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The TTC GM New Look Bus (also known as the TTC Fishbowl) has been the work horse of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus fleet. First purchased from General Motors in 1959 and the last one acquired in 1983, they remain in the current non-active fleet.
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Purchase and rebuilds
New Look buses were purchased by the TTC from 1977 to 1983. From the 1970s to 1980s they were the primary bus type in the TTC fleet. Even with newer models, the New Look continue to ply Toronto streets. They were rebuilt between 1997 and 2002. The overhaul was necessary because of a shortage of buses the commission experienced after increased ridership in the late 1990s. All were numbered in the 8xxx series before their 18-year rebuild. They were renumbered to clear out the 8xxx category for the soon-to-be-arriving 80xx series, and to show that their lives had been extended.
The buses were equipped with brown vinyl bench seating, but it was later replaced with red fabric seats during the overhaul. The destination signs which had been displayed on rollsigns were replaced with digital Luminator Matrix signs.
Montreal New Looks
2600-2619 were delivered to the TTC in 1998, and had been used by the Société de transport de la communauté urbaine de Montréal. They were also rebuilt upon arrival as part of a larger rebuild plan that was cut down to only 20 buses.
Retirement
The last day of service for these buses was on December 16, 2011, when the final five (2281, 2286, 2290, 2444 & 2855) made their final trip on the 52 Lawrence West, and 2281 was the last bus in service at the Yonge Subway Shuttle Service from 12:00pm to 2:15am.
Units 2252 and 2444 were retained as historical units after retirement, and are currently undergoing restoration.
Units 2290 and 2291 were preserved by private owners near Dublin, Ireland.
The Orion VII largely replaced the New Looks in the 21st century.