Gillig Low Floor

The Gillig Low Floor (originally named Gillig H2000LF and also nicknamed Gillig Advantage[1]) is a transit bus manufactured by the Gillig Corporation. The second low-floor bus introduced in the United States (after the New Flyer LF), the Low Floor has been produced since 1997.[2] Originally produced alongside the Gillig Phantom as an expansion of the transit product range, the Low Floor has become the successor to the Phantom and the sole Gillig bus platform since 2008.

Gillig Low Floor
A CNG Gillig Low-Floor in service for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
Overview
ManufacturerGillig Corporation
Also calledGillig H2000LF
Gillig Advantage
Production1996–present
AssemblyHayward, California (1996-2017)
Livermore, California (2017-present)
Body and chassis
ClassTransit bus
Body styleSingle-decker bus
Doors2 doors (1 door Suburban)
Floor typeLow entry
ChassisIntegral
Powertrain
Engine
Capacity
*29: 28*35':32*40':40
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase29': 163 in (4,140.2 mm)
35': 235 in (5,969.0 mm)
40' : 284 in (7,213.6 mm)
Length29–40 ft (8.8–12.2 m)
Width102 in (2,590.8 mm)
Height29': 115 in (2,921.0 mm)
35', 40':116 in (2,946.4 mm)
Chronology
PredecessorGillig Phantom (unofficial)

The Gillig Low Floor was assembled in Hayward, California, prior to the 2017 relocation of Gillig Corporation to Livermore, California.

Design history

The Gillig Low Floor began life in the mid-1990s as Gillig was approached by Hertz Corporation to develop a shuttle bus for its rental car parking lots at airports to replace its aging GMC RTS buses.[3][4] Featuring a carpeted interior, luggage racks, and a central entry door, the primary design requirement of Hertz was a low-floor entry for those carrying luggage or with limited mobility.[3] In 1996, the first buses for Hertz (named the Gillig H2000LF) entered production. Gillig would produce the H2000LF for Hertz through 2005, as the design was replaced by standard Gillig Low Floor buses.[4]

In 1997, Gillig modified the H2000LF design for transit bus use, replacing the central entry with dual entry doors. Renamed the Gillig Low Floor, the low-floor bus was marketed alongside the step-entrance Gillig Phantom.

During its production, the Low Floor has seen revisions to its body design. In 2002, the windshield was enlarged (with the use of a smaller destination sign) and the side windows were reduced in width.[3] After 2003, the rear side split windows that were configured upside down were reconfigured to match the rest of the side windows; frameless windows later became an option (with or without split openings).[3] In 2008, the glass of both entry doors was enlarged (distinguished by squared-off corners).

In 2008, a suburban configuration was added, identified externally by the lack of a rear entry door. In place of transit seating, the suburban configuration is equipped with forward-facing seating, internal luggage racks, onboard Wi-Fi, and other passenger-related options.[5]

Overview

Of the two body configurations for low-floor buses, the Gillig Low Floor is a low-entry bus (the front ⅔-¾ of the interior is low-floor) with a low-step entry (nearly curb height) and integrated manual wheelchair ramp while the rear part of the interior is raised to provide sufficient space for the powertrain.

The Gillig Low Floor is produced in three body lengths in its standard transit bus configuration: 29 ft (8.8 m), 35 ft (10.7 m), and 40 ft (12.2 m). Maximum seating capacity is 28 passengers for the 29-foot length (with seats over the front axle), 32 passengers for the 35-foot length, and 40 passengers for the 40-foot length. The turning radius of the Gillig Low Floor is 29 ft (8.8 m) (29 foot body), 36 ft (11.0 m) (35 foot body), and 43 ft (13.1 m) (40 foot body).

Powertrain
A DART First State Gillig Low Floor hybrid bus

Currently (as of 2019 production), the Gillig Low Floor range is equipped with three engines: the Cummins ISB6.7 diesel, Cummins ISL diesel, and Cummins ISL-G compressed natural gas inline-six engines. Throughout its production, the Gillig Low Floor has featured a range of Cummins engines along with Caterpillar and Detroit Diesel engines.

Since 2004, the Gillig Low Floor has been available in a diesel-electric hybrid configuration with the Cummins ISB engine; hybrid models are identified by their roof-mounted battery pack.

Depending on variant, the Gillig Low Floor is produced with a range of Allison, Voith, and ZF automatic transmissions; hybrid models are produced with Allison, Voith, and ZF hybrid-drive powertrains.

Gillig Low Floor/BRT/Trolley Engines
Engine Fuel Production Availability Notes
Caterpillar C9 Diesel 2003-2009 BRT

Trolley
Cummins C8.3 Diesel 1996-1998 Low Floor
Cummins ISB Diesel 2008–present (ISB6.7)

2004-2007 (ISB)

 BRT

Trolley

 Used for diesel-electric hybrid powertrains
Cummins ISC Diesel 1998-2003 Low Floor
Cummins ISL Diesel 2001–present H2000LF

Low Floor

BRT

Trolley
Cummins Westport ISL G Compressed Natural Gas 2010–present Low Floor

BRT
Cummins M11E Diesel 1996-1999 Low Floor
Cummins ISM Diesel 1999-2009 Low Floor

BRT

Trolley
Detroit Diesel Series 40E Diesel 1997-2003 H2000LF

Low Floor

 Also known as the Navistar DT530E engine
Detroit Diesel Series 50 Diesel 1996-2005 Low Floor
Ford Triton V10[3] Gasoline 2009 BRT Gillig BRT only

Produced in a single order of gasoline-hybrid buses for LeeTran.

Gillig Low Floor/BRT/Trolley Transmissions
Transmission Production Availability Notes
Allison B300R 1996–present All
Allison B400R 1996–present All
Voith D863.3 / D864.3

Voith D863.3E / D864.3E

 1996-2005 H2000LF

Low Floor
Voith D864.5 2005–present BRT

Trolley
ZF 5/6HP592C 2001-2007 Low Floor BRT

Trolley
ZF 5/6HP594C 2007-2010 Low Floor

BRT

Trolley
ZF Ecolife 2010–present Low Floor

BRT
Allison EP40/H 40 EP[3] 2004–present Low Floor

BRT

Trolley

 Parallel diesel-electric hybrid powertrain
BAE Systems HybriDrive[3] 2011–present Low Floor Series diesel-electric powertrain
ISE Corporation ThunderVolt[6] 2009 BRT Gasoline-electric hybrid (Ford V10)
Voith DIWAhybrid[3] 2008–present Low Floor

BRT

Trolley

 Parallel diesel-electric hybrid powertrain

Variants

Gillig also manufactures four models of buses based on the Low Floor chassis: the Low Floor Plus, Low Floor BRT, the Low Floor BRTPlus, and the Low Floor Trolley. All have the same engine and transmission options as the standard Low Floor.

Gillig Low Floor Plus
Gillig Low Floor Plus operating for the VTA

The newest variant of the Gilig Low Floor. Introduced in 2017, the Low Floor Plus is more mildly restyled compared to the Gillig BRT and BRTPlus. The Low Floor Plus features the headlights of the BRT and streamlined roof farings similar to the BRTPlus, but keeps the windshield and rear end cap with the traditional Low Floor model. This version made its debut in 2018 with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).

Gillig BRT
Gillig BRT shown with frameless side windows

The Gillig BRT is a restyled version of the Low Floor with different front and rear fascias. It wears a more futuristic look than the standard model. It is available in the same lengths as the standard Low Floor model, although the front fascia adds roughly an extra foot of length to the bus. Instead of sealed-beam headlights, the Gillig BRT has projector headlights. The layout for the headlights was changed slightly in 2009. The Gillig BRT is available with CNG, Diesel and Diesel-Electric Hybrid drivetrains. The first of BRTs of this version went to LeeTran in Lee County, Florida. A trolleybus order for the Dayton RTA used Vossloh Kiepe propulsion and trolley poles.

The design of the BRT allows for some degree of customization by the purchaser. Some BRTs have been ordered with the same rear end as the standard Low Floor model. Although the BRT can be ordered without the frameless side windows, most BRTs are equipped with them. A one-piece windshield is another popular option for the BRT.

Gillig BRTPlus

The Gillig BRTPlus is a variant of the BRT which features a streamlined fuel tank & A/C above the roof. The Plus made its debut in 2011 with Long Beach Transit #1201, which is also the first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) BRT produced. The BRTPlus is available with CNG, Diesel and Diesel-Electric Hybrid drivetrains.

Gillig Trolley Replica
Gillig Trolley Replica (35')
See also: tourist trolley

The Gillig Trolley is produced in collaboration with Cable Car Classics of Healdsburg, California. It is available in 30 ft (9.1 m), 35 ft (10.7 m), and 40 ft (12.2 m) lengths. The vintage-style trolley appearance package exterior features include frameless bonded side windows, maintenance-free wood-like trim, ornate gold pinstriping, custom window and body graphic decals, roof cupola, functional solid brass bell, cow catcher, roof perimeter LED ropelights, and front center brass trolley lamp. The interior has solid American white oak seats, optional seat cushions, leather hand straps, brass handrails, stop request pull ropes, wood trim, and woodgrain wall panels and floor covering. In addition to conventional diesel, the Gillig Trolley is available with optional power trains, including Allison hybrid-electric, all-electric, and CNG.

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See also

Competitors:

References
  1. "Gillig Low Floor | Alliance Bus Group". www.alliancebusgroup.com. Archived from the original on 2016-05-31. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
  2. "GILLIG". GILLIG. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  3. "Gillig Low Floor - CPTDB Wiki". cptdb.ca. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  4. "Hertz Corporation - CPTDB Wiki". cptdb.ca. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  5. "GILLIG". GILLIG. Retrieved 2016-12-19.
  6. "Gillig BRT - CPTDB Wiki". cptdb.ca. Retrieved 2016-12-30.

Further reading
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