Alex Regies made a return visit, this time to tell us about the Manitoba Transit Heritage Association. He also took the opportunity to share that it is his birthday.
The MTHA collects antique buses and restores them to operable/display status.They currently have 18 buses in their fleet.
When the two founders of the association went looking for their first bus, they found a 1937 Twin Coach that seated 22. It was being used as a chicken coop in Ladywood MB. Winnipeg Transit supported the project and the group was incorporated as a museum and charitable not-for-profit. They currently have about 77 members.
Buses that are headed for the scrapyard are intercepted for the museum One bus is a ‘museum bus’ with display cabinets holding old uniforms, badges, tickets and ticket punches. There is also a TV that acts as a mini-theatre, telling the story of transit’s history. Retired drivers take the buses to places such as schools, seniors’ centres, and the Pony Corral car show. They also sell calendars and books, and produce a newsletter. The buses attract a lot of interest at car shows. They bring back many memories.
They also go outside Winnipeg for events and are also used by the film and TV industry. Members of the public can buy a membership, or merchandise which includes t-shirts and caps. The budget of approximately $100,000 comes from memberships, merchandise, grants and donations. Their goal is to acquire a warehouse to park the buses in.
Currently buses are stored at the Winnipeg Transit garage, at New Flyer on Kernahan, and rental space in a storage compound. They are insured for scrap value, and receive antique license plates. The oldest bus is a 1934 Dodge, and the museum has a sample from each decade.
There were many questions for Alex.
Learn more and check for events at: www.mtha.ca
David thanked Alex.
