Port Authority has had the Orion V coach since the early 90's. These are in my opinion, some of the nicest riding buses that we have ever had. However, as they have gone in overhauls, new government EPA regulations, have caused some sporadic problems with performance. We had the Orion in two flavors, 35 and 40 foot models. The Orions were phased out as the Gilligs began to arrive. What a shame. They are missed.

Fleet numbers are from 2000-2124, in the first batch, with the second order in 92 and 93, being numbered from 2200-2299

Some of the Orions are special. 2120-2124 are Natural Gas buses (CNG), and 2290-2299 are equipped with DD50 engines with various different transmissions. Most of the rest of the Orions are equipped with the Detroit Diesel 6V92 engine and 4 speed Allison. Look at the roster page for more information on the numbering as well as a few interesting facts.

 

Time for the pictures!

Orion Drivers area.

 

Passenger area. This was re-done to the same style that the Novas and later Flxibles had for seats.

 

35' 1675 parked at Ross.

 

1676 workin hard on the 54C, found at South Hills Junction.

Nice cold day as 2001 (and driver) relax after a heavy trip on the 16B Brighton.

 

2011 sitting off to the side, off road from a 16A Aliquippa.

 

Here is a CNG bus, check the natural gas tank on the roof. This bus was shot at Market Square, downtown.

 

2247 complete with the Twin Vision headsign, laying over at Pittsburgh International Airport, Route 28X.

 

1677 on lunch at West View Plaza, before leaving on the 500.

 

1666 turning from Wood St to 6th Ave while running on the 41E Mt. Washington.

 

1679 sitting at the old Foodland on Sweetbriar St, on the 41E.

 

2007 parked on Ross Park Mall Drive on the 12A.

 

2119 loading on 5th Ave. in Pittsburgh, Rt 71C.

 

2256 on Wood Street before the turn to 6th Ave.

 

2263 at Phillips Power Plant, on the 21A Route.

 

2282 on the 77B at 6th and Liberty, Downtown.

 

2210, the litterbug bus...I saw this bus once going down the road and something fell out the window...so much for litterbugs...lol. The picture was shot on Liberty Ave, Downtown.

 

1686 at North Hills Village, on Layover.

 

2272 in the parking lot at Camp Horne Giant Eagle, Recovery location for the 16/17B routes.

 

Bus 2010 with the gold triangle scheme.

 

DD50 powered 2211 at West View Plaza.

 

2105
Orion 2105 waiting at a traffic light in town.

 

orionunk
Freshly painted Orion, number 2069 completely bare of anything, sitting just outside of the paint booth at the Manchester main shop.

 

2009 going through Market Square.

 

1652 on 5th Ave in Oakland.

 

1667 in it's new paint. It was the ONLY 1600 series Orion with this scheme.

 

1668 just got its new paint as well.

 

1675 turning onto Liberty Ave.

 

1686 at North Commons and Federal.

 

2000 in its old paint scheme in Oakland...Before it changed to...

 

the green "top o' the mornin'" bus seen here at Ross.

 

2009 at Lincoln and Starr Ave in Bellevue

 

2010 in its fresh "triangle" paint scheme.

 

2011 at Lincoln and Starr in Bellevue.

 

2014 on delivery at manchester.

 

2028 wrapped up in Jerome Bettis. I used to take this bus a lot on my 41B Bower Hill. It is headed out of town on Liberty ave.

 

2032 on Penn at Stanwix.

 

2045 at Manchester with new paint.

 

2051 with new paint, and 1686 is all primered up waiting to go in the booth.

 

2060 stopped at a light in town.

 

2066 running the 46F route.

 

2076 on Smithfield St.

 

2093 exiting the East Busway at Penn Station.

 

2099 in Market Square.

 

2100 on 5th Ave.

 

2107 with strange wrap...Was it promoting the groundbreaking of the West Busway or West Coast Video...

 

2110 with a winning wrap for the Pirates. Too bad the team isnt as winning...

 

2116 on Penn Ave.

 

2121 (CNG) turning from Stanwix onto Liberty Ave.

 

2123 (CNG) on Wood St.

 

2203 in the "Candy Cane" paint on 5th Ave in Oakland. This was the only Orion to sport this scheme.

 

Another shot of 2203, still in Oakland.

 

2210 on the East Busway, at Penn Station, apparently looking for sharks...

 

2211 sporting her COKE wrap, at Avalon Loop.

 

2218 at Three Rivers Stadium. Brand new bus!

 

One of my other favorites was 2247, with its unique headsign.

 

2272 at West View Plaza.

 

2273 close to Three Rivers Stadium.

 

2297 new at Three Rivers Stadium. This is one of the Orions with the series 50 in it.

 

Another series 50 Orion, 2299 is peeking out of Manchester when it was delivered.

 

2276 at 5th Ave Place, turning from Liberty onto Stanwix.

 

1661 on Forbes Ave.

 

2100 on 5th Ave.

 

2247 in Oakland... Awesome headsign!

 

1652 in Oakland, on 5th Ave.

 

1679 on Penn Ave.

 

2019 in Oakland, on the 54C.

 

2068 at Market & Stanwix in Pittsburgh.

 

1668 running the 41E. Stopped on Smithfield St.

 

1675 peeking its nose out of Ross Division.

 

1676 sitting at Allegheny Center.

 

1676 sitting at the "proper" recovery location for the 54C.

 

1685 sitting at the old Foodland on Mt. Washington.

 

1685 sitting on Finnagal St, Mt Washington.

 

1686 loading on Liberty Ave, Route 1F.

 

2001 at Avalon loop...Snows Flyin...

 

2029 on Liberty Ave.

 

2034 on Liberty Ave.

 

2038 sporting new paint.

 

2069 on Fifth Ave.

 

2081 approaching Market Square.

 

2081 on Forbes Ave.