Coast RTA’s new CEO Brian Piascik wasted little time in securing newer used buses for a transit known for its aging fleet.

The Coast board gave Piascik the OK to purchase 10 used 40-foot transit coach buses from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit, or DART, for about $177,000, which includes transporting the buses, painting them, and for spare parts. One of Piascik’s top priorities since taking office in May, he said, was to update Coast’s failing fleet and build more public trust in the system.

“I think ideally it would be better if we could buy new buses, but that’s not in the budget,” Piascik said. “I knew that DART was replacing its fleet with compressed natural gas buses, and they had a few that weren’t at the end of their useful life. I talked with the vice president of maintenance there, who is a friend of mine, and it’s going to be huge.

“These buses are perfect for some of our longer haul routes, the Conway route and the Georgetown route. They’re what are called suburban buses. They have high back seats and luggage racks. They’re used for commuter buses. I actually used them when I was in Dallas.