Title supplied by cataloger. Organized touring in California began in the late 19th century, as several companies started escorting groups of wealthy visitors. The Motor Transit Company, a vast bus system that operated over varying distances and served various parts of the Los Angeles area, jumped on the organized touring bandwagon when it was formed in 1917. In order to provide complete comfort to its tourists, specially designed bodies were built to insure the traveler all the comforts desired in transportation. These buses, or "stages" as they were called, provided large comfortable upholstered seats, shock absorbers, dual tires, safety doors, an electrical system that provided light at night, a hot air heating system for the interior, and waterproof roll curtains, which made these stages comfortable in any kind of weather. Eventually, as more and more Californians began taking advantage of these narrated bus trips, a "new" 25-passenger stage was adopted as the standard for the Motor Transit Co., and all interurban stages were built to that size. Pacific Railway acquired the Motor Transit Company in 1930. This Motor Transit Company bus, a unique excursion bus, is loaded with passengers. A luggage rack is visible on the roof, which has been covered with a large dark tarp. The majestic mountains frame the background. These comfortable stages, or buses, made daily trips in the summer and winter, connecting with Pacific Electric Trains to and from Los Angeles.
Type
Image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;11 x 25 cm. Photographic prints
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
