Modern photo of a restored "old blue" with her mechanic

Transportation Milestones

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| 1885 - 1917 | 1920 - 1949 | 1951 - 1979 | 1980 - 1997 | 2000 - present |

Transportation: 1951 - 1971

1951
1.2 million miles were operated and 3.8 million passengers carried, a sharp decline from early postwar years.
1953
New line began to serve the Del Rosa section (after Valley’s two tries failed) via Sterling, Highland and Del Rosa.
1955
Fares were increased form 10 to 15 cents, but the change did not substantially raise revenues, which consisted mainly of lower rate school fares.
1958
Upon his death, Charles Towle left the company to widow Kathleen. She carried on through difficult years including two week-long strikes. The company had a service interruption in September with an insurance cancellation.
1960
Mrs. Towle leased the company to manager, Antonio Ferreira. The fare increased to 20 cents in September.
1961
Taking its cue from other municipalities in Southern California, the City of San Bernardino acquired Valley Transit from president and sole remaining stockholder, B.T. McKissock. On July 4, title to 35 buses (31 operating), spare parts, the shop and office at 256 Arrowhead Ave. passed to the City for $127,000. The San Bernardino Municipal Transit System (S.B.M.T.S.), as its name became, took over the lines in mid August and soon moved to headquarters at 1283 South G St. Frank G. King was appointed superintendent of operations. The equipment was repainted from Valley Transit’s yellow and green to a two-tone blue similar to that used in Southern California municipal systems. S.B.M.T.S. acquired Lee’s Auto Stage Line.
1965
9th and Victoria line, previously operating every 2 hours, was discontinued. Foothill-Arden hourly operation in combination with hourly service to Del Rosa provided a bus every 30 minutes on Baseline St. The company lost $1,200 during first eight months and petitioned form a fare increase to 25 cents. San Bernardino Unified School District extended the allowed distance for subsidized high school transportation from 2 to 3 miles that reduced Highland-Patton Bus Line’s (H.P.B.L.) prepaid school ticket revenue 75 percent. Fare increase, and increase in the school fare from 10 to 15 cents, authorized but did little to help H.P. B.L. finances.
1967
On January 27, the Foothill-Arden line was discontinued except for two daily school trips. Since H.P.B.L. announced the intention to stay in the charter business, no buses changed hands. However, H.P.B.L. did not stay and the equipment was subsequently disposed.
1970
Route 3 was extended and rerouted to serve new Cajon High School and San Bernardino campus of California State College. New Route 12 serviced several trailer parks in area, for the benefit of senior citizen residents.
1971-72
Sunday service was abandoned due to lack of patronage. Frank King resigned to join new Orange County Transit. John H. Treas appointed acting superintendent.
1973
Service to Colton was rerouted and expanded with aid of SB325 gas tax money earmarked for municipalities.
1974
San Bernardino Transit System (S.B.T.S.), the first intercity transit system, was formed when 5 other cities combined their service with City of San Bernardino. The fleet consisted of 34 buses: 5 Mercedes, 16 Flxibles and 13GMCs.
1975
S.B.T.S. exercised its option to purchase land on the corner of Fifth and Muscott, and later obtained a Federal grant that was used to build Omnitrans Metro facility.
1976
County of San Bernardino formed its won transit system, providing bus service in Victorville, the west valley and Yucaipa, while contracting with S.B.T.S. for Route 14 and other portions of routes that fell outside of any city’s jurisdiction within the east valley. The County borrowed the names “Omnibus” and “Omniflex” for S.B.T.S. buses.
1976
During our country’s 200th birthday, the county-wide transit system, was born under the authority of Title 1, Division 7, Chapter 5 as amended in the Government Code of the State of California. The Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) joined the cities of Chino, Colton, Fontana, Loma Linda, Montclair, Ontario, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Upland and the county of San Bernardino to create a transportation authority known as Omnitrans. The merger brought 29 county vehicles and 60 staff into the system. Paul Marsh was named first general manager. Exact change fare and adult passengers paying 25 cents, and students and seniors 10 cents.
1977
The county’s Dial-A-Ride and Dial-A-Lift programs became part of the system. Nineteen AM General buses were acquired to use on fixed routes. The board awarded contract to Chance Manufacturing to purchase 7 midsize buses.
1978
All equipment, along with new buses, were moved from South G St. into new headquarters on Fifth St. Bus service to the California 500 in Ontario was provided. 109 employees participated in Pride Day. The Saver pass cost $8.
1979
Omnitrans came under new management when the board of directors approved contract with ATE Management. Robert Chafin was named general manager. Diesel fuel increased from 38 cents per gallon in January to 67 cents in June. Fares changed on March 1 making adult fare 50 cents, students 35 cents and elderly and handicapped 25 cents. Total ridership for fiscal year was 3,192,766. Rancho Cucamonga and Grand terrace joined the JPA.