The NovaBus RTS was the third RTS delivered to New York City. They operated under New York City Transit and MTA bus. Numbers include:
- 8750-9349
- 9350-9700
- 4900-5249
- 1400-1549
Models
1996
8750-9349 are 1995-1996 Nova Bus RTS-06 buses built in 1995-1997. These buses were an improvement to the last order of RTS and the second largest order of RTS next to the 1981 RTS.
All buses were originally operated by New York City Transit, however a large number of them were transferred to MTA Bus Company due to newer buses entering service at NYCT and to retire older buses at MTABC that have exceeded their service lives. All buses in NYCT retired in 2016, but 20 remain in service in MTA Bus.
Buses 9250-9349 were originally built with American Seating 2005 Recliner seats with rear doors and were used for express service, but those seats were eventually swapped for transit seats and used for local (and limited) service.
| Unit(s) | Engine | Transmission | Seating | Destination Sign |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8750-9139, 9141, 9147, 9150-9349 | Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Allison VR-731 | American Seating 6468 | Luminator Mega:MAX |
| 9140, 9142-9146, 9148-9149 | Cummins M11E | Allison VR-731RH |
9141 and 9147 originally were powered with Cummins M11E and Allison VR-731RH but repowered into the Detroit Diesel Series 50 and Allison VR-731.
1997-1998
These RTS are a mini upgrade to the last order of RTS. However these RTS seem to be a bit worse than the 1996 order. This order included a demo Hybrid RTS numbered 9700
| Unit(s) | Engine | Transmission | Seating | Destination Sign |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9350-9443, 9445-9699 | Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Allison VR-731 | 40: American Seating 6468 | Luminator Mega:MAX |
| 9444 | Hanover LED | |||
| 9700 | Cummins ISB 5.9L | Allison Hybrid | Luminator Mega:MAX |
9700 was later renumbered 9656 to replace the original unit and was repowered with the Detroit Diesel Series 50 and Lockheed Martin Hybridrive. It was later totaled in 2008 after a major accident and immediately scrapped.
1998-1999
These RTS are the best order of RTS for NovaBus. These buses are in great condition and only a few retired due to a few incidents. Like other orders, they were originally ordered and built for MTA New York City Transit, but since early 2015, many were transferred to MTA Bus Company. They were also originally delivered with Luminator MAX3000 destination signs, but some of them were retrofitted with either LeDot signs or the Hanover Displays signs some time in the middle of their service lives. These RTS are expected to last until 2020.
| Unit(s) | Engine | Transmission | Seating | Destination Sign |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4900-5075, 5125-5219 | Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Alison VR-731 | 40 American Seating 6468 with padded fabric |
Luminator MAX3000 |
| 5076-5100 | ZF HP592C | |||
| 5101-5104 | TwinVision LeDot | |||
| 5105-5124 | Hanover LED | |||
| 5223, 5227-5232, 5236-5240, 5242, 5244-5249 | Alison VR-731 | TwinVision LeDot | ||
| 5220-5222, 5224-5226, 5233-5235, 5241, 5243 | Hanover LED |
2000-2002
1400-1549 are Nova Bus RTS-06 Hybrid buses built between 2000-2002. These buses were originally going to be built between 1998-1999 and were first proposed as 9701-9850, but was delayed to 2000 with delivery of the previous order. 1400-1404 buses were the prototype diesel fuel electric hybrid buses for the MTA and were originally numbered 6360-6364. 6360 went into service in June 2000. In early 2001, 6361-6364 were delivered and by summer 2001, 1405-1499 were delivered. 1500-1549 was delayed and not delivered until mid 2002 due to the 9/11 attacks.
This was the last order of RTS before moving to Orion VII.
| Unit(s) | Engine | Propulsion | Seating | Destination sign |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1400-1404 | Cummins ISB 5.9L | Allison Hybrid | 40 American Seating 6468 with padded fabric |
Luminator MAX3000 |
| 1405-1549 | Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Lockheed Martin Hybridrive |
1400-1404 were later repowered with Detroit Diesel Series 50 and Lockheed Martin Hybridrive