Originally touted as the state of the art in comfort - the bus of the Future. The Baltimore Neoplan was never to reach its potential as a workhorse of the fleet. Rather, it was a nice possibility of things to come that wound up slipping off into the night without a mere mention of its passing.
Year: Numbers: Length: Engine: Lift: Configuration: Retired: Notes: 1986 3701-3705 40 Feet Detroit 6V-92 NO City 2000 Allison Transmission 1986 3706-3710 40 Feet Detroit 6V-92 NO City 2000 Voith Transmission On their arrival in early 1986, the Neoplan buses were touted by local radio stations as the utmost in comfort and quality. In many ways they were, with their vertical sides making for a much roomier appearance than that found on the Flxible Metros. However, the coaches were not purchased with the intention of having a posher fleet. The main "plan" of these Neoplans was instead to serve as a long term test in comparing transmissions - specifically Voiths and Allisons.
In their early days, the coaches were far removed from the mainstream of Baltimore's Transit Scene, primarily seeing use on the 4 and 55 lines. They usually ventured into the city only to serve short trippers, and were also spotted on the Pimlico Specials (route A) in their later days. In time, as they aged, they began to integrate more into the rest of the Eastern Division fleet, and they became common sights on the 5, 10, 20, 22, and 23 lines.
NEOPLAN PHOTO GALLERY Coach #3702 pulls into Eastern Division on June 21, 1990 after performing morning duties. The fact that these coaches were relegated to Peak hour work so soon in their careers gives a good indication of how the Company felt about them. Adam Paul photo. Coach #3704 pulls up into Eutaw and Saratoga Streets on Route #5 in 1991. A Flxible Metro stands guarding the backdrop for comparison. Adam Paul photo. Coach #3707 models the original scheme in which the Neoplans were delivered in 1986. Here the coach swinsgs into the bus stop on Fayette Street at Charles Center in 1990, while working route #20. Adam Paul photo. A comparison of Neoplan backs at Eastern Division, showing both paint schemes' rear treatment. Adam Paul photo. Pull Out time at Eastern Division in the Fall of 1990. Another look can be had comparing the side treatments of both paint schemes. Note the jagged drop of the original scheme compared with the gentler drop of the revised scheme. Adam Paul photo. In spite of their roominess, they were never particular favorites among operators, due to their fixed steering wheels that stayed vertical, and the poor ventilation they provided in the Summertime. By 1989, they were often grounded during the Summer months.
By the 1990s, the buses had become less useful, and were relegated to serving school and peak hour trippers. By 1991, all of the buses were repainted in a revised scheme that was more uniform with the Flxibles, where the two corner numbers in the front were replaced with a single number in the middle, among other changes. Despite the repainting, the bodies began to rust by the mid 1990s, giving the coaches a very shabby appearance, and it was extremely rare to see one holding down base service (although one WAS spotted on a Saturday as late as 1998). Coaches in the series often vanished off the streets for months at a time, as work on the coaches, however minor, was often de-prioritized, and the coaches sat for long periods on the shop lanes.
With the advent of dedicated School routes in 1995 at Eastern Division, the coaches were often referrred to as the "49 Line Buses," a sure blow to this once proud part of the fleet. Eventually, the only operable coaches of the set were 3705 and 3708, both of which were finally retired in February of 2000 with no fanfare. In August of 2000, the last one (#3709) was removed from the property, and the MTA was no longer an owner of Neoplan buses - a truly sad ending to an very intriging part of the fleet!
NEOPLAN FAST FACTS:
- The Neoplans were the last buses to use the old Diesel Bus numbering scheme started by Baltimore Transit in 1945. In this setup, Diesel buses were numbered starting with 1000 and up, Electric Trolley Buses from 2000 and up, and Gasoline Buses from 2500 and up. Eventually, the other types were retired, and the diesel buses numbering overflowed into these areas, ending with 3710 of the Neoplan order.
- The Neoplans were also the last buses to be delivered wearing the "Flying T" logo implemented in 1971 shortly after the MTA takeover. However, the buses never operated in service with the "T" logo, receiving new "MTA" decals over the old logo before entering service.
- When delivered, the Neoplans did not have numbers on the inside of the coaches. On the front interior panel, this was improvised by use of a MAGIC MARKER number until dark blue sticker numbers were later applied on the panel.
- Reportedly, due to the distance from the Colorado Plant, the Neoplans were shipped by rail, and delivered to the Wicomico Street Street spur of the then Chessie System. The truth behind this may be debatable however, and the coaches may have indeed been driven to Baltimore.
