Bus Performance

[Busjack]

I'll admit some of the TMCs are slow, but I haven't really experienced a really slow Nova, and yes I have been on a few that bounced like crazy as well. However, my experience with a slow Nova or Flyer for that matter had more to do with the driver being slow than the bus. Most of my rides on express Novas and Flyers have been pretty fast. I guess our experiences have been different in that regard.

The only way to resolve this is to turn over samples to Car and Driver for instrumented road testing. They have tested coal mine dump trucks, army tanks, and Elgin street sweepers, but not buses.

A few laws of physics: Vehicle performance depends on the horsepower and torque (which are related), weight, air resistance, and gearing. By definition, an articulated bus can't do as well, because it weighs maybe 40% more than a standard one (again, I haven't put them on the scale, but it makes sense).

Also, for the most part (excluding hybrids and I am not playing Name that Engine on YouTube), CTA buses received in the 2000s (and the 5800s, which got new powertrains) have about the same engine. There is no Flyer, Nova, or NABI engine (compared to cars, for instance, where a Honda VTEC is more advanced than a GM pushrod). The 1000 series Flyers reportedly have a more advanced transmission, so they should be quieter, and a bit more fuel efficient if they can cruise in a higher gear.

In any event, not having access to the test track or electronic testing gear, all I can say is that I have been knocked around while standing on both a 6400 and a 7500, so either seems to have adequate acceleration.

Of course, when you get to 16 year old TMCs and the like, all the gunk in the engine and slippage in the transmission are going to hurt performance.

[geneking7320]

The only way to resolve this is to turn over samples to Car and Driver for instrumented road testing. They have tested coal mine dump trucks, army tanks, and Elgin street sweepers, but not buses.

A few laws of physics: Vehicle performance depends on the horsepower and torque (which are related), weight, air resistance, and gearing. By definition, an articulated bus can't do as well, because it weighs maybe 40% more than a standard one (again, I haven't put them on the scale, but it makes sense).

Also, for the most part (excluding hybrids and I am not playing Name that Engine on YouTube), CTA buses received in the 2000s (and the 5800s, which got new powertrains) have about the same engine. There is no Flyer, Nova, or NABI engine (compared to cars, for instance, where a Honda VTEC is more advanced than a GM pushrod). The 1000 series Flyers reportedly have a more advanced transmission, so they should be quieter, and a bit more fuel efficient if they can cruise in a higher gear.

In any event, not having access to the test track or electronic testing gear, all I can say is that I have been knocked around while standing on both a 6400 and a 7500, so either seems to have adequate acceleration.

Of course, when you get to 16 year old TMCs and the like, all the gunk in the engine and slippage in the transmission are going to hurt performance.

Hi All;

I don't think Car and Driver has tested buses but I faintly remember an article in C&D about the RTS.

It was probably before GM sold the bus and truck division so that most have been some time back.

Gene