The additional five 60-foot BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) articulated buses will be used for the Rapid Blue Lines and will provide an extra seating capacity to allow Big Blue Bus to improve the service during peak hours, with an annual estimated saving of 4,528 hours that involves a cost saving of approximately USD 200,000 annually.
“We continue to be pleased to have a repeat customer such as Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus for its 60-foot articulated bus needs as well as its 40-foot bus needs with the recent contract award and NTP for nine 40-foot CNG units,” said NABI Senior Vice President Joe Gibson.
It is worth mentioning that the arriving fleet will replace Big Blue Bus aging transit vehicles that are approaching 15 years old. The new buses will be less costly to maintain, enhance customer comfort and reduce service interruptions.