Neoplan AN440
Encyclopedia
The Neoplan
Transliner was a series of related mass transit bus
models introduced by Neoplan USA
in 1981.
NeoPlan offered a variety of engines, both diesel and CNG fueled. Depending upon the model, Detroit Diesel 40 or 50 series; Cummins ISM, C-series, or ISL; or CAT C-9 engines could be had. Most Transliners featured Allison B400 or B500 "World Transmissions". However, ZF (5HP590) and Voith transmissions were also available on some models.
In the 1980s, WMATA Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
, also known as Metro, and PAT Port Authority Transit
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
complained about frame problems with their Neoplan coaches. However, today, they both run new Neoplan buses — WMATA with the AN460 and PAT with AN460s and AN440LFs, the low floor version of these buses.
However, the AN440 and AN460 models ordered by the San Francisco Municipal Railway
proved troublesome. Among the problems were insufficient, excessively noisy cooling fans (sounds reached up to 90 dB), faulty transmissions, maintenance intensive brake systems (needing service every 5,000 miles), and cracking frames. The problems were compounded when Neoplan eventually refused to fix the problems, instead choosing to repossess the remaining spare parts and abandon its overhaul yard located in San Francisco.
. The bus
networks that have or have had them in service are MBTA in Boston, Massachusetts, SEPTA
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, ABQ RIDE in Albuquerque, New Mexico
and LACMTA
in Los Angeles, California
.
San Francisco Municipal Railway
(SF MUNI) ordered Neoplan AN440s and AN460s to replace their aging bus fleet during 2001-2004, but they are unique in that they have rear windows, with the air conditioning unit mounted on the roof.
Bi-State Development Agency
, dba Metro, has a small fleet of Neoplan Buses for its MetroBus
service, and since March 30, 2009, has retired them.
Neoplan USA
Neoplan USA was a major transit bus manufacturing company based in Denver, Colorado, which was entirely separate from the German corporation, Neoplan, licensing its designs from the German company of the same name. The company was founded in 1981 and folded in 2006. It was originally a subsidiary...
Transliner was a series of related mass transit bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
models introduced by Neoplan USA
Neoplan USA
Neoplan USA was a major transit bus manufacturing company based in Denver, Colorado, which was entirely separate from the German corporation, Neoplan, licensing its designs from the German company of the same name. The company was founded in 1981 and folded in 2006. It was originally a subsidiary...
in 1981.
Models
The Transliner was available in a wide variety of body styles. Transliners could be ordered in 35', 40', and 60' lengths. Standard (high), completely low, or semi-low (with steps to access the rear section) floors were available.NeoPlan offered a variety of engines, both diesel and CNG fueled. Depending upon the model, Detroit Diesel 40 or 50 series; Cummins ISM, C-series, or ISL; or CAT C-9 engines could be had. Most Transliners featured Allison B400 or B500 "World Transmissions". However, ZF (5HP590) and Voith transmissions were also available on some models.
- 35 foot models
- AN435
- AN435LF (low front section, high rear section)
- 40 foot models
- AN440
- AN440LF (low front section, high rear section)
- AN440TLF (full low floor)
- 45 foot models
- AN445TLF (full low floor)
- 60 foot models
- AN460
- AN460LF (low front section, high rear section)
History
In 1982, Neoplan delivered an order for over 1000 buses for the state of Pennsylvania. By 1989, the largest transportation network in Pennsylvania, SEPTA, had 1092 Neoplan AN440s in service. The later Neoplan AN440s were just retired on June 20, 2008. SEPTA ordered Neoplan AN460s from 1998-2000 to replace their aging articulated buses and 155 AN460 high floor buses are in service at the moment.In the 1980s, WMATA Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is a tri-jurisdictional government agency that operates transit service in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, including the Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess...
, also known as Metro, and PAT Port Authority Transit
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Port Authority of Allegheny County is the second-largest public transit agency in Pennsylvania and the 11th-largest in the United States. When considering that its service area is the 20th largest in the U.S...
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
complained about frame problems with their Neoplan coaches. However, today, they both run new Neoplan buses — WMATA with the AN460 and PAT with AN460s and AN440LFs, the low floor version of these buses.
However, the AN440 and AN460 models ordered by the San Francisco Municipal Railway
San Francisco Municipal Railway
The San Francisco Municipal Railway is the public transit system for the city and county of San Francisco, California. In 2006, it served with an operating budget of about $700 million...
proved troublesome. Among the problems were insufficient, excessively noisy cooling fans (sounds reached up to 90 dB), faulty transmissions, maintenance intensive brake systems (needing service every 5,000 miles), and cracking frames. The problems were compounded when Neoplan eventually refused to fix the problems, instead choosing to repossess the remaining spare parts and abandon its overhaul yard located in San Francisco.
Notable customers
The 40-foot buses were made for over 50 transportation networks all over the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
networks that have or have had them in service are MBTA in Boston, Massachusetts, SEPTA
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is a metropolitan transportation authority that operates various forms of public transit—bus, subway and elevated rail, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolley bus—that serve 3.9 million people in and around Philadelphia,...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, ABQ RIDE in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
and LACMTA
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is the California state-chartered regional transportation planning agency and public transportation operating agency for the County of Los Angeles formed in 1993 out of a merger of the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the...
in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
.
San Francisco Municipal Railway
San Francisco Municipal Railway
The San Francisco Municipal Railway is the public transit system for the city and county of San Francisco, California. In 2006, it served with an operating budget of about $700 million...
(SF MUNI) ordered Neoplan AN440s and AN460s to replace their aging bus fleet during 2001-2004, but they are unique in that they have rear windows, with the air conditioning unit mounted on the roof.
Bi-State Development Agency
Bi-State Development Agency
The Bi-State Development Agency is an interstate compact formed by Missouri and Illinois in 1949. Since February 2003 the agency has been doing business as Metro. It operates with a budget of $160 million, which is funded by sales taxes from the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County, the St...
, dba Metro, has a small fleet of Neoplan Buses for its MetroBus
MetroBus (St. Louis)
MetroBus is the public bus service for the Greater St. Louis Region connected with the MetroLink light rail system. It is managed by the Bi-State Development Agency and uses a shared fare system with the MetroLink rail.-Service:...
service, and since March 30, 2009, has retired them.