The Orion VII Bus

Text by James Bow and Robert Lubinski

See Also

A New Bus for a New Century

The Orion VII was the first bus model that the TTC purchased in the 21st century. Built with a stainless steel frame, low-floor front, and high floor back, the Orion VII addressed many of the complaints the TTC had about the Orion Vs and VIs, including poor quality construction, poor metals that corroded prematurely, inadequate passenger capacity, inadequate accessibility, and excessive emissions. The Orion VIIs used a stainless steel design that would not corrode like the earlier carbon steel frames. The bus was fully accessible, included the Luminator Horizon LED destination signs for greater visibility compared to the older flip-dot design, had more seats and floor space than other low-floor buses on the market, and employed a clean burning diesel engine.

In 2002, the TTC placed an order for 220 Orion VIIs, to be delivered over the next two years. Buses 7400-7499 arrived in 2003, followed by 7500-7619 in 2004. The order included an option for an additional 250 buses, which the TTC exercised in 2003, resulting in buses 7620-7881 arriving in 2005. An additional 12 vehicles were added to the order, as compensation for Orion Bus Industries not delivering the 2003 and 2004 units on time. The first Orion VII bus, numbered 7400, was built in December 2002 and made its public debut in Toronto City Hall on January 24, 2003 before placing into service shortly after. All buses came equipped with the UWE system and was assigned to Birchmount and Eglinton garages throughout the majority of its service life.

Despite the delays, the TTC was pleased with the Orion VII, and saw an opportunity to upgrade its fleet. An order for another 180 of 330 Orion VIIs as placed, with deliveries taking place in 2006 and 2007. Eighty of the buses arriving in 2006 (7900-7979) and 100 of the buses arriving in 2007 (8000-8099) were standard diesel buses.

The first 12 of the 8000-series, numbered 8000-8011, were given luggage racks in February 2013 for the 192 AIRPORT ROCKET and were repainted into a special livery in 2015.

Hybrid Buses and a New Generation

Diesel-electric hybrid buses were touted to reduce fuel-consumption by up to 25% compared to a standard diesel bus, have reduced emissions, and operate more quietly than their diesel-counterparts. The Orion hybrid buses were equipped with the BAE Systems HybriDrive transmission. Buses in the first three hybrid orders were originally outfitted with roof-mounted lead-acid batteries, but these were found to be heavy and unreliable and were replaced by lithium-ion batteries. The lithium-ion batteries took up less space resulting in the original boxy battery compartments on the roof of these buses being replaced with smaller ones.

The TTC ordered the first 150 of the buses delivered in 2006 (1000-1149) were diesel-electric hybrids with an additional 444 diesel-electric hybrid buses delivered between 2007 and 2010. These buses were the Orion VII “Next Generation” (NG) model, featuring a restyled front-end which appeared less boxy and square than the original model, frameless sleek side windows and some equipment changes. The hybrid buses were numbered in three series, 1200-1423 (224 buses), 1500-1689 (190 buses) and 1700-1829 (130 buses). The hybrid buses have been assigned to the Arrow Rd., Mt. Dennis, Wilson and Malvern divisions. Three buses have since been retired due to fires (1256, 1517 and 1671). Of the three fires, one was caused by arson, while two were caused by combustion in the engine compartments.

Back to Diesel

After operating the hybrid buses and finding that they were not generating the fuel savings that was promised, and were also suffering from some reliability issues, the TTC decided that it would switch the next order of buses back to the “clean” diesel model. A total of 120 buses (numbered 8100-8219) were delivered in 2009-2010. These buses were originally assigned to the Wilson division but have since been split between Wilson and Birchmount divisions. Two additional orders for Orion VII diesel buses, in which the NG name was dropped, 35 buses (numbered 8300-8334) and 60 buses (8335-8394) were delivered in 2011-2012. Two buses were added to the second order (8395-8396) to replace two buses retired prematurely. The 8300 series buses have a roof-mounted air conditioning unit and framed windows, distinguishing them from the previous order. This series was assigned to the Wilson division.

At its peak, the TTC operated a fleet of 879 Orion VII diesel buses, a largest number in North America.

Waning years

As the decade moved on, the Orion VII fleet started to reach twelve years of age. At this time, the TTC decided against a full rebuild to carry these vehicles to eighteen years of age. Twelve years old is a common retirement age for buses at many other transit properties across North America, and the TTC may have been motivated by Orion no longer being in business, forcing it to turn to NovaBus for new bus deliveries. By 2017, the first retirements swept through the older original generation fleet, and rail fans organized the first retirement charters. Early in 2018, buses 7900-7905 received a stay in execution and a new life for the Toronto Police Service as Event Support Buses. They were painted in an all-grey livery (later changed to a grey-and-white version of the new Flexity livery) , to be used for additional security at large events. Nuit Blance 2018 was one of the first events where these Event Support Orion VIIs were seen in public.

While there will be no further additions to the Orion fleet, thanks to Orion’s parent company Daimler pulling out of the North American bus business, the Orion VII has become the most common bus model operated by the TTC with orders totaling 1,574 buses and can be seen operating in all corners of Toronto, similar to the GM ‘New Look’ in its heyday.

By that point, all of the remaining older generation Orion VII buses were consolidated at Mount Dennis and Queensway divisions by 2018. Retirements of the vehicles began in 2021 with the new NovaBus and New Flyer models began to enter service by the start of 2023. Much of the Next Generation hybrid fleet remains in service at Arrow Road, Malvern and Mount Dennis, as some of the 1200-series, majority of the 1500-series and the entire fleet of the 1700-series hybrids were retired in 2019 as the brand new Nova LFS hybrids entered service. The Next Generation diesel fleet, built in 2010, began migrating to Queensway from Wilson from the start of spring 2023 as the new batch of Nova LFS and New Flyer Xcelsior hybrids began to be deployed, replacing the older Orion VII buses. All of the Airport buses were decommissioned by the start of the new year and some were retained as shelter buses.

The last of the Cummins-powered Orion VII 7900 and 8000-series buses were retired on July 26, 2024 marking the end of 21 years of diesel powered Orion VII buses in service. Units 8079 and 8091 have been put aside for preservation.

The TTC Orion VII Roster

Class	Fleet Numbers	Delivered	Retired	Length	Power	Notes
Orion VII HEV	1043	2001	2001	40 feet	hybrid	demonstrator vehicle
Orion VII	7400-7499	2002-4	n/a	40 feet	diesel	delivered with black skirts
Orion VII	7500-7619	2004	n/a	40 feet	diesel	delivered with black skirts
Orion VII	7620-7882	2004-5	n/a	40 feet	diesel	7794 renumbered 7882 after fatal collision
Orion VII	7900-7979	2006	n/a	40 feet	diesel
Orion VII	8000-8099	2007	n/a	40 feet	diesel	8000-11 has 34 seats, retrofitted with luggage racks for 192 AIRPORT ROCKET service; 8012-99 has 38 seats
Orion VII NG	1000-1149	2006	n/a	40 feet	hybrid	First hybrids in fleet
Orion VII NG	1200-1423	2007-8	n/a	40 feet	hybrid
Orion VII NG	1500-1689	2008	n/a	40 feet	hybrid	1517 retired due to arson incident; 1671 suffered and retired from a “thermal event”.
Orion VII NG	1700-1829	2009	n/a	40 feet	hybrid	Class retired by end of December 2019
Orion VII NG	8100-8219	2009-10	n/a	40 feet	diesel
Orion VII EPA10	8300-8334	2011	n/a	40 feet	diesel
Orion VII EPA10	8335-8396	2011-2	n/a	40 feet	diesel

Orion VII Image Archive

	TTC Orion VII #1500 turns from St. Clair onto Vaughan, heading towards Eglinton Avenue in this June 5, 2008 shot. Photo by Ryan Flores.
	TTC Orion VII Hybrid #1582 waits for a green light at the intersection of Keele Street and Dundas Street West in the heart of the Junction. Photo taken on November 29, 2008 by Andrew Barton.
	Orion VII vehicle 7860 heads southbound on Yonge Street, just south of Eglinton, as part of the 5 AVENUE ROAD route circa 2010. Photo by Greg Northcott.
	TTC Orion VII Hybrid #1051 turns from St. Clair onto Vaughan, in service on the "Oakwood" branch of the 90 VAUGHAN route. This picture was shot April 23, 2010 by Downsview7834.
	TTC Orion VII Hybrid Route 1031 operating on 71 RUNNYMEDE, pulls into a recently rebuilt Gunns loop on the morning of September 17, 2010. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII bus 1238 pulls into a stop just east of Bathurst in service on the 96 WILSON, on its way to York Mills station. The day is September 17, 2010. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #1274 approaches Avenue Road westbound on 96G WILSON "Torbarrie" service on May 2, 2013. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8134 pauses at Davisville station, in service on 28 BAYVIEW SOUTH, on February 1, 2015. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7745 seen at Bellamy Road north of Lawrence Avenue East on the 9 BELLAMY dated February 13, 2015. This photo is by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	TTC Orion VII bus #1657 heads northbound on Bay Street, in 6 BAY service, approaching College on June 12, 2015. The photographer is anonymous.
	Edward Brain captured this shot of TTC Orion VII #7964 pulling out of Sherway Gardens and onto Evans Avenue, at the start of an eastbound 15 EVANS run on March 3, 2017.
	Passengers wait to board TTC Orion VII Next Gen bus #8177 in service on the 9 BELLAMY route at the Scarborough Centre on the afternoon of April 11, 2017. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII bus #1056 lays over at Runnymede station in service on 71 RUNNYMEDE. This photo was taken by Marcus Danchuk on September 15, 2017.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8324 lays over at Finch station in service on the 97 YONGE route on June 21, 2018. This photo was taken by Zhuhan Li on June 21, 2018.
	TTC Orion VII NG hybrid bus #1226, seen at Bloor Street West turning right to Runnymede Road, operating on route 71A RUNNYMEDE. This photo was taken by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos on September 16, 2018.
	Here, Jelo Gutierrez Cantos has photographed TTC Orion VII bus #8347 laying over at St. Clair station on route 74A MOUNT PLEASANT preparing to head northbound to its temporary terminus, Doncliffe Loop, on November 27, 2018.
	TTC Orion VII bus #1000 prepares to leave Spadina station in service on 127 DAVENPORT on May 19, 2013. Photo by Mark David.
	TTC Orion VII bus #1038 heads northbound on Keele Street, approaching St. Clair, in service on the 989 WESTON EXPRESS in the afternoon of January 2, 2018. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII bus #1046 in service on route 127 DAVENPORT at Davenport Road and Bathurst Street, across from the Hillcrest Complex. This photo was taken by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos on December 27, 2016.
	TTC Orion VII hybrid #1047 arrives at Dundas West station on route 168 SYMINGTON on September 16, 2018. Photo by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	TTC Orion VII bus #1077 lays over at Spadina station in 127 DAVENPORT service on the afternoon of December 27, 2019. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII 1084 waits at Eglinton station to begin a run to Steeles on 51 LESLIE. This shot, taken on December 27, 2009, was taken by Downsview7834.
	Lex Reid shot this view of TTC Orion VII OG Hybrid 1093 on the 85 SHEPPARD EAST route, arriving at Don Mills Station on May 16, 2015.
	TTC Orion VII OG Hybrid 1111 lays over at Finch Station after a busy trip along the 53 STEELES EAST route. Photo by: TorontoTransportGuy.
	TTC Orion VII OG Hybrid 1111 on the 85 SHEPPARD EAST route rolls towards Don Mills Station on a snowy morning in Toronto. Photo: TorontoTransportGuy
	TTC Orion VII bus #1113 picks up a passenger at Old Finch Avenue and Morningview Trail at the northern end of the 131 NUGGET route on March 22, 2016. This photograph was taken by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII HEV #1120 is seen at Scarborough Centre station running on 134 PROGRESS on June 8, 2011. Photo by Jelo Gutierrez-Cantos.
	TTC Orion VII 1st Gen 1124 heads toward Rouge Hill GO Station along the 85A SHEPPARD EAST route on September 11th, 2014. Photo by TorontoTransportGuy.
	TTC Orion VII Next Gen bus #1201 turns from Finch Avenue East southbound onto Neilson, in service on 133 NEILSON. This photograph was taken by James Bow on March 22, 2016.
	TTC Orion VII 1203 parked at Finch getting ready for a run on Route 53B Steeles East, taken on November 17, 2007. Photo by Michael Seong
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #1204 departs westbound from in front of Glencairn station in 14 GLENCAIRN service on September 20, 2017. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII NG Hybrid bus #1206 loading passengers on route 36 FINCH WEST at Finch Station. Photo taken on June 21, 2011 by Jelo Gutierrez-Cantos.
	A shot of the interior of TTC Orion VII 1206, photographed November 24, 2007. Photo by Michael Seong.
	TTC Orion VII 1206 parked at Finch getting ready for a run on Route 53B Steeles East, taken on November 24, 2007. Photo by Michael Seong
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #1238 pulls up to its stop at Finch West station, in service on the 939 FINCH EXPRESS. This photo was taken on the morning of November 14, 2018 by James Bow.
	A rainy day at Downsview Station with TTC Orion VII NG Hybrid bus #1252 entering its maiden voyage westbound to Weston Road on route 84 SHEPPARD WEST. Photo taken on June 22, 2011 by Jelo Gutierrez-Cantos
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" hybrid bus #1272 poses alongside TTC Flexity LRV 4413 at Hillcrest, showing off the TTC's new (for 2016) bus livery. This photo was taken on November 30, 2016 and is courtesy the TTC.
	A close-up of TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" Hybrid bus #1272 in the updated Flexity-inspired livery. This photo was taken on November 30, 2016 and is courtesy the TTC.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" hybrid bus #1272, bearing the TTC's new bus livery, poses alongside fellow class-member #1230, in the older livery. This photo was taken on November 30, 2016 and is courtesy the TTC.
	TTC Orion VII NextGen Hybrid 1283 at Scarborough Centre Station on the 129B McCOWAN NORTH route to Steeles. Photo by TorontoTransportGuy.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #1285 is seen at Wilson Station while servicing the 119 TORBARRIE route. Photo taken by Flame Cube on Wednesday, March 30, 2016.
	TTC Orion VII NG Hybrid bus #1288 Laying over at Downsview Station on 108 DOWNSVIEW. Photo taken on June 22, 2011 by Jelo Gutierrez-Cantos.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" hybrid bus #1310 pulls up to its stop at Scarborough Town Centre station, in service on the 38 HIGHLAND CREEK route. This photo was taken around noon on March 14, 2019 by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" hybrid bus #1315 lays over at York Mills station in service on 122 GRAYDON HALL on the afternoon of February 8, 2019. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" hybrid #1340 pauses at Roe Loop in 124 SUNNYBROOK service on January 28, 2020. During the end of 2019 and early 2020, 124 SUNNYBROOK and 162 LWARENCE-DONWAY could not enter Lawrence Station due to reconstruction work at the bus terminal. The routes were extended west on Lawrence and north on Avenue Road to loop through Roe Loop instead. The photographer is anonymous.
	TTC Orion VII Next-Gen hybrid bus #1345 seen at Kipling station operating on the 46 MARTIN GROVE service on January 29, 2013. Photographed by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #1352 operating in 39 FINCH EAST service pulls up in front of "Next Gen" comrade #1758, also in 39 FINCH EAST service, at Finch station. This photo was taken by Zhuhan Li on June 21, 2018.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #1387, in the new Flexity-inspired livery, lays over at Keele station in 89 WESTON service on September 15, 2017. Photo by Marcus Danchuk.
	A rear view of TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" hybrid bus #1390 in 117 ALNESS-CHESSWOOD service. This shot was taken by Andrej Feher on April 30, 2021.
	On October 19, 2016, TTC bus #1391 (Orion VII Next-Gen Hybrid) was seen in service on the short turn 131F NUGGET EXPRESS service between Kennedy station and Scarborough Centre station to relief its passengers during the Scarborough RT refurbishment. This photo was taken that day by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	As far north as the TTC goes in service: TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #1400 lays over on Teston Road at Keele Street in service on 107 KEELE NORTH in this late 2017 shot by John Marballa.
	TTC Orion VII Next Gen hybrid bus #1409 picks up passengers at Keele station in service on the 989 WESTON EXPRESS route. This photo was taken by Marcus Danchuk on October 15, 2018.
	Orion bus VII "Next Gen" #8124 runs eastbound along Adelaide Street East, operating on 143 BEACH EXPRESS service. Photo taken by Roman Fomin on February 8, 2013.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus sits at Main Street station in service on 20 CLIFFSIDE. This photograph was taken by September 19, 2017 by Marcus Danchuk.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" hybrid bus #1507 pulls into Scarborough Centre station on October 21, 2018, in service on 132 MILNER. Photograph by Jiamin Gong.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" Hybrid bus #1513 enters Scarborough Town Centre in service on the 985 SHEPPARD EAST EXPRESS service on October 21, 2018. The bus is passing comrades 1806 (in service on 130 MIDDLEFIELD) and 1765 (129 McCOWAN NORTH). Photo by Jiamin Gong.
	TTC Orion VII Hybrid Route 1514 pulls into Spadina station on the morning of Friday, September 17, 2010, in service on 127 DAVENPORT. This bus bay, on the southern side of the station, used to play host to the 77 SPADINA, while the Davenport buses loaded and unloaded on the north side. Now the north side handles all unloading, and the crowds have moved downstairs to the Spadina streetcar. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII Hybrid Route 1514 picks up passengers on the southern bus bay at Spadina station, before a westbound run on 127 DAVENPORT. Photo taken by James Bow on September 17, 2010.
	TTC Orion VII Hybrid #1523 waits to turn west from Jane Street onto Dundas Street West during service on the 55 Warren Park route. Photo taken on April 4, 2010 by Andrew Barton.
	TTC Orion VII Hybrid Route 1532 finishes a service run and heads out of Spadina station on its way back to its garage. This photo, snapped by James Bow, was taken on the morning of September 17, 2010.
	Despite using the "131E NUGGET EXPRESS" exposures, TTC Orion VII NG Hybrid bus #1539 slithers up northbound on Brimley Road bypassing Wetherby Drive approaching the Lawrence Avenue East stop on the 903 KENNEDY-SCARBOROUGH CENTRE EXPRESS. This photo was taken by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos on November 29, 2018.
	TTC Orion VII Next generation hybrid #1539 approaches passengers of 11 BAYVIEW on the rainy morning of September 28, 2010. This photo is taken by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	Waiting to proceed east at the intersection of Rogers Road and Dufferin Street, TTC Orion VII Hybrid #1596 serves the 161 Rogers Road route on June 27, 2009. Photo by Andrew Barton.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #1609 passes a pair of woman hurrying off to work, operating northbound on 6 BAY approaching King Street in the morning of July 4, 2014. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII "New Look" Hybrid bus 1609 pulls up to its stop in service on the 995 YORK MILLS EXPRESS, past comrade 1660 in service on the 95C YORK MILLS rush hour bus bound for Ellesmere station. This photo was taken by James Bow on the afternoon of February 8, 2019.
	TTC "Next Gen" Orion VII hybrid pulls into the bus bay at St. George station in service on 26 DUPONT on January 29, 2011. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII Hybrid 1617 crosses Earnscliffe Road on Oakwood, on its way to Eglinton West station on June 12, 2009. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC bus #1672, an Orion VII Next Generation Hybrid built in 2008 seen operating on Route 6 BAY going south past Wellington Ave. Photographed by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos on June 18, 2014.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" hybrid bus #1673 pulls into Scarborough Town Centre in service on the 939 FINCH EXPRESS bus on October 21, 2018. Photo by Jiamin Gong.
	TTC Orion VII Hybrid bus #1675 pauses at Eglinton West station in service on 32 EGLINTON WEST. This photo was taken on June 14, 2011 by James Bow.
	In summer 2009, Orion V bus 7009 flies past new Orion VII hybrid 1708 while heading westbound on Finch Avenue East. Photo by Jonathan Chen.
	TTC Orion VII Hybrid #1713 seen on Bishop Avenue near Finch Station on route 53 STEELES EAST. The photo was taken on December 19, 2009 by Ryan Flores.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" Hybrid #1745 pulls into Scarborough Centre station on the afternoon of November 14, 2018, having just finished a run on the 913 PROGRESS EXPRESS. This photograph was taken by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Generation" bus #1754 pauses at Scarborough Centre station in service on 133 NEILSON. This photo was taken on May 4, 2011 by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	TTC Orion VII NextGen 1755 heads to Scarborough Centre Station along the 132 MILNER route on September 17th, 2014
	In August 2011, the Google Street View car happened to be at the corner of Old Finch at Morningview in time to catch TTC Next Gen Orion VII bus 1776 in service in 131 NUGGET. On the edge of the Rouge Valley, it feels like the city is at its end.
	TTC Orion VII Next Gen hybrid bus #1786 is seen on 39 FINCH EAST, heading west towards Finch station on May 2, 2015. Photo by Flame Cube.
	TTC Orion VII Next Gen hybrid bus #1787 pulls up to a stop at Middlefield, westbound in 53 STEELES EAST service. A rainbow behind tells the story of a stormy afternoon. This photo was taken on April 11, 2017. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #1788 lays over at Scarborough Centre station, in service on the 131E NUGGET EXPRESS to Kennedy Station. This photograph was taken by James Bow on the afternoon of November 14, 2018, just days before its change to the 903 KENNEDY-SCARBOROUGH EXPRESS.
	TTC Orion VII Next Gen Hybrid 1798 lays over at Don Mills Station operating on route 190 SCARBOROUGH CENTRE ROCKET service using the 985A SHEPPARD EAST EXPRESS signage, although the route had not been formally launched at the time this photo was taken. Photo taken on August 28th, 2018 by Marcus Danchuk.
	Two Orion VII buses in operation; #7939 and #1798 (NG hybrid) participated side-by-side in a 2018 Toronto Pride Parade seen on Yonge Street. Jelo Gutierrez Cantos snapped this photo on June 24, 2018.
	TTC Orion VII bus Route 1800 pokes out from under the new Dufferin Street underpass, southbound at Queen Street in this November 2010 shot. Photo by Jeffrey Kay.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" hybrid lays over at Finch West station, in service on the 939 FINCH EXPRESS to Scarborough Centre. This photo was taken on the morning of November 14, 2018 by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #1807 pauses at Broadview station on a BLOOR-DANFORTH subway shuttle on the morning of September 20, 2017. Photo by Marcus Danchuk.
	Felix Tse captured TTC Orion VII bus #7400 seen on display as the Commission's newest bus, at the TTC 2003 Roadeo which had been taken place at the Arrow Road Garage. It is signed on the 190 SCARBOROUGH CENTRE ROCKET.
	TTC Orion VII #7400, seen here leaving Scarborough Centre station in service on the 190 SCARBOROUGH CENTRE ROCKET on August 16, 2005. Photo by Richard Hooles.
	Jonathon Markowski caught this picture of TTC Orion VII bus #7412 operating through Don Mills station in service on 190 SCARBOROUGH CENTRE ROCKET. This shot was taken in November 2006.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7442 is seen here departing Pape Stn. at Lipton Avenue and Pape Avenue on route 25 DON MILLS on the first day of the year, January 1, 2017. Photo taken by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	A rear view of Orion VII vehicle 7470, heading northbound on Yonge Street in this 2005 shot. Photo by Greg Northcott.
	This Orion bus VII #7499, in service on 25 DON MILLS route, reminds passengers of the recent TTC fare hike. Effective January 1, 2013, an extra cash fare of 5� will be required when using 2012 Senior/Student tickets. This image was taken and compiled by Roman Fomin on January 3, 2013.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7535 lays over in 190 SCARBOROUGH CENTRE ROCKET while Orion VII Next Gen Hybrid bus #1761 pulls up in 199 FINCH ROCKET service. This photo was taken by James Bow on the afternoon of April 11, 2017.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7563 lays over at Kennedy station in service on 34 EGLINTON EAST on August 6, 2017. Photo by Marcus Danchuk.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7633 that had been refurbished seen operating on the 198 UofT SCARBOROUGH ROCKET at the intersection of Eglinton Avenue East and Midland Avenue on September 9, 2014. This photo was taken by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7637 heads northbound through the Peanut Plaza in service on the 185 DON MILLS ROCKET on August 7, 2016. Photo by Patrick Yutiga.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7676 loads up passengers at Warden station, in service on the 70 O'CONNOR route on the evening of August 3, 2017. Photo by Marcus Danchuk.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7711 is seen heading westbound on Harbord Street and Ossington Avenue in service on route 94A WELLESLEY to Ossington station. This photo was taken by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos on February 16, 2018.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7725 turns from westbound Commissioners onto northbound Cherry Street, at the southern end of the 72 PAPE route, on the morning of July 17, 2014. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII #7725 turns from Yonge Street onto Wellington Street West in the rainy evening of January 25, 2010. Caught by Roman Fomin.
	As the cold weather bitters through, TTC Orion VII bus #7734 as seen on the 102 MARKHAM ROAD bus going to Warden Stn. at Markham Road and Greenbrae Circuit. This photo was snapped by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos on February 13, 2015.
	In the first day of 2017, which happened on a Sunday, Jelo Gutierrez Cantos snapped TTC Orion VII bus #7752 spotted on Lipton Avenue and Pape Avenue near Pape Stn. on route 81 THORNCLIFFE PARK service heading north to Thorncliffe on an cold, near sunset day of January 1, 2017.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7771 loads up passengers at Warden station in 17 BIRCHMOUNT service in the late evening of August 3, 2017. Photo by Marcus Danchuk.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7809 loads up passengers at Warden station in service on 16 McCOWAN on the evening of August 3, 2017. Photo by Marcus Danchuk.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7816 lays over at Pape Station, before making a run to Commissioners and Cherry in service of the 72 PAPE route, on the morning of July 17, 2014. Photo by James Bow.
	Jelo Gutierrez Cantos snapped this early morning photo of TTC Orion VII bus #7823 turning left on Brimley Road from Eglinton Avenue East going to Victoria Park and Kingston Road towards Bingham Loop on the 302 KINGSTON RD.-McCOWAN BLUE NIGHT service on Sunday, October 25, 2015.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7831 heads northbound in service on 16 McCOWAN on a beautiful day in July 2009. Photo by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	TTC Orion VII #7840 on layover at Pape Station while serving the 81 Thorncliffe Park route on November 29, 2008. Photo by Andrew Barton.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7853 turns from southbound Bay Street onto eastbound Front Street, where it will pick up passengers heading towards the St. Lawrence area, the Distillery District and the Port Lands. This shot was snapped on September 11, 2009 by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7857 pauses at Bingham Loop in service on the 12 KINGSTON ROAD route, heading towards Victoria Park station. This photograph was taken on the afternoon of April 12, 2018 by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7861 lays over at Main Street station, and shows off a defunct 2 ANGLESEY destination sign. Marcus Danchuk took this photograph on September 16, 2017.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7873 lays over at Broadview station in 87 COSBURN service on the afternoon of June 22, 2017 while another of its colleagues sits ready. Photo by James Bow.
	One stop short on Bay Street, Jelo Gutierrez Cantos managed to snap TTC bus #7875, an Orion VII, on Front Street West and York Street in service on route 121C FORT YORK-ESPLANADE on June 21, 2016.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7879 pulls up to Bathurst station's streetcar platform in 511 BATHURST streetcar replacement service on June 19, 2016. Photo by Patrick Yutiga.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7906 picks up passengers at Humber College bus terminal in 191 HIGHWAY 27 ROCKET service on April 7, 2016. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7916 picks up passengers at Kipling station in service on 191 HIGHWAY 27 ROCKET on the snowy afternoon of January 29, 2015. Its compatriot, Orion VII bus #8046, picks up passengers in service on 49 BLOOR WEST in behind. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7917 makes a deadhead run on Bathurst Street, crossing Finch Avenue on May 31, 2015. Photo by Flame Cube.
	Traffic on Yonge Street is no challenge to TTC Orion VII #7926 as it pulls out of Finch station, serving the 42A Cummer route to Middlefield Road. Photo taken on August 30, 2009 by Andrew Barton.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7945 operates eastbound on Queen approaching Yonge in 501 QUEEN tripper service. This shot was taken by Robert Lubinski on the evening of November 21, 2019.
	TTC Orion VII FirstGen Diesel 7951 pauses at Finch Station before its lengthy run along the 60 STEELES WEST route to Highway 27. Photo by TorontoTransportGuy.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7958 shown here on route 120 CALVINGTON at Wilson Station. Photo taken June 22, 2011 by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	The TTC had recently extended the 300 BLOOR-DANFORTH bus to Kennedy Station in October 2015. Here, Jelo Gutierrez Cantos supplied this shot of TTC Orion VII bus #7961 going westbound on the 300 BLOOR-DANFORTH after turning right from Brimley Road to Danforth Road on October 18, 2015.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7962 operates westbound on Lake Shore Boulevard between 8th and 9th Streets at the south end of the 110 ISLINGTON SOUTH route. This March 2016 shot was taken by Edward Brain.
	On September 19, 2015 it was a rare opportunity when TTC let strangers to have a look at the inside of Duncan Shops. In a very welcoming environment, visitors could see dozens of buses during their overhaul which takes only eight days. Here, Orion bus VII 7963 sits on a hoist with rear axle removed as its engine is being rebuilt at nearby shops. This photograph was taken by Roman Fomin.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7965 pauses beneath a cherry tree in full blossom southbound in service on the 112 WEST MALL route on May 13, 2017. Photo by William Wirtz.
	Its rollsign left unadjusted from its inbound trip, TTC Orion VII #7976 pulls out of Rosedale Station on 82 Rosedale service. Photo taken on May 2, 2009 by Andrew Barton.
	A woman waits in the winter chill on Davenport Road to board TTC Orion VII #7977, bound for Eglinton West Station on the 63 Ossington route. Photo taken on November 22, 2008 by Andrew Barton.
	TTC Orion VII bus #7979 lays over on Edna Avenue, outside Dundas West station, in 193 EXHIBITION ROCKET service for the Pan Am Games. This photo was taken on July 19, 2015 by Flame Cube.
	In January 2015, the TTC embarked on an initiative to promote its 192 AIRPORT ROCKET. The route was placed on the TTC's subway maps like a rapid transit line, and the buses that plied the route were given a special wrap and paint scheme. TTC Orion VII bus #8005 lays over at Kipling station in its AIRPORT ROCKET wrap while unwrapped TTC Orion VII bus #8001 heads out to the airport on a snowy afternoon on January 29, 2015. James Bow took this photo.
	TTC Orion VII bus #8037 awaits its passengers at Kipling station, in service on 123 SHORNCLIFFE on the snowy afternoon of January 29, 2015. Photo by James Bow.
	On October 24, 2019, Jelo Gutierrez Cantos provides us with the photograph of TTC bus #8038 (Orion VII) on Foxwell Street about to turn right onto Jane Street heading eastbound to High Park station via Keele station.
	A straight-in view of TTC Orion VII #8049 as it departs Kipling Station for Long Branch Loop on 123 Shorncliffe service. Photo taken on May 24, 2009 by Andrew Barton.
	TTC Orion VII coach unit #8053 departs High Park station on the 189 STOCKYARDS service heading westbound to Scarlett Road. This photo was taken on the evening of October 23, 2019 by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	TTC Orion VII bus #8054 seen in service on route 30 LAMBTON at Kipling station going all the way east to High Park station. Photographed by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos on June 25, 2013.
	Jelo Gutierrez Cantos snapped the shot of TTC Orion VII bus #8057 passing Runnymede Road on Dundas Street West operating on route 30A HIGH PARK, sporting the Black History Month wrap, one of the four buses with these, on February 23, 2021.
	TTC Orion VII bus #8060 at the south end of the 44 KIPLING SOUTH run on Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive. The picture was taken December 5th, 2015. Photo by Edward Brain.
	Just shy of the Toronto-Mississauga border, TTC Orion VII #8067 turns east from Westmall Crescent onto Dundas Street West, bound for Kipling Station on the 112 West Mall route. Photo taken on July 12, 2008 by Andrew Barton.
	TTC Orion VII bus #8070 lays over at Dundas West station in service on 168 SYMINGTON on August 7, 2017. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII bus #8094 picks up passengers at Long Branch loop, in service on 110 ISLINGTON SOUTH, "Brown's Line" branch, on May 23, 2015. Photo by John Marbella
	TTC Orion VII NG bus #8104 in the new Flexity livery as seen on Midland Avenue approaching the Verdun Avenue stop on route 20 CLIFFSIDE heading to Kennedy station. This photo was taken on September 28, 2018 by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	A rear view of TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8119 in 117 ALNESS-CHESSWOOD service at Sheppard West station. Andrej Feher took this shot on April 30, 2021.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8125 pauses on Fort York Boulevard near Fleet Street on July 13, 2016 in 121 FORT YORK-ESPLANADE service. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8152 sits at Victoria Park station in 102 MARKHAM ROAD service after being diverted during a shutdown of Warden Station on June 23, 2017. Photo by Marcus Danchuk.
	The back end of TTC Orion VII bus #8153 at Broadview station, taken by Marcus Danchuk on September 20, 2017.
	TTC Orion VII NG bus #8158 going westbound on route 121C FORT YORK-ESPLANADE on Front Street West and York Street passing the Fairmont Toronto Hotel and Union Station. This photo was taken on June 21, 2016 by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos.
	On January 10, 2017, Jelo Gutierrez Cantos photographed TTC Orion VII NG bus #8159 now sporting its new livery based on the Flexity streetcars that was unveiled a month prior. Here it is seen in service running on route 51 LESLIE on Leslie Street approaching south of York Mills Road.
	Another view of Orion VII NG bus #8159 in its updated livery, seen at Eglinton Avenue East west of Laird Drive, viewed from the front...
	...and has departed its stop heading westbound towards Eglinton station, as seen in the rear, which now carries an all red back consisting of the large TTC crest.
	TTC Orion VII Next Gen bus #8159, painted in the new livery, prepares to depart Rosedale station in 82 ROSEDALE service on the afternoon of February 10, 2017. Photo by Stephen Webber.
	TTC Orion VII bus #8173 crosses Yonge Street eastbound, about to enter service on 78 ST. ANDREWS on June 22, 2010. This photo was taken by Ryan Flores.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8195 heads southbound on Avenue Road in 162 LAWRENCE-DONWAY diversion service from Roe Loop. This photo was taken on the night of January 28, 2020. The photographer is anonymous.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus 8209 pauses at Roe Loop in 162 LAWRENCE-DONWAY service on the evening of January 28, 2020. During the end of 2019 and early 2020, 124 SUNNYBROOK and 162 LWARENCE-DONWAY could not enter Lawrence Station due to reconstruction work at the bus terminal. The routes were extended west on Lawrence and north on Avenue Road to loop through Roe Loop instead. The photographer is anonymous.
	TTC wrapped Orion VII Next Gen bus #8212 is seen at Finch station, promoting the Tile Shoppe, operating on the B branch of 42 CUMMER on May 18, 2015. Photo by Flame Cube.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8219 heads westbound on Cummer, approaching Leslie in 42 CUMMER service on May 25, 2015. Photo by Flame Cube.
	Jelo Gutierrez Cantos photographs the new TTC Orion VII 'EPA10' #8305 waiting passengers on 104 FAYWOOD at Wilson station's lower terminal on June 22, 2011.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8318 heads westbound on St. Clair at Vaughan in service on the 126 CHRISTIE route on August 21, 2016. This photo was taken by Patrick Yutiga.
	TTC Orion V bus #8319, in service on 51 LESLIE, leaves the Finch Avenue stop heading south to short turn at Leslie station. This photo was taken by Flame Cube on June 16, 2015.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8349 poses at Sheppard station in service on 98 WILLOWDALE-SENLAC on March 8, 2012. This photo is by Ryan Flores and is used in accordance with his Creative Commons license.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8349 lays over at Davisville station in 11 BAYVIEW service on June 21, 2018. Photo by Zhuhan Li.
	TorontoTransportGuy shot this view of TTC Orion VII EPA10 8362 at Finch Station, preparing to start its run to Kennedy Road along the 42 CUMMER route.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8366 departs Rosedale station in 82 ROSEDALE service on September 27, 2020. Photo by James Bow.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8379 and a comrade rest the "wrong way" in what used to be the anti-clockwise road of Roe Loop in 124 SUNNYBROOK diversion service on the afternoon of January 28, 2020. The photographer is anonymous.
	TTC Orion VII "Next Gen" bus #8381 enters Roe Loop in 162 LAWRENCE-DONWAY diversion service on the afternoon of January 28, 2020. The photographer is anonymous.
	Passengers rush as TTC Orion VII bus #8394 picks up people at St. Clair station's bus terminal, preparing for a run on 88 SOUTH LEASIDE on October 6, 2013. Photograph by James Bow.
	On November 29, 2008, Andrew Barton took this picture of TTC Orion VII hybrid Route 1622 in service on 40 JUNCTION, heading northwest at Indian Grove. This picture has been released into the public domain.
	TTC and OC Transpo Orion buses await delivery at the Orion Bus Industries parking lot in 2009. Photo by David Cavlovic.
	More Orion VII buses awaiting delivery (these ones to OC Transpo) in 2009. Photo by David Cavlovic.

References

Bus World Encyclopedia of Buses, Stauss Publications, Woodland Hills (California), 1988.
Diesel City Bus, Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto (Ontario), 1991.
“Orion International.” - CPTDB Wiki. Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board, 10 Mar. 2014. Web. 21 July 2014.

Thanks to Mike Vainchtein for his updates and corrections to this web page

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