As with human life, buses also have their own "shelf life expiration" dates as well. Despite the fact that the Federal Transportation Authority and state transportation agencies recommend that buses have to remain in service for at least twelve (12) years, some have been retired earlier or much, much later, the most common reasons being maintenance costs, lack of spare parts availability, reduced efficiency, worn out seats or equipment, or some combination of those. Here you will see some retired transit vehicles that should not be forgotten.
AC Transit: North American Bus Industries NABI-40LFW (40xx series)
These buses are operated along with the 416 model and constitute as one of the workhorses of the industry. The key difference between this model and the 416 is that the 40LFW model is a low-floored bus; the rest, though, share similar features. Some of the 40-foot LFW buses have distinctly "all-green" wrap around them that represent the cities along the San Pablo Avenue corridor, and although these are used on Lines 72 and 72M, these are also used on other lines within Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
These buses are operated along with the 416 model and constitute as one of the workhorses of the industry. The key difference between this model and the 416 is that the 40LFW model is a low-floored bus; the rest, though, share similar features. Some of the 40-foot LFW buses have distinctly "all-green" wrap around them that represent the cities along the San Pablo Avenue corridor, and although these are used on Lines 72 and 72M, these are also used on other lines within Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
AC Transit: North American Bus Industries 416 Model (41-foot) standard bus
This high-floored bus operated as one of the workhorses of the agency, which operated local and Transbay routes in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties. These buses were fitted as urban-style coaches with plastic seats, and these buses have no air conditioning.
This high-floored bus operated as one of the workhorses of the agency, which operated local and Transbay routes in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties. These buses were fitted as urban-style coaches with plastic seats, and these buses have no air conditioning.
AC Transit: North American Bus Industries NABI-D60 (60-foot) articulated bus
These high-floor articulated buses may not be seen as often as the other buses operated by the agency, but these are among the oldest in the fleet. These are mostly operated on the 1R-International Rapid and the 72-San Pablo lines as back-up buses.
These high-floor articulated buses may not be seen as often as the other buses operated by the agency, but these are among the oldest in the fleet. These are mostly operated on the 1R-International Rapid and the 72-San Pablo lines as back-up buses.
Golden Gate Transit: Motor Coach Industries 102DL3 (45-foot) commuter bus
These buses have been retired in 2014 and have been subsequently replaced with MCI D4500CT coaches.
These buses have been retired in 2014 and have been subsequently replaced with MCI D4500CT coaches.
Golden Gate Transit: Motor Coach Industries D4500 (45-foot) commuter bus (691 to 696)
These buses were designed similarly to the older 102DL3 model, but these sport the second design of Golden Gate Transit. The main difference between the older D102C and this model is folding tables on every seat, while similar features are available on these coaches.
These buses were designed similarly to the older 102DL3 model, but these sport the second design of Golden Gate Transit. The main difference between the older D102C and this model is folding tables on every seat, while similar features are available on these coaches.
County Connection: Gillig Phantom 40-Footer Bus (5xx Series)
This type was retired between late-2015 and early 2016, and was subsequently replaced by the Gillig BRT low-floored bus. These were used mainly for express services, connecting Bishop Ranch in San Ramon with Danville and Walnut Creek, as well as Hillcrest Park-and-Ride in Antioch and Mitchell Park-and-Ride.
This type was retired between late-2015 and early 2016, and was subsequently replaced by the Gillig BRT low-floored bus. These were used mainly for express services, connecting Bishop Ranch in San Ramon with Danville and Walnut Creek, as well as Hillcrest Park-and-Ride in Antioch and Mitchell Park-and-Ride.
SamTrans: Gillig Phantom (40-foot) standard bus
Once the main workhorse for SamTrans, this bus type has been phased out in favor of the Gillig BRT and Low Floor buses.
Once the main workhorse for SamTrans, this bus type has been phased out in favor of the Gillig BRT and Low Floor buses.
SamTrans: Gillig Advantage standard (40-footer) bus (3xx series)
San Francisco Muni: Gillig Phantom (40-foot) standard bus
These buses, numbered 45, were part of the agency's reserve fleet, and many of these were used on the NX-Judah Express line.
These buses, numbered 45, were part of the agency's reserve fleet, and many of these were used on the NX-Judah Express line.
San Francisco Muni: NABI 416 (41-footer) high-floored bus (80xx series)
These have been relegated to the reserve fleet since 2013 and used as training coaches.
These have been relegated to the reserve fleet since 2013 and used as training coaches.
San Francisco Muni: New Flyer E60HF (60-foot) articulated bus
A unique, one-of-a-kind bus type operated only by Muni, New Flyer created this bus specifically to boost capacity on some of its busiest lines, including the 14-Mission, 20-Columbus (discontinued), 41-Union, and 49-Van Ness/Mission, among others. Unfortunately, due to old age, frequent breakdowns, and a fire that occurred in one of its coaches, it was unceremoniously retired in January 2015.
Note: in this collection, you will notice the three liveries of Muni painted on their vehicles: the leftmost set of images is the livery the agency used from around the 1980s, while the ones in the center set is the simplified livery (with white background) dating from around 1998, and the rightmost set of images sports the current livery of Muni, dating from around 2000.
A unique, one-of-a-kind bus type operated only by Muni, New Flyer created this bus specifically to boost capacity on some of its busiest lines, including the 14-Mission, 20-Columbus (discontinued), 41-Union, and 49-Van Ness/Mission, among others. Unfortunately, due to old age, frequent breakdowns, and a fire that occurred in one of its coaches, it was unceremoniously retired in January 2015.
Note: in this collection, you will notice the three liveries of Muni painted on their vehicles: the leftmost set of images is the livery the agency used from around the 1980s, while the ones in the center set is the simplified livery (with white background) dating from around 1998, and the rightmost set of images sports the current livery of Muni, dating from around 2000.
San Francisco Muni: ETI 15TrSF (60-foot) articulated bus (71xx series)
This articulated trolleybus variant was used on two of San Francisco's busiest corridors, namely along Mission Street and Van Ness Avenue.
This articulated trolleybus variant was used on two of San Francisco's busiest corridors, namely along Mission Street and Van Ness Avenue.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority: Chevy Chassis F450 Shuttle Van
Originally used for its Community Shuttles and DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle), these have been retired in 2014 and were subsequently upgraded to Gillig BRT Hybrid 30-footer buses to allow more passengers to board safely and allow a longer operation lifespan.
Originally used for its Community Shuttles and DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle), these have been retired in 2014 and were subsequently upgraded to Gillig BRT Hybrid 30-footer buses to allow more passengers to board safely and allow a longer operation lifespan.
Tri-Delta Transit: Gillig Phantom 40-Footer Standard Bus
Showing the oldest livery with Tri Delta Transit, these high-floored buses were used extensively on most routes in eastern Contra Costa County.
Showing the oldest livery with Tri Delta Transit, these high-floored buses were used extensively on most routes in eastern Contra Costa County.
WestCAT: Gillig Phantom 35-footer Bus (12x Series)
These buses have been replaced with Gillig BRT 35-footer buses (16x series).
These buses have been replaced with Gillig BRT 35-footer buses (16x series).
Wheels: Gillig Phantom 40-Footer Bus
The Gillig Phantom buses (both the suburban coach and city bus versions), used on Routes 9 and 70x/70xv, have features designed to make a passenger's commute a little easier, including overhead reading lamps, reclining chairs, adjustable air conditioning vents, a footrest, and a foldable table, perfect for reading, eating, or simply resting along the I-680 commute to and from Dublin, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, and Pleasant Hill.
The Gillig Phantom buses (both the suburban coach and city bus versions), used on Routes 9 and 70x/70xv, have features designed to make a passenger's commute a little easier, including overhead reading lamps, reclining chairs, adjustable air conditioning vents, a footrest, and a foldable table, perfect for reading, eating, or simply resting along the I-680 commute to and from Dublin, Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, and Pleasant Hill.
Wheels: Gillig LF30 Bus
This bus type was used in the agency's lower-ridership routes around Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton.
This bus type was used in the agency's lower-ridership routes around Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton.