Gillig Low Floor#Variants

The Gillig Low Floor began life in the mid-1990s as Gillig was approached by Hertz Corporation, who sought a shuttle bus for its airport locations (to replace its fleet of GMC RTS buses).{{Cite web |title=Gillig Low Floor – CPTDB Wiki |url=https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Gillig_Low_Floor |access-date=December 30, 2016 |website=cptdb.ca}}{{Cite web |title=Hertz Corporation – CPTDB Wiki |url=https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Hertz_Corporation |access-date=December 30, 2016 |website=cptdb.ca}} 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. In 1996, the first buses for Hertz (named the Gillig H2000LF) entered production, with Hertz placing the H2000LF in service at Logan International Airport in Boston (expanding to other airports in the United States). Gillig would produce the H2000LF for Hertz through 2005, as the design was replaced by standard Gillig Low Floor buses.

In 1997, Gillig developed the H2000LF shuttle bus into the Low Floor transit bus. Several changes were made to the design, distinguished primarily by the reconfiguration of the entry doors (replacing the central entry with dual entry doors).

Following the renaming of the model line, Gillig introduced the Low Floor as an expansion of its product range, marketed alongside the step-entrance Phantom.

File:Hertz Car Rental shuttle (4829514873).jpg|H2000LF (1998) for Hertz; note large, printed destination/headsign and center door

File:Gillig Advantage 6007.jpg|Low Floor (2006) for SORTA; note smaller headsign; top of windshield now aligned with top of sliding side windows

File:SamTrans 2959, Gillig Low Floor at San Mateo County Fair.jpg|Low Floor (2014) for SamTrans; note larger door glass (square corners) and frameless side windows

File:VTA 120 Express bus at Borregas, rear view.jpg|Low Floor (2014) for VTA, suburban configuration

During its production, the Low Floor has undergone several 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. 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).

In 2005, the Low Floor model line was expanded by the addition of the Low Floor BRT, adding restyled front and rear bodywork and a front roof fairing; the Trolley Replica (not a trolleybus) restyled the standard Low Floor body as a vintage trolley.

In 2008, the entry doors were revised, adopting larger glass panels (distinguished by squared-off corners). A suburban configuration was introduced alongside the standard transit Low Floor (replacing the version previously offered on the Gillig Phantom). Distinguished by its lack of a rear entry door, the suburban Low Floor was configured with forward-facing seating, internal luggage racks, onboard Wi-Fi, and other passenger-related options.{{Cite web |title=GILLIG |url=http://www.gillig.com/commuter |access-date=December 19, 2016 |website=GILLIG}}

For 2011, the Low Floor BRT Plus was introduced. Coinciding with the introduction of CNG and diesel-electric hybrid powertrains, the Plus adopted a full-length body fairing to accommodate CNG tanks and hybrid equipment on the roof. In 2017, a Low Floor Plus was introduced, combining the roof fairing of the BRT Plus with the body of the standard Low Floor.

A battery-electric powertrain developed by Cummins was made available for the Low Floor Plus variant starting in 2019. The launch client for the Gillig/Cummins battery-electric bus was Big Blue Bus, serving Santa Monica, California.{{cite news |url=https://www.metro-magazine.com/10007219/a-closer-look-at-gillig-cummins-battery-electric-bus-partnership |title=A Closer Look at GILLIG, Cummins Battery Electric Bus Partnership |author=Roman, Alex |date=January 2, 2020 |work=Metro Magazine |access-date=May 17, 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/vehicles/hybrid-hydrogen-electric-vehicles/article/21094086/big-blue-bus-welcomes-first-zeroemissions-vehicle-to-fleet |title=Big Blue Bus welcomes first zero-emissions vehicle to fleet |author=Wanek-Libman, Mischa |date=August 23, 2019 |work=Mass Transit |access-date=May 17, 2021}} A battery-electric Low Floor (29-foot) was tested at Altoona in 2018, using a drivetrain adapted from the BAE HybriDrive powertrain.{{cite report |url=https://www.altoonabustest.psu.edu/bus-details.aspx?BN=1715-P |title=Federal Transit Bus Test: Gillig 29' Low Floor electric |date=May 2018 |publisher=Bus Testing and Research Center |access-date=May 17, 2021}}

In April 2024, Gillig announced a hydrogen fuel cell variant of the bus, beginning production in 2026.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-11 |title=GILLIG Expands Zero-Emission Lineup with Introduction of BAE Systems & Ballard-Powered Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Bus |url=https://www.gillig.com/2024/04/24/gillig-expands-zero-emission-lineup-with-introduction-of-bae-systems-ballard-powered-hydrogen-fuel/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Gillig |language=en-US}}

Of the two body configurations for low-floor buses, the Gillig Low Floor is a low-entry bus (the front two-thirds to three-fourths 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 (behind the rear axle) is raised to provide sufficient space for the powertrain.

The Gillig Low Floor is produced in three nominal body lengths in its standard transit bus configuration: {{Convert|40|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.curbsideclassic.com/bus-stop-classic/bus-stop-classics-gillig-low-floor-bus-last-out-of-the-gate-but-it-had-an-advantage/ |title=Bus Stop Classics: Gillig Low Floor Bus — Last Out of the Gate, But It Had an Advantage |author=Brophy, Jim |date=July 2, 2016 |website=Curbside Classic |access-date=January 20, 2023}} Maximum seating capacity is 40 passengers for the 40-foot length. The turning radius of the Gillig Low Floor is {{Convert|43|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} (40 foot body).

File:Utah Transit Authority route 72.jpg 2020 Gillig Low Floor.]]

Currently (as of 2019 production), the Gillig Low Floor range is equipped with three engines: the Cummins B6.7 diesel, Cummins L9 diesel, and Cummins L9N 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.

Allison, Voith, and ZF automatic transmissions are available.

File:TARC 2010 Gillig Diesel Hybrid - Electric Advantage.jpg bus, carry their traction batteries in an enclosure on the rear roof]]

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. Hybrid models have been produced with Allison,{{cite report |url=https://www.altoonabustest.psu.edu/bus-details.aspx?BN=1813-P |title=Federal Transit Bus Test, Gillig Model 40-foot Low Floor Hybrid {{!}} Test Report PTI-BT-R1813-P |date=February 2019 |publisher=Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Bus Research and Testing Center |access-date=January 24, 2022}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.gillig.com/post/allison-gillig-and-cummins-partner-on-indygo-electric-buses |title=Allison, GILLIG and Cummins Partner on IndyGo Hybrid Electric Buses |date=July 19, 2021 |publisher=Inside Indiana Business |website=Gillig Corporation |access-date=January 24, 2022}} BAE,{{cite press release |url=https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/article/bae-systems-hybridrive-series-green-propulsion-system-orders-surpass-3-500 |title=BAE Systems HybriDrive Series Green Propulsion System Orders Surpass 3,500 |date=May 23, 2011 |publisher=BAE Systems |access-date=January 24, 2022}}{{cite report |url=https://www.altoonabustest.psu.edu/bus-details.aspx?BN=1206-P |title=Federal Transit Bus Test, Gillig Model 40' Low Floor BAE Hybrid {{!}} Test Report PTI-BT-R1206-P |date=July 2012 |publisher=Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Bus Research and Testing Center |access-date=January 24, 2022}}{{cite report |url=https://www.altoonabustest.psu.edu/bus-details.aspx?BN=1801-P |title=Federal Transit Bus Test, Gillig Model Low Floor Hybrid {{!}} Test Report PTI-BT-R1801-P |date=April 2018 |publisher=Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Bus Research and Testing Center |access-date=January 24, 2022}} and Voith{{cite report |url=https://www.altoonabustest.psu.edu/bus-details.aspx?BN=0914-P |title=Federal Transit Bus Test, Gillig Model Low Floor {{!}} Test Report PTI-BT-R0914 |date=March 2010 |publisher=Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Bus Research and Testing Center |access-date=January 24, 2022}} series- and parallel-hybrid powertrains. In 2008, the Allison hybrid drivetrain was 81% more expensive than a conventional bus, which was partially subsidized by federal grants and expected savings in fuel and maintenance costs.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/aata-gillig-hybrid-electric-bus/ |title=The Ride: AATA Gillig Hybrid Electric Bus |author=Sherman, Steven |date=August 6, 2008 |magazine=Automobile |access-date=20 January 2023}}

The Gillig/Voith hybrid, branded DIWAhybrid, is a mild parallel hybrid system using Maxwell ultracapacitor on-board energy storage,{{cite news |url=https://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/03/voith-20100303.html |title=Voith Turbo Selects Maxwell Ultracapacitor Modules for DIWAhybrid System for Transit Buses |date=March 3, 2010 |work=Green Car Congress |access-date=January 24, 2022}} and was tested to have an observed overall average fuel consumption of {{cvt|4.75|mpgUS}}.{{rp|62}} The Gillig/BAE series hybrid, branded HybriDrive,{{cite press release |url=https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/article/bae-systems-hybridrive-series-green-propulsion-system-orders-surpass-3-500 |title=BAE Systems HybriDrive Series Green Propulsion System Orders Surpass 3,500 |date=May 23, 2011 |publisher=BAE Systems |access-date=20 January 2023}} had comparable fuel consumption, at {{cvt|4.64|mpgUS}} (40-foot){{rp|50}} and {{cvt|3.96|-|6.14|mpgUS}} (40-foot, Manhattan and HD-UDDS driving cycles, respectively).{{rp|31}} The Gillig/Allison dual-mode (series/parallel) hybrid was similar, at {{cvt|3.64|-|6.40|mpgUS}} ({{Convert|40|ft|m|1|adj=on}}, Manhattan and HD-UDDS driving cycles).{{rp|30}}

File:C-Tran electric bus 7003 at Van Mall TC on first day of service for the type, 5 June 2023.jpg, in Vancouver, Washington]]

A fully electric configuration was introduced in 2019, with serial production commencing in 2020; it was developed as a prototype at the request of Big Blue Bus, (who was the lead customer for the model{{Cite web |last=GILLIG |date=2019-08-26 |title=Big Blue Bus Reveals New GILLIG Battery Electric Bus |url=https://www.gillig.com/post/big-blue-bus-reveals-new-gillig-battery-electric-bus |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=GILLIG |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Our First Battery Electric Bus Has Arrived! - Big Blue Bus |url=https://www.bigbluebus.com/Newsroom/News/Our-First-Battery-Electric-Bus-Has-Arrived!.aspx?type=News |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=www.bigbluebus.com}}) which had reduced an order of 20 CNG buses to 19 in order to test an all-electric powertrain system developed by Cummins (branded "Cummins Battery Electric System").{{cite report |url=http://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?ID=3091 |title=Staff Report 3091: Purchase of One Battery Electric 40-Foot Bus from Gillig LLC |publisher=City of Santa Monica, California |date=July 24, 2018 |access-date=May 17, 2021}} The buses use plug-in charging with a SAE J1772 CCS Type 1 connector,{{cite web |url=https://www.yourelectricbus.com/p/1 |title=Welcome aboard |publisher=Gillig / Cummins |access-date=May 17, 2021}} and an overhead pantograph (SAE J3105–1) connection is available.{{cite web |url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/ucu418cgcnau/2YrjvwujEpK9kUyn5RyByt/1f2bad736ed9eed7e525fda5083e9eae/02_GILLIG_-_Yang.pdf |title=2020 Bus and Truck Council Meeting — GILLIG Update |access-date=May 17, 2021}}

As tested by the Bus Research and Testing Center in Altoona, a {{Convert|40|ft|m|1|adj=on}} battery-electric bus, with a gross capacity of 444 kW-hr (355 kW-hr usable) at 750 VDC, achieved a range of {{cvt|129|to|187|mi}}, depending on the driving cycle (Manhattan and EPA HD-UDDS, respectively; the Orange County cycle fell in between).{{cite report |url=https://www.altoonabustest.psu.edu/bus-details.aspx?BN=2020-05 |title=Federal Transit Bus Test, Gillig Model 40-Foot Low Floor Battery Electric Bus {{!}} Test Report 2020-05 |date=June 2021 |publisher=Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Bus Research and Testing Center |access-date=January 24, 2022}}{{rp|11;92}} Observed energy consumption was {{cvt|3.04|kWh/mi|mpge}} (Manhattan), {{cvt|2.27|kWh/mi|mpge}} (Orange County), and {{cvt|2.09|kWh/mi|mpge}} (HD-UDDS).{{rp|87}} The Cummins TM4 traction motor had a rated output of {{cvt|262.5|to|562.5|kW|0}}.{{rp|11}}

File:Dayton Gillig-Kiepe DMBT trolleybus 1971 on route 8 in 2021.jpg operating for the Dayton RTA]]

Gillig partnered with Kiepe Electric to build 45 "NexGen" trolleybuses for the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA); Gillig was responsible for the chassis, based on the Low Floor BRT/CNG, and Kiepe supplied the traction motor, battery, and trolley pole equipment. The contract was awarded by RTA in 2013 and the resulting buses featured "in-motion charging", using the trolley wires to charge an on-board battery that provided an off-wire range of up to {{cvt|20|mi}}. This meant that buses could detour around stalled traffic and the system could be expanded without installing more overhead wire; to facilitate off-wire operation, the driver could move the poles up and down without leaving their seat. Four prototypes were supplied in 2014: two used diesel engines to operate off-wire, while the other two used storage batteries. The remaining 41 would be equipped with storage batteries; the prototypes would be tested for more than five years before the first of the 41 regular production models arrived in August 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/first-new-imc-trolleybuses-in-dayton-ohio-with-in-motion-charging/ |title=First new trolleybuses in Dayton/Ohio with In-Motion-Charging |date=August 29, 2019 |work=Urban Transport Magazine |access-date=January 24, 2022}} The final bus was delivered in September 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/article/21206832/dreams-become-reality-as-last-innovative-nexgen-bus-rolls-into-dayton |title=Dreams become reality as last innovative NexGen bus rolls into Dayton |author1=Olson, Jessica |author2=Mosby, Stephen |work=Mass Transit |date=February 17, 2021 |access-date=January 24, 2022}}

Announced in 2024 with production beginning in 2026, this variant comes in two variants with ranges of either {{Convert|320 or 375|mi}} using Ballard fuel cells.{{Cite web |title=Hydrogen Fuel Cell |url=https://www.gillig.com/buses/hydrogen-fuel-cell/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Gillig |language=en-US}}

{{clear}}The Gillig Low Floor series is currently and formerly available the following engine and transmission options:

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

File:CDTA Gillig BRT (49320220917).jpg]]

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 Gillig BRT is available with CNG, Diesel and Diesel-Electric Hybrid drivetrains.

The Gillig BRT Plus is a variant of the BRT which features a full-length roof fairing which hides equipment which can include A/C units, CNG fuel tanks, or batteries. The Plus made its debut in 2011 with Long Beach Transit #1201, which is also the first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) BRT produced.

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 BRT Plus. The Low Floor Plus features the headlights of the BRT and full-length roof fairings similar to the BRTPlus, but retains the same windshield and rear end cap as the traditional Low Floor model.

{{See also|tourist trolley}}

The Gillig Trolley is a trolley-replica bus produced in collaboration with Cable Car Classics of Healdsburg, California. It is available in 30, 35 and 40-foot (9.1, 10.7 and 12.2-meter) 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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{{Portal|Buses}}

• List of buses

• NABI LFW
• Neoplan AN440L
• New Flyer Low Floor
• Nova Bus LF Series
• Grande West Vicinity

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.gillig.com/ Gillig Corporation], gillig.com, Retrieved on 2009-09-11
• [http://www.gillig.com/New%20GILLIG%20WEB/low%20floor.htm Gillig Low Floor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903004847/http://www.gillig.com/New%20GILLIG%20WEB/low%20floor.htm |date=September 3, 2009 }}, Gillig Low Floor, Retrieved on 2009-09-12
• [http://www.gillig.com/New%20GILLIG%20WEB/hybrid.htm Gillig Hybrid] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928004717/http://www.gillig.com/New%20GILLIG%20WEB/hybrid.htm |date=September 28, 2009 }}, Gillig Hybrid, Retrieved on 2009-09-12
• [http://www.gillig.com/New%20GILLIG%20WEB/trolley.htm Gillig Trolley Replica] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907045921/http://www.gillig.com/New%20GILLIG%20WEB/trolley.htm |date=September 7, 2009 }}, Gillig Trolley Replica, Retrieved on 2009-09-11
• [http://www.gillig.com/New%20GILLIG%20WEB/Brt.htm Gillig BRT] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917101245/http://www.gillig.com/New%20GILLIG%20WEB/Brt.htm |date=September 17, 2009 }}, Gillig BRT, Retrieved on 2009-09-11

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Category:Buses of the United States

Low Floor

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Category:Vehicles introduced in 1996