Showcasing a successful local government and small business partnership, RO Bus Sales has delivered the last in the first round of 80 innovatively outfitted new paratransit buses to the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). RO Bus Sales “up-fits” vehicles with innovative CNG systems.
The paratransit vehicles are modified to meet strict RTC and federal safety standards under a $7.67 million contract the RTC awarded last October with four options for an additional 320 units through 2017. It includes purchasing the buses and “up-fitting” them to more environmentally-friendly CNG powered units and adding safety features.
To meet RTC standards for fuel capacity equivalent to its 55-gallon gasoline tanks, RO worked with the bus manufacturer and CNG up-fitter to configure two tanks vertically in rear compartments of the unit (a third tank is under the bus) to provide the required rear passenger exit. The result: 60-gallon capacity complete with fire suppression and gas detection sensors. Besides, there are installed defueling ports to allow one unit to refuel another, instead of sending a CNG fuel truck or towing the unit off its route.
“No one has ever up-fitted a paratransit vehicle this size (27-feet long) with this configuration and fuel capacity,” said Bobby Bracken, general manager at RO. “RTC has elevated our bar and is committed to working with local businesses. They’re ahead of the game with advancing technology and open to whatever we can do to better support them.”
Source: RTC
