Complete Coach Works (CCW) received a contract award to perform mid-life rehabilitation on 72 Gillig buses for Long Beach Transit (LBT), the second-largest public transit agency in Los Angeles County, with 26 million annual boardings. This rehabilitation project is part of LBT’s State of Good Repair Program.
All buses will be given a complete exterior paint job with associated decals, Cummins ISL-G recon engines, new aluminum wheels, upgrades to exterior and interior lightning, upgrades to exterior mirrors, repainted driver’s area, and new decals as part of a cosmetic rehab.
“As these vehicles reach their mid-life points, the cosmetic, mechanical, and electrical restoration work will return them to like-new condition. CCW provides high-quality remanufacturing services, and we are proud that our work is ensuring the optimal performance of buses, such as those in the Long Beach Transit fleet, through their entire lifespan,” says Kevin O’Brien, general sales manager of Complete Coach Works.
CCW provides a range of remanufacturing, repair, and alternative fuel conversion services, recognizing that transit vehicles are expensive and valuable assets with highly sophisticated systems. CCW technicians have the specialized training, OEM qualifications, and technical equipment to properly diagnose and repair these systems and return vehicles that are ready for revenue service.
A 5% rise in deliveries and a surge in zero-emission buses signaled progress in 2025, but high costs, long lead times, and shifting funding priorities continue to cloud the outlook.
The agencies, San Diego MTS and NCTD - San Diego Railroad, which share a fare system (PRONTO), proposed the changes to help address their respective financial sustainability strategies.
The project was awarded under the Washington State Contract, enabling FAX to streamline its procurement processes while ensuring value and quality from an experienced transit solutions provider, said officials.
The historic initiative represents the first time since MARTA began bus operations in the early 1970s that the entire system has been redrawn from scratch.
In Part 1, Blandon shares his journey from the U.S. Marines to a leadership role in public transit, along with insights on mentorship and professional growth within the industry.
Funded through the 2025 Investment Plan, the new R2 Marine–Willingdon RapidBus is expected to begin service in September, more than three months ahead of schedule.
Complete Parts features new branding with a new logo, a new contact telephone number, a dedicated order desk, enhanced processes and inventory, all designed to provide the parts bus operations need.
