Showcasing a successful local government and small business partnership, RO Bus Sales has delivered the last in the first round of 80 new paratransit buses to the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC).
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 (natural gas) powered units and adding safety features.
With the contract, RO Bus Sales added six full-time employees, including a project planner, production foreman, installers and two service technicians. The company also now provides steady work for four local subcontractors.
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. Tanks typically are positioned across the back of this type of bus. The result: 60-gallon capacity complete with fire suppression and gas detection sensors.
“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, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2013 Small Business of the Year for Nevada. “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.”
“Safety and efficient operations are top priorities for the RTC, and these paratransit units are industry-leading vehicles in these critical areas,” said Tina Quigley, RTC general manager. “We are extremely pleased with the responsiveness and results from our new partnership with RO Bus Sales. Not only is the company providing quality services to the RTC that will benefit our customers, but RO Bus Sales also is creating new jobs locally and helping grow our economy.”
The next round of up-fitting an additional 80 units begins in October when new paratransit buses are shipped from the Indiana-based manufacturer.
