Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Hope you all survived the Thanksgiving weekend--as you can see--I took an extra day!

It is not too late to get one of those great MBT caps or visors for your bus-nut for the holidays...just visit http://www.busmuseum.org/GiftShop.html.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Hope you all have a super day and if you are traveling, hope you have safe travel and enjoy your family and friends gatherings!

The Museum is closed today but will reopen tomorrow at 9 am!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

READ THIS BEFORE YOU DO ANY HOLIDAY SHOPPING!
Please make every gift count this holiday season. You can find coupons at more than 1,600 top stores (including Amazon, Macy's, J.Crew, Toys R Us, Best Buy, Gap and more) AND a percentage of virtually every sale will be donated to "The Museum of Bus Transportation".

Just go to GoodShop.com, designate us as the cause you support and then click over to your favorite store and shop away!

Or, add our toolbar to your browser at http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar - and your purchases will earn a donation for us even if you forget to go to GoodShop first!

There's no easier way to support us this holiday season! Please spread the word.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Only 33 days until Christmas--had you checked out our new items in the GIFT SHOP online? If not--click on the link here to order your items for Christmas delivery!

http://www.busmuseum.org/GiftShop.html

And, don't forget to visit us on Facebook and our website: www.busmuseum.org.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

School Bus (continued):

The school bus remains the safest form of surface transportation in the United States. It is far safer than the automobile, truck, public bus, or train. School buses are designed and manufactured specifically for the safety and protection of pupil passengers. Manufacturers must conform to a host of federal standards and certify that each school bus meets all federal and state standards.

The school bus is made up of a straight-body truck chassis with a school bus body mounted on two I-beams. Each area of the school bus body is constructed of a skeletal system beneath the finish and trim elements. The framing elements are heavygauge steel collision beams covered by heavy-gauge steel plates. Emergency personnel have to be specially trained in extrication due to this skeletal framework and the safety cushion built around the pupils.

Don't forget to visit our home page: http://www.busmuseum.org/ or join us on Facebook.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Red Lion Bus Lines: Cigar (si gar’), n. a cylindrical roll of tobacco leaves cured for smoking.

Why would a bus company history begin with the definition of a cigar? In 1939, in the small central Pennsylvania town of Red Lion many area farmers grew tobacco. A bus was used to transport workers to and from the many local cigar-making enterprises. It worked! In an age when few people owned cars, potential customers were quick to realize the benefits of this service, and the Red Lion Bus Company was born.

In the early 1940s, a new service started transporting students to Red Lion Schools. Students paid their own way, purchasing a monthly ticket. In 1946 the school district started paying for student transportation. In the late 1940s, school districts started consolidating and the company's growth in school bus operations flourished as consolidation continued.

In the 1950s, the company began to offer charter service and motorcoaches were added to the fleet. In 1964, the World's Fair in New York City provided a major attraction destination for tours. In the 1970s, the energy crisis led to the popularity of motorcoach tours and group charters. People were looking for alternatives to the car for vacations and recreational travel. And Red Lion Bus was there to help. Additionally, it acquired three school bus companies in the 1970s and 1980s. Meeting the demands of growth demanded larger facilities and so a new complex was completed in 1978, the current location of the company today at 110 East Walnut Street, Red Lion, Pennsylvania. Two satellite locations are also used as bases for school bus operations in York County. These are located at Stewartstown and Delroy. The company has contracts with four school districts to provide student transportation services.

In 1982, Red Lion Tours, Inc. was established to specialize in escorted motorcoach tours and tours for groups. Within a few years, this role expanded to also include a full-service travel agency. In 1985, Ridgeway Tours of Lancaster was acquired and today Red Lion Tours is known by the business name of Red Lion Tours & Travel, reflecting its role in providing a broad range of tour and travel services, including worldwide travel in addition to motorcoach travel throughout the USA and Canada. Today the team consists of approximately 185 employees, a fleet of 18 motorcoaches, 110 school buses, 16 service trucks, vans, and other company vehicles.

Don't forget to visit our home page: http://www.busmuseum.org/ or join us on Facebook.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

In 1923, Branston Shoup purchased the Middlebury Bus Line, which consisted of a five-passenger Model T touring car just big enough to service a route between the towns of Middlebury and Goshen, Indiana. Shoup expanded the business soon after to include service to the tiny villages of Shipshewana and Topeka.

Rail service, which was an important link between towns in those days, had been cut back, so there was plenty of demand for Shoup's service. His passengers consisted of small-town and rural citizens, and particularly members of the region's Amish population.

The service expanded over the years, with the addition of other vehicles and eventually additional charter bus services that include bus trips to Chicago and other popular destinations. Shoup's son John grew up in the business, driving buses as early as age 15 and learning everything about their repair and maintenance.

Upon Branston's death in 1953, John Shoup took over the bus company. In 1954, he and his wife Margaret expanded into the charter bus business with the purchase of Cardinal Buses.

Don't forget to visit our home page: http://www.busmuseum.org or join us on Facebook.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

On Monday November 15, 4 members covered the Williamsburg bus, Harran bus, & MC5 Bel Air with 40' covers designed for Recreation Vehicles. 2 buses were moved off the dirt and put on concrete to prevent ground moisture from causing rust on the undercarriage and various lines. The rest of the fleet parked outside is on a stone base. The battery was removed from the Harran to prevent freezing and some buses were started and run to give batteries a full charge before freezing weather sets in. The 4905 was moved to the front of the lot with plans for repair of the power steering hose. Also, plans are to move the CAT bus to indoor storage for the winter. The annex was cleaned and about half the grass was cut and weed whacking done. There was some cleaning and organizing of the storage trailers.

Previously, in late October, the annex was prepped for winter with all water lines drained.

Don't forget to visit our home page: http://www.busmuseum.org or join us on Facebook.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

School Buses: In 1950, 7 million children were transported in 115,000 school buses. Fifty years later, 448,307 school buses transported 22,675,116 children more than 3,788,427,941 miles to and from public schools. Many of these were pupils with special needs. It is not known how many nonpublic school children are transported or how many school buses are used to transport them.

Public school transportation costs approximately $500 per year per pupil. Only Pennsylvania transports all school children at state expense. The fifty states spent $11,746,576,005 for the 1999–2000 school year, which included expenditures for transportation and capital outlay to purchase new or replacement school buses.

Don't forget to visit our home page: http://www.busmuseum.org or join us on Facebook.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Wow--the month is half over! Where has the time gone?

I was perusing the web as I often do looking for info to post here on our blog or on our Facebook page that might be of interest to our readers.

On the Trailways page--I found an interesting link at the bottom of the page--you can go look for yourself--hint....we got a GREAT PLUG! Thanks Trailways:

http://www.trailways.com/history/index.asp

Don't forget to checkout our webpage: www.busmuseum.org

Saturday, November 13, 2010

It is NOT too early to do some Holiday Shopping. Christmas is only 42 days away!

The Museum's Gift Shop has some GREAT stocking stuffers and other gifts for the "bus" person in your life.....checkout our Caps and Visors, mugs, glasses, flashlights or our new HO buses.

http://www.busmuseum.org/GiftShop.html

Don't forget to visit our webpage: http://www.busmuseum.org or search for us on Facebook!

Friday, November 12, 2010

I was scouring the internet and came across this great pic of a Flxible on tour in Loudonville, OH, this July 2010.

Don't forget to visit our home page: http://www.busmuseum.org

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Happy Veterans Day everyone. FREE admission for Veterans and active duty Military all day today! Thank you for all you have done for our country.

Don't forget to visit our webpage: http://www.busmuseum.org

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Only 45 days until Christmas! Have you done your shopping--I actually have mine ALL DONE!!! Yippee, now I can enjoy the holidays.

The Museum of Bus Transportation has some GREAT gifts for the bus fan in your life. Checkout our Gift Shop Webpage at: http://www.busmuseum.org/GiftShop.html.

You won't be disappointed.

You can also visit the Gift Shop in person and purchase any of the items right from the store.

Don't forget to visit our home page: http://www.busmuseum.org

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

My Dad would have been 100 today! Happy Birthday, Dad!

Have you thought about your Dad today??? Was he in the bus industry??? Do you have a story to share. If so--please email us and I'll put it in the blog.

My Dad was a Nassau County, NY, Police Lieutenant--on the force for 37 years! And I was very proud of him. Just felt like reminiscing some today.....thanks for listening.

Don't forget to visit our home page: http://www.busmuseum.org

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Start your holiday shopping at the MBT Gift Shop - checkout all the new items--hats/visors and HO bus models!

Just go to:

www.busmuseum.org/GiftShop.html

Friday, November 5, 2010

Hopefully everyone at the Annual Meeting had a chance to board the gorgeous Peter Pan bus they brought--here are some great pics of it!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

As usual, we had some beautiful fall decorations for our tables at the luncheon of meat loaf, mashed potatoes, salad, green beans, rolls and carrot or chocolate cake for dessert.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

For those of you who may not be following us on Facebook (where I announced the elections to the Board of Directors)--here are the results:

The following were elected to the BOD: Jot Bennet, Clarence Cornell, Tom Collins, Walter Earl, Elaine Farrell, Dino Mandros, Sharon and Oliver Ogden.

Actually - we have 850 followers on Facebook--if you aren't already a member of Facebook--why not join--if you are a member and are not following us--just search - Museum of Bus Transportation.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Here's another picture from the Annual Meeting - Joe Mahawash receiving a plaque for G-572 bus from the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center that has been on display at the Museum. Thanks guys! Everyone loved the bus.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Wow, November 1st--where has the year gone???

Here are a few more pictures from our Annual Meeting--Peter Pan representatives gave a GREAT presentation about their company--I never realized how big they actually are!