Daimler Buses North America received an order for five 40-foot Orion VII diesel transit buses from the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) of North Carolina.

PART has a territorial jurisdiction of 10 counties and currently provides transportation services in eight of its member counties in the Piedmont Triad. In addition to the service in the PART territory, PART began intercity bus service in cooperation with the N.C. Department of Transportation on two major travel corridors in the state. A majority of PART's customers are generally going from rural areas to the hospitals, universities and central business districts in the region, meaning most of PART's runs are approximately 30 miles without a stop.

The Orion VII buses used by PART are ideal for the longer runs with its forward-facing seats and overhead storage racks, giving it more of a motorcoach feel once onboard. With reading lamps, WiFi, reclining seats and foot rests, customers are able to sit back and relax, read the newspaper, or check email on their way to and from their destinations.

"Working with Daimler Buses and the Orion VII has proven to be a very good fit for PART," said Scott Rhine, programs manager for PART. "The vehicle has held up well and truly is a heavy-duty bus, but the options we are able to give our customers with the Orion VII makes a world of difference."