updated 2-8-2023
In the late 1990s, SEPTA again went with Neoplan. This time the order was for 155 60 foot articulated buses. A prototype was built in 1998 (7101) and debuted in May of 1999 in front of SEPTA headquarters. The production buses (7102-7255) were built starting in the fall of 1999 and were delivered from the end of 1999 to the end of the summer of 2000. These buses went to Allegheny (7101-7203) and Midvale (7204-7255) which were the only depots equipped to maintain 60 foot articulated buses. These Neoplans had largely the same style as the older Neoplans but featured an updated body style.
Taken by Brandon S.
The buses are equipped with an automated announcement system and external speakers to greet passengers. The buses were originally equipped with Twin Vision Le-DOT (Green) destination signs. In 2001, bus 7101 received an upgrade to a Twin Vision All LED Amber destination sign, which became the standard for all future SEPTA bus orders. During the 2005 fiscal year, the buses underwent a major overhaul, which included the installation of bike racks as part of a larger purchase of over 600 bike racks for the American Ikarus, Neoplan Articulated, and 5400 series New Flyer buses. They received another overhaul between 2009 and 2010, following their four-year overhaul in FY 2005.
As of early 2016, all buses were retired. Several units were sold to Capital Area Transit in Harrisburg to be used on the Hershey Park route. Two artics were used for parts with one being used and retrofitted for revenue service. In 2020, the retrofitted artic went out for Auction and was sold to the bus museum in Hershey, PA.