 9201 was sent out to Winnipeg for warranty work due to premature structural failure.
• All three series featured air conditioning.
• It is expected that the low floor Flyers will eventually replace all other models in the fleet. Currently, these vehicles are dedicated to Routes 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11 & 18, but are used frequently on other routes, especially on weekends.

(Above) Bus 8912, a first generation Orion, boards passengers at Fairview Mall for its Route 17 run to Heritage Park. These models are quite different from the Orion mini-buses that were used for a couple of industrial rush-hour only routes. The mini Orions have since been sold off, while these vehicles remain in the system.

(2) ORION model

• The latest generation of non low-floor vehicles were purchased from Orion Bus Industries, but were markedly different from the mini-bus design that Orion was previously well-known for (which have now been sold off. There were two bulk purchases, one in 1989 (8900 series) and the other in 1990 (9000 series). The Orion models were the first Kitchener Transit buses to have double rear doors since the abandonment of old P.U.C. vehicles in the late 1970s
• The 9000 series were the first buses in the fleet to have electronic signs; 8900 series were refitted soon afterwards with both first and second generation signs. They already had the latest style of seats installed, although they remain vinyl uphoulstered as opposed to the more friendly fabric used in the newest low floors.
• The Orion models are marked by distinctive, driver-side angled windshields (also present in New Flyers). The 'Orion' name is also prominent on the front of the bus, below the front windows.
• These, along with the Classics, provide the bulk of the service on those Kitchener Transit routes not served by the low floors

(Above) Bus 8805 pauses at the Kitchener Transit Centre on its way to Fairview Mall via Courtland. This bus is a prime example of the GM Classic, including retrofitted first-generation electronic sign).

(Above) Bus 804 picks up passengers at Waterloo Towne Square. This GM New Look was ordered during the early 1980s and is one of the few remaining in the system. The age is apparent in its use of a cloth rollsign to display its route. The jpeg is a thumbnail; click on the picture above to see it full sized.

(3) GM Classic/MCI model

• The GM Classics were the last GM buses purchased by Kitchener Transit to date. The first prototype was purchased in 1984 (bus #809, a prototype not conforming to Kitchener's numbering standard), and this was followed by two major purchases, one in 1985 (8500 series) and another in 1988 (8800 series). There was a small additional purchase of vehicles in 1989 (8900 series)
• Most of these buses were retrofitted with both first and second generation electronic signs in mid-1990s
• The 1981 GM's (804-808) have now all been completely refurbished, giving them another five years of life. With this refurbishment, Kitchener Transit has all of the buses it needs, and new equipment will not be arriving in the near future.

(4) GM New Look model

• These were the first new buses purchased in bulk by Kitchener Transit, with purchases taking place from 1968-1972 (under P.U.C.). in 1973 and between 1975 and 1977 (series 680-730, 750, 760 and bus #770 respectively). Today, very few 750s, 760s and 770s remain in service, providing limited rush hour and school special assistance.. These remain painted in Kitchener Transit's original livery, and still use linen rollsigns.
• The current GM New Looks generally in operation date from a purchase made in 1980 (buses #803-808). After receiving new coats of paint to operate as rolling advertisements, these buses were repainted in current Kitchener Transit livery in early 1990s.
• These buses were the workhorses of the fleet in the 1970s and early 1980s
• As of early January 1999, the two remaining old GM buses, 755 and 770, remain in daily operation. Both are both 1975 buses (they were of an original set of 22 bought in that year which ranged from 749-770).

(Above) At the end of their days... These old Flyers are no longer in use and have been stored behind the Kitchener Transit Garage, awaiting their fate...

(5) FLYER model

• The old Flyers (771-795) were all built between Nov. 1977 to Jan. 1978. There was originally 25 of them. 6 were sold in 1995 (bus 772 is running sightseeing tours in Niagara Falls), bus 794 was scrapped after an accident in 1996, 15 were sold summer of 1997, and two more were retired, sat out at the back at the garage, before finally being scrapped. Bus 793 is the only Flyer D800 model left in Kitchener Transit's fleet; it's still in service.
• Distinctive features included chrome bumpers and rear tail fins. Many of these vehicles were repainted into current Transit livery in late 1980s

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Last Updated: March 1, 2000. Thank you for visiting