Flxible Metrobuses


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1977 53096-6-1 New Look (8600 series)

To my knowledge, all of these have been retired. These were one of my favorite buses. I loved them for their look, the way they sound and feel, and their storied history.
Fleet # Location
8653
Silver Spring MetroRail Sta.
XXXX #1
Fort Totten Scrap Yard
XXXX #2
Fort Totten Scrap Yard

1986 METRO-A 40102-6T (8700-8774/8800-8874)
1987 METRO-B 40102-6T (8775-8799/8875-8925/8950-8970)
1987 METRO-B 40102-6C (8971-8975)

It's not very eye catching and I'm not a big fan of this body style. This style would become the WMATA standard for many years.
Fleet # Location
8701
Silver Spring MetroRail Sta.
8837
Silver Spring MetroRail Sta.
8890 #1
Pentagon MetroRail Sta.
8890 #2
Pentagon MetroRail Sta.

1988 METRO-B 40102-6T (9201-9250)
1988 METRO-B 40096-6C (9276-9289)

A slightly updated version of the previous series. It was the first Metrobus to sport a rear destination sign. The higher numbered 9200's were 96 inches wide. The standard is 102 inches.
Fleet # Location
9219
Silver Spring MetroRail Sta.

1990 METRO-B 40102-6C (9301-9413)
1990 METRO-B 40096-6C (9421-9463)
1990 METRO-B 35102-6C (9481-9498)

A slightly updated version of the previous series. It was the first Metrobus to sport a larger destination sign, which was made by Gulton, the first incarnation of Luminator. The low to mid numbered 9400's were 96 inches wide. Only the lowest 9400's were 102 " across. High numbered 9400's were 35 feet long, as opposed to the standard 40 feet. I am not a fan of this series b/c the drivetrain they use causes the bus to rumble and shake quite a bit.
Fleet # Location
9312
Atop Washington Convention Center
9368
Branch Avenue MetroRail Sta.
9386
Silver Spring MetroRail Sta.
9489 #1
Pentagon MetroRail Sta.
9489 #2
Pentagon MetroRail Sta.

1993 Flxible METRO-D 40102-6T (9701)
1993 Flxible METRO-D 40102-6C (9702-9785)
1994 Flxible METRO-D 40102-6C (9801-9835)

A slightly updated version of the previous series. It has a squared off back and sports a larger Luminator sign than the previous models. These are the first to have a top mounted exhaust pipe, which would become the industry standard. 9830-9835 have suburban style seating.
Fleet # Location
9719
Fort Totten MetroRail Sta.
9738
Silver Spring MetroRail Sta.
9801 #1
Silver Spring MetroRail Sta.
9801 #2
Silver Spring MetroRail Sta.

1995 Flxible METRO-E 40102-6T

The last order of Flxibles for Metro before Flxible went out of business. These buses also have the squared off back but also have a huge angled exhaust pipe on the top of the bus. The higher numbered models have upholstered seating. They are the first Metrobuses to have upholstered seats since the New Looks. Up until 1995, all Metrobus seats had fiberglass shell seating. Recently some models have been refurbished and repainted into the new Metrobus scheme, but a majority are still in the old Metrobus scheme and unrefurbished.
Fleet # Location
4004
Silver Spring MetroRail Sta.
4044
Wheaton MetroRail Sta.
4097
Pentagon MetroRail Sta.

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