Wow this is exactly what they did in Puerto Rico in 1980. They replaced a lot of their GM fishbowl buses with this same type of RTS II buses. It was sensational how the traveling public loved them (me included) and they were a big step forward for the Metropolitan Autobus Authority (AMA) at that time. Watching this video took me back to P.R. 43 years later. Loved the "GMC" logos they had front & back. Only difference was that we got the squareback buses and not the fastback models like in this video. They were white with blue interiors and very similar to these, except for the colour. They also kneeled which the elderly loved. Thank you for this video.
Yeah my transit has a shit ton of Gilligs and new flyer Xcelsiors. I remember when my transit used to have Orion VIIs, Orion VII CNGs, D40LFs, C40LFs, D35LFs, etc. All we have are Gilligs and Xcelsiors now. I think there's only one or two D35LFs still in operation though. The Gilligs replaced most of them.
Awesome video. My grandfather, Bob McInnis, was a DDOT driver from the late 50s to his retirement in 1984. He's mentioned Mr Mallett in many of his bus days stories. Bob spent his last seven years at DDOT on the old trolley cars.
I worked with your grandfather on the Wash Blvd Trolley (1979-82). As a matter of fact, he was one of the operators (along with John Barber) who broke me in on the trolley back in 1979.
I remember as a young European boy, coming with my parents on a holiday to Canada and U.S., I couldn’t get over the huge bumpers on U.S. cars and buses. We just never had those ice breakers up front. Everything was cool and an eye opener for me. I also was under the illusion that everyone was rich and well off compared to what I was used to back home. 😅
San Juan wait the RTS 04 in 1980, AMA hates the 8v71, they preffered 6v71. But Detroit in urban areas with 8v71 RTS's wow a bombshell. So this RTS 03 receive the 6v71 or 6v92 repower in the 90's?
WOW! Very cool. Bob's still going. He is 86 now. He spends half the year Up North in Lake George (Clare County) and the rest of the year in Stuart, Florida. If you look at my video list you'll see videos from his retirement party and another from an interview he did on PM Detroit in 1983. I'd love to tell him you said hello if you're ok with sharing your name.
From hearing these videos Conrad mallett was a very eloquent speaker. It appears that he tried very hard to turn that bus system around but he encountered many challenges. From hearing and reading the stories of the past I would give him an A for effort but baby those who watch these videos who were there and rode those buses might disagree. Nonetheless he was an eloquent speaker!
Wow this is exactly what they did in Puerto Rico in 1980. They replaced a lot of their GM fishbowl buses with this same type of RTS II buses. It was sensational how the traveling public loved them (me included) and they were a big step forward for the Metropolitan Autobus Authority (AMA) at that time. Watching this video took me back to P.R. 43 years later. Loved the "GMC" logos they had front & back. Only difference was that we got the squareback buses and not the fastback models like in this video. They were white with blue interiors and very similar to these, except for the colour. They also kneeled which the elderly loved. Thank you for this video.
Now all RTS buses have been retired. NYC retired their last one in Spring of last year.
The RTS has a legacy that will never die!!!!
Only one is still in service, in AMA San Juan on line T8, 2002 30ft RTS, and this one is coming to be a Museum Bus for 1st time ever
They still look modern to this day it’s better then what Gillig’s putting out
💯%
Yeah my transit has a shit ton of Gilligs and new flyer Xcelsiors. I remember when my transit used to have Orion VIIs, Orion VII CNGs, D40LFs, C40LFs, D35LFs, etc. All we have are Gilligs and Xcelsiors now. I think there's only one or two D35LFs still in operation though. The Gilligs replaced most of them.
Awesome video. My grandfather, Bob McInnis, was a DDOT driver from the late 50s to his retirement in 1984. He's mentioned Mr Mallett in many of his bus days stories. Bob spent his last seven years at DDOT on the old trolley cars.
I worked with your grandfather on the Wash Blvd Trolley (1979-82). As a matter of fact, he was one of the operators (along with John Barber) who broke me in on the trolley back in 1979.
I remember as a young European boy, coming with my parents on a holiday to Canada and U.S., I couldn’t get over the huge bumpers on U.S. cars and buses. We just never had those ice breakers up front. Everything was cool and an eye opener for me. I also was under the illusion that everyone was rich and well off compared to what I was used to back home. 😅
San Juan wait the RTS 04 in 1980, AMA hates the 8v71, they preffered 6v71. But Detroit in urban areas with 8v71 RTS's wow a bombshell. So this RTS 03 receive the 6v71 or 6v92 repower in the 90's?
Nowadays, most of those bus coaches are either scrapped or in a museum. We used to have those coaches in Lawrence Massachusettes too! Awesome Video!!!
WOW! Very cool. Bob's still going. He is 86 now. He spends half the year Up North in Lake George (Clare County) and the rest of the year in Stuart, Florida. If you look at my video list you'll see videos from his retirement party and another from an interview he did on PM Detroit in 1983. I'd love to tell him you said hello if you're ok with sharing your name.
I love how at the end of the channel 7 News clip where the reporter says that you could tell they're new there's no graffiti on them yet lol lol
From hearing these videos Conrad mallett was a very eloquent speaker. It appears that he tried very hard to turn that bus system around but he encountered many challenges. From hearing and reading the stories of the past I would give him an A for effort but baby those who watch these videos who were there and rode those buses might disagree. Nonetheless he was an eloquent speaker!
I hated those new buses. I loved the new look fishbowls.