The San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority or RTA has rolled out four, new, coach-style, luxury buses into its system and will use them on the longer, express bus routes.

These Motor Coach Industries built, Over-the-Road coaches have high back, reclining seats and a ‘Greyhound’ bus style interior versus the standard “transit” style bus.

They carry 57 passengers, which is 20 more than the standard transit bus. But you’ll have to get up pretty early in the morning to catch one. The buses will run the 6:15 a.m. Route 10 express from Santa Maria to SLO; the 6:50 a.m. Route 9 express from Paso Robles to SLO and 4:15 p.m. Route 9 express from SLO back to Paso.

The used buses were transferred to RTA from Golden Gate Transit in Marin County, where they were used on commuter routes traveling over the Waldo Grade. Good experience for running back and forth over the Cuesta Grade.

For more information about RTA’s routes and schedules see: www.slorta.org