The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority transferred two of their buses to Victoria Transit, operated by the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission, after a mysterious fire destroyed seventy-eight percent of their fleet just before the holidays.
Over the holiday’s 33 buses were ignited and destroyed by the fire. It was estimated that the cost to replace the entire 33 buses would be around $2.7 million, and could be done within the next six months. However, the system is in need for transportation for their residents now.
On Wed., Jan. 3, Jorge Cruz-Aedo, CCRTA CEO, voiced concerns about the recent fire that occurred to the Victoria Transit system. The board along with staff agreed that the CCRTA would transfer two Gillig buses that recently retired from the CCRTA fleet in 2017 to the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission for the Victoria Transit system.
“It is important that our residents don’t go without services that they need,” said Lisa Cortina, director of transportation at Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission.
The CCRTA has slowly been transitioning the entire fleet to a diverse range of fuel alternatives, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric vehicles. The two diesel Gillig buses have met their useful life per FTA requirements for the CCRTA, however they are still in good running condition and are able to provide optimal service for Victoria Transit.
“We know how important our buses are to our own community and how many of our residents rely on our services, we couldn’t let our sister community of Victoria suffer,” said Cruz-Aedo. “The transit community is known for stepping up for one another in times of need and we are just grateful that we are fortunate enough to assist our fellow transit community.”
The CCRTA was not the only transit agency to lend a hand to Victoria Transit. Agencies such as VISD, First Group in Fort Bend County, Brazos Transit District, the Rural Economic Assistance League, Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, Colorado Valley Transit, Alamo Council of Governments and Goliad Rural Transit have loan buses to Victoria Transit.
