Augusta Transit
Augusta, Ga.

Augusta (Ga.) Public Transit has taken delivery of three Blue Bird Ultra LF buses, increasing to 18 the number of Blue Birds in the agency's 26-bus fleet currently operating in the Augusta Public Transit fleet are Blue Birds. The sale was handled by National Bus Sales.
"There is no mystery why we continue to do business with Blue Bird and National Bus Sales," said Heyward Johnson, director of Augusta Public Transit. "Both companies provide outstanding service and support. That's why our partnership has lasted seven years, and why I expect it to last long into the future."
Augusta Transit's 35-foot, 102-inch wide Blue Bird Ultra Low Floors are equipped with a Cummins ISB 230-horsepower diesel engines, Allison B300R transmissions, Meritor independent front suspensions, all-wheel disc brakes, Luminator LED signs, GFI fareboxes and seats 31 passengers.

Transportation Services Division
El Monte, Calif.

The City of El Monte, Calif., which provides transportation services for more than 500,000 passengers annually, is getting eight new SLF 200 compressed natural gas buses.
The 32-foot, low-floor vehicles, manufactured by DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses, are to begin service Feb. 1. They were purchased through BusWest, the DCCB distributor headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
The buses will sport a new paint scheme selected through a public contest.
The El Monte buses have 42-inch wide front and rear doors, air suspensions, Bostrom Talladega LSO driver seats, Altro Transfloor non-slip flooring, and Ricon foldover wheelchair ramps.
Power is supplied by Cummins B Gas Plus 5.9-liter engines hooked to Allison B300R transmissions. The seats are Freedman CitiSeats, the air conditioner is a Carrier RM35, and the wheels are Alcoa.
"Originally, El Monte planned to purchase six new CNG-fueled transit buses," said Brent Phillips, transit sales manager at BusWest. As a result of competitive pricing, they were able to purchase two more, Phillips added.

High Point Transit
High Point, N.C.

Fifteen new SLF 200 low-floor buses, produced by DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses, recently were put into service by High Point Transit. The new Hi Tran buses replace an aging fleet to provide residents and those attending the International Home Furnishings Market with state-of-the-art transportation.
"The Hi Tran buses have done exceptionally well in service," said High Point Transit's General Manager Buddy Cox. "They've reached 50,000 miles cumulatively without any significant issues."
The 32-foot buses seat 28 and have two wheelchair positions. They have 260-horsepower Mercedes-Benz 906 turbo-diesel engines, Allison B300R automatic transmissions, and Alcoa wheels. "We're very pleased with the performance of the Mercedes-Benz engine," Cox said.
The SLF 200s are equipped with a Digital Recorder digital voice system that provide route information and recording systems that monitor passengers, Twin Vision LED destination signs, exterior lighting, electronic fare collection boxes, and Class 1 multiplexed electrical systems.
The antilock braking systems with automatic traction control improve handling and safety, while the wide front and rear doors improve accessibility.
"Our passengers love the ease of entry and the comfort of the ride quality," said Cox said. "They've also been very happy with all of the new amenities on the SLF 200."