Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Feb 13, 2008 5:28:50 GMT -8
We rode a mix of older Flyers and newer Nova low floors. It was actually quite interesting to see the various innovations on some of the busses to deal with freezing wipers including window defrosting wires in the wiper landing zones.
It's going to take me a few days to dig through the 350 or so photos and movie clips
...hoping to get to it Saturday or Sunday! ;D The trip was great though, thanks for all the info pnwtraveler! 
I didn't have my camera with me for our last, and most entertaining, interaction with the above mentioned snow banks, but I will try to visualize it words.
It's our last trip on the 13, which runs on a loop through Laval University, and around Sainte Foy. For some reason, all of our most interesting bus adventures occurred on the 13. ;D
For those of you in the know, our hotel is located about 1 km from Ste Foy VIA station. We spent most of the day in the lower city with all the crowds from Carnaval, and my father is pretty much worn down. Trying to make all the connections back to our hotel, we make our way to Simons in the Place Sainte-Foy via the 1 and 800 and kill time shopping until the 13 arrives.
We board the 13, a Nova low floor which is about half full, and settle in for the fifteen minute ride back to our hotel. Traffic is moderate given that it is "rush-hour", though the view out the windows is quite limited due to the accumulation of salt spray, dirt, and impending darkness. The first ten minutes prove themselves typical and uneventful, mostly people debussing at their stops as it is the end of the work day. This is rudely interrupted, however, by a loud bang, a cloud of flying snow and the impatient wail of door alarms.
It appears the Nova's rear door and lack of stairs makes for an excellent snow accumulation and interior dispersal system when put into action! With about a foot of snow now deposited on the floor of the bus by the door, and about a dozen less than impressed commuters wearing the remnants of the encounter, we press on, the driver apparently unfazed by the continuing wail of the rear door alarm. Departing the bus at our stop proves interesting with the doors encountering some difficultly due to the snow now collected on the floor, but at least the driver finally takes the time to silence the alarm.
It's going to take me a few days to dig through the 350 or so photos and movie clips
...hoping to get to it Saturday or Sunday! ;D The trip was great though, thanks for all the info pnwtraveler! 
I didn't have my camera with me for our last, and most entertaining, interaction with the above mentioned snow banks, but I will try to visualize it words.
It's our last trip on the 13, which runs on a loop through Laval University, and around Sainte Foy. For some reason, all of our most interesting bus adventures occurred on the 13. ;D
For those of you in the know, our hotel is located about 1 km from Ste Foy VIA station. We spent most of the day in the lower city with all the crowds from Carnaval, and my father is pretty much worn down. Trying to make all the connections back to our hotel, we make our way to Simons in the Place Sainte-Foy via the 1 and 800 and kill time shopping until the 13 arrives.
We board the 13, a Nova low floor which is about half full, and settle in for the fifteen minute ride back to our hotel. Traffic is moderate given that it is "rush-hour", though the view out the windows is quite limited due to the accumulation of salt spray, dirt, and impending darkness. The first ten minutes prove themselves typical and uneventful, mostly people debussing at their stops as it is the end of the work day. This is rudely interrupted, however, by a loud bang, a cloud of flying snow and the impatient wail of door alarms.
It appears the Nova's rear door and lack of stairs makes for an excellent snow accumulation and interior dispersal system when put into action! With about a foot of snow now deposited on the floor of the bus by the door, and about a dozen less than impressed commuters wearing the remnants of the encounter, we press on, the driver apparently unfazed by the continuing wail of the rear door alarm. Departing the bus at our stop proves interesting with the doors encountering some difficultly due to the snow now collected on the floor, but at least the driver finally takes the time to silence the alarm.
