rolls into production
Coolidge Cotton Express and CART run a mixed fleet of nine cutaway buses that include three ARBOC Spirit of Mobility models. City of Coolidge Transit Manager Michael Meyer says CART was very interested in testing this new model for consideration in a future procurement. On this day following the morning runs, Meyer took his turn at the wheel of the Liberty for the first time since the bus arrived at the transit center. Meyer says he is especially interested in the ARBOC low-floor concept for its time saving benefits, noting that the people living in this part of Arizona routinely travel and commute significant distances to their places of employment and personal business. Mornings and evenings are the peak runs, requiring higher capacity buses to accommodate more passengers and leave ample room for wheelchair riders and the occasional standees. Available in three models, 29, 31 and 34 feet in length, the Liberty will accommodate up to 37 passengers and 14 standees. “Transit service to and from these communities is all about saving time for the passengers and the agency,” Meyer says. “If their bus ride takes 15 minutes longer than the normal one-hour commute, they are less likely to use our service. We need to do everything we can to narrow the window and tighten the headway.” All passengers enter on a 41-inch wide, 1:6 ramp by either Ricon or Braun. The low floor slopes two degrees front to back with theater seating with no step over the rear axle and a clear 39-inch pass between the wheel wells. With Freedman folding seats, the Liberty provides standard 54to 60-inch wheelchair spaces and up to six positions with the latest Q’Straint securement devices. “The ramp ratio, low floor and wide entrance make boarding and de-boarding so much easier for everyone,” Meyer says. “Our wheelchair passengers enjoy the freedom. They appreciate not having to rely on a conventional lift at the rear of a bus.” Aessa, a special needs customer who has depended on CART service for years and counts the drivers and regular passengers as close friends, was very receptive to the new bus on her route as Meyer wheeled her over the ramp and into position. “This is so much nicer,” she said. “It feels wonderful to have this much space”. Following the 30-minute route from Coolidge to Florence, Meyer offered his comments. “With the rear engine, the Liberty has great power,” he says. “I
Techs pulling maintenance will appreciate the butterfly doors that allow open access to the engine compartment.
City of Coolidge Transit Manager Michael Meyer assists Aessa, a regular customer on CART, with ease on the 1:6 ramp.
realize this is a prototype, but it seems easy to operate and maintain. It is convenient for customers, as well as for the technicians pulling maintenance. They will appreciate the easy access to the engine and all the other components. Also, the one-piece floor is very easy to clean.” Meyer says he and his team are very anxious to see the final production model. In addition to the Freightliner chassis and suspension, he and the rest of the industry can expect to see other noteworthy enhancements. ARBOC says it is currently redesigning the front and rear-floor to soft mount these assemblies, which will reduce the sound and vibration transmitted into the vehicle compartment and soften the ride of the vehicle. To save weight, the engine coolant package, a mechanical drive system, now fits into to the lower rear roadside corner to facilitate the use of a smaller cooling package. Positioned for easy access, the coolant reservoir is located immediately over the rear of the engine. With the new placement of the cooling package, a redesign of the rear fiberglass cap was necessary. The rear doors to the engine compartment are butterfly-style for safe access to the engine compartment. The right-hand door opens curbside to expose all the routine service and maintenance points. The left-hand door opens in the same manner to allow easy access for routine maintenance. The engine shuts off automatically any time the left-hand engine compartment door opens. The 70-gallon fuel tank is situated in front of the rear drive-axle, which helps move the weight toward the front of the bus. The chassis rails also now protect the fuel tank from side impacts. busride.com | BUSRIDE
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