The Yuba-Sutter Transit board is scheduled to consider authorizing a significant capital expenditure at its upcoming Oct. 15 meeting. The agency’s agenda includes a recommendation to approve a $3,846,140 purchase order with Gillig, LLC, for five new 35-foot diesel low-floor replacement buses. This proposed acquisition aims to modernize the transit fleet, ensuring continued service for residents across the Yuba-Sutter area.
These new vehicles are intended to replace existing model year 2014 buses. According to the staff report, these older vehicles are nearing the end of their service life, having either met or exceeded their useful-life benchmarks by the time of retirement. The replacement initiative is a standard part of fleet management, designed to maintain operational reliability and efficiency for the public transportation system.
The five new buses would be configured to offer similar passenger capacity and accessibility to the current fleet. The staff report outlines that each bus will feature seating for up to 31 ambulatory passengers. Alternatively, the configuration can accommodate 25 ambulatory passengers along with up to two wheelchair users, reflecting the agency's commitment to inclusive transit services. These specifications align with the needs of diverse ridership within the community.
Funding for this substantial purchase is proposed through a combination of federal and state resources. A total of $3,076,912 is designated from Federal Transit Administration Section 5307 formula funds. The remaining portion of the funding, amounting to $769,228, is allocated from State Transit Assistance funds. This blended financial approach leverages multiple government programs to support local public transit infrastructure.
The purchase itself would be facilitated through the California Association of Coordinated Transportation’s cooperative purchasing agreement. This cooperative framework allows transit agencies to procure vehicles efficiently, often benefiting from pre-negotiated terms and competitive pricing. Gillig, LLC's quote for this order lists the price per bus at $769,228, contributing to the total proposed purchase order of $3,846,140 for the five vehicles.
If the board authorizes the purchase, the manufacturing process for the new buses is estimated to commence within 24 to 26 months after the purchase order is officially received. This timeline anticipates a future delivery, which the agency plans to align with its fiscal year 2029 capital budget. Including the project in this future budget ensures that the necessary financial resources are earmarked for when the buses are expected to be delivered and become operational.
The recommendation for authorization is clearly stated in the agency’s meeting agenda. However, the available public record, specifically the agenda itself, does not indicate whether the board ultimately approved the purchase order during its Oct. 15 meeting or if any specific conditions were attached to a potential approval. Further public information would be needed to confirm the final outcome of the consideration.
