Ben Franklin Transit has had a long history with the Gillig Phanton transit bus. In 1988 they were the first new transit buses that Ben Franklin Transit had ever purchased. Prior to this the system was run largely by used GM New Look buses since the systems formation in the early 1980's.
Although no photos of the first batch of 33 Gillig Phantons exisit on this website, sources confirm that they were built in 1988 and numbered 201-233, as well they were 35 feet in length. They have long since been retired. As well in 1992 a further 8 Gillig Phantom 40 foot buses (#234-241) were also delivered, these too have been retired.
As of June 2012, Ben Franklin Transit was operating a variety of second hand Gillig Phantoms in 30, 35 and 40 foot lengths. In 2010 three groups of C-TRAN Gillig Phantoms were added. The first units were former C-TRAN #2036, 2043, 2045 and 2051, these are 1995 Gillig Phantom 30 footers that are numbered 268-271. Four former C-TRAN 1995 Gillig Phantom 35 footers were also added to the fleet with new numbers 272-275: former C-TRAN #2061-2063 & 2065. Five former C-TRAN 1995 Gillig Phantom 40 footers also came online with new numbers 276-280: former C-TRAN #2087-2090 & 2098.
In 2011 two seperate batches of used Gillig Phantoms were added to the Ben Franklin Transit fleet. The first were two 1993 Gillig Phantom 30 foots from Mason Transit (#801-802), receiving new numbers of 281-282. The second batch were ten 1999 Gillig Phantom 40 footers from Sound Transit with original numbers: 9016-9017, 9019, 9022, 9045, 9047-9049, and 9052-9053. They received new numbers of #283-292; however, as of June 2012 they still retained their Sound Transit liveries minus decals and fleet numbers.
Thumbnail | Fleet Number | Year | Description | Photo Date (M/D/Y) |
269 | 1995 | 269 arriving at Three Rivers Transit Center working Route 50. | 7/12/2012 | |
269 Rear | 1995 | 269 laying over at Three Rivers Transit Center working Route 50. | 7/12/2012 | |
271 | 1995 | 271 parked at the transit garage waiting for its next run. | 7/12/2012 | |
272 | 1995 | 272 arriving at 22nd Street Transit Center working Route 62 5th & Columbia. | 7/12/2012 | |
272 Rear | 1995 | 272 arriving at 22nd Street Transit Center working Route 62. | 7/12/2012 | |
273 | 1995 | 273 arriving at 22nd Street Transit Center working Route 60 Jan & Pearl. | 7/12/2012 | |
273 Rear | 1995 | 273 arriving at 22nd Street Transit Center working Route 60 Jan & Pearl. | 7/12/2012 | |
275 | 1995 | 275 laying over at Knight Street Transit Center working Route 23 Richland TC. | 7/12/2012 | |
277 | 1995 | 277 parked at the transit garage waiting for its next run. | 7/12/2012 | |
279 | 1995 | 279 parked at the transit garage waiting for its next run. | 7/12/2012 | |
280 | 1995 | 280 parked at the transit garage waiting for its next run. | 7/12/2012 | |
282 | 1993 | 282 parked at the transit garage waiting for its next run. | 7/12/2012 | |
283 | 1999 | 283 at the yard waiting for its next run. | 7/12/2012 | |
283 Rear | 1999 | 283 at the yard waiting for its next run. | 7/12/2012 | |
284 | 1999 | 284 departing 22nd Avenue Transit Center working Route 67. | 7/12/2012 | |
284 Rear | 1999 | 284 departing 22nd Avenue Transit Center working Route 67. | 7/12/2012 | |
288 | 1999 | 288 departing Three Rivers Transit Center working Route 42. | 7/12/2012 | |
288 Rear | 1999 | 288 arriving at Three Rivers Transit Center working Route 42. | 7/12/2012 | |
289 | 1999 | 289 departing 22nd Avenue Transit Center working Route 120. | 7/12/2012 | |
289 Rear | 1999 | 289 departing 22nd Avenue Transit Center working Route 120. | 7/12/2012 | |
290 | 1999 | 290 arriving at 22nd Avenue Transit Center working Route 66. | 7/12/2012 | |
290-2 | 1999 | 290 departing 22nd Avenue Transit Center working Route 66. | 7/12/2012 | |
290-3 | 1999 | 290 departing 22nd Avenue Transit Center working Route 66. | 7/12/2012 | |
290 Rear | 1999 | 290 arriving at 22nd Avenue Transit Center working Route 66. | 7/12/2012 | |
291 | 1999 | 291 at the yard waiting for its next run. | 7/12/2012 | |
292 | 1999 | 292 departing Knight Street Transit Center working Route 225. | 7/12/2012 | |
292-2 | 1999 | 292 laying over at 22nd Avenue Transit Center working Route 225. | 7/12/2012 | |
292-3 | 1999 | 292 departing 22nd Avenue Transit Center working Route 225. | 7/12/2012 | |
292 Rear | 1999 | 292 departing Knight Street Transit Center working Route 225. | 7/12/2012 |