TTC Orion VII HEV 1000 Charter

Join us for a ride aboard TTC Orion VII HEV 1000, the first hybrid-electric bus in the Toronto Transit Commission’s fleet! This charter, hosted by the Toronto Transportation Society in May 2025, celebrated nearly two decades of hybrid bus operation in Toronto with a photo stop–filled tour between from Jane Station to Scarborough Town Centre and back. Built in March of 2006, 1000 marked the beginning of TTC’s venture into hybrid technology, as the first member of the 150 bus order for Orion VII HEV buses 1000 to 1149. Built by Orion Bus Industries in Mississauga, 1000 and the remainder of the order feature the BAE Systems HybriDrive powered by a Cummins ISB engine. At the time of recording, approximately 20 of these 150 buses remained in service. The reliability and longevity of these buses, many of which had passed their 19th birthdays, is a testament to the effectiveness of TTC's Hillcrest facility where many of the components of these buses have been repaired or replaced over the years. On this charter, we visited a variety of scenic and historically significant locations, most notably alongside New Flyer XDE40 buses from the 7200-7333 order as well as the Eglinton Crosstown LRT under test. Seen here is a mix of photo stops, runbys, driving and interior footage, and a look at how one bus helped pave the way for the future of transit in Toronto. Enjoy the sights and sounds of what surprisingly became one of Toronto’s most iconic buses, use the chapters below to navigate the video, and Recorded in 4K on a Sony A7riv and a GoPro Hero 9 Black. Subscribe ‪@orionviii‬ for more videos like this one. Enjoy the views from throughout the day and use the chapters below to navigate the charter:

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