Sun Tran #5511
#5511 in its original paint scheme on Broadway east of Stone, August 1975
Background
The 1950s brought massive declines in transit service in the United States due to increasing popularity of the automobile. Within two decades bus lines went from their all-time peak ridership during World War II to the verge of bankruptcy. In city after city municipal government assumed responsibility for transit service, among them Tucson in 1969 and Phoenix in 1971.
Service History
City ownership and management meant new service and new diesel buses, just in time for the gasoline crisis in the winter of 1973. Tucson was especially hard hit with long lines at the gas pumps. While the City temporarily leased buses to provide additional service, they also ordered 44 new buses which were delivered in 1975. Thirty-two of them were 35-foot-long Flxibles, while 12 of them were the first 40-foot-long buses the City would own.
#5511 is a part of that order (# 5501-5512). These buses were also the first to arrive under the new name for the City’s system, Sun Tran, with the new logo and red, white, yellow and blue color scheme applied.
#5511 in its second paint scheme on Broadway west of Church, December 1979
For a large part of their operational life, these buses were assigned to the 3-East Sixth Street route. A new management company hired by the City in 1978 introduced the second Sun Tran paint scheme with a modified sun logo. #5511 continued to ply the Sun Tran routes until its retirement in 1995 when it was donated to Old Pueblo Trolley by the City of Tucson.
Post-Service History
Restoration Status
#5511 is in our backyard awaiting restoration. Its mechanics are unknown. There are no restoration plans at this time.
Ownership Snapshot
Original Owner: Sun Tran #5511
Acquired From: Sun Tran in 1995
Current Livery: Sun Tran #5511
Technical Specs
Year Built: 1975
Manufacturer: AM General
Model: 9640-8
Serial: 000612
Powertrain:
Body: Aluminum
Length: 40 ft
Width:
Seating: 47 passengers