Alcoa to Supply US Bus Fleet

Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products has announced it has entered into a partnership agreement the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, one of the oldest bus fleets in the US. The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, with over 11 million passenger trips a year, is Ohio’s fourth largest public transit system. Its fleet includes diesel buses, electric trolley buses, ‘Project Mobility’ vans and buses and vintage ‘Wright Flyer’ trams.

To add to Greater Dayton’s fleet, 78 new Gillig Corporation buses ordered, all fitted with Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels featuring XBR Technology. Previously, this had been an all steel wheel fleet. With the change to Alcoa aluminium wheels, the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority will, reports Alcoa, experience the benefits of aluminium wheels, including one piece forged strength, lower maintenance costs – since the wheels can be cleaned with just soap and water – and a reduction in fuel costs due to the lighter weight of the wheels. The rollout of the new buses will take place over the next three years.