DETROIT TRANSIT HISTORY.info: DDOT Retired Fleet Roster

For Comments & Suggestions Please Contact Site Owner at: admin@detroittransithistory.info

THUMBNAIL PHOTO

FLEET
NUMBER

MODEL NUMBER /
MANUFACTURER

DELIVERY
DATE

*YEAR
RETIRED

FLEET REMARKS (MISC.)

1801L-1810L
1811L-1874L
(74)

T8H-203
—
GMC Truck &
Coach

June thru
July 1980

1999
(REHABBED)

SEATING CAPACITY: 46 / 41 (Perimeter seating)
RTS-II (Series 03) — Coaches 1801L-1810L equipped
with blue perimeter seats and blue interiors. During the
early '80s all D-DOT RTS's were refitted with an improved
air-conditioning apparatus giving them a "square-back"
look. Fleet equipped with 8V-71N Detroit Diesel engines.
SERIAL NUMBERS: #1801L-1810L — A1397-A1406
coaches #1811L-1874L — A1407-A1470

001–002
(2)

Orion II 02.501
—
Bus Industries of
America Inc

1985

1997

SEATING CAPACITY: 26 ∙ ORION-II Low Floor Midi-Bus
(25-foot x 96-in). Coaches initially delivered to MDOT in
February 1985. Received from Michigan Department of
Transportation (MDOT). First "low-floor" buses for Detroit.
Equipped with Detroit Diesel Allison 8.2L engines.

VIN: E5005013-E5005014

(Leased)
2521–2534
(14)

TDH-5303 (11)
TDH-4519 (2)
TDH-5305 (1)
—
GM Coach

1964 thru
1969
—
(D-DOT)
Nov 1985
thru
Jan 1986

1986

Because of a coach shortage, 14 older GM "new-looks"
nearing retirement were leased by DDOT from SEMTA in
late 1985, SEMTA had acquired these buses after
purchasing three former suburban bus companies; Great
Lakes Transit, Metropolitan Transit and Lake Shore
Coach Lines. The buses were all repainted white with a
DDOT logo added. All were retired the following year.

D-DOT coach #    Original coach #          GM model #
2521                  1619 (GL)                    TDH-5303
2522                      22 (MT)                    TDH-5303
2523                  1618 (GL)                    TDH-5303
2524                    428 (SEMTA)             TDH-4519
2525                    520 (LS)                     TDH-5303
2526                  1621 (GL)                    TDH-5303
2527                  1623 (GL)                    TDH-5303
2528                  1503 (GL)                    TDH-5303
2529                      23 (MT)                    TDH-5303
2530                  2015 (MT)                    TDH-4519
2531                  1406 (GL)                    TDH-5303
2532                  1936 (GL)                    T6H-5305
2533                  1501 (GL)                    TDH-5303
2534                      21 (MT)                    TDH-5303

PHOTO INFO:
(top) Coach #22 - Metropolitan Transit (became D-DOT #2522)
(cntr) Coach #1501 - Great Lakes Transit (became D-DOT #2533)
(btm) Coach #2015 - Metropolitan Transit (became D-DOT #2530)

1900-1999
(100)

TC40-102N
—
GM of Canada
(GMDD)

Aug thru
Sep 1986
—
Nov 1986
thru
Apr 1987

2002

SEATING CAPACITY: 49 / 47 (W/C lifts)
GMC "CLASSIC" — Coaches purchased solely through
$12.7 million from the city's general fund. Federal UMTA
money for new buses had been diverted to cover cost
overruns for the Downtown People Mover. Coaches not
equipped with air-conditioning. Twenty (20) equipped
with W/C lifts; 1911, 1924-1932, 1960-1964, 1995-1999.
VIN: G3500287-G3500324 (AU-SE'86)
H3500039-H3500113 (NO'86-AP'87) (not in coach order)

2000-2084
(85)

TC40-102A
—
Motor Coach
Industries (MCI)

Aug 1989

2003

SEATING CAPACITY: 51
MCI "CLASSIC" — First DDOT coaches equipped with
roof-mounted Sütrak a/c units. First coaches equipped
with LED dot-matrix electronic route/destination signs.
Fleet 100% equipped with "front-door" wheelchair lifts.

VIN: KP050001-KP050085 (not in coach number order)

8900-8913
(14)

AN460EV-60102
—
Neoplan USA

Sept thru
Oct 1989

2002

SEATING CAPACITY: 65
NEOPLAN "ARTICULATED" COACH — Two-sectioned
"accordion jointed" 60-foot long coaches equipped with
two roof-mounted Sütrak a/c units, dot-matrix electronic
destination signs, and front-door W/C lifts. Powered by
Detroit Diesel Series 6V-92TA engines. Coaches were
exclusively assigned to eastside Shoemaker Terminal.
Initially assigned to "Artic" runs on Woodward-Jefferson,
Michigan-Gratiot, Grand River and Imperial Express, but
during later years assigned where needed.
VIN: KL013407-KL103420

RETIRED D-DOT COACHES DELIVERED DURING THE 1970's:

RETIRED D-DOT COACHES DELIVERED DURING THE 1980's:

Click here to return to the "FLEET ROSTERS" Main Page.

THUMBNAIL PHOTO

FLEET
NUMBER

MODEL NUMBER /
MANUFACTURER

DELIVERY
DATE

*YEAR
RETIRED

FLEET REMARKS (MISC.)

3001
(1)

TDH-5301
—
GM Coach

1960
—
(rebuilt)
1975

1986

GM NEW-LOOK — Fromer DSR 40-foot coach #1757 cut
down – with one of its sections removed – and converted
into a Minibus. Coach repainted, renumbered #3001 and
used for mini-bus service. Detroit Diesel 6V-71 engine.
SERIAL NUMBER: 0890
NOTE: Coach #3001 used as a DDOT Information Booth
during its last years and was stationed at Campus Martius.

3002–3006
(5)

TDH-3301A
—
GMC Truck &
Coach

(Pontiac)
June and
Aug 1971
—
(D-DOT)
1975

1979
(3)
—
1986

SEATING CAPACITY: 33 ∙ GMC NEW-LOOK — Former
Pontiac Municipal Transit Service (30-ft x 96-in) "baby"
new-looks (#8501-8505) acquired by SEMTA in 1973.
Acquired, refurbished and renumbered by DDOT in 1975.
Used on Mini-Loop routes. GMC D-478 Toro-Flow II Diesel
(V-6) engines with "Torqmatic" transmissions.
SERIAL NUMBERS: coaches #3002-3005 — 0101-0104
coach #3006 — 0160

1001–1148
(148)

T6H-5307A
—
GMC Truck &
Coach

June thru
July 1975

1990
(10)
—
(REHABS)
1996

SEATING CAPACITY: 48 ∙ GMC NEW-LOOK —- First new
coaches received under DDOT. First Detroit coaches to
come equipped with power-steering and first to sport the
new DDOT livery of white with black trimmed windows
and green and yellow striping. Other features included:
air-conditioning, computerized braking system to prevent
skidding, plush cushioned brightly colored seats and
improved interior lighting, First to use the current DDOT
route numbering system. Detroit Diesel 6V-71 engines.

Most of fleet later repainted using the DDOT "RTS" style
paint scheme design (3rd photo). During the mid-1980's
all but ten coaches were completely overhauled with a
new paint job, new engines and brakes, and new seating.
The majority rehabbed by Blitz Body Corp. of Chicago.

SERIAL NUMBERS: 0227-0374

1201–1251
(51)

10240A-6
—
AM General Corp

Dec 1975

1986

SEATING CAPACITY: 49
AMGeneral "Metropolitan Series" — AMG fleet
included many of the features of the #1000-series GMC's
including interior seating and colors, and Detroit Diesel
6V-71 engines. AMG's were only assigned to east side
Shoemaker Terminal. Fleet repainted with the "RTS"
livery during the mid-1980's — none were ever rehabbed.
SERIAL NUMBERS: 000001-000051

1300–1369
(70)

TH-8203
—
GMC Truck &
Coach

May thru
Nov 1978

1993

SEATING CAPACITY: 47
GMC RTS-II (Series 03) — First seventy (70) coaches of a
total 111-coach order. Detroit's first fleet of RTS (Rapid
Transit Series ) coaches. All of the D-DOT GMC built
RTS's originally came with the rear "slope-back" design.
Fleet equipped with 8V-71N Detroit Diesel engines. New
features included large tinted impact resistant acrylic
windows, sturdy fiberglass wall-mounted seats (second
photo), automatic temperature control, graffiti-resistant
fiberglass exterior side-panels, and a unique "kneeling"
feature which permitted the bus to be lowered to curb.
SERIAL NUMBERS: 001-070

NOTE: Because of an operator fatality accident coach
#1353 (serial #054) was renumbered as coach #1411.

1370L-1410L
(41)

TH-8203
—
GMC Truck &
Coach

Aug thru
Oct 1978

1997
(REHABBED)

SEATING CAPACITY: 43 ∙ GMC RTS-II (Series 03)
First DDOT fleet equipped with hydraulic wheel-chair lifts
and identified by the letter "L." Initially used as part of a
DDOT/SEMTA w/c accessible pilot program along Gratiot.
SERIAL NUMBERS: coaches #1370L-1409L — 218-257
coach #1410L — 278

1501L -1605L
(105)

T8H-203
—
GMC Truck &
Coach

Sept thru
Dec 1979

1999
(REHABBED)

SEATING CAPACITY: 46 ∙ RTS-II (Series 03)
First DDOT fleet 100% equipped with rear-door hydraulic
W/C lifts. Detroit Diesel 8V-71N engines. GM corrected an
array of problems associated with the RTS in this fleet.
SERIAL NUMBERS: 794-898

1701L -1717L
(17)

T7W-203
—
GMC Truck &
Coach

Nov 1979

1997
(REHABBED)

SEATING CAPACITY: 36
GMC RTS-II (Series 03) — 35-ft x 102-in, coaches
equipped with rear-door wheel-chair lifts. Fleet equipped
with 6V-71N Detroit Diesel engines. These smaller-sized
RTS-II's were used primarily on the Downtown and New
Center Mini-Loop routes along with other light service
lines. Fleet was assigned only to the Gilbert Terminal.
SERIAL NUMBERS: A010-A026

THUMBNAIL PHOTO

FLEET
NUMBER

MODEL NUMBER /
MANUFACTURER

DELIVERY
DATE

*YEAR
RETIRED

FLEET REMARKS (MISC.)

4014–4024
(11)

CNG-28
—
Chance Bus Corp

July thru
Aug 2000

2004

SEATING CAPACITY: 27 — Nostalgic Style CNG Bus-
Trolleys—third order. Fleet initially purchased to provide
downtown shuttle service to and from a proposed new
downtown transit center, but were instead used as above.
All 25 Chance Bus-Trolleys retired in June 2004.

VIN: YW535106-YW535116

RETIRED D-DOT COACHES DELIVERED DURING THE 2000's:

RETIRED D-DOT COACHES DELIVERED DURING THE 1990's:

THUMBNAIL PHOTO

FLEET
NUMBER

MODEL NUMBER /
MANUFACTURER

DELIVERY
DATE

*YEAR
RETIRED

FLEET REMARKS (MISC.)

3000–3120
(121)

D40HF
—
New Flyer
Industries Ltd

Dec 1992
thru
Apr 1993
—
Sept 1993

2005

SEATING CAPACITY: 45 — Coaches equipped with roof-
mounted Sütrak air-conditioning units, dot-matrix
electronic destination signs and front-door W/C lifts.
Fleet equipped with 6V92 Detroit Diesel engines.
(Coaches #3117-3120 delivered in September 1993)
VIN: coaches #3000-3116 — NU014626-NU014730,
NU014741-NU014752 (not in coach number order)
#3117 – PU014982 #3118-3120 – PU014979-PU014981

3200–3232
(33)

T80-206
—
NovaBUS Inc

Aug 1995

2008

SEATING CAPACITY: 43 ∙ RTS (Series 06) — Coaches
originally built for suburban SMART system as fleet
#9501-9565 – delivered May-Jun 1995. Coaches #9533-
9565 delivered to DDOT in Aug, 1995. Fleet repainted
and renumbered #3200-3232 by DDOT paint shop.
Detroit Diesel Series 50 275HP engines.
VIN: SR830585-SR830617 (not in coach number order)

3300–3328
(29)

MB19FD
—
Goshen

May thru
Aug 1996
—
Mar 1997

2001

SEATING CAPACITY: 19 — First small-sized bus fleet
purchased since 1979. Used on light service lines - short
service life. Coaches equipped with dot-matrix electronic
destination signs and Ricon Corp. BayLift wheelchair lifts.
The last six (#3323-3328) were delivered in March 1997.
VIN: T2112198– (various VIN's not in sequence order)
#3323-3328 — VC759616-VC759621 (not in order)

3500–3599
(100)

T80-206
—
NovaBUS Inc

Nov. 1996
thru
Jan. 1997

(MARCH)
2012

RTS (06) — Coaches built to DDOT specs. First coaches
equipped with front and rear green emergency alarm
"hoodlum" lights. Equipped with the dot-matrix electronic
destination signs. Detroit Diesel Series 50 275HP engines.
VIN: coach #3500 — TR831641
coaches #3501-3518 — TR831791-TR831808
coaches #3519-3546 — TR831810-TR831837
coaches #3547-3599 — TR831839-TR831891

3250–3282
(33)

T80-206
—
NovaBUS Inc

April thru
May 1997

(MARCH)
2012

SEATING CAPACITY: 43 ∙ RTS (Series 06) —- Original
suburban SMART system purchase option diverted to
DDOT but built to SMART specs. All DDOT #3200-series
RTS coaches also equipped with the dot-matrix
electronic destination signs, but no emergency alarm
lights. Detroit Diesel Series 50 275HP engines.
VIN: VR832181-VR832213

3600–3617
(18)

T80-206
—
NovaBUS Inc

May thru
June 1997

(MARCH)
2012

SEATING CAPACITY: 43
RTS (Series 06) — (same specs as #3500-3599 fleet)
DDOT exercised its option for 18 additional coaches.

VIN: VR832225-VR832242

3290–3299
(10)

T80-206S
—
NovaBUS Inc

June 1997

(JUNE)
2010

SEATING CAPACITY: 39 (Forward Facing)
RTS (Series 06) — Original suburban SMART bus system
order option diverted to DDOT. These "suburban edition"
two-door coaches came with forward-facing adjustable
"high-back" passenger seats and over-head storage racks.

Originally used primarily for special shuttle and suburban
service runs, such as the Sashabaw Road GM Park and
Ride express service — used to transport employees of
General Motors to the new GM Headquarters which had
just moved to the Renaissance Center in Downtown
Detroit. Detroit Diesel Series 50 275HP engines.

VIN: VR832215-VR832224

4000–4003
(4)

CNG-28
—
Chance Bus Corp

April 1998

2004

SEATING CAPACITY: 27 — "The American Heritage
Streetcar" – Nostalgic Style Compressed Natural Gas
(CNG) alternative fuel coaches with roof-mounted fuel-
cylinders delivering a minimum range of 250 miles. Fleet
used initially during special downtown event shuttles.
VIN: WW535044-WW535047

4004–4013
(10)

CNG-28
—
Chance Bus Corp

April thru
June 1999
—
Sept 1999

2004

SEATING CAPACITY: 27 — Nostalgic Style CNG Bus-
Trolleys—second order. Coach #4004 delivered in Sept
1999. Fleet used on route #3 Medical Center Shuttle and
special downtown shuttles. However, effective April 19,
2003 fleet also found service on many light service routes.
VIN: XW535078-XW535087

FOR RELATED TOPIC SEE: D-DOT COACH ROSTER (ACTIVE FLEET)

* YEAR RETIRED denotes the year the last coach in that fleet was placed out of service. Normally, retirement of a fleet would stretch over a period of two or
more years.

NOTE: Thumbnail photos displayed on this page courtesy of various photographers and photo collections, all acknowledged on other pages on this website.

The unique website which takes a detailed look back at the History of Public Transportation in
and around the City of Detroit.