| 1970-79 EQUIPMENT PHOTOS (Page 3) |
GMC "RTS-II" COACHES – MODEL TH-8203
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| THE 1920's 1 2 3 |
| THE 1980's 1 2 3 |
| THE 1990's 1 2 3 |
| THE 2000's 1 2 3 |
| GMC "RTS-II" COACHES – MODEL T7W-203 |
| In 1969, GM Truck & Coach unveiled a sleek, radically different designed, experimental prototype bus it named the Rapid Transit Experimental (RTX). This three-axle, fiberglass paneled, low-floor, spaceship looking vehicle, built in 1968, was envisioned by General Motors Truck & Coach to be its "bus of the future." In 1970, work began on a new modified RTX prototype known as the RTX + 9", which would evolve into what General Motors would later call its "Rapid Transit Series" coach. In 1971, the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) launched its "Transbus" project, an attempt by the Federal Government to develop a new standardized advanced bus design built solely to rigid Federal specifications. Three U.S. bus manufacturers each submitted three prototype buses for Transbus consideration. GM's entry—the three-axle RTS-3T—was submitted in 1972. However, by 1974, after Transbus became bogged down in government red tape, GM revived work on its RTX + 9" and developed an "interim" bus it called the "RTS-II"—a cross between Transbus and the RTX + 9". Early production on this interim model bus would begin in May of 1977. In April of 1977, UMTA released new, less rigid, bus design standards for these interim buses, which were to be known as Advanced Design Buses (ADB's). Although the RTS-II began as an interim bus, it achieved permanant status when the Transbus project was ultimately abandoned in late 1979. |
GENERAL MOTORS "RTS" (RAPID TRANSIT SERIES) COACHES
| GMC RTS-II BUILDER'S PLATE This plate was displayed on the front dash step-well of GMC built RTS's. |
| In August of 1977, GM Truck & Coach in Pontiac, MI would begin mass production of its Rapid Transit Series advanced designed bus for its first RTS customer—the Long Beach (CA) Public Transportation Authority. Known as the RTS-II (indicating 'two' axles, compared to the three- axle RTX and Transbus prototypes), it was GM's first redesigned transit bus since 1959. These first generation RTS-II's (Series 01), Model TH-8201, were built exclusively for a consortium of transit agencies located in California, Massachusetts, and Texas through the Spring of 1978. The first RTS, coach #4701, was the first of 15 delivered to Long Beach, CA in October, 1977. |
D-DOT (Detroit Department Of Transportation)
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| The RTS coach, at the time it was launched, was noted for its futuristic streamlined styling and large tinted window panels. One advanced feature of the RTS was its modular construction design, where 5-ft long stainless steel modules are welded together to form one complete body. The only notable external identifying feature change on the "Series 03" was the front bumper, which differed from Series 01 models. On May 3, 1978, the first four of 70 new RTS-II coaches were delivered to the Detroit Dept. Of Transportation—the first phase of an 111-coach order. [Melvin Bernero photobucket.com collection, used by permission of Melvin Bernero] |
| The first RTS-II's to begin service in Detroit were 70 D-DOT coaches (#1300-1369) assigned to the Coolidge and Gilbert Terminals, which began service on Monday, June 26, 1978. Many new features included large tinted impact resistant acrylic windows, sturdy fiberglass wall-mounted seats, automatic temperature control, graffiti-resistant fiberglass exterior panels, and a unique "kneeling" feature which permitted the bus to be lowered, making entrance and exit easier for handicapped and elderly persons. These 40' long, 102" wide coaches seated 47-passengers and came equipped with 8V-71 Detroit Diesel engines. Coach #1358 is parked at Cobo Hall in 1978. [Melvin Bernero photobucket.com collection, used by permission of Melvin Bernero] |
| In 1968, the GMC Truck & Coach engineering staff, along with GM Research Studios, completed work on a sleek, modular design, experimental prototype bus known as the RTX (Rapid Transit Experimental). Powered by a 280 hp GT-309 gas turbine engine, this 40-foot long, low-floor, three-axle transit coach—equipped with high-back "lounge-shaped" bucket seats—would become the predecessor to GM's entry into the Federal Government's "Transbus" project, and would later evolve into the GMC two-axle Advance Design Bus (ADB) known as the RTS-II. [Online photo, source: the Evan T. McCausland collection — Dwight Barnett photo] |
| In August 1977, the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA) had placed an order for 189 new GMC RTS coaches at a cost of more than $18.2 million. Funding for the buses was financed 80% by the U.S. Dept. of Trans. and 20% from state grants. SEMTA retained 78 of the buses (#1801-1878) for its suburban operation, while 111 were leased to the city of Detroit for $1.00 a year. Fifty-seven coaches from that order also came equipped with hydraulic wheel- chair lifts—with sixteen (#1863L–1878L) kept by SEMTA for route #560 Gratiot. The SEMTA fleet came equipped with 46 large cushioned seats and no rear exit doors on its non-lift coaches. [Melvin Bernero photobucket.com collection, used by permission of Melvin Bernero] |
| Beginning in August of 1978, delivery would begin on the remaining 41 coaches of the 111-coach order slated for DDOT. These last coaches (#1370L–1410L) came equipped with rear door hydraulic wheelchair lifts—a first for the city—and were designated by the letter "L". Assigned to the east-side Shoemaker Terminal, these 43-passenger lift-equipped buses would be used as part of a pilot program initiated on the route #34 Gratiot line. Although the cost for the non-lift equipped DDOT RTS's ran $91,000 apiece, the lift would add an additional $9,000 to the cost of the bus. Lift equipped coach #1403L is seen here parked at the DDOT Shoemaker Terminal. [website owner's collection photo, courtesy of the Schramm photo collection] |
GMC "RTS-II" COACHES – MODEL T8H-203
| Unfortunately, the RTS was plagued by an array of problems during its infancy, requiring some 15 repairs by GM after the first year, including brake lining, rear door and electrical system repairs. But despite these problems, the first of 122 more RTS-II Series 03 coaches would soon be on the way. On September 21, 1979, the first of 105 lift-equipped coaches (#1501L–1605L) would begin arriving. Purchased by SEMTA, but leased to the city for $1.00 per year, these 40- ft long, 46-passenger coaches (Model designation now changed to T8H-203) would allow DDOT to provide wheel-chair accessible service to its #53 Woodward and #14 Crosstown routes. In the above 1981 photo, the original RTS "sloping-back" design is clearly visible on coach #1577. [photo courtesy of the Krambles-Peterson archive collection, Art Peterson photo] |
| A number of the minor issues affecting DDOT's first fleet of RTS-II's had been resolved by GM in this second fleet. However, the RTS coach would continue to be plagued by reliability issues, such as suspension and overheating problems and frequent air-conditioning failures—which had to be resolved during the early 1980's by the installation of an improved a/c condenser unit that would greatly alter the appearance of the coach. In addition, a number of features unique to the first RTS fleet, such as the large out-side "elephant-ear" mirrors and a front-door interlock feature, were absent on this second fleet. In the above 1982 photo, it appears that coach #1603L had now been reserved for V.I.P. Chartered Service, including Gray Line Sightseeing Tours. [Melvin Bernero photobucket.com collection, used by permission of Melvin Bernero] |
| In early 1980, DDOT began experimenting with the "Transdot" destination sign by testing them on three RTS 35-footers; coaches #1701, 1702 and 1703. In this September 1981 photo, coach #1703 is turning east onto E. Jefferson from Woodward while working the Mini-Loop #1 route. Although the computerized route sign on coach #1703 in photo might be having a few issues, the digital Transdot sign on coach #1701 in the previous photo correctly reads: 1 MINIBUS #1 [Melvin Bernero photobucket.com collection, used by permission of Melvin Bernero] |
| Also included in that 122-coach order were 17 smaller-size "35-foot" RTS-II's (#1701L–1717L), which began arriving on November 6, 1979. These 36-passenger coaches, Model T7W-203, were constructed using seven 5-foot modules (instead of the eight used for 40' buses) and came equipped with the smaller six-cylinder 6V-71 Detroit Diesel engine. All seventeen coaches were assigned to the Gilbert Terminal and used on light service lines and downtown mini-bus routes. Although coach #1701, as seen in this June 1981 photo, is equipped with a "Transdot" digital route sign, the original fleet all arrived with roll-sign curtains, as displayed on rear coach #1710. [Jim Husing Collection photo, courtesy of James Husing — see disclaimer below] |
| Instead of the individual plush brightly-colored cushioned seats that were found on the GMC "New-Look" and AM General coaches delivered in 1975, the new GMC RTS-II's earmarked for DDOT arrived with tough, sturdy, fiberglass/vinyl seats built to withstand vandalism. Because the cushioned seats were often subject to malicious slashing and considerable passenger abuse, the less comfortable seats were installed. [Video images from site-owner's video collection] |
| Although not the best image, this video still shows the interior rear view of a #1500-1600 series DDOT RTS-II coach. Just like their predecessors, the fleet also came with those cantilevered wall-mounted fiberglass seats, which, unfortunately, rattled considerably when the coach was empty. In addition to the wheel-chair lift equipment located at the rear door, black was now used on the rear wall panel instead of the white found on the previous RTS fleet. This same color decor was also used on all of the succeeding GMC built RTS-II coaches purchased by DDOT. [Video still image taken from website-owner's video collection] |
| Beginning in the Spring of 1978, production would begin on the "first" fleet of second generation RTS-II's (the Series 03–there was no Series 02). The first "Series 03" coaches (Model TH-8203) were 70 coaches built for the Detroit Dept. of Transportation (DDOT)—purchased through the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA). In this Detroit Free Press photo, "SEMTA #1"—future DDOT coach #1300 (serial #001)—is seen rolling off the GMC Truck and Coach assembly line on Thursday, April 13, 1978, with delivery scheduled to begin in May. [Photo courtesy of the Friday, April 14, 1978, Detroit Free Press] |
| (Video-clip courtesy of the Evan T. McCausland collection) |
| Top photo: The bucket-seat lounge-like interior of the RTX. Video: RTX featured in this excerpt from a 1968 GMC film. (Photo: Fred Rosvold collection) |
- RECOMMENDED READING: The only published book devoted to the full in-depth history
of the RTS bus. The author begins with the early (pre-RTS) GM Coach era, then moves on
to the RTS's early development stages under the RTX and the federal "Transbus" project,
then follows the bus as it evolves under its various manufacturers; GMC, TMC, NovaBus, and
Millennium Transit Services. This 160-page paperback book is well illustrated with time-period
photographs, a color photo gallery, and production charts from each of the manufacturers.
of the RTS bus. The author begins with the early (pre-RTS) GM Coach era, then moves on
to the RTS's early development stages under the RTX and the federal "Transbus" project,
then follows the bus as it evolves under its various manufacturers; GMC, TMC, NovaBus, and
Millennium Transit Services. This 160-page paperback book is well illustrated with time-period
photographs, a color photo gallery, and production charts from each of the manufacturers.
"RAPID TRANSIT SERIES BUSES: General Motors and Beyond" by Evan T. McCausland
"Very well illustrated and a must have for any RTS coach enthusiast. I'm very impressed
with this publication, on what has been my childhood favorite transit bus. Kudos to Evan T.
McCausland." — Karl A. Marshall (D-DOT coach operator)
with this publication, on what has been my childhood favorite transit bus. Kudos to Evan T.
McCausland." — Karl A. Marshall (D-DOT coach operator)
"Rapid Transit Series Buses: General Motors and Beyond (An Enthusiast's Reference)" (Paperback) by Evan T. Mccausland (Author) - Iconografix (Publisher – May 15, 2008)
