MANSFIELD — Five new buses are ready to hit the roads as part of the fleet for Richland County transit.
The RCT Board announced it received a delivery of five new buses at a ribbon-cutting event on Monday morning.
“We are transitioning away from larger buses,” said RCT fiscal officer, Kathy Adams. “The smaller ones are more efficient, better on gas.”
Three routes – Park Avenue, West 4th Street, and Lexington Avenue – will keep the large buses — they sometimes have standing room only.
“It’s unusual for us to have the opportunity to get five vehicles at one time,” Adams said.
The new additions will allow for the retirement of some buses that are more than 10 years old. Adams expects that at least one will likely be kept as a spare, final decisions are not yet made for the fate of these buses.
The new vehicles may be used for door-to-door services or a fixed route. They will join the RCT garage’s fleet of buses on May 16.
The buses feature a new paint scheme and a ramp entrance, making them handicap accessible.
The buses were entirely paid for by the Federal Transit Administration. Funds were approved by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
