Neoplan AN440
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The Neoplan AN440 was a mass transit bus model introduced by Neoplan USA in 1981.
The 40-foot buses were made for over 50 transportation networks all over the USA. The bus rapid transit networks that have or have had them in service are SEPTA (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and LACMTA (Los Angeles).
[edit] History
Back in 1982, Neoplan made an order for over 1000 buses for the state of PA. By 1989 the largest transportation network in PA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) ended up with 1092 Neoplan AN440s. The later Neoplan AN440s are still in rugged operation in Philadelphia today.
The Neoplan AN440 has had its share of problems as a design. In the 1980s, WMATA Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, also known as Metro, and PAT Port Authority Transit in Pittsburgh complained about frame problems with their Neoplan coaches. However, today, they both run new Neoplan buses - WMATA with the 60ft Neoplan AN460 (the 60ft version of the AN440) and PAT with AN460s and AN440LFs (the low floor version of these buses).
[edit] In today's transit world
San Francisco Municipal Railway(SF MUNI) ordered Neoplan AN440s and AN460s to replace their aging bus fleet during 2001-2004, but they are unique in the fact they are not equipped with AC, and have rear windows.
