Old Pueblo Transit #135
#135 takes on passengers at Stone and Congress in the early 1970s
Background
In 1949, Roy Laos and his Occidental Bus Lines company were in dire straits. Tucson wartime passenger traffic had surged far beyond what OBL’s fleet of Ford Transit buses could handle; even after the war, rapid population growth meant ridership demand remained high.
That year, Laos partnered with Emery Johnson and reorganized under the name “Old Pueblo Transit Company.” Now on more stable financial footing, the company could purchase bigger and better buses to serve the south and west sides of Tucson.
Starting in 1951, OPT began purchasing GM “Old Look” style buses to supplement their fleet, #121-129. They were all TGH-3101 models, light-duty transit buses that ran on gasoline, had a hydraulic transmission, and carried 31 passengers. All were painted in a green and pale yellow livery.
Arizona Daily Star photo of new buses in 1951
Service History
Despite their reliability, by the end of the 1950s more buses were required. #131-133 were delivered in 1959, and #134-136 were delivered in 1960. Interestingly, the last three buses had their rear doors removed at the factory in order to add two more seats, bringing the passenger capacity to 33.
Into the 1960s, bus ridership declined across U.S. cities as private car ownership increased. Faced with decreasing revenue, the “light-duty” buses, including #135, unintentionally became the backbone of the OPT fleet, running in daily service until they were finally replaced by Highway Products Twin Coach buses in 1974.
Volunteers work on the rebuilt engine, 2024
Post-Service History
#135 was purchased in 1978 by Tucson Transit Co. mechanic Dick Shoemaker with the intent of converting it to a motor home.
In the summer of 1980 he instead sold it to bus modeler and future Old Pueblo Trolley volunteer Mark Hart who repainted it to its first Old Pueblo Transit Co. livery. Hart, himself a former Tucson Rapid Transit bus driver, kept it in running condition, taking it to various events around the city. It was formally transferred to the collection around this time.
In the 2010s it was repainted back to its second OPT livery by volunteers. In 2024, the engine and transmission were rebuilt. Today, #135 runs well and still attends car shows and events around Tucson.
1970s-era graffiti at the rear of #135 with a Sun Link streetcar in the background, 2024
Dedication of Laos Transit Center, 1987
In March 1987 Sun Tran opened their first transit center, named in honor of Roy Laos Sr. It was appropriately located immediately east of and adjacent to the site of the final Old Pueblo Transit bus garage. #135 was invited to participate in the dedication and carried the Laos family on the first ride around the new center.
Restoration Status
#135 is cosmetically restored inside and out. Engine and transmission have been rebuilt, although there are some shifting issues that need to be sorted out.
Ownership Snapshot
Original Owner: Old Pueblo Transit Co.
Acquired From: Mark Hart in 1990
Current Livery: Old Pueblo Transit #135
Technical Specs
Year Built: 1960
Manufacturer: General Motors Truck & Coach Division, Pontiac, MI
Model: TGH-3102
Serial: 1242
Powertrain: Rear mounted 6 cylinder GMC 270 cubic-inch displacement gasoline engine with a GM Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission
Body: Aluminum
Length: 28 ft.
Width: 96 in.
Seating: 33 passengers, transit seating