| In 1998, Omnitrans began the search for an antique
bus to be used for special events. Its goal was to purchase and
restore the vehicle in time for the agency’s 25th Anniversary
in 2001.
Omnitrans found “Old Blue,” a 1958 vintage
GMC transit coach, in the care of a bus collector in New Jersey
in 1999, and purchased it for $2,500. The agency has since learned
that the bus began its life in service for the Los Angeles Regional
Transit District, so it was actually brought “back home” to
Southern California – via flatbed truck, since “Old
Blue” wasn’t in very good shape when Omnitrans acquired
it.
Work on the bus began in 1999, with major restoration efforts really
getting underway in 2000. “Old Blue” needed a lot of
TLC, and Omnitrans employees worked both on and off the clock to
make necessary mechanical repairs. Once that was complete, the Maintenance
department asked some special vendors to help give the bus a much-needed
facelift. McCray’s provided a new paint job, Complete Coach
Works renovated “Old Blue’s” seats, Transit Care
provided new window glass and Firestone donated new tires.
Finally,
Omnitrans selected a special coach number for the bus: 5876. The
first two numbers represent “Old Blue’s” model
year, and the final two represent the year Omnitrans was born,
1976.
At last, in February 2001, the debuted as the Omnitrans 25th Anniversary
mascot. As the “after” photo attests, the time, effort
and expense were well worth the result! “Old Blue” has
been the hit of community events both large and small, from local
holiday parades to San Bernardino’s Route 66 Rendezvous,
an event that draws nearly half a million auto enthusiasts each
year.
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