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Fascinating Vintage Photos of the San Diego Bus System in the 1970s

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One of the oldest transit systems in Southern California, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System began operation in the 1880s. It is one of the most advanced and dynamic transportation networks in North America. Approximately 95 million people use MTS buses and trolleys each year.

In 1886, the San Diego Street Car Company opened the first line of the city’s public transportation system, drawn by mules or horses drawn by two mules. A total of five lines would eventually run through Downtown San Diego. There was already a plan in place for an electric streetcar line to begin operating in San Diego at the same time as the horse-drawn line opened in 1887. As a result of Spreckels’ successful ballot initiative, he obtained a charter amendment from the City of San Diego, giving him over 25 years of leases on streetcar services. SDERy was able to expand its services due to the passage of the initiative. In 1916, the “Great Flood” washed out several streetcar lines, severely damaging the electric streetcar system. As a result of World War I, the cost of railway construction materials increased by 50 to 150 percent. As more automobiles became available, more people became jitney drivers, cruising the routes of the streetcars to pick up fares. Motor buses first appeared on San Diego’s streets in 1922, connecting National City with Chula Vista. San Diego became the first major city in California to become fully bus-dependent on April 24, 1949, when the last rail service was discontinued.

Below are some fascinating vintage photos that show the bus system of San Diego in the 1970s.

#1 San Diego Transit 1974 Flxible bus on westbound Broadway at 7th Avenue in the 1970s

San Diego Transit 1974 Flxible bus on westbound Broadway at 7th Avenue in the 1970s

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#2 “Join your car pool”, a San Diego Transit billboard, 1972

“Join your car pool”, a San Diego Transit billboard, 1972

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#3 Just delivered to San Diego Transit, a brand new Flxible suburban coach in October 1974

Just delivered to San Diego Transit, a brand new Flxible suburban coach in October 1974

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#4 A 1974 Flxible surburban bus at San Diego Transit’s Imperial Avenue Division in the 1970s

A 1974 Flxible surburban bus at San Diego Transit's Imperial Avenue Division in the 1970s

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#5 Mercedes Benz bus used on the City of San Diego Dial-a-Ride program on Sixth Avenue near Balboa Park in the late 1970s

Mercedes Benz bus used on the City of San Diego Dial-a-Ride program on Sixth Avenue near Balboa Park in the late 1970s

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#7 Re-filling a supermarket timetable rack in October 1975

Re-filling a supermarket timetable rack in October 1975

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#8 Carol the elephant from the San Diego Zoo introduces the Super Saver pass in 1976

Carol the elephant from the San Diego Zoo introduces the Super Saver pass in 1976

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#11 Mercedes Benz minibus near the UCSD Hospital in Hillcrest

Mercedes Benz minibus near the UCSD Hospital in Hillcrest

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#12 San Diego Transit’s Imperial Avenue yard in downtown San Diego in the early-1970s

San Diego Transit's Imperial Avenue yard in downtown San Diego in the early-1970s

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#14 Promotional ‘Bus King’ advertisement from 1972

Promotional ‘Bus King’ advertisement from 1972

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#17 Charlie Tuna shows off a demonstrator MAN articulated bus in 1974

Charlie Tuna shows off a demonstrator MAN articulated bus in 1974

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#18 San Diego Transit and Yellow Cab teamed up for a campaign against drunk driving in 1975

San Diego Transit and Yellow Cab teamed up for a campaign against drunk driving in 1975

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#19 Sunset over San Diego Transit’s Imperial Avenue Division in summer 1976

Sunset over San Diego Transit's Imperial Avenue Division in summer 1976

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#21 GMC “old look” bus on a school tripper at Marston Junior High School in January 1977

GMC “old look” bus on a school tripper at Marston Junior High School in January 1977

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#22 Passengers board San Diego Transit buses at the Fashion Valley Transit Center in January 1977

Passengers board San Diego Transit buses at the Fashion Valley Transit Center in January 1977

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#23 Route 38 Mercedes minibus at the San Diego Airport in January 1977

Route 38 Mercedes minibus at the San Diego Airport in January 1977

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#24 San Diego Chicken getting a ride at Fashion Valley Transit Center in December 1977

San Diego Chicken getting a ride at Fashion Valley Transit Center in December 1977

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#25 1959 GMC on Imperial Avenue at 16th Street in Downtown San Diego

1959 GMC on Imperial Avenue at 16th Street in Downtown San Diego

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#26 1974 Flxible bus outbound on G Street at 16th Street in Downtown San Diego in the late 1970s

1974 Flxible bus outbound on G Street at 16th Street in Downtown San Diego in the late 1970s

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#27 1974 Flxible buses on westbound Broadway passing First Avenue

1974 Flxible buses on westbound Broadway passing First Avenue

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#28 A 1959 GMC bus operating on Route 7 picks up passengers on Park Blvd. near the San Diego Zoo

A 1959 GMC bus operating on Route 7 picks up passengers on Park Blvd. near the San Diego Zoo

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#29 A 1968 GMC bus operating on Route 11 picks up passengers on Broadway at 4th Avenue (Horton Plaza)

A 1968 GMC bus operating on Route 11 picks up passengers on Broadway at 4th Avenue (Horton Plaza)

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#30 A 1968 GMC bus travels south on State Route 163 through Balboa Park into Downtown San Diego

A 1968 GMC bus travels south on State Route 163 through Balboa Park into Downtown San Diego

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#31 A 1972 GMC bus operating on Route 20 drops off passengers at the Fashion Valley Transit Center

A 1972 GMC bus operating on Route 20 drops off passengers at the Fashion Valley Transit Center

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#32 A 1972 GMC bus operating on Route 32 picks up passengers on Broadway at 4th Avenue (Horton Plaza)

A 1972 GMC bus operating on Route 32 picks up passengers on Broadway at 4th Avenue (Horton Plaza)

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#33 A 1974 Flxible bus operating on Route 90 picks up passengers on Broadway at 4th Avenue (Horton Plaza)

A 1974 Flxible bus operating on Route 90 picks up passengers on Broadway at 4th Avenue (Horton Plaza)

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#34 A 1974 Flxible bus operating on Route 110 picks up passengers on Broadway at 4th Avenue (Horton Plaza)

A 1974 Flxible bus operating on Route 110 picks up passengers on Broadway at 4th Avenue (Horton Plaza)

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#35 A 1974 Flxible bus picks up passengers on Broadway at 4th Avenue (Horton Plaza)

A 1974 Flxible bus picks up passengers on Broadway at 4th Avenue (Horton Plaza)

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#36 A 1974 Flxible bus travels south on State Route 163 through Balboa Park into Downtown San Diego

A 1974 Flxible bus travels south on State Route 163 through Balboa Park into Downtown San Diego

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#37 A 1975 GMC bus operating on Route 41 stopped on layover

A 1975 GMC bus operating on Route 41 stopped on layover

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#38 A 1978 MAN articulated bus operating on Route 7 picks up passengers on Broadway at 4th Avenue (Horton Plaza)

A 1978 MAN articulated bus operating on Route 7 picks up passengers on Broadway at 4th Avenue (Horton Plaza)

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#39 A 1978 MAN articulated bus operating on Route 7 picks up passengers on Park Blvd. at the San Diego Zoo

A 1978 MAN articulated bus operating on Route 7 picks up passengers on Park Blvd. at the San Diego Zoo

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#40 All MTS buses have bike racks now, but in the 1970s and 1980s, only selected routes were equipped, such as Route 41 connecting UCSD and Fashion Valley

All MTS buses have bike racks now, but in the 1970s and 1980s, only selected routes were equipped, such as Route 41 connecting UCSD and Fashion Valley

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#41 An R-route “old-look” GMC bus picks up passengers on westbound Broadway at 4th Avenue

An R-route “old-look” GMC bus picks up passengers on westbound Broadway at 4th Avenue

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#42 Interior of one of San Diego Transit’s new 1974 Flxible ‘suburban’ coaches

Interior of one of San Diego Transit's new 1974 Flxible ‘suburban’ coaches

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#44 Mercedes Benz minibus on Fourth Avenue next to Horton Plaza in Downtown San Diego

Mercedes Benz minibus on Fourth Avenue next to Horton Plaza in Downtown San Diego

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#45 Passengers on a San Diego Transit Route 90 express bus at College Grove Center in the 1970s

Passengers on a San Diego Transit Route 90 express bus at College Grove Center in the 1970s

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#46 Promotional ‘Bus King’ advertisement from the 1970s

Promotional ‘Bus King’ advertisement from the 1970s

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#48 San Diego Transit Route 25 passes through the Fashion Valley Transit Center

San Diego Transit Route 25 passes through the Fashion Valley Transit Center

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#49 San Diego Transit used a fleet of Mercedes Benz minibuses for neighborhood routes in the 1970s

San Diego Transit used a fleet of Mercedes Benz minibuses for neighborhood routes in the 1970s

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#50 The old maintenance shop at the Imperial Avenue Division in the 1970s

The old maintenance shop at the Imperial Avenue Division in the 1970s

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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