Unitrans

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Unitrans is the name for the transit system which operates in Davis, California. It takes its name from an abbreviation of the words "University Transport". Excepting several managerial and maintenance positions, Unitrans is managed and operated entirely by students of the University of California, Davis who usually work part-time while attending school. The system is well known throughout the area for its use of several distinctive ex-London Transport double decker buses, as well as its fleet of modern natural gas single-decks. Ridership exceeds 3 million passenger-trips per year on 16 weekday and 4 Saturday routes. Current (2006) fares are $1.00 for the general public and included in student fees for undergraduate University attendees.^[1] Unitrans is one of only two transit systems in the United States to operate double deck buses in regular (non-sightseeing) service (the other being The Deuce in Las Vegas, Nevada), and has one of the best safety records of any transit system in California.

Contents 1 History 2 Future 3 Bus fleet 3.1 Double-deck buses 3.2 First generation single-deck buses (1960s - 1980s) 3.3 Second generation single-deck buses (1970s - 1990s) 3.4 Third generation single-deck buses (1990s - 2000s) 4 See also 5 Notes 6 External links

[edit] History

In the late 1960s, members of the Associated Students of U.C. Davis (ASUCD) realized the need for a transit system to transport students between the City of Davis and the University campus. In the spring of 1966, providing a transportation system became an ASUCD presidential promise. Newly elected in the fall, the President helped start experimental service in October 1966. This service was initially run using a private charter service. The estimated cost at the time was $2000/quarter. The service ran for several months, but ASUCD officials decided that the service needed to be changed. These students approached Davis' then-mayor Maynard Skinner and appealed for support both politically and financially. With the mayor's endorsement, the University Transport System, or Unitrans, began to take shape.

To be unique, get the system noticed, and encourage ridership, Unitrans made arrangements to purchase two former London Transport double-decker buses in the middle part of 1967 and use them on "East" and "West" perimeter routes in Davis. According to the March 5, 1968 edition of The California Aggie newspaper, the two RTL type double-decker buses cost $3500 each, and were shipped to San Francisco for an additional $1000. After being modified with features like clearance lights and larger left side mirrors, service began in February of 1968. More than thirty years later, RTL1014, the oldest functioning example of its type in the world still operates in revenue service on a regular basis. These first two lines operated from what is now a parking lot behind Young Hall, until 1970 when expanded service forced the terminal to move to its current location near Hickey Gym. Starting in the late 1960s, Unitrans also began supplementing its fleet with second-hand single-deck buses, starting with several General Motors "old-look" buses ranging in length from 35 to 37¾ feet.

In 1972 the service dropped its remaining full-time drivers, and started operating with a full staff of part-time student drivers. Since then Unitrans has remained a student operated organization, employing students as drivers, conductors, supervisors, driver trainers, maintenance shop assistants, bus washers and office clerks. Career positions, the only non-student positions at Unitrans, currently include General and Assistant General Manager, Maintenance Shop Manager, Maintenance Shop Mechanics, and the Safety and Training Supervisor.

Through the 1970s Unitrans added eight former London Transport RT type double-deck buses, and in the early 1980s Unitrans added two Daimler Fleetline double-deck buses that had previously operated in Yorkshire, a county in northern England. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw the addition of a 40-foot and a number of 35-foot General Motors New Look buses. In 1982 Unitrans purchases its first all new, never before used, buses when it purchased five 35-foot Gillig Phantoms from the manufacturer in Hayward, California. Two RT type double-decker buses were retired in the early 1980’s, and by this time the fleet of single-deck buses outnumbered the double-deckers.

With an increasing demand for service fueled by the expanding size of the University and the City of Davis, Unitrans continued to gear up for larger passenger loads by adding more buses and more routes through the City of Davis. The mid-1980s saw the purchase of yet more previously owned single-deck buses: two more 35-foot GM "old-look" buses from the Sacramento Regional Transit District (affectionately nicknamed "Prison Buses"), another 40-foot GM New Look bus, and several more 35-foot GM New Look buses (at least one of which was also from Sacramento). In the late 1980s, the Unitrans fleet expanded again with the purchase of four 40-foot and five 35-foot Flxible New Look buses from the Sacramento Regional Transit District, and eight 35-foot GM New Look buses from the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Three new 30-foot Gillig Phantoms were provided by UCD's Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) for the intracampus and UCD Medical Center shuttle to be operated by Unitrans drivers (this service is now run by the Medical Center).

Greater ridership in the 1980s prompted the writing and passing of a student referendum that added a $13 fee to registration costs to create the fare-less system. Students who paid their registration fees could ride the bus by simply showing their registration card with a valid registration sticker, or board for a cash fare of $0.50. This referendum made Unitrans an even more convenient method of transportation for students attending UC Davis.

The 1990s saw Unitrans operating 13 routes, with yearly ridership expected to top 2 million in fiscal year 1997-98. The addition of 15 brand new natural gas powered Orion Mark V buses from Oriskany, New York allowed Unitrans to modernize and clean up by retiring the Flxible fleet and portions of the GM fleet. Around the same time two 40-foot Gillig Phantoms purchased from Yolobus were re-born as Unitrans buses (and yet two more were purchased for Yolobus in 2001 and 2005).

In the late 1990s, the remainder of the GM fleet was retired, as were the two Daimlers and RTL1194, one of the first two double-deck buses purchased by Unitrans (although it hadn’t operated in some time). One of the RT’s that was also no longer in service by this time was ultimately sold in 2002.

In 2000 the Unitrans maintenance shop completed its retrofit of RT2819 to use a brand-new John Deere natural-gas powered engine. This bus is believed to be the only one of its type in the world to be powered by such an engine.

In 2001, Unitrans purchased 12 new natural gas powered Blue Bird Xcel 102 buses. Working with the University of California, Davis' Institute of Transportation Studies, one of the Blue Birds was slated to operate on a Hydrogen/CNG fuel blend, and was retired from service to begin work on the conversion. This bus was eventually introduced on April 20, 2004 when California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made a visit to the campus as part of a push for the Hydrogen highway project.

2002 saw the addition of five new Mark VII 40-foot buses from Orion. These buses were purchased in coordination with Sacramento Regional Transit, and featured a low floor design, intended to make loading wheelchairs easier on the driver and the passengers.

In 2006, Unitrans added four new Orion Mark V 40-foot buses to its fleet, returning to the high-floor design. This decision was made due to lower prices, fleet standardization, and availability of buses.

[edit] Future

For the future, Unitrans intends to retire several of the remaining diesel buses, moving towards its goal of an all-CNG fleet by the end of 2007. In spring 2006 Unitrans placed another order of 10 more Orion Mark V 40-foot buses, and expected to receive them within 12-18 months. Unitrans is also considering purchasing two Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 buses, in an attempt to accommodate the high passenger loads while reducing the demand on drivers. These buses would be powered by clean diesel engines, which produce the same levels of emissions as the compressed natural gas, which powers the modern fleet. These two buses are not intended to replace the antique double-deck buses, but to complement them and accommodate the high passenger loads that Unitrans experiences on a daily basis.^[2]

There are also plans to build a new terminal across the street from the Silo Union, with ground-breaking set to begin in 2007 or 2008. The structure will reside on the south side of Haring Hall over the existing Lot 29, extending to the semi-circle driveway attached to the southwest side of the building. Improvements such as a covered waiting area, a new sidewalk along Hutchison Drive, and dedicated bus bays are in store for the allotted $1.4 million.^[3]

[edit] Bus fleet

[edit] Double-deck buses

^{[1][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]}

Bus no.	Manufacturer	Model	Date built	Status
RLH21	AEC/Weymann	RHL (Regent III)	October, 1952	Retired & sold
RLH34	AEC/Weymann	RHL (Regent III)	October, 1952	Retired & sold
RT742	AEC/Saunders	RT (Regent III)	July, 1948	Active
RTL1014	Leyland/Park Royal	RTL (Titan PD 2/1)	1950	Active
RTL1194	Leyland/Park Royal	RTL (Titan PD 2/1)	1950	Retired & sold
RT1235	AEC/Park Royal	RT (Regent III)	July, 1949	Being restored
RT1523	AEC/Weymann	RT (Regent III)	July, 1949	Retired & sold
RT2819	AEC/Park Royal	RT (Regent III)	1952	Active
RT3123	AEC/Saunders	RT (Regent III)	1950	Active
RT3572	AEC/Weymann	RT (Regent III)	1951	Retired & sold
RT3889	AEC/Weymann	RT (Regent III)	1951	Retired & sold
RT4735	AEC/Weymann	RT (Regent III)	1954	Active
6773	Daimler/Roe	CRG6LX Fleetline	May, 1969	Retired & sold
6774	Daimler/Roe	CRG6LX Fleetline	May, 1969	Retired & sold

[edit] First generation single-deck buses (1960s - 1980s)

^[12][15]

Bus no.	Manufacturer	Model	Date built	Status
428	General Motors	TDH-4507 "old-look"	1946-1948	Retired & sold
2960	General Motors	TDH-4801 "old-look"	1953-1958	Retired & sold
	General Motors	"old-look"		Retired & sold
	General Motors	"old-look"		Retired & sold
	General Motors	"old-look"		Retired & sold

[edit] Second generation single-deck buses (1970s - 1990s)

^{[1][4][5][10][11][12][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]}

Bus no.	Manufacturer	Model	Date built	Status
3901	Gillig	Phantom	1982	Non-operational
3902	Gillig	Phantom	1982	Active
3903	Gillig	Phantom	1982	Active
3904	Gillig	Phantom	1982	Non-operational
3905	Gillig	Phantom	1982	Active
4507	General Motors	TDH-4512 "old-look"	October, 1958	Retired & sold
4508	General Motors	TDH-4512 "old-look"	1958	Retired & sold
4509	General Motors	TDH-4517 New-Look	June, 1961	Retired & sold
4510	General Motors	TDH-4517 New-Look	1959	Retired & sold
5311	General Motors	TDH-5303 New-Look	1966	Retired & sold
5312	General Motors	TDH-5301 New-Look	1961	Retired & sold
4514	General Motors	TDH-4519 New-Look	1963-1967	Retired & sold
4515	General Motors	TDH-4519 New-Look	1963-1967	Retired & sold
4916	Flxible	111CC-D6-1 New-Look	1973	Retired & sold
4917	Flxible	111CC-D6-1 New-Look	1973	Retired & sold
4918	Flxible	111CC-D6-1 New-Look	1973	Retired & sold
4919	Flxible	111CC-D6-1 New-Look	1973	Retired & sold
2820	Gillig	Phantom	1988	Transferred to UCDMC
2821	Gillig	Phantom	1988	Active
2822	Gillig	Phantom	1988	Active
4123	Flxible	45102-8-1 New-Look	1975	Retired & sold
4124	Flxible	45102-8-1 New-Look	1975	Retired & sold
4125	Flxible	45102-8-1 New-Look	1975	Retired & sold
4126	Flxible	45102-8-1 New-Look	1975	Retired & sold
4127	Flxible	45102-8-1 New-Look	1975	Retired & sold
4528	General Motors	TDH-4519 New-Look	December, 1967	Retired & sold
4529	General Motors	TDH-4519 New-Look	December, 1967	Retired & sold
4530	General Motors	TDH-4519 New-Look	December, 1967	Retired & sold
4531	General Motors	TDH-4519 New-Look	December, 1967	Retired & sold
4532	General Motors	TDH-4519 New-Look	December, 1967	Retired & sold
4533	General Motors	TDH-4519 New-Look	December, 1967	Retired & sold
4534	General Motors	TDH-4519 New-Look	December, 1967	Retired & sold
4535	General Motors	TDH-4519 New-Look	December, 1967	Retired & sold

[edit] Third generation single-deck buses (1990s - 2000s)

^{[1][4][5][10][11][12][15][22][23]}

Bus no.	Manufacturer	Model	Date built	Status
4615	Gillig	Phantom	1985	Active
4616	Gillig	Phantom	1985	Active
4617	Gillig	Phantom	1985	Training bus
4618	Gillig	Phantom	1985	Training bus
3536	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
3537	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
3538	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
3539	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
3540	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
3541	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
3542	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
4343	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
4344	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
4345	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
4346	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
4347	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
4348	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
4349	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
4350	Orion	Orion V	1996	Active
2051	Ford/Eldorado National	Aerotech 240	1999	Active
3852	Blue Bird	Xcel 102	2001	Active
3853	Blue Bird	Xcel 102	2001	Active
3854	Blue Bird/Collier Technologies	Xcel 102	2001	Active
3855	Blue Bird	Xcel 102	2001	Active
3856	Blue Bird	Xcel 102	2001	Active
3857	Blue Bird	Xcel 102	2001	Active
3858	Blue Bird	Xcel 102	2001	Active
3859	Blue Bird	Xcel 102	2001	Active
3860	Blue Bird	Xcel 102	2001	Active
3861	Blue Bird	Xcel 102	2001	Active
2062	Ford/Eldorado National	Aerotech 240	2002	Active
4063	Orion	Orion VII	2003	Active
4064	Orion	Orion VII	2003	Active
4065	Orion	Orion VII	2003	Active
4066	Orion	Orion VII	2003	Active
4067	Orion	Orion VII	2003	Active
2068	Ford/Eldorado National	Aerotech 240	2002	Active
2069	Ford/Eldorado National	Aerotech 240	2003	Active
2070	Ford/Eldorado National	Aerotech 240	2005	Active
4171	Orion	Orion V	2006	Active
4172	Orion	Orion V	2006	Active
4173	Orion	Orion V	2006	Active
4174	Orion	Orion V	2006	Active

[edit] See also

• Associated Equipment Company (AEC)
  • AEC Regent III RT
• Daimler Motor Company
• Flxible
  • Flxible New Look bus
• General Motors Corporation, Truck & Coach Division
  • GM New Look bus
  • GM "old-look" transit bus
• Gillig
  • Gillig Phantom
• Leyland Motors Ltd
  • Leyland Titan
• Orion Bus Industries

[edit] Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Unitrans Homepage, unitrans.com, Retrieved on 2006-12-13
2. ^ Everidge, Marion. "Unitrans tests modern double-deck bus", The California Aggie, 2006-01-23, p. Campus News. Retrieved on March 5, 2007.
3. ^ Brenneman, Eric. "New Unitrans terminal to be constructed near Silo", The California Aggie, 2006-11-22, p. Campus News. Retrieved on February 21, 2007.
4. ^ ^{a b c} UC Davis Transportation and Parking Services (2001-10-15). TAPS 2001 Fleet Inventory, Davis, CA: University of California, Davis
5. ^ ^{a b c} Sacramento Area Council of Governments (2005-11-09). SACOG Region Transit Vehicle Inventory, as of October 3, 2005, Sacramento, CA: Sacramento Area Council of Governments.
6. ^ Ian's bus stop: RT, countrybus.org.uk, Retrieved on 2006-12-17
7. ^ AEC Regent III, overground.org, Retrieved on 2006-12-13
8. ^ Leyland Titan, overground.org, Retrieved on 2006-12-13
9. ^ Spotter's Jotter: London Buses in California, self-preservation-society.co.uk, Retrieved on 2006-12-13
10. ^ ^{a b c} Unitrans Buses, daviswiki.org, Retrieved on 2006-12-13
11. ^ ^{a b c} The Unitrans Pool, flickr.com, Retrieved on 2006-12-13
12. ^ ^{a b c d} Mark's Unitrans Photo Gallery, loft22.com, Retrieved on 2006-12-13
13. ^ Roe bus bodies, buslistsontheweb.co.uk, Retrieved on 2006-12-13
14. ^ McCormack, Kevin (1998). Glory Days: RT - The History of a Classic London Bus, Shepperton, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 0-7110-2581-9
15. ^ ^{a b c} Stauss, Ed (1988). The Bus World Encyclopedia of Buses, Woodland Hills, CA: Stauss Publications. ISBN 0-9619830-0-0
16. ^ Ohio Museum of Transportation - GM/Yellow Coach Old-Look Transit Production Lists, omot.org, retrieved on 2006-12-20
17. ^ Ohio Museum of Transportation - GM New-Look U.S. Production Lists, omot.org, retrieved on 2006-12-28
18. ^ Ohio Museum of Transportation - Flxible Transit Coach Production Lists, omot.org, archived on 2005-08-28 on archive.org, retrieved on 2007-02-04
19. ^ McKane, John (2001). Flxible Transit Buses - 1953-1995 Photo Archive, Hudson, WI: Iconografix. ISBN 1-58388-053-4
20. ^ McKane, John (1999). The General Motors New Look Bus - Photo Archive, Hudson, WI: Iconografix. ISBN 1-58388-007-0
21. ^ McKane, John H. & Squier, Gerald L. (2006). Welcome Aboard the GM New Look Bus, Hudson, WI: Iconografix. ISBN 1-58388-167-0
22. ^ UC Davis News & Information: Clean-running buses hit the road, news.ucdavis.edu, Retrieved on 2007-01-10
23. ^ Antonius, Ben. "Unitrans fleet gets hydrogen-powered addition", The California Aggie, 2003-10-23, p. 1. Retrieved on January 20, 2007.

[edit] External links

• Unitrans Homepage
• Unitrans on the Davis Wiki
• Unitrans Alumni Message Board