RTP News and Views - 30 Years of Omnitrans by Omnitrans

RTP News and Views Volume #5 Issue #1 Winter 2007 $10.00

30 years of Omnitrans

Rapid Transit Press Post Office Box 2383 Downey, Ca 90242

On the Cover Omnitrans TDH-4801 5876 at a vista point near Cal State San Bernardino on October 21, 2006 during a Pacific Bus Museum trip. (Andrew Novak Photo)

Rapid Transit Press

Message from the editor:

Dedicated to Preserving Transit History Volume #5 Issue #1 Winter 2007 $10.00 RTP News and Views is not affiliated with any transit agency. All opinions are those of the authors. Logos appear for historical reference only.

“I started Rapid Transit Press as a way to share transportation information and photos with everyone. The idea of preserving the past is important to me and that is why I write books and this newsletter. The News and Views is a combination of current news, transportation history and some personal views on transportation. Thank you for purchasing the News and Views.” -Andy

Subscription Rates Individual Issues $10.00 (Effective January 2006 Subscriptions are no longer available) (Make checks/Money Orders payable to Andrew Novak)

“We have checked and rechecked item by item against official records and eyewitness accounts. We trust those mistakes which will inevitably creep in will be few in number and minor in importance” -Jim Walker

Reproduction of the News and Views is forbidden without written permission from RTP.

www.rapidtransit-press.com Senior Editor

Web Sites, Source Material and additional contributors

Andrew Novak (rtd1121@yahoo.com)

Editorial Staff

Eddie Anthony Melvin Bernero Joe Caronetti Tom Helliwell Mark Strickert Bill Vallow Jim Walker D.C. Warner Omnitrans The Motor Bus Society

T. B. Blackstone

Senior Staff Contributors Craig Barnes Edmund Buckley Albert Novak Russ Jones

Inside this issue:

Pages:

Omnitrans at 30............................................................3-7 Omnitrans Roster .........................................................8 Omnitrans Photos.........................................................9-15 Adventures of Super Rider...........................................16-18 RTP – The Plaza ..........................................................19 Notes from the editors Field Book/General News .......20-22 Buses across the Nation ...............................................23 Rails across the Nation.................................................24 The Bus Stops Here! ....................................................25 Fleet Fact Page.............................................................26 Contemporary Photo Gallery .......................................27 Historical Photo Gallery ..............................................28

30 years of Omnitrans By Andrew Novak Public ownership of the transit system of San Bernardino began in 1961 when the city of San Bernardino purchased the privately-owned San Bernardino Valley Transit Company (SBVT). SBVT was formed in December 1941 when five local businessmen received authority from the California Railroad Commission to replace the Pacific Electric (PE) line from Colton to San Bernardino. This line was the last remaining electric line in San Bernardino, PE opting to convert other street car lines to buses in 1938. In 1942, SBVT received their first new buses and began operation. Over the next five years, SBVT secured rights to operate more bus lines and they acquired several smaller bus companies in the area. By the end of 1947 the company had 35 buses, 67 employees, and hauled 5.9 million passengers by the end of that year.

MTS GMC 400 at the MTS yard. (Tom Helliwell Photo)

Lee’s Auto Stages was acquired by the end of 1961, and service was expanded to include Bloomington and Fontana. In 1963 SBMTS continued expansion with new routes and added service. Two years later service was routed to the new Inland Center Mall being built just south of downtown San Bernardino. In February 1966, SBMTS would introduce a program that would increase ridership by 5%. The agency began to give S&H Green Stamps (trading stamps) to passengers who bought commuter tickets. The buses had decals applied to the front of the buses next to the front door advertising the fact that S&H Green Stamps were given. SBMTS received 15 new 35passenger Flxible buses numbered 800-814 in October 1967. When these new buses arrived they were paraded down E Street in downtown San Bernardino.

As the 1950’s began, the high ridership of the postwar years was gone and ridership was on the decline. During 1951 only 3.8 million passengers were carried by SBVT. The decreased ridership forced cuts in service, and by 1959, night and Sunday service on the system was discontinued. On July 4, 1961 the city of San Bernardino acquired title to 35 buses (31 operable), spare parts, and a shop and office facility at 256 Arrowhead Avenue from the struggling SBVT for $127,000. SBVT continued to operate the buses for the city until escrow could close. In mid-August, the new San Bernardino Municipal Transit System (SBMTS) moved into a new headquarters at 183 South G Street. Frank G. King was named the agency’s first Superintendent. In November, the agency took delivery of four new GMC TGH-3102 buses. These were the first new buses for San Bernardino in 13 years.

The following year, in May 1968, SBMTS acquired the operating rights of the Highland Patton Bus Lines (HPBL). HPBL operated bus service between San Bernardino and Highland, with service to Del Rosa. HPBL began operating on March 1, 1939 from the PE station in downtown San Bernardino, to the towns of Highland and Patton replacing a canceled PE bus service. Del Rosa service started in 1953. Over the years the company struggled along and management was never able to gain solvency, so in 1968 the operating rights were sold to the city. HPBL’s fleet of used buses, which consisted mostly of Ford Transits, 3

county line. The county refused to pay RTD the money and in April 1973 RTD restructured its service to serve San Bernardino through Riverside, and canceled service to Fontana, Redlands, and Yucaipa. As a result, San Bernardino County created a new East Valley Transit (EVT) agency to operate service between Fontana and Redlands.

Whites and early GMCs, were not transferred to city ownership. HPBL had planned to continue in the charter bus business, but the plans never materialized and the equipment was eventually sold off. The 1970s would bring big changes to the city and the bus company. Superintendent King resigned in 1972 to take the top job at the newly-formed Orange County Transit District (OCTD). In October 1972 the city of San Bernardino celebrated the opening of the new Central City Mall in downtown San Bernardino. The new mall was built between 4th Street, E Street, 2nd Street and G Street, covered 72 acres, and was built on the site of the former PE station in downtown. The complete history of the Central City, later renamed Carousel Mall, will be covered in a future issue of RTP’s retail newsletter, “The Plaza.” On November 27, 1972 all bus service in downtown was routed onto 4th Street and past a new bus shelter located next to the mall. Over time, 4th Street between the mall on the west and Arrowhead to the east, about 4 blocks, would become the main transfer point in downtown and thus a defacto transit center.

Bus 5102, one of the four ex Santa Monica buses. (Craig Barnes Photo)

Four former Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines’ GMC TDH-5105 buses 5101-5104, were purchased by the county for use on the EVT line that was actually operated by SBMTS. The buses retained the blue paint scheme from Santa Monica to distinguish them from the SBMTS bus fleet. On May 21, 1977 the county extended the line to Upland and east past Yucaipa. In 1974 the SBMTS was renamed the San Bernardino Transit System (SBTS) after the city of San Bernardino joined five other cities to form an intercity transit system with a fleet of 34 buses. The following year the county of San Bernardino formed a new transit agency named Omnitrans, a name chosen by the San Bernardino Association of Governments (SANBAG). The new county-run system included bus operations in the West Valley, Victor Valley, and the East Valley Transit. The county took delivery of 20 Mercedes Benz model 0309D buses numbered 20701-20720 for use on new lines created in the county. January 13, 1975 was the official first day of service for Omnitrans and five buses began operation on five lines. Three of the five new lines, Yucaipa, Alta LomaCucamonga, and Montclair-Ontario made connections with East Valley Transit’s line

Improvements were made to the bus service using new gas tax revenues brought in by Senate Bill 325. SB 325 was also instrumental in the creation of a new transit agency in the county. The Southern California Rapid Transit District (RTD) had been operating bus service from Los Angeles to San Bernardino over the route operated by predecessor PE. The bus service was designated Line 60 with different branches serving different areas. Lines 60E and 60F went from Los Angeles to Ontario, Riverside and San Bernardino, while Line 60G went from Los Angeles to San Bernardino, Redlands and Yucaipa. When SB 325 passed in 1972, RTD levied a claim against the county of San Bernardino for the agency’s out-of-pocket expenses occurred while operating lines 60E, 60F, and 60G into San Bernardino. The county asked for additional information on the lost revenue, and without providing any further data, RTD threatened to cut bus service at the 4

As 1975 turned into 1976, the whole country began celebrating the nation’s 200th birthday. As part of the celebration, SBTS painted one of their GMC buses in a patriotic red, white and blue paint scheme. It was also in 1976 that Omnitrans, as it is known today, was created. The new Omnitrans was a JPA that was created under authority of Title 1, Division 7, Chapter 5 of the Government Code of the State of California. The new JPA included the cities of Chino, Colton, Fontana, Loma Linda, Montclair, Ontario, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Upland, the county-run transit agencies, and SBTS. With the creation of the new Omnitrans, transit was now united within the county of San Bernardino with a fleet of 29 vehicles and a staff of 60.

from Upland to Calimes. Two additional routes were started in Victor Valley serving the cities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Victorville, and George Air Force Base. These five new lines utilized the Mercedes buses while the EVT continued to use the former Santa Monica 5105s. The new Mercedes buses were painted white and had two-tone blue and gold stripes on the sides of the vehicles. As part of the new Omnitrans, SANBAG hired Santa Ana-based Hallman and Associates to create a new logo and paint scheme. Hallman and Associates had also served as OCTD’s first advertising agency. According to Western Transit February 1975 “…the system logo features four lines; two yellow, one light blue and one dark blue; shaped into a “T” with each line representing one of the four joint powers agencies (JPA) and the whole incorporated into a circle to show one single service.” Along with the new logo, new names were created for the different Omnitrans services. The large buses for fixed-route service were named Omnibus; the smaller buses were dubbed Omniflex; bus fares Omnifares; and bus stops Omnistop. The ad agency even created the name Omnitrak for future high-speed rail transit that never materialized in the county.

The following year, 1977, the agency took delivery of 19 AM General buses and placed an order for 7 smaller buses built by Chance Bus. Omnitrans moved into the new facility at 5th and Muscott Streets in 1978, vacating the old yard on G Street. Also that year, the agency provided bus shuttles for the California 500 at the now-gone Ontario Motor Speedway. As the decade ended, the agency carried 3,192,766 passengers.

Omnitrans RTS 406 on 4th Street on September 2, 1986. (Steve Hoskins Photo)

MTS GMC 302 in the special bicentennial paint scheme. (Tom Helliwell Photo)

The 1980s began with new buses for the transit agency: 41 new GMC RTS buses; 400440; arrived in 1980-1981 and replaced many of the Flxibles and the Mercedes buses. Like previous deliveries of new buses a parade was held in downtown San Bernardino to show the new vehicles off to the public. It is believed this was the last parade Omnitrans had for new bus deliveries. 1980 was also the first year

During the 1975 creation of Omnitrans by the county, city-run SBTS purchased land at the corner of 5th and Muscott Streets for a new bus yard. This location would eventually become today’s Omnitrans Division 1 at 5th and Medical Center after Muscott Street was renamed. That same year, SBTS took delivery of 16 new Flxible buses numbered 1000-1015. 5

Riverside had been using tax revenue to help offset the cost of RTDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operation of Lines 149 (Long Beach to Riverside thru Orange County) and 496 (LA to San Bernardino). San Bernardino and Riverside Counties wanted more of the tax money for other highway and transportation-related projects. In order to get the additional funds, the counties would have to find a lower-cost operator than RTD to operate the service, and thus the IEC was born. The new IEC service would be operated by a contractor at a low cost, giving the counties the extra funds they wanted. Throughout its history, Omnitrans would contribute buses to IEC.

Omnitrans held a bus Roadeo. As the 1980s continued, ridership grew and in 1983 Omnitrans began looking at building a second bus yard in the City of Montclair. The following year, 1984, ridership for fixed route service reached 3,454,794 and the agency began placing advertising on the sides of the buses.

As the 1990s continued, ridership topped 6 million. Work on a new administration building began at 5th and Medical Center, and 4th Street was officially dedicated as a transit mall. The new administration building was opened in June 1992. The following year, 59 TMC buses 640-698, were placed in service. In 1994, the newly-formed Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which was the successor to RTD, pulled all itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funding for IEC Line 496, and the line was shortened to operate only within San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. This cancellation meant an end to direct bus service from Los Angeles to San Bernardino; service that started back with Pacific Electric. A new shopper shuttle was operated in 1995 during the holidays between Carousel Mall (originally Central City Mall, renamed in 1991) and the Inland Center Mall just south of downtown.

Omnitrans 431 in the new scheme on September 2, 1986. (Steve Hoskins Photo)

Big changes came in 1985 when the agency introduced a new paint scheme and logo. The old blue and yellow was replaced with purple and pink stripes, and the old Omnibus name and circle T logo were replaced with the new Omni logo that is still in use today. Along with the new image, the agency also broke ground for a new bus yard in the city of Montclair. A year later, the 20,285 square-foot facility was opened and named the Hayes Transit Center after Montclair Mayor Harold M. Hayes who helped plan and acquire the funds to build the new bus division. As the 1980s progressed, new routes were added and service expanded. In 1989, the agency broke ground for the new Metro facility at Division 1 in San Bernardino. Funding for the new facility came from a federal grant and local state money. In 1990, Omnitrans took delivery of 34 TMC buses numbered 600-634 that were the first new buses since the GMC RTS buses arrived in 1981. By June of that year, passenger boardings had reached 5 million. Summer of 1990 would mark the start of the Inland Empire Connection (IEC) service operating between San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles in which Omnitrans was a participant. The counties of San Bernardino and

Omnitrans made the move to alternative fuel buses in 1996 with the purchase of 24 Orion buses numbered 700-723. The new buses were powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and a new state-of-the-art CNG fuel station was opened at the Montclair yard.

The agency’s first low-floor buses, 44 New Flyers numbered 0001-0044, arrived in 2000, and like the last two bus deliveries were CNGpowered. With the arrival of the New Flyers, more of the older RTS buses were retired or transferred to IEC service. Over the next two years, more New Flyer low floors would arrive, and by 2006 all but a handful of the RTS buses had been retired. In 2005, IEC officially came to an end when Omnitrans brought Line 90 inhouse. Route 90 was the remnant of Line 496, and today operates from Montclair to Riverside with stops at Ontario, Fontana and San Bernardino. IEC route 149, Riverside to Mall of Orange had been brought in-house by RTA before Omnitrans took over the 90.

Orion 702 in front of the Santa Fe Station on February 26, 2000. (D.C. Warner Photo)

In 1996, Omnitrans also introduced a new $2 day pass and eliminated transfers. In 1997 Omnitrans completed a major restructuring of the bus lines and took delivery of 7 CNG powered Neoplans, 9701-9707, for use on Inland Empire Connection. These buses were painted in Omnitrans colors, had high back reclining seats and parcel racks above the seats. That same year construction on a new maintenance building was started at Division 1 in San Bernardino. As the decade came to a close, Omnitrans began making preparations for a 25th anniversary celebration in 2001. As part of the celebration, the agency began searching for an old bus to restore and use for public relation events and the 25th. In 1999, the agency purchased a 1958 GMC TDH-4801 from a private collector in New Jersey. More information about the history of the bus can be found in the Adventures of Super Rider story later in this issue. The bus was brought to California and over the next two years was rehabilitated to become “Old Blue” numbered 5876. The bus was unveiled at the official 25th Anniversary celebration in February 2001.

Artist rendition of a sbX bus at a bus stop.

In 2005 Omnitrans also began working on a new Rapid Bus service known as the sbX. The new service is planned to operate from Cal State San Bernardino to Loma Linda along E Street which is one of the agency’s heaviest corridors. The current goal is to start service some time around 2010. In 2006 the agency began a year-long celebration of 30 years of service and came up with a new 30th Anniversary logo. With the continued growth of San Bernardino, Omnitrans will also continue to grow. NV

New Flyer 0011 at Montclair. (Andrew Novak Photo)

Omnitrans Roster (1976-2006) Number

Year

Manufactuer

Model

Serial/Vin

Status

1981 1990 1993 1992 1993 1996/97 1967 1975 1977 1997 2000 2000 2001 2001 2003 1954 1958 1958

GMC TMC TMC TMC TMC Orion Flxible Flxible AM General Neoplan New Flyer New Flyer New Flyer New Flyer New Flyer GMC GMC GMC

T8J204 T70206 T80206 T80206 T80206 05.501 411-HD-D1-1 45102-8-1 10235B-8 AN440A C40LF H40LF C40LF C40LF C40LF TDH4801 TDH5105 TDH4801

BV810614-654 KR826742-775 NR828883 NR828938-980 PR829810-824 T6032940-963 76001-76015 59773-59778 000084-000102 VL013223-229 YU020636-679 YU020791-793 Mixed (See Below) 1U023216-226 3U025791-812 168, 171, 180, 224, 243 3267-3270 498

Retired Retired Retired Retired Several Retired Active Retired Retired Retired Retired Active Active Active Active Active Retired Retired Historic Bus

Large Buses 400-440 600-633 640 641-683 684-698 700-723 800-814 1000-1015 1100-1118 9701-9707 0001-0044 0045-0047 0101-0127 0131-0141 0151-0172 4800s 5101-5104 5867

Notes: Bus 640 was renumbered 1640 Buses 641-683 were renumbered 1641-1683 with bus 666 renumbered 1639 Buses 684-698 were renumbered 2684-2698 Buses 2694-2698 were utilized in Salt Lake City during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Buses 800-814 and 1000-1015 were originally San Bernardino Municipal Transit System (MTS) Serial Numbers for 0101-0104 YU021678, 675, 688, 700 / 0105-0107 YU021674, 676, 677 0108-0116 YU021679-687 / 0117-0127 YU021689-699 4800s were 4803, 4804, 4809, 4816, and 4832 exSacramento Regional Transit originally Los Angeles Transit Lines

5101-5104 originally Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines Small Buses 20700-20719 20720-20723 100-104 100s 501-512 700-706 800s 900s 1101-1103 9000s

1975 1975 1975 2003 1977 1995 1995 2003 2006

Mercedes Benz 0309D Dodge Tradesman 300 Mercedes Benz 0309D Ford Cutaway Thomas/Dennis SLF232G Chance RT 50 Ford Cutaway Ford Cutaway SVMC Trolley 3000 Ford/Aerotech Cutaway

Notes: 100-104 were delivered to San Bernardino MTS 1101-1103 used on Redlands Trolley Vin for 9020 is 1FDXE45S16HB37648

n/a n/a n/a n/a 3JA34536-547 n/a n/a n/a 3CL71211-213 n/a

Retired Retired Retired Retired Active Retired Some Retired Some Retired Active Active

Omnitrans Photo Gallery

GMC RTS 402 (left) in downtown in October 1982. (Joe Caronetti Photo) GMC RTS 422 and an unknown RTS at 5th and Muscott in November 1981. (John McKane Photo/Andrew Novak Collection)

GMC RTS 410 (left) through the fence in the early 1980s. GMC RTS 414 at an unknown location on September 2, 1986. (Both photos by Craig Barnes)

GMC RTS 408 (left) GMC RTS 420 at the main Omnitrans bus yard in the mid 1980s. (Both photos by Craig Barnes)

Omnitrans Photo Gallery

TMC RTS 601 (left) on 4th Street near Arrowhead while assigned to Inland Empire Connection on April 30, 2001. (Andrew Novak Photo) TMC RTS 605 at Division 1 in San Bernardino on October 12, 1996. (Melvin Bernero Photo)

TMC RTS 606 (left) at the Montclair yard on August 16, 2003. (Craig Barnes Photo) TMC RTS 611 at an unidentified location in June 1999. (Albert Novak Photo)

TMC RTS 1643 (left) at the Montclair Transit Center on July 26, 2002. (Andrew Novak Photo) TMC RTS 662 at Division 1 in San Bernardino in the mid 1980s. (Craig Barnes Photo) 10

Omnitrans Photo Gallery

TMC RTS 2694 and 2696 (left) at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City Utah. (Photographer Unknown) TMC RTS 2698 on 4th Street in San Bernardino on March 22, 2003. (Andrew Novak Photo)

Orion 710 (left) on 4th Street in San Bernardino on March 22, 2003. (Andrew Novak Photo) Orion 715 on 4th Street in San Bernardino on January 9, 2004. (Eddie Anthony Photo)

Orion 720 (left) at Cal State San Bernardino on October 21, 2006. Orion 721 at Arrowhead Medical Center in Colton on February 22, 2003. (Both photos by Andrew Novak)

Omnitrans Photo Gallery

Flxible 800 (left) at an unidentified location in the early 1980s. (Craig Barnes Photo) Flxible 802 at an unidentified location in April 1976. (Jim Walker Photo)

Flxibles 810 and 812 (left) at the Omnitrans yard in 1977. (Andrew Novak Collection) Flxible 1004 at an unidentified location in the early 1980s. (Craig Barnes Photo)

Flxible 1008 (left) on 4th Street in San Bernardino in the early 1980s. Flxible 1012 at Division 1 in San Bernardino in the early 1980s. (Both photos by Craig Barnes)

Omnitrans Photo Gallery

AM General 1110 at an unidentified location in July 1985. (Steve Hoskins Photo)

An unidentified 9700 series Neoplan (left) at Montclair Transit Center on May 25, 2000. (Bill Vallow Photo) Neoplan 9701 at the Montclair Transit Center on April 26, 2002. (Andrew Novak Photo)

Neoplan 9702 (left) on 4th Street in San Bernardino c. 2002. (Russ Jones Photo) Neoplan 9704 on 4th Street in San Bernardino on November 7, 2006. (Andrew Novak Photo)

Omnitrans Photo Gallery

New Flyer 0002 (left) on E Street next to Carousel Mall in downtown San Bernardino on April 30, 2001. New Flyer 0011 at Division 1 in San Bernardino on October 21, 2006. (Both photos by Andrew Novak)

New Flyer 0032 (left) with a Bryman College wrap at the Inland Center Mall on January 23, 2007. (Andrew Novak Photo) New Flyer Hybrid 0045 in Canada at a bus expo in 2001. (Peter McLaughlin Photo)

New Flyer 0102 (left) on 4th Street in San Bernardino on April 30, 2001. New Flyer 0156 at the Pomona Transit Center on July 17, 2005. (Both photos by Andrew Novak) 14

Omnitrans Photo Gallery

Mercedes Benz bus 20718 (left) and Dodge van 20720 at unidentified locations in the early 1980s. (Both photos by Craig Barnes)

Thomas SLF 502 (left) at Cal State San Bernardino on October 21, 2006. (Andrew Novak Photo) Chance bus 704 at Division 1 in the early 1980s. (Craig Barnes Photo)

Redlands Trolley buses 1103 and 1101 (left) and Cutaway 9020 in the new Access colors both at Division 1 on October 21, 2006. (Both photos by Andrew Novak)

Adventures of Super Rider – PBM Omnitrans Excursion By Andrew Novak (Photos by the author) alighted at 5th Street and Medical Center and walked across the street to the main Omnitrans bus yard, home to “Old Blue.” It was now a few minutes after 9:00 AM and it appeared I was one of the first to arrive at the bus yard. I was met by PBM president Ron Medaglia around 9:30 AM and after Ron arrived, most of the other passengers arrived. Scott Richards brought three buses from his collection and they were parked in the Omnitrans yard while we went on our trip. Scott brought 1967 GMC SDM-5302 number 3015 painted in RTD Airport Express, 1979 GMC RTS T7W-603 numbered 100 and painted in Riverside Transit Agency colors, and 1982 GMC RTS T8J-204 numbered 2403 painted in Los Angeles Metro Express blue.

On Saturday October 21, 2006, the Pacific Bus Museum (PBM) sponsored an excursion in San Bernardino using Omnitrans refurbished GMC TDH-4801 5876 nicknamed “Old Blue.” Old Blue was built in 1958, serial 498, and was originally Metropolitan Coach Lines 661, and then Los Angeles MTA 5191 and finally SCRTD 5191. The bus was likely retired in 1981 with the remainder of the old looks, and then entered private ownership. In 1998 Omnitrans began searching for an old bus that could be refurbished and used for parades and other community events. The bus was purchased from a collector and after completing work on the bus, it was unveiled in 2001 during the agency’s 25th anniversary. The agency numbered the bus 5876 to commemorate the year the bus was built, 1958 and the year Omnitrans began operation, 1976.

Orion SLF 512 on the lift in the shop

Once everyone had arrived we all stood around chatting for awhile before boarding Old Blue shortly after 10:00 AM. On board the bus we were welcomed to Omnitrans by a representative of the agency’s marketing department. She introduced us to a reporter from the San Bernardino County Sun newspaper who was writing a story about the PBM and why we were all going on the trip today. Omnitrans provided both a driver and supervisor to show us around San Bernardino. John Rippel was our driver and Dennis Jones was the supervisor. With

5876 at the yard

My day began early by getting a ride to the Cal State Los Angeles Metrolink Station. I purchased my train ticket and at 7:20 AM I boarded coach 117 on train #354. The train was operating about 10 minutes behind schedule. About an hour later, I alighted from train #354, led by F59PHI 884, at the Fontana Metrolink Station. There I had a 15 minute wait for Omnitrans Line 14. At 8:35 AM I boarded Omnitrans New Flyer 0023 and rode the bus into San Bernardino. I 16

oblivious to it. The area changed when the street changed names and now the area is not as bad as it once was. From there we continued north, now entering the area called Muscoy. Muscoy is a rural area of San Bernardino and this is where Line 3 made numerous turns. Our driver told us that back in the day; many new drivers would come out and paint arrows on the ground to keep from getting lost in the area especially at night since there was a lack of street lights and street signs. The joke told to new drivers was “Do not get lost, because we will not be able to find you for three days.”

everyone now on the bus we began our trip by driving around to the other side of the yard for a tour of the LNG fueling station and a shop tour. While the majority of the group went on the shop tour, several of us chatted with the reporter from the Sun. I was quoted in the article which appeared in the Sunday edition of the paper. It was around 11:00 AM when we left the yard and drove to downtown San Bernardino. On the way to 4th and E Streets our driver pointed out the building that was once the Trailways bus station in San Bernardino.

The former Trailways station in San Bernardino 5876 at Cal State San Bernardino

The first line we would be covering that day was old Omnitrans Line 3 which ran from 4th and E Streets in downtown up the Cal State San Bernardino through Muscoy. Today, some portions of the old Line 3 are now covered by current Omnitrans Line 11. Throughout our trip, both our driver and supervisor gave us historical narration about certain areas of town we were passing through. Our first photo stop of the trip was at Mt. Vernon and Base Line where the light was good for photographs. We continued on north to Medical Center Drive and an area known as the Muscott. Originally Medical Center was named Muuscott Street and this area around the street was at one time one of the worst parts of San Bernardino. It was here that our driver told us about one night many years ago when he was heading back to the yard where we started our trip that day. He past a dead body in the street and noticed all the people just seemed to be

At Cal State San Bernardino we stopped for more photos and to see the transfer center on campus. We got pictures of “Old Blue” along with several in-service Omnitrans buses including a New Flyer, a TMC, and an Orion SLF. From the college we returned to San Bernardino along current Line 2. Shortly after we left the college we made a stop along Kendall Road at a scenic stop to take the customary group photo with the bus.

In front of the McDonalds museum

at the Redlands Mall, one of the smallest malls around, with only one anchor store, a Gottschalk’s which used to be a Harris. The light was not very good at this spot and we decided to just head back to the yard since it was already 3:30 PM. After leaving the Redlands Mall we passed the former Santa Fe Station in Redlands before getting on the freeway for the quick trip back to San Bernardino. During the freeway trip back to the yard, President Medaglia sold raffle tickets for a raffle would be held once we got back. We exited the freeway and passed the current Greyhound station in San Bernardino on the way back to the 5th and Medical Center yard. The trip officially ended once we got back to the yard, but we stayed on the bus for the raffle and for goodie bags supplied by Omnitrans. They included lapel pins, lunch bags, cups, and other Omnitrans goodies. We thanked our driver and supervisor for the great job they did with the driving and narrated tour of the area. We also thanked them for the great goodie bags. Before leaving the yard, Scott Richards posed his three buses for pictures in the yard.

Back in San Bernardino we made another stop at the site of the original McDonalds which is now a museum. From there we continued along E Street through downtown past the semi-abandoned Carousel Mall still following current Line 2. Along E Street, at Rialto Street, we passed the site of the future downtown transit center which will be built some time in the next four years. The property is next to the former Santa Fe line to Redlands and when complete, the new center will also have a Metrolink Station for the trains that will be operating to Redlands.

5876 in the shadow of the former “The Broadway” Store at the Inland Center

Our lunch stop was at the Inland Center Mall and the bus parked just north of the Line 2 stop which is in the shadow of the former “The Broadway” store, recently closed by Macy’s. The mall’s food court provided enough variety for all the trip participants. We returned to the bus at 2:30 PM, after an hour-long lunch break, and from this point on the trip was improvised. During the lunch stop, the driver and supervisor came up with a plan for the rest of the afternoon. From Inland Center we continued following Line 2 to the line’s terminus at the VA Hospital in Loma Linda. Once again we made this bus layover zone a photo stop location. From the VA Hospital we continued east following current Line 9 as far as Redlands. In Redlands we stopped

From there several group members went to dinner in Riverside while Scott gave me a ride to the San Bernardino Metrolink Station on GMC 3015. At the station we got a couple photos of the bus parked in front of the main station entrance. I boarded Metrolink train #371, coach 198, for the trip back to the Cal State Los Angeles station. Metrolink F59 872 was the power on the train that night. From the Cal State Los Angeles station I got a ride home. This was another enjoyable excursion and I was glad that I went. Many thanks to the PBM for organizing a great trip, and special thanks to Omnitrans for all there hospitality during the day’s event.NV

Recently Rapid Transit Press has branched out into a new area of interest, shopping malls and retail stores. More and more retail stores are disappearing and I feel it is important to record the histories of these establishments before they are gone. RTP is pleased to present “The Plaza” a new newsletter focusing on retail stores and shopping malls. Some of the topics being worked on for future issues of “The Plaza” include; The Broadway, Bullock’s, Tower Records, and shopping malls such as Del Amo Fashion Center, Long Beach Plaza, and Stonewood Center. Like the News and Views, The Plaza, will be sold on an individual issue basis as they are completed. If you have an interest in the history of shopping malls or retail stores then The Plaza is for you. If you are interested in being notified when issues of the plaza are completed, please write to RTP at the following address: Andrew Novak - Rapid Transit Press – PO Box 2383 – Downey, CA – 90242

DON’T WORRY this will not mean an end to the News and Views. We are currently working on many new stories for News and Views and announcements will be made as future issues are completed.

Thank you your support of Rapid Transit Press! www.rapidtransit-press.com

Notes from the editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s field book and General News OCTA 5501 arrives for testing In January 2007, Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) New Flyer C40LF 5501 arrived on property to begin testing before the balance of the order arrives from New Flyer. The bus was assigned to Line 57 for the first round of testing. The first part of the bus order is scheduled to arrive this summer, with the balance arriving in the next couple of years. Once the 5500s arrive and are placed in service, the last of the 1980 GMC RTS buses will be retired along with the remaining 19891990 Gilligs. As the balance of the order arrives, the 1990 New Flyer High Floors are scheduled to go for disposal, and it is likely that the 1995 New Flyer low floors will be placed in the reserve fleet.

OCTA Gillig 4231 (left) lays over on Tustin Street in front of the Mall of Orange on January 15, 2007. (Andrew Novak Photo) OCTA New Flyer 5501 at Division 4 in Garden Grove on January 3, 2007. (Mark Strickert Photo)

Metro Articulates hit streets on local routes On December 17, 2006, in conjunction with the system wide shake up, Metro (Los Angeles) began operating NABI articulated buses on Line 204 (Vermont Avenue) and Line 233 (Van Nuys Boulevard.) The new articulated buses are part of the 9400-9499 series of buses and are painted in the Metro Local orange paint scheme. NABI 9396 delivered in Metro Rapid colors, has recently been repainted in Metro Liner silver and has been seen on the Metro Orange Line in the San Fernando Valley.

Front and rear views of Metro articulated 9417 at the Line 233 layover on Moorpark at Van Nuys on December 21, 2006. (Both photos by Andrew Novak)

Pacific Coast Fleet Updates Pacific Coast Sightseeing Tours and Charter (Coach America - Anaheim) recently acquired several MCI buses and disposed of two older buses. We have also learned some of the VIN numbers for the ART Cutaway buses reported in RTP News and Views Issue 4-2.

MCI (Recent additions) 65596 MCI 102DL3 built June 1999 VIN 1M8PDMPA6XP052373 65697 MCI 102DL3 built June 1999 VIN 1M8PDMPA8XP052374 65698 MCI J4500 built April 2006 VIN 2M93JMPA66W063696 65699 MCI J4500 built April 2006 VIN 2M93JMPA86W063697 ART Cutaway Update (All built 2006) 62802 VIN 1GBG5V1G06F412244 62805 VIN 1GBG5V1GX6F412297 62807 VIN 1GBG5V1G86F412668 MCIs Sold to Roadways International in Orange California 64736 MCI 102C3 built February 1991 VIN 1M8GDM9A4MP043826 64753 TMC 102C3 built 1990 VIN 1TUGCH8A7LR007724 (Originally Shuttle Jack (NM) 801) 64753 was the last bus on the property to be painted in the Pacific Coast paint scheme.

102DL3 65596 (left) and J4500 65698 (right) at the Pacific Coast yard on October 11, 2006. (Both Photos by Andrew Novak)

102C3 64736 (left) parked in the Pacific Coast yard on June 19, 2006. 102C3 64753 in the old Pacific Coast paint scheme in the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dead line on October 11, 2006. (Both Photos by Andrew Novak)

Metro Rehabs the Wilshire and La Brea Customer Center At the end of 2006, Metro completed a total rehabilitation of their Customer Center at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and La Brea Street in the mid-Wilshire district of Los Angeles. Metro customers can get schedules and buy transit passes at this location. It is also the home to the transit agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lost and found. The property that the building sits on was originally acquired for a subway station when the original plans for the subway called for it to continue farther west along Wilshire Boulevard. The newly-rehabbed customer center made the local news when in reopened in January 2007.

The Customer Center prior to its rehab. (Metro.net photo)

A close up photo shows the new Metro logo above the main entrance along with the unique blue tile used on the building. (Metro.net photo)

Two photos show the Metro Customer Center. The photo on the left is from Metro.net while the one on the left was taken by Russ Jones.

Buses across the Nation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (Napa Vine) All of the following photos were taken by Andrew Novak during the spring 2005 Motor Bus Society Convention in San Francisco, California. All photos at the Vine yard in Napa on April 16, 2005.

RTS 106 (left) in the new paint scheme and RTS 126 in the old paint scheme.

Gillig 128 (left) and New Flyer 152 pose in the sun for photographers.

Trolley 403 (left) parked in the yard next to one of the Coach USA buses used on the MBS charter. Vineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public relations bus inside the shop building.

Rails across the Nation – (Pacific Railroad Society Open House October 2006) (All photos were taken by Albert Novak.)

Former US Marine Corps GE 45-ton switcher 7199 (left) pulling former Union Pacific CA-3 caboose 25052. PRS owned Rail Diesel Car (RDC) and General Electric 45-ton switcher.

Former Santa Fe RDC-1 numbered DC-191 (left) built by Budd in 1952. Former Southern Pacific baggage car 6697 built in 1960 by St. Louis Car Company.

Former Union Pacific dormitory lounge 6101 (left), built by ACF in 1949. Former Union Pacific 6 roomette – 6 section – 4 bedroom Pullman car “National Forum” built in 1956 by Pullman Standard. 24

A page from the fleet fact book

Agency: Inland Empire Connection (IEC) City: San Bernardino, California Bus Numbers: 8606-8621 Built Date: 1986 Manufacturer: Neoplan Model: AN430A Serial Numbers: Mixed (See Notes) Engine Type: Detroit Diesel 6V92 Fuel Type: Diesel Wheel Chair Lift: Yes Status: Retired Notes: Buses were originally delivered to National Transit Service (NTS) in Houston Texas and bought by IEC in 1990. At NTS the buses carried numbers 013, 015, 016, 023, 025, 032, 037, 049, 055, 053, 060, 076, 012, 029, 058, and 047. Serial numbers were GL013114, 116, 117, 124, 126, 133, 138, 150, 162, 159, 243, 238, 113, 130, 136, and 148

Front and rear view of Neoplan 8612 as it travels along the El Monte Busway at Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles in the early 1990s. (Both photos from the LACMTA Collection)

Neoplan 8615 (left) at El Monte Station in the 1990s. (Dave Ullrich Photo/Russ Jones Collection) Neoplan 8610 at the IEC yard in 1996. (Melvin Bernero Photo)

The Bus Stops Here! Below are some examples of Omnitrans bus stop signs. All photos by Andrew Novak.

Line 65 bus stop sign (left) at the Montclair Transit Center. A combined Lines 1 and 2 stop in downtown San Bernardino at E and Court Streets. Both photos taken on January 23, 2007.

A combined Lines 1 and 90 sign (left) at the San Bernardino Metrolink Station on November 7, 2006. An example of the back side of all Omnitrans bus stop signs, this one on Line 2 at 2nd and E Streets on January 23, 2007.

Redlands Trolley sign (left) in front of the Redlands Mall on November 7, 2006. An OmniLink sign at the Chino Transit Center on March 4, 2005.

The Contemporary Photo Gallery

Gardena New Flyer 720 turns from Hawthorne onto 182nd Street in Redondo Beach on October 10, 2006. (Andrew Novak Photo) LADOT EZ-Rider 02055 at Rowan and Dozier loop in East Los Angeles in September 2006. (Paul Castillo Photo)

First Transit Orion 11064 (left) at the Vermont Green Line station during an owl excursion on July 15, 2006. (Russ Jones Photo) Brand new Pasadena ARTS low floor RE 221 at Lake Avenue and Colorado on January 9, 2007. (Andrew Novak Photo)

Two Metrolink trains and an eastbound BNSF freight (left) occupy all the tracks at the Fullerton Station on September 27, 2006. (Andrew Novak Photo) Regional Transit Service Flxible 2932 at Universal Studios on a movie shoot on September 21, 2006. (Scott Richards Photo) 27

The Historic Photo Gallery

LAMTA GMC 2703 (left) loads passengers at the 6th and Main Street Station in September 1963. (Jim Walker Photo) Metro Blue Line Car 144 leads a two-car train across Long Beach Boulevard from the Willow Street Station in Long Beach on opening weekend in 1990. (Andrew Novak Photo)

LAMTA Combine Blimp 1546 (left) leaves Morgan Yard in Long Beach in June 1959. (Jim Walker Photo) San Francisco MUNI GMC 3197 on Line 59 in the early 1980s. (Andrew Novak Collection)

A post card (left) showing the former Railroader Restaurant in Riverside California. (Andrew Nova Collection) San Diego Transit Mercedes Benz bus 113 in San Diego in 1975. (Harry Gershen Photo)