Davenport’s 35-foot, low-floor Gillig buses went through an overhaul that included rebuilding or replacing almost every mechanical aspect of each bus, with the exception of engines or transmissions.
2 min to read
Davenport’s 35-foot, low-floor Gillig buses went through an overhaul that included rebuilding or replacing almost every mechanical aspect of each bus, with the exception of engines or transmissions.
There are four transit buses with new life in the Davenport, Iowa CitiBus Transit System thanks to a partnership with Midwest Bus Corp.
Davenport’s 35-foot, low-floor Gillig buses went through an overhaul that included rebuilding or replacing almost every mechanical aspect of each bus, with the exception of engines or transmissions. The rebuilding program also included a total interior and exterior renovation, including new floor coverings, seat inserts, exterior panels as required, and interior and exterior paint. New EMP electric cooling assemblies were also included.
Ad Loading...
“The buses rehabbed by Midwest Bus Corporation will be used on a shuttle funded by the Departments of Transportation for both Iowa and Illinois during the construction of a new I-74 bridge that crosses the Mississippi,” said John Powell, transit operations director for the City of Davenport. “Midwest was able to meet our expectations and the new service is scheduled to start Dec. 3, 2018.”
The CitiBus Transit System’s bus routes cover approximately 30 square miles of the city, with numerous schools, shopping centers, hospitals/medical centers, local businesses, and tourist attractions within easy walking distance of most CitiBus routes. The new shuttle will operate two different routes, bringing the total number of routes operated by CitiBus to 12.
“The purpose of the shuttle is to help relieve traffic over the existing I-74 bridge during the height of construction. Given the relatively short operating window (about 15 months), it was important to rehab our buses as economically as possible,” Powell said.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
While their comprehensive analysis of bus stops focused on Massachusetts, the researchers are excited about the generalizability of the findings and application to other locations.
CEO Nat Ford’s address offered a look at highlights from 2025, with a focus on the future and the innovative ways the JTA is shaping mobility in Northeast Florida.
