Agency Buys New Coaches From Local Bus Maker
Press Releases
03/14/2012
First Purchase Under “Buy American Goods” Policy
In line with its strict “Buy American Goods” policy, the AC Transit Board of Directors has agreed to purchase as many as 40, low-floor coaches from the Gillig Corporation, a bus manufacturing firm in Hayward, CA.
In total, the 40-foot long, diesel-fueled buses will cost $16.4 million—with $8.2 million in agency funds being matched by $8.2 million from the State Local Partnership Program.
Board President Elsa Ortiz, who authored the agency’s “Buy American Goods” policy in 2009, is especially gratified because the bus purchase is expected to stir the local economy by providing jobs for scores of local residents.
“I am happy that we are not only buying America, but we are buying buses made in this District,’’ Ortiz said. “We don’t need to go overseas to buy buses when we have people right in our backyard who need work and are capable of making a high-quality product at a competitive price.”
A prototype of the new bus is expected to be delivered to the agency by the end of the year, and several of the buses are expected to be in service in the early part of 2013.
Noting that the nation was experiencing one of its worse recessions since the 1930s, the Board’s 2009 “Buy American Goods” policy directs the agency to “…employ its best efforts to procure goods manufactured in America and when possible give first priority to goods manufactured in California…”
“I am really glad an American manufacturer was able to successfully compete for this contract with the agency, and I am excited that it is in my district” said Boardmember Mark Williams who represents the Hayward area.
The Gillig Corporation is a 100% American bus manufacturer employing more than 500 East Bay workers. With a financial stimulus package from the Obama Administration, it has been able to retain its workforce during tough economic times and has even added to its work force.
“This great news for our workers,’’ said David Bloch, political coordinator for the Teamsters Union which represents the Gillig workforce.
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