TriMet's new 3000 series buses undergoing extensive testing

As you can see, each of these five (there may have been a few others) are going through TriMet's very extensive testing routine.  These tests are highly specific, highly detailed, and tests every key component of the bus.  Here, on this nearly 100 degree weather day in Portland, these brand new Gillig buses are going through TriMet's "heat and sunlight exposure test", where the buses are simply parked on an asphalt lot to see how long it takes for them to melt and become a huge jumble of melted steel and rubber.  So far, just before noon, all of these buses appear to be holding up just fine.  Now I didn't come back around 4:00 to see if the buses were still there or not.

You will also notice TriMet's key attention to detail - the decals right next to the entrance doors have the correct fares posted for the fares in place today.  Of course, TriMet's very extensive testing period takes months and months, so by the time these buses actually see revenue passengers, those decals will have to be replaced.  Not to worry, TriMet has a large number of bus routes that stand ready to be eliminated and bus shelters that will be removed to free up the capital funds necessary to replace those decals.

And finally you'll notice that TriMet is already allowing advertising on these buses...notice the Gillig license plate frames, already mounted at the factory.  TriMet, in its search for finding money under every nook and cranny it knows about, had these buses already advertising before the bus entered the State of Oregon.