Legacy on Wheels

The year 1974 may seem like a distant memory, but it was a time of significant milestones. It saw the birth of the Rubik’s Cube, the debut of Skittles in the United Kingdom, the first People Magazine was sold widely on newsstands and crucially for our community, the founding of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA). Over the past 50 years, a lot has happened at GCRTA, and we have a rich legacy to show for it.

Jeff Adams, our Central Equipment Fleet Manager at GCRTA, is dedicated to preserving this legacy. His passion led him to focus on the restoration of a 1965 General Motors second-generation “New Look Bus.” This bus, originally part of the Cleveland Transit System (CTS) fleet, became a cornerstone of our operations when the GCRTA was established on December 30, 1974, under the direction of Mayor Ralph J. Perk. It’s more than just a bus; it’s a symbol of our beginnings and our commitment to connecting the community.

The “New Look” bus, one of 44,000 of its kind, was a workhorse for many transit agencies. After years of service, it was retired and left dormant as new technologies emerged. But Adams saw potential in this piece of history. He enlisted the help of Anthony “Tony” Lavalle, an Equipment Mechanic (and one of the few people who can operate this type of bus), to bring the bus back to life. Adams remarked, “This bus is a tangible piece of history for everyone to see as proof of our evolution and longevity at GCRTA as a leading organization in public transit.”

Together, Adams and Lavalle restored the bus to working condition, installing a retro fare box appropriate for the time and cleaning it in preparation for the 50th anniversary of GCRTA. While this bus may not return to full service, it remains a powerful connection to our past.

Adams reflects, “This bus is a time capsule giving us a glimpse of what public transit was like 50 years ago. It also indicates how much public transit has evolved at GCRTA over the last 50 years.”

As we celebrate 50 years of service, we are excited to share more of our story and continue our mission to connect the community in Greater Cleveland.