1978: The first 35-foot (10.67 m) RTS's are offered as is the option of electronic destination signs (as opposed to rollsigns).

1979: Rear door GM-designed wheelchair lifts were made available.

1981: With an order by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (for NYCTA and cousin organization MABSTOA), the option of a pop-open rear door is offered.
This option becomes commonplace mostly in large cities as well as with the RTS-08.
Also, a set of tell-tale lights were also offered; these lights can be found on each side of the front destination lights.
The MBTA has green lights, while NYCTA buses have orange lights.

1984: A one-door suburban variant is offered for the first time, this is soon retired due to a combination of poor sales and decreased wheelchair access.
It would be offered again in WFD form under NovaBus.

1986: Methanol-powered RTS's are produced in limited quality, these are the first alternatively fueled RTS buses.

1989: Compressed natural gas-powered RTS's enter production.

1996: First 30-foot (9.1 m) RTS's produced, some production is moved to the NovaBus plant in Niskayuna, New York.

2001: A test order of diesel-electric hybrid RTS's are produced for the aforementioned NYCTA and New Jersey Transit (one of which is shown above).
1978: The first 35-foot (10.67 m) RTS's are offered as is the option of electronic destination signs (as opposed to rollsigns).
1979: Rear door GM-designed wheelchair lifts were made available.
1981: With an order by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (for NYCTA and cousin organization MABSTOA), the option of a pop-open rear door is offered. This option becomes commonplace mostly in large cities as well as with the RTS-08. Also, a set of tell-tale lights were also offered; these lights can be found on each side of the front destination lights. The MBTA has green lights, while NYCTA buses have orange lights.
1984: A one-door suburban variant is offered for the first time, this is soon retired due to a combination of poor sales and decreased wheelchair access. It would be offered again in WFD form under NovaBus.
1986: Methanol-powered RTS's are produced in limited quality, these are the first alternatively fueled RTS buses.
1989: Compressed natural gas-powered RTS's enter production.
1996: First 30-foot (9.1 m) RTS's produced, some production is moved to the NovaBus plant in Niskayuna, New York.
2001: A test order of diesel-electric hybrid RTS's are produced for the aforementioned NYCTA and New Jersey Transit (one of which is shown above).
Rapid Transit Series