Tyler...Your "favorite" bus?

[T+C]

Tyler
Just curious on a cold morning in MI...Is there any significance to the bus pictured in your signature line? I think I remember the GMC RTS to be your favorite. Do you have a favorite number to drive?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by T+C
Tyler
Just curious on a cold morning in MI...Is there any significance to the bus pictured in your signature line? I think I remember the GMC RTS to be your favorite. Do you have a favorite number to drive?

The one in my signature is 2751, a 1979 GMC RTS, originally from the Southeast Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA). While a very good bus, especially for the age, she's not my favorite. She just happens to be from a good picture.

My favorite bus is 4805, a 1994 TMC/Nova RTS.

 

[travelbug]

Tyler, Can you please tell me if Disney buses are 3-step or 2-step buses? Trying to figure out if my mom will be able to climb the bus steps, as she has one leg quite stiff from arthritis. Thanks in advance!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by travelbug
Tyler, Can you please tell me if Disney buses are 3-step or 2-step buses? Trying to figure out if my mom will be able to climb the bus steps, as she has one leg quite stiff from arthritis. Thanks in advance!

We have two basic types of buses --

Standard floor buses - These buses have 3 steps, including the actual step onto the bus. Some (not all) of these buses can kneel, making the first step easier. There is also the option of using the rear lift as an elevator. We have 194 of these buses.

Low floor buses - These buses have a no-step floor, so the only step you'll have is that first step onto the bus. All of these buses can kneel, to make that only step even smaller. We have 71 of these buses, with 24 arriving soon, and 20 more in the next 18 months.

 

[travelbug]

Thanks for the reply!! Do people just alert you as you pick them up, that they need the bus to kneel? Is it quicker to kneel the bus or to operate the wheelchair lift as an elevator for a person on foot? Trying to figure out what to be ready for. This scenario with my mom is new for all of us. I'm so grateful for your help.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by travelbug
Thanks for the reply!! Do people just alert you as you pick them up, that they need the bus to kneel? Is it quicker to kneel the bus or to operate the wheelchair lift as an elevator for a person on foot? Trying to figure out what to be ready for. This scenario with my mom is new for all of us. I'm so grateful for your help.

Most drivers won't kneel the bus, as they have been conditioned not to. Some of the more elderly RTS buses will kneel down, but don't have enough oomph to come back up. So, as such, drivers get paranoid about the kneelers. The low-floors are much better, in that they will always come back up.

If you ask them to kneel the bus, and it has a functional kneeler, they will be more than happy to.

If for some reason, the RTS can't kneel, like I said before, you are more than welcome to use the lift. This process does take a minute, but DO NOT FEEL RUSHED. Do not feel as if you are holding people up, or anything of the sort. We just want to make the bus ride as easy as possible for everyone.

 

[travelbug]

Thank you, Tyler! I think I've got a pretty good handle on the boarding process for my mom now. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer all my questions.