General Motors RTS-03

GMC RTS-03
Years of manufacture	1978 to 1980
Length	35, 40 feet
Width	96, 102 inches
Power/Fuel	Diesel

The RTS-03 was the first mass-produced version of the Rapid Transit Series that gained popularity among transit authorities. The RTS-03 featured a modular design, which became the hallmark of the RTS; seamless, un-openable side windows; sliding ("plug") front and rear doors; and a distinctive, sloped rear module.

The New York City Transit Authority ordered two RTS-03's as test vehicles, and sold one each to Green Bus Lines and Steinway Transit after they used the data learned to make changes in their order of RTS buses which became the RTS-04 model. Changes included improved Air Conditioning, which required a square rear end to provide for the larger hardware, tighter seals along the roof line and at the windows to prevent rain from entering the vehicle, larger windows, and push-out single panel rear doors.

Variants

Model Number	Years	Length (feet)	Width (inches)
T7H-203	1980	35	102
T7W-203	1980	35	102
TH-7603/T7H-603	1978-1980	35	96
T7J-603	1980	35	96
TW-7603/T7W-603	1978-1980	35	96
TH-8203/T8H-203	1978-1980	40	102
T8J-203	1980	40	102
T8W-203	1980	40	102
TH-8603/T8H-603	1978-1980	40	96
T8J-603	1980	40	96
T8W-603	1979-1980	40	96