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Four new buses have arrived at Nnee Bich’o Nii

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“Nzhaad be’ intin” is the logo for Nnee Bich’o Nii’s Apache Transit. In English, it translates to “their road is long.” Their mascot is G’oshny’e (roadrunner). In 2010, Nnee Bich’o Nii held a logo contest because they wanted the community’s input for such a major project. Many entries were received, and they selected “Nzhaad be’ intin” as the winner. It was designed by the late Velma Bullis. She had told Bernie Kniffin, Nnee Bich’o Nii Director, that “someday she could see this on a bus.” At that time, Bernie never dreamed that Velma’s word would come true.

On Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, several of the Apache Transit Team members gathered in Globe, anxiously awaiting the arrival of four brand new, 24-passenger buses from Denver, Colorado. As they waited, a hawk flew overhead. Angelo Belvado, lead dispatcher and jack-of-all-trades, explained that the hawk is a guardian watching over them. The hawk flew across the way on the hillside and joined another hawk that kept watch over the team.

The purchase of these buses was made possible by a grant, AZ-2020-060-00 FY 2020 SCAT Tribal Transit Grant Formula Covid-19 Related Capital, in the amount of $674,635. The total cost of the four buses is $640,364. Nnee Bich’o Nii was able to meet the in-kind payment of the grant through funding earned providing 24/7 employee shuttle runs. Nnee Bich’o Nii is a self-sufficient program, receiving no financial contributions from the San Carlos Apache Tribe, but is given an endless amount of moral support for everything they do.

The Apache Transit fleet of buses are state of the art. From the very beginning, long before this pandemic changed the world as we know it, safety has always been at the forefront of Apache Transit; safety for the passengers, safety for the drivers and safety for the public. Every bus is outfitted with TSO Mobile, a GPS tracking system. They have wireless internet (Wi-Fi) and surveillance cameras to ensure the safety of the passengers and drivers. Now, they are all Covid modified and following CDC guidelines. Plexiglass partitions surround the driver and are between all seats on the bus. There are automated hand sanitizing dispensers that passengers are required to use as they enter the bus. Face masks are mandatory for drivers and passengers. The seats and handrails of the four new buses are coated in nanocide technology. The nanocide coating has proven to kill germs immediately after contact. The Apache Transit Team has gone above and beyond to put safety first.

The Apache Transit Team miss their passengers and the service they provide. They long for the day when they can open the bus door to the familiar faces of their passengers. As front line workers, the Apache Transit Team have all received their vaccination against the coronavirus and are ready, willing and able to return to duty when the Tribe permits. Until then, they give thanks to the Creator who has provided an amazing and hard working team to come together to help the people.