The GMC RTS came to Pittsburgh in 1980, and the buses were well ahead of their time... They were not without a few issues, however, but as a rule, were liked.

A lot of drivers didnt like the wedge type brakes and the fact that you sat high up. Others complained that they "squeeked" a lot. Personally, they were always my favorite.

The buses were equipped with a Detroit Diesel 8V-71 and a 3 speed Allison Transmission.

When the 126 new GM RTS II buses (71 40' coaches and 55 35" coaches) arrived, they featured a few things unfamiliar to Pittsburgh bus riders. Primarily the side destination sign was located by the front door and the familiar stop request cord was replaced by a push strip.

While promoted by the local papers as "Space Age" and "Futuristic", a few riders took an instant dislike to the new buses because of the seating and lack of openable windows. The right side seating had risers every other position which created a smaller seat area and they sat lower than on the other buses. The lack of openable windows created a sauna effect on the bus when the A/C failed.

The buses came complete with issues and problems for PAT. The first was that they used more fuel than the other buses in the fleet did and during the first few months of operation, many were running out of fuel when they were in service. Secondly, the rear bulkheads and engine frame mounts on the bus cracked early on and after inspection, a good portion of the RTS fleet were pulled from service until the items could be repaired.

The A/C on the RTS's were insufficient for the cooling needed on the buses and frequently failed or caused the bus to overheat. This was corrected, starting in 1985, with the replacement of the original A/C with a Thermo-King cap (called an 04 Kit) which raised the condenser coils from the radiator position to the more standard top/rear position. This also altered the appearance of the buses as they no longer had a sloped back end but a square back end of later models of RTS's. The unopenable windows on the RTS's were also replaced at this time with ones that tilted open at the top. PAT had these new openable windows locked shut and only route foremen and maintenance were able to open them.

After things were corrected, the RTS served the people of Pittsburgh very well.

 

Lets look at a few...

 

The 35' 1400-1454 series coaches

 

1401 running through Oakland by PITT.

 

1401 at Forbes Avenue near Bigelow Blvd, Oakland.

 

1402 in front of Main Shops in Manchester.

 

1403 at Allegheny Center on the Northside.

 

1404 on Fourth Ave, near Wood St.

 

1405 at Allegheny Center.

 

1407 on the Station Square side of the Smithfield St. Bridge.

 

1409 is coming out of the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel, on the South Hills Junction side.

 

 

1410 peering out of the Manchester main shop.

 

1410 and 2819 on layover at South Hills Junction.

 

1412 at South Hills Junction.

 

Collier 1413 leaving Smithfield St, crossing over Ft. Pitt Blvd.

 

1415 and 2836 on layover in McKeesport.

 

1423 on the 56C McKeesport Route. Location unknown.

 

1430 Coming toward 3 Rivers Stadium, before a ball game.

 

1432 at the garage.

 

1432 at the Allegheny County Airport.

 

1442 on the 89A Route.

 

1445 on Fifth Ave in Oakland.

 

1448 sitting at the Harmar Division, preparing for its next trip.

 

Engine of 1448...A 8V71.

 

1452 on Penn Ave near 7th.

 

1403 at Ross garage.

 

1408 at Lincoln and Fremont in Bellevue.

 

1411 at South Hills Junction.

 

1452 downtown on Smithfield St.

 

 

Now the 2800-2870 40' RTS

 

 

2800 outside of the Manchester shops.

 

2800 heading to the East Busway from Liberty Ave.

 

2801 at Liberty and Smallman, Downtown.

 

2808 outside 3 Rivers Stadium.

 

2809 on recovery at Allegheny Square West on the Northside.

 

2812 at Penn and Seventh Ave.

 

2813 at Penn and Seventh Ave.

 

2814 coming off the Ft. Pitt Bridge.

 

2814 turning from Liberty Avenue to Commonwealth Place.

 

2816 on Colwell Street, uptown Pittsburgh.

 

2818 on ramp between Ft. Duquesne and Ft. Pitt Bridges.

 

2819 on Sixth Avenue at Grant Street.

 

2820 on Liberty Avenue at Commonwealth Place.

 

2821 on Liberty Avenue ramp from Fort Pitt Bridge.

 

2822 on Liberty Avenue ramp to Fort Pitt Bridge.

 

2823 leaving Smithfield Street Bridge at Ft. Pitt Boulevard.

 

2825 on Liberty Avenue ramp from Ft. Pitt Bridge at Commonwealth Place.

 

2827 on Colwell Street, uptown Pittsburgh.

 

2827 when delivered in front of Manchester Shops.

 

2827 at South Hills Junction.

 

2828 at Three Rivers Stadium.

 

2828 on Smithfield St.

 

2829 on Fifth Ave in Oakland, near Craft Ave.

 

2829 at South Hills Junction.

 

2838 on Fourth Avenue at Cherry Way.

 

2840 on Wood St, Near 5th Ave.

 

2843 on Liberty Avenue at Grant Street.

 

RTS 2844 pulling out of East Liberty Garage.

 

2851 on Forbes Ave, near the Armstrong Tunnel.

 

2853 on Bigelow Blvd, nearing Forbes Ave in Oakland.

 

2855 on Penn Ave in East Liberty.

 

2856 turning from Liberty onto 6th Ave.