A wheel end assembly for a mass transit vehicle includes an output shaft mounted
to a wheel hub for driving a vehicle wheel. The output shaft is driven by a gear
assembly mounted within a gear housing and operably coupled to an input shaft.
The gear assembly includes an input gear driven by the input shaft, a first reduction
gear in meshing engagement with the input gear, a second reduction gear operably
coupled to the first reduction gear for rotation therewith, and an output gear
in meshing engagement with the second reduction gear. The first and second reduction
gears are supported on a common shaft that is positioned between the input and
output shafts. The input gear and first reduction gear are positioned outboard
from the output gear and associated bearings. This double reduction configuration
allows vehicle aisle width to be maintained while providing a deeper drop allowing
the vehicle floor to be lowered to a position closer to the ground.
