Unitrans 3536–4350 are fifteen Orion V

Orion Bus Industries

Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975...

 transit bus

Transit bus

A transit bus , also known as a commuter bus, city bus, or public bus, is a bus used for short-distance public transport purposes...

es operated in regular service by Unitrans

Unitrans

Unitrans is the name for the transit system which operates in Davis, California. It takes its name from an abbreviation of the words "University Transport". Excepting several managerial and maintenance positions, Unitrans is managed and operated entirely by students of the University of...

 in Davis, California

Davis, California

Davis is a city in Yolo County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area...

. Purchased in 1996, they were the first buses that were bought new by Unitrans since 1982. More significantly, they were the first Unitrans buses fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG)

Compressed natural gas

Compressed natural gas is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline , diesel, or propane/LPG. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of a spill...

. Their purchase signalled the start of a move by Unitrans to a CNG fueled bus fleet, with the purpose of reducing exhaust emissions

Exhaust gas

Exhaust gas or flue gas is emitted as a result of the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, gasoline/petrol, diesel fuel, fuel oil or coal. According to the type of engine, it is discharged into the atmosphere through an exhaust pipe, flue gas stack or propelling nozzle.It often disperses...

. Their purchase also triggered a need for a CNG fueling facility that was constructed at the Unitrans garage. The purchase of these buses was part of a joint order placed by Unitrans, Yolobus

Yolobus

Yolobus provides public transportation throughout Yolo County, California and into downtown Sacramento, to western Sacramento County and northeastern Solano County. Yolobus is the only public transit system that provides daily service to the Sacramento International Airport and Cache Creek Casino...

, and Sacramento RT

Sacramento Regional Transit District

The Sacramento Regional Transit District, commonly referred to as RT, is the agency responsible for public transportation in the Sacramento, California area. It was established on April 1, 1973, as a result of the acquisition of the Sacramento Transit Authority...

.

Upon unveiling on April 9, 1996, all 15 were driven in a single line from the Unitrans garage to the Memorial Union terminal, where a ribbon cutting ceremony was held. On their arrival at the MU Terminal, several GM buses left, a symbolic gesture to suggest "out with the old, in with the new." Among those in attendance was Congressman Vic Fazio

Victor H. Fazio

Victor Herbert Fazio, Jr. usually known as Vic Fazio is a former Democratic congressman from California.-Early life:...

 who spoke and helped to cut the ribbon.

Technical specifications

Manufacturer: Orion Bus Industries

Orion Bus Industries

Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975...

Model: Orion V 05.504 (3536-3542), Orion V 05.501 (4343-4350)

Date built: 1996

Engine: Cummins

Cummins

Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...

 L10G, fueled by compressed natural gas

Length: 35 feet (3536-3542), 40 feet (4343-4350)

Width: 8½ feet

Seating capacity: 35 (3536-3542), 43 (4343-4350)

Date acquired by Unitrans: April, 1996

Current status: Unitrans Fleet - Active