During the spring of 1980, SEPTA received 297 RTS-II buses from the General Motors Company (GMC). This Order consisted of three batches. The first batch consisted of 268 buses (8000-8264) and delivered to the City Transit Division. The second batch consisted of 20 buses (#8265-8284) and delivered to the Victory. Lastly, the remaining batch (4458-4470) were 35 foot versions of these buses delivered to Frontier. These buses are unique throughout the transit world with there famous earlier stages of the RTS model featuring the slope back. See below for a more detail assignment.
In 1987, these aforementioned units were retrofitted with the 6v92TA engine and Luminator Electronic signs.
When Phlash firststarted in 1994, A few of the RTS’ were assigned to this route up until the city-owned Orion IIs (Phlash Phires) were purchased in 1995.
The 44xx series eventually were reassigned City Transit Division (CTD) depots before their retirement. As shown in the photo below, 4458 operated on the old route 25. The Route 25 was assigned to Luzerne in the early 1990s.
By Mid-1997, all of these buses were replaced by America Ikurus (NABIs) buses. After retirement, #4459 for a brief period of time was used as a maintenance bus operating out of Woodland Depot. This bus was used to transport crews to perform work on the light-rail infrastructure.
Photo collection of Doug Diehl
Original Depot Assignments:
| Depot | Fleet Numbers Fleet |
|---|---|
| Allegheny | 8117-8204 |
| Callowhill | 8000-8106 |
| Frontier | 4458-4470 |
| Germantown | 8107-8116 |
| Victory | 8265-8284 |
Entire RTS Roster
| Year | Manu | Model | Length | Width | Seating | Engine | Trans | Serial Number | # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | GMC | T8W603 | 40 | 96 | American Seating | 6V71 (R) | Allison V730 | A135-A399 | 8000-8264 |
| 1980 | GMC | T8J603 | 40 | 96 | American Seating | 6V71 (R) | Allison V730 | A400-A419 | 8265-8284 |
| 1980 | GMC | T7W603 | 35 | 96 | American Seating | 6V92TA | Allison V730 | A533-A545 | 4458-4470 |
R: Was retrofitted with the 6V92TA DDEC engine in 1987
Specifications
| CTD | RAD | Frontier | |
| Fleet | 8000-8264 | 8265-8284 | 4458-4470 |
| Model | T8W603 | T8W603 | T7W603 |
| Quantity | 265 | 20 | 13 |
| Purchased | 1980 | 1980 | 1980 |
| Width | 96″(2.44m) | 96″(2.44m) | 96″(2.44m) |
| Engine | V6 Cylinder (6v-71) | V6 Cylinder (6v-92) | V6 Cylinder (6V-71) |
| Brakes | Air | Air | Air |
| Seated Capacity | 39 | 39 | 34 |
| Wheelchair Positions | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Manufacturer | GMC | GMC | GMC |
| Height | 9’9¼” | 9’9¼” | 9’9¼” |
| Length | 40′ (12.19m) | 40′ (12.19m) | 35′ (12.19m) |
| Governed Speed | 2,150 rpm | 2,150 rpm | 2,150 rpm |
| Special Equipment | Wheelchair & Kneeler device | Wheelchair & Kneeler device | Wheelchair & Kneeler device |