FIRST DDOT (SEMTA) "RTS" BUSES UNVEILED AT GMC TRUCK & COACH

A SNEAK-PEEK AT THE FIRST SEMTA/DDOT WHEELCHAIR-LIFT RTS BUSES
On May 2, 1978, the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA) and GMC Truck & Coach in Pontiac, MI held ceremonies to unveil to the media the first five SEMTA "Series 03" RTS-II coaches earmarked for the Detroit Department Of Transportation (DDOT).

Meanwhile, WXYZ-TV Channel 7 reporter Jack McCarthy went behind the scenes at the Pontiac facility to take a sneak-peek at the inner workings of a wheel-chair lift RTS still under construction. That story is featured in this video clip, and was broadcast on Channel 7 Action News on Tuesday, May 2, 1978.

Also visible in video are a fleet of sixty-six GMC "Series 01" RTS-IIs (#1000-1065) originally manufactured for AC Transit of Oakland, CA. The non-wheelchair lift buses were rejected by AC Transit because of a court dispute over wheelchair lifts. The buses were acquired later that year by the Santa Clara County Transit District of San Jose, CA.

(video posted as an educational reference only)

For more Detroit transit videos visit:
www.detroittransithistory.info...

[@KevinCNYC1991]

They were sold to Santa Clara County Transit District as what was stated in the description. AC Transit bought Flyer D901s, Gillig Phantoms, and Neoplans after rejecting the RTS order. In my opinion that was the best idea that could have been done, because it brought more manufacturers to the American bus market during that period of time going into the 1980s. It's unfortunate AM General exited the bus market too soon.

[@BassmanII]

@Nabinut I wonder what happened to those RTS 01s?

[@knightclassic1]

Its really sad that those RTS didn't make it to serve AC Transit, It would've been totally awesome.

[@sexystate6562]

We miss you rts

[@antoniogoode4407]

I miss those old rts buses back in the days when I was a kid i used to taken the green line bus Q35 bus to school and back home i miss my children hood growing up in the 80 it was fun

[@tashawilliams8774]

I like 1010 and 1016