Oakland, Calif.-based AC Transit launched new, 40-foot Gillig buses that are locally-made and well-designed to promise greater reliability and a better ride for customers.

With a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Seminary Avenue bus yard, the agency embraced a “Buy America” policy by unveiling the first of 65 new Gillig buses. It is the first step toward upgrading a fleet of nearly 700 buses by opting to buy as many as 300 American-made buses over the next two years to replace aging, less dependable vehicles.

The Gillig bus purchase kicks-off AC Transit’s “A Better Ride” campaign of service and performance enhancing initiatives throughout the agency. Among other things, the initiatives are designed to improve on-time bus performance, internal efficiencies and overall service reliability. The campaign will also include a quality assurance program to maintain cleaner buses.

AC Transit’s contract with Gillig provided dozens of local jobs, spurred local business and stimulated the regional economy.