GM New Look (Toronto Transit Commission bus)
The TTC GM New Look bus (also known as the TTC Fishbowl) has been the work horse of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus fleet. First purchased from General Motors in 1959 and the last one acquired in 1983, they remain in the current non-active fleet. These buses were the longest-serving buses in the TTC fleet, with the last one retiring in 2011.
Purchase and rebuilds
New Look buses were purchased by the TTC from 1960 to 1983. From the 1970s to 1980s they were the primary bus type in the TTC fleet. Even with newer models, the New Look continue to ply Toronto streets. They were rebuilt between 1997 and 2002. The overhaul was necessary because of a shortage of buses the commission experienced after increased ridership in the late 1990s. All were numbered in the 8xxx series before their 18-year rebuild. They were renumbered to clear out the 8xxx category for the soon-to-be-arriving 80xx series, and to show that their lives had been extended.
The buses were equipped with brown vinyl bench seating, but it was later replaced with red fabric seats during the overhaul. The destination signs which had been displayed on rollsigns were replaced with digital Luminator Matrix signs.
Montreal New Looks
2600-2619 were delivered to the TTC in 1998, and had been used by the Société de transport de la communauté urbaine de Montréal. They were also rebuilt upon arrival as part of a larger rebuild plan that was cut down to only 20 buses.
Retirement
The last day of service for these buses was on December 16, 2011, when the final five (2281, 2286, 2290, 2444 & 2855) made their final trip on the 52 Lawrence West, and 2281 was the last bus in service at the Yonge Subway Shuttle Service from 12:00pm to 2:15am. Unit 2252 served as a Toronto Island service bus for a few months longer.
Units 2252 and 2444 were retained by the TTC as historical buses for restoration and preservation after retirement. Unit 2345 was kept as a parts bus to help during the restoration process. TTC later reacquired previously donated unit 8058 (an older 1975 model with an earlier style interior) back from the Halton County Radial Railway museum for possible restoration. So far, unit 2252 has been restored to its most recent paint livery, with restoration on 8058 ongoing as spare shop time permits.
Units 2290 and 2291 were preserved by private owners overseas near Dublin, Ireland.
The new low-floor accessible Orion VII bus model largely replaced the TTC's fleet of New Looks during first decade of the 21st century.
GMDD 53XX specifications
- Car Builder: GM Diesel Division, London, Ontario
- Car Body: steel
- Unit Numbers: 2000-2110, 2200-2485, 2600-2619, 2700-2765, 2767-2858
- Fleet of: 1,679
- Car Length: 40 feet (12 m)
- Total Weight: 23,310 pounds (10,570 kg)
- Motors: Detroit Diesel Series 71 (6V71N)
- Max. Speed:90 km/h 55MPH
- Power: Allison V730
- Braking System: N/A
- Total Seating: 49-53
- Air Conditioning System: No
- Price per bus N/A
