The Neoplan order was the largest order in history of buses not just got septa but for Neoplan back in 1982. Over the years these units has made there way all around the system.
SEPTA changed their specifications on their new bus order each year. The Neoplan AK’s (8275-8413) which was SEPTA’s first order of Neoplans had longitudinal seating meaning all there seats face towards the aisle. However, there suburban counterparts (8411-8434) had only longitudinal seating in the rear of the bus. The back door features a wheelchair ramp, which was also problematic forcing SEPTA discord their usage, and also spec out the wheelchair lift operations on there next order of coaches. These units also sported a nine liter 6v92 engine and Allison HT-740 transmission.
The 1983 order of the Neoplans had these following changes, the seating arrangements on the 1983 (BD) order were single seating on the right of the bus RED and Blue hard plastic seats on the city transit units unlike the previous (AK) order. These units still had the same powertrain which was sport on there 1982 counterparts.
As for the BM/CD 1984-1985 order changes were the transmission which was the Allison HT 747 and a few other modifications as well. A total of 275 of these coaches were built from both of these orders. There fleet numbers were "8601-8875", most of these units throughout the years made there way around the systems.
By middle 1984, SEPTA purchased twenty-five (25) 35 foot versions of the Neoplan #1301-1325. These units were to be strictly used on the smaller routes out of Luzerne depot. Over the years these units managed to make there way around the system, mainly to the suburban depot of victory which were being used on there smaller capacity routes. These units could hold 34 seats.
As for the 1986-87 Neoplan DK-EB Order they feature ZF ECOMAT transmissions and a 6v92TA 253HP DDEC engine. Its vague as to why SEPTA changed the order but in comparison of there transmissions, the ZF transmission is more fit for economy usage then the Allison transmission which were being used in their prior orders.
In the later portions of 1987, SEPTA finally specified a wheel chair lift on the rear door wells. This was the first order since 1982 which SEPTA excised the option of making there buses wheel chair accessibly to their passengers, and the 89 (EZ) featured the stain floors.
By the Early 1990’s, there were 1092 Neoplan An440 coaches that were in active service. Making SEPTA the largest transportation authority in North America with the fleet mainly manufactured by Neoplan USA. These buses dominated the streets of Philadelphia in the 1980's through late 1997 when the earlier fleet of AK/BM (8285-8581) were replaced by the 40 foot version of the NABI.
Today there are a small portion of these units left in service at only one depot. These units will be phrased out completely by the end of the year of 2008. Within that year, the last units of the 40 foot Neoplans will be replaced by New Flyer's low floor trackless trolleys. It finally looks like the Neoplan 40 foot bus era in Philadelphia is finally ending over 23 years.