Six orders of D40LFs (Diesel bus, 40 ft long, Low Floor) have been delivered to the HSR, in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010, for a total of 110. The D40LF is a sister model to the HSR's C40LF fleet.
The 0400 and 0500 series were originally numbered in the 510400s and 510500s, respectively. The HSR dropped the '51' prefix in the spring of 2007.
The HSR buses that were delivered in 2006 & 2007 have a slightly different numbering system than previous HSR orders. The 34 buses delivered in 2006/2007 were all part of a single order, but the HSR decided to split the numbering of the buses based on the type of propulsion used. The diesel buses were numbered in the 0700s, and the Hybrid buses were numbered in the 0600s. The diesel buses were delivered first, and they all arrived by the end of Dec 2006. The Hybrid buses arrived in early spring 2007, resulting in the 2006 buses being numbered in the 0700s, and the 2007 buses numbered in the 0600s!
HSR #0801-#0807 hold an unusual distinction. These buses were delivered in the HSR's shortest-lived paint scheme, white with gold and metallic blue stripes. As the 0800 buses started arriving in early March 2008, the HSR changed its mind and decided to keep the previous white with yellow and blue stripes. The first seven buses were repainted before being put into service, giving the 'white with gold & metallic blue stripes' paint scheme a lifespan of about 4 weeks! The remaining 0800 D40LFs were delivered to the HSR in the old paint scheme.
The 0900 and 1000 series buses were part of the 2009 and 2010 Metrolinx Transit Purchasing Co-operative, respectively. This was a program that allowed multiple transit authorities in Ontario to purchase buses built to a common standard, thereby saving money due to economies of scale.
HSR #0901-#0917 were originally supposed to be delivered in May of 2009, but production delays resulted in their delivery in the fall. By contrast, HSR #1001-#1015 were finished early, leading to a problem. The bus construction contract specified that the buses were to be delivered after July 2nd, after the Harmonized Sales Tax came into force. As a result, the HST was built into the price of the buses. However, the 1000 series buses started coming off the assembly line at the New Flyer plant in Manitoba at the beginning of June. Since you couldn't charge a tax that didn't exist yet, the HSR would have had a mountain of paperwork to get the payments corrected. New Flyer did not want the buses taking up space at the factory, so they were shipped to a storage site in St. Catharines, along with buses for several other transit companies that were part of the 2010 Metrolinx Transit Purchasing Co-operative. The 1000 series arrived in Hamilton en masse on July 2, 2010.
HSR #0401, 0403, 0405, 0408, 0511, 0513 and 0518 were auctioned off in 2016. #0408 is now running as a shuttle bus at York University in Toronto. #0414 and #0516 were bought by Bruce Peninsula Transit in Wiarton, but have been stored since the service shut down in June 2018. #0518 is now operating as a Randy's Roti food truck in the GTA.
The last of the 0400s, #0411, was retired in mid-June 2018. #0510 suffered minor damage in a collision in October 2018, but was retired immediately due to the age of the bus. The last of the 0500s, #0520, was put into storage for future use in mid-May 2019, along with HSR #701-709. #520 returned to service in Mid-January 2020 after #0913 suffered damage from a 'thermal incident' the previous November, but was finally retired on January 23, 2023.
In May 2023 HSR #0703, #0710, and #0712 were removed from regular service and assigned as training buses. Also HSR #0704 was sold to a private owner in Alberta
(All photos © Tom Luton, except where noted)
HSR #0404 (ex #510404) at the MacNab Terminal, March 19, 2015
HSR #0408 (ex #510408) at James & Main, October 30, 2008
Ex-HSR #0408, now a York University shuttle bus passing Kaneff Tower, February 13, 2019.
HSR #0411 (ex #510411) at James & Main, March 19, 2015
HSR #0413 (ex #510413) and #0517 (ex #510517) at James & Main, March 19, 2015
Ex HSR #0502 (ex #510502) and ex HSR #0519 (ex #510519) at Durham Transport at Purdy & Big Apple Dr in Colborne ON, July 29, 2020. The bus second from the left is ex-Oakville Transit, the bus on the far right is ex-Cornwall Transit #0360. Photo by Nick Luton.
HSR #0513 (ex #510513) and #0311 (ex #510311) at the Hamilton GO Centre, March 19, 2015
HSR #0516 (ex #510516) at the MacNab Terminal, March 19, 2015
HSR #0703 at James & Main, March 19, 2015
HSR #0705 at the MacNab Terminal, May 29, 2008
HSR #0707 at the MacNab Terminal, May 29, 2008
HSR #0707 departing from the Hamilton GO Centre onto John St, March 19, 2015
HSR #0709 at King and John, May 29, 2008
HSR #0716 at Dundurn Loop, November 13, 2009
HSR #0802 and HSR #0803 at the Mountain Regional Transit Centre, March 11, 2008. These buses are both in the shortlived white with gold and metallic blue stripe paint scheme, and are so new they haven't been unwrapped yet! The plastic sheeting is wrapped around a bus to protect the lights, windows and paint from damage during shipping. (Photo by Kevin N, used with permission)
HSR #0804 at West Hamilton Loop, November 9, 2008
HSR #0804 at James & Robert, April 13, 2012
HSR #0804 at James & Main, March 19, 2015
HSR #0805 and HSR #0810 at the Mountain Regional Transit Centre, March 21, 2008. HSR #0805 is in the shortlived white with gold and metallic blue stripe paint scheme, while HSR #0810 is in standard HSR colours. (Photo by Kevin N, used with permission)
HSR #0807 at James & Hunter, August 8, 2009
HSR #0808 at John & Jackson, March 19, 2015. Behind it is a D40LF, a C40LF, and a XD40.
HSR #0810 at MacNab and Main, May 29, 2008
HSR #0810 at Gore Park, July 28, 2008. In the background are two other D40LFs and a C40LF.
HSR #0810 at James & Main, March 19, 2015
HSR #0812 at Governors & Ogilvie, May 7, 2016
HSR #0814 at James & Mulberry, April 13, 2012.
HSR #0816 at Gore Park, August 8, 2009
HSR #0822 at MacNab Terminal, September 24, 2023.
HSR #0905 at King & McMurray, May 7, 2016
HSR #0912 at the Hamilton GO Centre, January 11, 2011
HSR #1006 at King & MacNab, May 7, 2016
HSR #1011 at James & Murray, September 14, 2013
HSR #1011 at Emerson & Royal, June 18, 2023
HSR #1012 at James & Main, May 2, 2015
HSR #1012 at the Hamilton GO Centre, September 25, 2022
HSR 510406 at Eastgate Mall, May 6, 2006
HSR 510408 exiting Gore Park onto James St, May 6, 2006
HSR 510501 at King and James, May 6, 2006
HSR 510501 at King St West and Jones St, May 6, 2006
HSR 510503 and HSR 9608 at Main and James, May 6, 2006. Note the differences in the roofs between the D40LF and the C40LF models
HSR 510514 at the MacNab Terminal, May 6, 2006
Look for YouTube videos on HSR D40LFs here (External Link).
