Unitrans at 40: Moving Students Through the Decades
In the late 1960s, the Associated Students of UC Davis explored possibilities for providing bus transportation to students traveling between the City of Davis and the campus. The University Transport System, or Unitrans, was founded by ASUCD and service officially began on February 28, 1968 with two London double decker buses operating on two routes. Today, Unitrans provides transportation with 40 buses on 15 routes, carrying over 3 million passengers a year. The exhibit chronicles the history of Unitrans, which is celebrating its 40th year of operation.
Special Collections is charged with collecting, preserving, administering, and providing access to the University Archives. This exhibit draws materials from several University Archives Collections including: the Unitrans Archives, Chancellor’s Archives, University Communications Archives, and the University Archives Serials Collection.
Events leading up to the official founding
Spring 1966 ASUCD Election
Robert Black, candidate for ASUCD president, makes campaign promises to bring bus service to campus.
Robert Black, with gavel, President of the Associated Students of U.C. Davis, circa 1966.
October 1966
Two week trial bus line provides service on a twice hourly basis to students in East Davis.
December 1966
ASUCD contracts with Patchett Bus Lines for bus service to the University.
April 1967
ASUCD off-campus rep Richard Kleker sponsors proposal to buy two double decker buses from the London Transport System.
Richard Kleker, 1967.
Fall 1967
Buses arrive on campus and are christened in a ceremony on November 10.
Bus christening ceremony, November 10, 1967.
February 2, 1968
Bus service is delayed due to a regulation requiring safety glass windows.
Bus service officially begins!
California Aggie, February 26, 1968,
1960s
ASUCD press release announcing the start of Unitrans service, 1968
ASUCD press release, 1968.
Last run of the 1967-1968 school year
At the terminal in the Young Hall parking lot, June 1968.
System Route Map of the Big Red Bus, Effective September 30, 1968
There were three lines: A: East Davis, B: West Davis & C: North Davis.
Article from the Daily Democrat, October 21, 1969
Daily Democrat, October 21, 1969.
Bus schedules from 1969
Bus schedules from 1969
1970s
Advertisement in the California Aggie, January 6, 1971
Advertisement in the California Aggie, January 6, 1971.
Invoice from London Transport System for two double decker buses, April 7, 1970
Invoice from London Transport System for two double decker buses, April 7, 1970.
Bus RT742 before being repainted red, circa Fall 1971
It was dubbed “Moby Bus” due to the white color scheme from the previous owner.
Bus RT742 before being repainted red, circa Fall 1971.
Article in the Davis Enterprise announcing new bus signs, September 25, 1975.
Article in the Davis Enterprise announcing new bus signs, September 25, 1975.
Bus sign, circa 1975.
Article from Davis Enterprise announcing the expansion of service to the general public, August 9, 1972.
Bus fleet, circa 1972.
Bus passes from the 1970s.
1980s
Ribbon cutting ceremony for new transit coaches, February 1982.
Invitation to ribbon cutting, 1982.
Bus schedules from the 1980s
Bus schedules, 1980s.
Construction of the Unitrans Garage, 1986
Unitrans Garage, 1986.
Article from the Davis Enterprise, February 1986
Davis Enterprise, February 1986.
Route Map for 1986-1987
Route Map for 1986-1987
1990s
Article from Bus Ride, February 1992
First page of article from Bus Ride, February 1992.
Second page of article from Bus Ride, February 1992.
Last page of article from Bus Ride, February 1992.
Members of the Unitrans staff who competed against other Northern California bus drivers in the North Bay Regional Transit Association Rodeo, October 1994
Unitrans staff, 1994.
Compressed Natural Gas buses introduced, April 1996.
Invitation to event celebrating the Compressed Natural Gas buses, April 1996.
2000s
Unitrans schedules from the 2000s
Graphic from General Manager’s Report, Fiscal Year 2006-2007
Graphic showing annual ridership, 2007.
This Unitrans t-shirt commemorates the milestone of reaching 3 million riders in one year
Unitrans t-shirt, 2003.
Article from Davis Enterprise, December 13, 2007
Davis Enterprise, December 13, 2007.
Route Map for 2007-2008
Route map, 2007.
New Terminal
A new Unitrans bus terminal is scheduled to be built on Hutchison Drive in front of Haring Hall.
Tiered Initial Study & Negative Declaration, January 2008.