SR-10-23-2012-3ICity Council Meeting: October 23, 2012
Agenda Item: 3--1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Edward F. King, Director of Transit Services
Subject: Donation of Bus to Historic Transportation Association
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute an agreement to donate the City of Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus 1986 GMC
New Look bus, No. 5180, to the Reading -Berks Historical Association, Inc.
Executive Summary
The BBB operated a fleet of GMC New Look diesel buses for many years. The last of
these buses, purchased in 1986, was retained for historical and educational purposes.
Unfortunately, maintenance of the vehicle is no longer practical. Staff recommends the
vehicle be donated to a historic transportation association at no cost to the City.
Council approval is required for the donation because City property is normally disposed
of at auction.
Discussion
The Big Blue Bus (BBB) has a historic GMC New Look diesel vehicle, No. 5180, which
has been in the fleet since 1986. The bus was taken out of regular service in 2006 and
used mainly in parades and for educational displays. It is no longer included in the fleet
inventory and is declared surplus. The challenges BBB has faced with keeping the bus
in the fleet include obtaining spare parts for maintaining and servicing the bus, as well
as the labor involved in this effort. The remaining diesel operated fleet is anticipated to
be replaced over the next 18 months. At that time, the City would then eliminate its on-
site diesel fuel dispensing. Additionally, the bus does not meet current emission
standards and cannot be operated on the street without being retrofitted.
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The Reading -Berks Historic Transportation Association, Inc. ( RBHTA) has contacted
BBB to express their interest in acquiring the vehicle, as this is the last GMC New Look
bus ever produced in America. The RBHTA was established in 1998 and is affiliated
with the Museum of Bus Transportation, Inc. in Hershey, Pennsylvania; together these
two organizations work to preserve bus industry history. All City logos and identifying
markings would be removed from the vehicle.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
Using historical data on similar buses sent to auction, the estimated auction value of the
bus is approximately $5,000. There would be no costs associated with donating the
vehicle to the Transportation Museum. The RBHTA would pay for the cost of transport
to the site.
Prepared by: Edward F. King, Director of Transit Services
Approved: Forwarded to Council:
Edward F. King Rod Gould
Director of Transit Se ices City Manager
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Reference Agreement No.
9659 (CCS).