VW Bus Tuesday: Eugene's VW Transit Buses

Paul Niedermeyer
by Paul Niedermeyer

The VW Bus’ history in Eugene isn’t just tied to the counter culture. In the early sixties, Eugene’s privately-owned bus service was shrinking, like everywhere during the car boom. No longer able to afford the maintenance and fuel for the old large transit buses, a radical decision was made in a last-ditch effort to keep the buses rolling, and a small fleet of VW buses was purchased. Here they are, lined up and ready to roll, with their snappily-attired drivers, just a block or two away from where today’s CC bus was sitting. Not surprisingly, it didn’t pan out, but I’m sure these buses went on to have a colorful second life.

Paul Niedermeyer
Paul Niedermeyer

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  • Signal11 Signal11 on Apr 13, 2010

    Minibus services are still viable and popular all over the third world (Africa, SE Asia, Mid east, Central/South America). Typically, 14 passenger Toyota Hiaces.

  • Juniper Juniper on Apr 13, 2010

    Yea, but think how much they slowed traffic. Better than traffic cameras.

  • MadHungarian MadHungarian on Apr 13, 2010

    Have to assume there was never a serious accident involving one of those. To think of the litigation . . .

  • Bertel Schmitt Bertel Schmitt on Apr 14, 2010

    There are thousands of minibuses (mostly Toyota made) in Hong Kong. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_light_bus

    • Signal11 Signal11 on Apr 14, 2010

      Been a while since I spent time in HK but I do believe that those HK public light buses are Toyota Coaster class vehicles, which is a big step up from extended minivans. Typically, a Coaster seats ~20+. I used to import used RHD Toyota Land Cruisers, Hiaces, Hiluxes, Coasters, Prados into east Africa from Dubai.

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