Port Authority ordered these Gillig Phantom buses in 2003 and they are numbered 1501 through 1560. They were officially retired in 2015. They had Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR Allison B400R transmission.
This shot shows you the front step area of the bus... Kinda tacky, but it seems to have the "Lift U" wheelchair lift as the rest of the buses have.
This shot shows the interesting green color that Port Authority chose. It really is not bad in the light, however all the "ride" decals have got the attention of people already... I also understand that these buses will be in 6 designer colors, different from anything else we have.
This is the front end of the bus. Notice the unit number box in front. I thought we had gotten rid of the unit numbers...maybe they're making a comeback!
This shot shows the front entry way into the bus. yes, that floor IS purple!
Basic rear to front shot. I apologize for the dark picture, but the battery on the coach was disconnected and very little light was available.
Front to rear shot. I do like the seat colors. They are a lot nicer than the pinkish red in the 5XXX series low floors, and WAY better than vinyl.
This is the part I saw daily... The drivers area. I like the way they set this up. The only 2 things I saw that I did not care for are the way they put the HVAC controls right on the dash behind the steering wheel, and the headsign controls, which is a Twin Vision unit, are located in the center of the overhead panel above the driver. Like the older Flxibles. May be a reach for some. I was hoping that it will be re-located, but it doesn't seem like it.
Here are the designer colors for the 1500 series...green, pewter, blue, copper, burgundy, and plum.
1503 dressed in blue with "connect"all over it.
"Move"out of the way, here comes 1508!
1514 awaits to "connect" you to life.
This is 1503, in the pleasing metallic blue color that everyone likes, as it awaits to go out for evening service.
Just a side view of the bus from above.
1508 earlier the same day.
1514 just coming in from a trip on the ML Flyer.
1521 sitting on 6th Avenue downtown, loading passengers for the 41E.
1527 on the 41A route, from Wood St. onto 6th Ave.
1504 on Liberty Ave, on the 1D Mt. Royal.
Phantom 1508 on Rt 500 heading to St. Clair, sitting on 5th Ave.
Brand new bus, 1511, that won't "move, move, move"... Broke down at 9th and Exchange way, downtown.
1513 in a staged shot Commonwealth Ave, in Pittsburgh...Yours truly at the helm!
Interior shot of 1513.
Passenger side view of 1513.
1515 sitting at Ross Park Mall, preparing to go out on the 1D.
Another shot of 1515, same location.
1509 coach on the 54C route, shown at Allegheny Center.
1505 at Kennedy Center.
1512 sitting on recovery at West View Plaza, waiting to go, go, go.
1512 Preparing to take a ride on the Perrysville, 11D.
1523 sitting on Mt. Washington at the old Foodland.
1529 coming off the Smithfield St Bridge.
1502 on the Fineview...Shot in downtown.
1521 turning from Wood St onto 6th Ave.
1535 on layover at Olympia shopping center.
1517 and 1527 at a undisclosed, top secret location...
1525 on The 41E Mount Washington.
1528 at Amabell St.
1544 showing off her wheelchair lift.
1549 on Smithfield St.
1550 running in Squirrel Hill.
1553 working the 84A completing a wheelchair load.
1508 on Liberty Ave.
1508 at manchester after repaint.
1517 Coming down 6th Street between Liberty and Penn Aves.
1524 on Smithfield St.
1527 near Strawberry Way
1528 running the 40 route.
1549 in Oakland.
1560 crossing 5th Ave in Oakland.
1503 at Kennedy Center.
1509 on East Ohio St.
1516 running the Rt 43 Mt Washington.
1517 coming off the Smithfield St Bridge onto Ft. Pitt Blvd.
1530 on Smithfield St.
1548 running the Greenfield Rt.
1505 preparing to be fueled and washed at Ross Division.
1512 on Liberty Ave.
1516 in Pittsburgh.
1529 on 6th Ave in the snow.
1531 in unknown location.
1509 on Liberty Ave.
1511 making a turn in Pittsburgh.
1528 turning onto the Smithfield St. Bridge from Carson St.
1543 on East Ohio St.
1503 at Kennedy Center.
1532 rolling through Squirrel Hill.
1553 at Grandview and McArdle Roadway.
1553 and 1504 at South Hills Junction.
1549 on Shady Ave.
More to come!