MANITOBA TRANSIT HERITAGE ASSOCIATION

1979 Ontario Bus Industries model Orion 01.503

This unit originally operated as part of the Airporter service for Perimeter Transportation (#651) in Vancouver, British Columbia. The unit was sold to Beaver Bus Lines and operated both in Regina (Moose Mountain Lines) and Winnipeg. It was acquired by the Prairie Dog Central Railway and donated to the MTHA for preservation as Winnipeg Transit had a number of these units in its fleet from 1981-2005. The fleet number of 963 was choosen despite never existing.

Historical Note: In the 1970s, Arnold Wollschlaeger's company Ontario Truck and Bus Industries was contracted to retrofit minibuses for the Ontario Government's Dial-a-Bus program. He later decided to develop a small transit bus that would be used by small transit agencies called the Orion, introduced in 1976. The following year, the company became known as Ontario Bus Industries (OBI).

Donald Sheardown acquired the company in 1979. He expanded into the United States, forming Bus Industries of America in 1981. A plant in Oriskany, New York was built in 1982. In 2000, OBI was acquired by Daimler/Chrysler. Orion Bus Industries was renamed Orion International in early 2009. The company was shut down in 2013 with New Flyer buying the aftermarket parts business.

Transit Museum Bus #963

Restoration Status

#963 is restored as the Museum Bus and is fully operable.

Technical Specifications

Year Built: 1979

Manufacturer: Ontario Bus Industries

Model: Orion 01.503

Serial #: 90810167

Powetrain: Detroit Diesel 6V53N with a Allison MT-643 transmission.

Length: 31.7 feet (966.2 cm)

Width: 96 inches (243.8 cm)

Capacity: 11 passenger seats, one door

Ownership Overview

Original Owners:

     Perimeter Transportation (Vancouver)

     Moose Mountain Bus Lines (Regina)

     Beaver Bus Lines (Winnipeg)

Acquired From:

     Vintage Railway Society/PDC (Rosser, MB)

Current Livery:

     Transit Museum Bus