While we were sleeping SEPTA snuck in at least two new Champion Cutaways. They are being used on the 312 Cornwells Heights Park and Ride shuttle and are stored in the cage there with 2080 and 2086. The new buses were first spotted last week. When I was at Cornwells Heights railfanning yesterday, I went up to the cage to see for myself. The new buses are 2098 and 2099. They are 2007 Champion Challenger cutaways between 25 and 30 feet long on a Heavy Duty Chevy C4500 chassis. Some pictures below. Please bare in mind since I couldn't get in the cage, I had to do the best I could in getting pics.
As you can see, these buses are semi different from the current Champions. They have some features the Fords had. This includes the wheelchair lift at the back, rear windows, and rear emergancy exit door. It is unknown exactly how many of these are on SEPTA Property or owned by SEPTA. When more information becomes available it will be passed along.