Seventy C40LFs (CNG fueled, 40 ft long, Low Floor) in four orders were delivered to the HSR, the first in 1996. The C40LF was the HSR’s first low floor bus, and the first bus to sport the HSR’s current regular paint scheme, in which the previous scheme was simplified by removing the black. The 9600s entered service on September 23, 1996. This marked the start of the HSR's ALF (Accessible Low Floor) routes, bus routes that would have easy access for disabled riders.
There were two spotting differences between the four orders of buses; the colour of the LED route sign and the location of the rear doors. The 9600’s and 9800’s had green LED signs, and the rear doors had a large window separating the door and the rear wheels. The 0200’s and 0300’s had red LED signs and the rear doors were located next to the rear wheels.
The 0200 and 0300 series were originally numbered in the 510200s and 510300s, respectively. The HSR dropped the '51' prefix in the spring of 2007.
The last of the 9600s was #9603, retired on June 23 2012 after a farewell charter. The 9800s were retired en masse in July 2012. The last of the 0200s was #0215 retired on April 20, 2016. The last C40LFs, #0301 and #0311, were retired on October 26, 2016.
(All photos © Tom Luton, except where noted)
HSR #9601 at McMaster University, Oct 24 2001.
HSR #9603 at Barton & James, June 27 2011.
HSR #9612 at King & James, June 12 2004.
HSR #9614 taking on passengers at McMaster University, Oct 24 2001.
HSR #9617 at Main St West and Cotrill St, July 20 2004.
HSR #9621 turning onto Stirling, April 23 2002.
HSR #9622 and HSR #0311 (ex #510311) at the Hamilton GO Centre, August 8 2009.
HSR #9803 at Main & James, June 12 2004.
HSR #9808 in front of the McMaster Medical Centre, April 23 2002.
HSR #9808 and HSR #0808 at the Hamilton GO Centre, August 8 2009.
HSR #9810 at CNIB loop, Oct 31 2001.
HSR #0203 (ex #510203) on John approaching Jackson, March 19 2015.
HSR #0210 (ex #510210) at the Hamilton GO Centre, January 11 2011.
HSR #0214 (ex #510214) on John approaching Jackson, March 19 2015.
HSR #0309 (ex #510309) and HSR #0407 at James & Main, August 8 2009.
HSR #0318 (ex #510318) at James & Main, March 19 2015.
HSR #510208 at McMaster University, March 25 2004.
HSR #510213 (on the 21 UPPER KENILWORTH) & HSR 510305 (on the 26 UPPER WELLINGTON) at Gore Park, June 12 2004.
HSR #510308 at McMaster University, April 16 2004.
HSR #510314 at Main St West and Rifle Range, July 19 2004.
HSR #510317 at McMaster University, March 25 2004.
Look for YouTube videos on HSR C40LFs here (External Link).
