SEPTA Flashback 1999: The Neoplan Articulated & The Metrotranz

Shot in summer of 1999, this is a video previewing the prototypes of two then-new SEPTA buses: the Neoplan articulated and the Metrotranz 30-foot bus. Both are on display at SEPTA headquarters in downtown Philadelphia, and you'll see both buses, inside and out, in detail.
The Neoplan would be the first of 155 buses to make up the entire fleet. The demo unit seen here would be sent back for a number of modifications before returning to enter service the following year.
The Metrotranz would not fare so well. The demo seen here was to be the first of an 80-bus order. It too, was sent back for modifications, but the builder went bankrupt before going into production with the order. After new bids were put put, ElDorado National would win the 80-bus order that would start arriving in late 2001.

[@42luke93]

I would be totally okay with new busses if they weren’t low floor. These looked nice. Nj Transit has them still but not for much longer. Will be replaced by those darn new flyer low floors.

[@dysontyronetd]

I wonder why NJ doesn't have the artic bus in the south side, only the north

[@phillyzfynest7]

NeoArtic7101 approves, Joe P

[@blue9multimediagroup]

Never knew 7101 came in with a white back in the interior.

[@trainman1971]

Yep. When it went back to Neoplan, it got the blue rug back and the pole/railing modifications, among other mods, to match the rest of them.

[@DIVINE9950]

Wow!!!

[@neoplanrider6512]

Do you have the video of Patransit Neoplan USA AN435A, AN440A, AN440LF and AN460A Transliner Articulated from 1982-2006 in Pittsburgh including the 1000+ Neoplan USA Pennliners

[@jasoncrable9902]

Hey Joe I'm on The 113 just leaving 69'th St Its late I been out all day

[@neoplanrider6512]

Is this the pilot bus built in 1998

[@phillyzfynest7]

Yup.

[@blue9multimediagroup]

Hey Joe
This was a day after your birthday lol

[@blue9multimediagroup]

I wonder, even with the flaws it had in testing, would the MetroTrans have performed better in the long run than the ElDorado?

[@trainman1971]

What actually happened was, it went back for seating arrangement modifications, but the company went bankrupt before they could even build and deliver any of the SEPTA order.

[@blue9multimediagroup]

@@trainman1971 I know that, but what I'm saying is if the order has been fulfilled as intended, would they have been better than the ElDorados?

[@blue9multimediagroup]

This is Rick BTW.
This is the new account for transit videos and such. Keeping my original account (TheMaverick 929) for just normal stuff (whatever that means lol)

[@trainman1971]

@@blue9multimediagroup Roger that!

[@trainman1971]

@@blue9multimediagroup Ohhh! That we will never know, to he honest, since it never even got a chance to test here.

[@kingsmoove112]

Whatever happened to this Metrotranz bus? Why did Septa go with the Eldorado?

[@trainman1971]

Metrotranz went out of business before they could modify the SEPTA demo or start on production vehicles.
Eldorado was the low bidder in the new round of bids.

[@kingsmoove112]

@@trainman1971 Ah, okay thanks

[@Eko34tj]

Do u have any more old neo artic videos

[@trainman1971]

There will be more to come over the next few months.

[@RRansomSmith]

Very good. Thanks Joe