City of Tucson Transit System #7316
Bus #7316 in its original paint scheme at Congress and Stone in August 1974
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 governments assumed responsibility for public transportation as a desperate measure to keep transit services running.
In 1969, the city of Tucson officially took over service under the name “City of Tucson Transit System,” although it contracted with American Transit Corporation, the previous owners, to purchase, manage, and operate the buses. No longer reliant on dwindling rider fares, the new system could finally receive new equipment.
In 1972 and 1973, with the aid of federal grants, the fledgling municipal system purchased 31 new buses — 21 GM and 10 Flxible “New Look”-style buses. These new arrivals almost doubled the fleet size and were used on high-traffic routes. It wasn’t a moment too soon — the 1973 gas crisis meant bus ridership was about to massively increase.
Service History
#7316 was numbered according to the year it was built (1973) and its order number (16 out of 31). It arrived in the City’s new paint scheme taken from the colors in the City seal — pale yellow and white on the outside with sky blue seats and flooring on the inside.
Bus #7316 in the first Sun Tran paint scheme on Cushing in 1975
When ATE Management succeeded American Transit Corporation in 1978, the second Sun Tran paint scheme and modified sun logo were adopted. #7316 continued to serve the citizens of Tucson until its retirement in 1995 when it was donated by the city to Old Pueblo Trolley. Shortly thereafter, OPT volunteers returned it to its original 1973 pale yellow and white paint scheme. To this day, we continue to take it to events and gatherings in and around Tucson.
Bus #7316 at the Rodeo Grounds for an event, 2025
Restoration Status
#7316 is operable, cosmetically restored, and overall mechanically sound.
Ownership Snapshot
Original Owner: City of Tucson Transit System
Acquired From: Sun Tran in 1995
Current Livery: City of Tucson Transit System #7316 (repainted 1996)
Technical Specs
Year Built: 1973
Manufacturer: General Motors Truck & Coach Division, Pontiac, MI
Model: T6H-4523A
Serial: 415
Powertrain: GM 8V-71 Diesel engine with ”Jake Brakes” and VS2 3-speed automatic transmission
Body: Aluminum monocoque body construction
Length: 40 ft
Width: 102 in (wide format)
Seating: 45 passengers, transit seats, with two-and-one seating
Just two years later, in 1975 the name Sun Tran was adopted for the city-owned system along with a new logo and color scheme.