2002 Gillig Low Floor - Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Bus 2218 on Line 23

I happened to catch this fine bus on my way to school for finals last month. It was quite a fine way to start my day. They must have been doing maintenance on most of the 2010 Low Floor Hybrids as these things were mostly running the 23 that day instead of those. I actually caught another one headed back to school later for a late final that I also filmed. That video will be coming next. It's a special one because that was an A/C free ride. Until then enjoy this fine Gillig bus.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Route - 23 Alum Rock Transit Center to De Anza College
Start Location - Stevens Creek and San Thomas Expressway
End Location - De Anza College
Type - Gillig Low Floor (Advantage) 40'
Engine - Cummins ISL
Transmission - Voith D864.3E
Number - 2218
Built - 2002
Video Taken With - Nikon COOLPIX S9700
Date Recorded - 12/13/2016

[@chrisblackstone5975]

If it was a fantom you were looking for? I have caught them on the 66 and the 72. Occasionally I will see one on the 73 as the 72 and 73 flip flop at basset terminal. I honestly like the new flyers as well as the gilligs from the fantoms to the low floor ones. I am not at all crazy about the gillig dyebrids that we have now. I have heard them and they sound in rough shape compared toe first series of articulated buses we got for the 22. I am referring to of course the D40LFS of course.

[@WestCoastElevators]

I have caught Phantoms on the 55, once on the 23, and I see them regularly running the 60. The D60LFs are pretty nice. The XDE60LFs are holding up alright, but I'm not really an Xcelsior fan.

[@WestCoastElevators]

Also, the Gillig Hybrids seem to be holding up alright to me.
czcams.com/video/ZXu9DSu3p_8/video.html

[@chrisblackstone5975]

In my previous comment I ment to refer to the new flyer D60LFsS. However next series of hybrids VTA buys they should seriously go for a 40 foot version of the ones they got for the 522 recently. The hybrid drive system on those is a much better system especially when you consider it shuts off the diesel if it doesn't need it.

[@WestCoastElevators]

I think the BAE HybriDrive (the system the New Flyer XDE60s have) is better than the Allison H 40 EP one that the majority of the Gillig Hybrids have. Not only does it shut the engine off when it isn't needed, it uses lithium batteries rather than NiMH. The newest Gillig Low Floor Hybrids, purchases VERY recently actually have the same BAE HybriDrive system as the NFI XDE60s.