Demonstration bus wins unanimous OK

Friday, May 18, 2001 | 10:40 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A bill permitting Clark County's Regional Transportation Commission to start a demonstration project using a cleaner-running French-made bus was unanimously approved by the Senate Thursday.

The commission has ordered five of the buses at $1 million each, and they should make a maiden run on Las Vegas Boulevard North in fall 2003.

Bryan Gresh, lobbyist for the commission, said Clark County will be the first in the nation to use the bus, which resemble a monorail car. With diesel-powered electric engines, they run cleaner than the traditional municipal bus and can accommodate 120 passengers.

Kiosks would be built at stops along the route for passengers to buy tickets, instead of customers depositing money as they enter the bus. Four doors would allow passengers to get on and off more easily.

The RTC had to get a waiver from Congress to buy the buses, which are used in Europe. They are a foot longer than the accordion-type vehicles used in Clark County.

"You won't see a plume of diesel smoke when they start up," Gresh said.

Although there will be drivers, the buses will be guided by an optical system to allow them to pull within three-sixteenths of an inch from the curb. This permits easy access and exits for handicapped patrons, Gresh said.

The bus is equipped with an electronic system to help guide it through intersections. If the bus is approaching an intersection in which the green light is about to turn red, the system delays the signal for a second or two to permit the unit through, Gresh said.

Assembly Bill 83 allows this heavier vehicle to operate on the street.Passage of the bill, Gresh said "is the final regulatory hurdle." AB83 goes to the governor.