RTA donates second bus to Menifee Boys & Girls Club

Members of the after-school program at Menifee Valley Boys & Girls Club try out the bus donated Thursday by RTA. Menifee 24/7 photo: Kristen Spoon

The kid were all smiles and the administrators extremely grateful Thursday when officials of the Riverside Transit Agency donated a 25-passenger bus to the Boys & Girls Club of Menifee Valley.

This is the second reconditioned RTA bus donated to the club, which received the first one shortly after it opened in 2013. This is part of an RTA program that donates buses that are still in good working condition but have been replaced on RTA routes.

"These buses are gone over from top to bottom, bumper to bumper," said Larry Rubio, CEO of RTA, who helped make the presentation along with RTA board chairman Frank Johnston and Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley. "They're good buses. They've been well maintained throughout their entire life.

"When we're ready to get rid of them, they're still so good, we don't want to just get rid of them in an auction. We'd rather they continue to be used in the community."

Although this bus has more than 400,000 miles on it, the vehicle looks like new, with fresh upholstery inside and a transmission in excellent condition, according to an RTA official who took part in the presentation. The bus will provide valuable transportation to field trips and athletic events for the club, which has grown to more than 300 children who attend on a daily basis.

This is the 188th bus RTA has donated to a non-profit organization. The vehicle is wheelchair-equipped as well.

County Supervisor Marion Ashley and RTA board chairman Frank Johnston present the key to a bus RTA donated Thursday to the Boys & Girls Club, represented by Sue Kristjansson and Jennifer Walker (right). Menifee 24/7 photo: Kristen Spoon