⁴ᴷ Bee-Line Westchester Transportation: On Board 2005 Orion V "Shortie" 136 on Route 9

Bee-Line with having recently retired their 2005-2006 Orion V fleet and having their 2022-2023 XDE40's delivered, still hold onto another fleet that continues to age and operate even after the retirement of all said 2005-2006 units, and that would be the 32 foot long 2005 Orion V's, used for shorter community routes, set to be retired by the 2023 XDE35 fleet. These buses are some of the last ever buses to be equipped with the iconic Detroit Diesel Series 50 engine, specifically the EGR variant, with the perfect pairing of Allison B400R transmissions, similar to that of how the MTA's last fleet of Orion V's, those being the 1998-1999 units which retired in 2016, were equipped with. These Orion V's are at the moment the closest NYC will get to any standard bus type equipped with a Detroit Diesel Series 50/EGR operating within its vicinity. Only 5 units currently are held not by Liberty Lines Transit, but by another contracted operator for Bee-Line, which is P.T.L.A Enterprise, the only other contractor that operates any sort of Bee-Line fleet and any routes at all, with their 5 2005 Orion V's being the only buses they hold. The other 8 remaining units are operated under Liberty Lines Transit, and are split between Valhalla Garage, and Yonkers Garage, with Yonkers being the garage that currently holds 129, 135 and 136, with #136 being the selected unit here. Valhalla holds the other 5 units, which run on various other loop routes around Westchester County and the vicinity of Valhalla's operating range. A unique feature with these buses however, besides their slimmer bodies and very short length, would be their cushioned, comfortable seating inside, which no other Bee-Line bus has, and potentially no Bee-Line bus will ever have again. Once these buses retire, an era will be brought to a very quick end, so catch them while they're still active. #beelinebus
Video Clips Taken: July, 7th, 2023.
Enjoy!

[@javie2064]

It’s really crazy how time passes on so quick. the Orions were a huge part of my childhood and still are today. I remember riding them on the queens routes. When the NYCT Orion Vs retired I was heartbroken but I was glad that beeline still had them. But now they’re going to it’s like history fading away. These buses hold a huge legacy and will always be remembered. 2nd best buses next to the RTS. The orion era is almost over. Once NYCT gets rid of the NGs it’s done. The 35ft units will be gone by the end of next year. I hope I can catch them before they meet their demise

[@Q84982user]

for real javie

[@Q84982user]

these Orion 5 used to be in other depots CS BP GH ECH until there retired 😢

[@javie2064]

Cs was my favorites