DDOT #3200's:
THOSE FORMER
SMART "RTS" COACHES
THOSE FORMER
SMART "RTS" COACHES
Are you aware of the fact that the entire DDOT #3200-series
NovaBUS "RTS-II" fleet had originally been a part of a SMART
coach order later diverted to DDOT?
During the months of May and June of 1995, NovaBUS Inc.
delivered a fleet of sixty-five new "RTS-II" coaches (model
T80-206) to SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for
Regional Transportation) — which operates this region's
suburban bus system. The new fleet arrived sporting the
standard SMART paint scheme of white with red and orange
striping. The coaches were numbered #9501-9565.
Meanwhile—around the same period—the SMART bus system
found itself facing a major financial crisis. A $20 million deficit
projected in 1994 had forced the agency to seek a three-year
0.33-mil property tax from "suburban" residents in Wayne,
Oakland and Macomb counties. During its millage campaign to
secure property tax funding, SMART promised to restructure
its operation and to eliminate the debt over the next five years.
The millage campaign was a success and the new tax levy was
approved by most of the tri-county jurisdictions in 1995.
However, during that millage campaign (and even during years
NovaBUS "RTS-II" fleet had originally been a part of a SMART
coach order later diverted to DDOT?
During the months of May and June of 1995, NovaBUS Inc.
delivered a fleet of sixty-five new "RTS-II" coaches (model
T80-206) to SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for
Regional Transportation) — which operates this region's
suburban bus system. The new fleet arrived sporting the
standard SMART paint scheme of white with red and orange
striping. The coaches were numbered #9501-9565.
Meanwhile—around the same period—the SMART bus system
found itself facing a major financial crisis. A $20 million deficit
projected in 1994 had forced the agency to seek a three-year
0.33-mil property tax from "suburban" residents in Wayne,
Oakland and Macomb counties. During its millage campaign to
secure property tax funding, SMART promised to restructure
its operation and to eliminate the debt over the next five years.
The millage campaign was a success and the new tax levy was
approved by most of the tri-county jurisdictions in 1995.
However, during that millage campaign (and even during years
| DDOT "RTS" coaches #3200-3232 were originally SMART coaches #9533-9565. They were delivered to DDOT in August of 1995. (Photo courtesy of retired DDOT Operator Lamont Jackson) |
In August of 1995, the thirty-three unused buses from that SMART order (#9533-9565) arrived at DDOT, still sporting
their original SMART colors and numbers. The coaches were repainted and renumbered at the Shoemaker Terminal Paint
Shop. There, the buses were transformed into what we know today as DDOT coach fleet number #3200-3232. These
their original SMART colors and numbers. The coaches were repainted and renumbered at the Shoemaker Terminal Paint
Shop. There, the buses were transformed into what we know today as DDOT coach fleet number #3200-3232. These
would become the first fleet of "RTS" coaches to be
delivered to DDOT since 1980, and the first ones to
arrive after DDOT management vowed during the
mid-1980's to no longer purchase what they deemed
problem prone designed buses.
A later coach order — a SMART option for additional
coaches — had also been diverted to DDOT. These
buses would arrive two years later—this time already
sporting the DDOT colors. These thirty-three buses
would also become part of the DDOT #3200-series
fleet, and were numbered #3250-3282. They were
delivered between April and May of 1997, and were
identical to the original fleet. (An earlier one-hundred
coach order — built under DDOT specifications, and
numbered #3500–3599 — were already delivered
between November 1996 and January 1997.)
An additional ten NovaBUS RTS "suburban-edition"
coaches (#3290–3299) were delivered in June of
1997. These new coaches (model T80-206S) came
equipped with forward-facing adjustable "high-back"
passenger seats and over-head storage racks. In the
beginning, these coaches were used for exclusive
suburban Park-and-Ride bus service — transporting
GM employees from Sashabaw Road (north-west of
Pontiac in Independence Twp–some thirty miles out-
side the city limits) to the new General Motors Global
Headquarters, located in the Renaissance Center in
Downtown Detroit.
During the middle of 2007, the first fleet of #3200's
reached their twelve-year eligibility for retirement. The
remainder of the fleet (#3250 onward) will probably
be with us until the middle of 2009.
delivered to DDOT since 1980, and the first ones to
arrive after DDOT management vowed during the
mid-1980's to no longer purchase what they deemed
problem prone designed buses.
A later coach order — a SMART option for additional
coaches — had also been diverted to DDOT. These
buses would arrive two years later—this time already
sporting the DDOT colors. These thirty-three buses
would also become part of the DDOT #3200-series
fleet, and were numbered #3250-3282. They were
delivered between April and May of 1997, and were
identical to the original fleet. (An earlier one-hundred
coach order — built under DDOT specifications, and
numbered #3500–3599 — were already delivered
between November 1996 and January 1997.)
An additional ten NovaBUS RTS "suburban-edition"
coaches (#3290–3299) were delivered in June of
1997. These new coaches (model T80-206S) came
equipped with forward-facing adjustable "high-back"
passenger seats and over-head storage racks. In the
beginning, these coaches were used for exclusive
suburban Park-and-Ride bus service — transporting
GM employees from Sashabaw Road (north-west of
Pontiac in Independence Twp–some thirty miles out-
side the city limits) to the new General Motors Global
Headquarters, located in the Renaissance Center in
Downtown Detroit.
During the middle of 2007, the first fleet of #3200's
reached their twelve-year eligibility for retirement. The
remainder of the fleet (#3250 onward) will probably
be with us until the middle of 2009.
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prior), the SMART system had come under criticism from a number of suburban politicians and voters who chastised the
agency for operating large and "rarely filled" 40-foot coaches through their communities. While the promised restructuring
of the system would include cutting back some service into Detroit and adding more trips within the suburbs, the agency
also promised to begin moving toward the use of small size coaches — a move which many felt was more to appease their
suburban critics.
Meanwhile, an impending SMART bus order for additional fleets of 40-foot long RTS-II coaches over the next few years
just didn't seem to fit well into the agency's long-term restructuring plans. The first sixty-five coaches were due to be de-
livered that same year. After the coaches were delivered in June, only thirty-two of the new buses (#9501-9532) were
agency for operating large and "rarely filled" 40-foot coaches through their communities. While the promised restructuring
of the system would include cutting back some service into Detroit and adding more trips within the suburbs, the agency
also promised to begin moving toward the use of small size coaches — a move which many felt was more to appease their
suburban critics.
Meanwhile, an impending SMART bus order for additional fleets of 40-foot long RTS-II coaches over the next few years
just didn't seem to fit well into the agency's long-term restructuring plans. The first sixty-five coaches were due to be de-
livered that same year. After the coaches were delivered in June, only thirty-two of the new buses (#9501-9532) were
| DDOT coach #3263 — seen here standing-by in Times Square and awaiting extra-service — is representative of the second fleet of #3200-series RTS coaches (#3250-3282) that began arriving in April of 1997. These coaches were the result of a SMART option for new coaches later diverted to DDOT. Although built to the same SMART specifications as the original 1995 fleet, these coaches would arrive already sporting their DDOT colors. (Photo courtesy of Detroit Mike's photos on DDOT buses – shared online at Flickr) |
placed into service. SMART had already decided that the remain-
ing thirty-three new buses should be sold.
According to a Wednesday, November 29, 1995, Detroit Free
Press article, "SMART sold 33 of (its new) 40-foot buses in June
to the Michigan Department of Transportation for nearly $7
million." SMART used that money to purchase 86 new 29-foot,
22-passenger, mini–buses, built by Champion Motor Coach of
Imlay City, MI. The smaller-size Champion buses were to be used
on the less heavily traveled suburb-to-suburb routes.
Meanwhile, arrangements were made with the City of Detroit to
purchase the unused SMART coaches —- while a SMART option
to purchase additional fleets of RTS buses from NovaBUS would
also be diverted to the city-owned DDOT system.
ing thirty-three new buses should be sold.
According to a Wednesday, November 29, 1995, Detroit Free
Press article, "SMART sold 33 of (its new) 40-foot buses in June
to the Michigan Department of Transportation for nearly $7
million." SMART used that money to purchase 86 new 29-foot,
22-passenger, mini–buses, built by Champion Motor Coach of
Imlay City, MI. The smaller-size Champion buses were to be used
on the less heavily traveled suburb-to-suburb routes.
Meanwhile, arrangements were made with the City of Detroit to
purchase the unused SMART coaches —- while a SMART option
to purchase additional fleets of RTS buses from NovaBUS would
also be diverted to the city-owned DDOT system.
| SMART was able to use the money from the sale of its unused #9500-series RTSs to purchase 86 small-size Champion buses. (Photo courtesy of M. Koprowicz collection) |
| "High-back" coach #3299 (the last in the #3200 series) was still hanging in there after nearly ten years of service when photographed at the DDOT Gilbert Terminal back in 2006. (Photo courtesy of DDOT Operator Tony Green) |
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