| THE DETROIT MOTORBUS COMPANY |
According to U.S. Census records for
1900, the population of Detroit was
listed at 285,704, ranking the city the
13th largest in the country. By 1920,
its population had more than tripled to
993,678, ranking Detroit the nation's
4th most populated city. In addition to
the city's population increase, it's land
area began to increase dramatically as
well. Between the years of 1915-1926,
the city's land size increased from just
46.9 square miles in 1915, to 139.2
square miles in 1926. Detroit was able
to accomplish this feat by annexing a
number of the townships and villages
located just beyond the city limits.
It was during this massive annexation
period when a privately-owned motor-
bus company was formed that would
soon establish a number of bus routes
within these newly acquired territories.
The City of Detroit, at that time, was
involved in a prolonged battle with the
Detroit United Railway (DUR) --
the city's privately-owned streetcar
company -- attempting to take-over
1900, the population of Detroit was
listed at 285,704, ranking the city the
13th largest in the country. By 1920,
its population had more than tripled to
993,678, ranking Detroit the nation's
4th most populated city. In addition to
the city's population increase, it's land
area began to increase dramatically as
well. Between the years of 1915-1926,
the city's land size increased from just
46.9 square miles in 1915, to 139.2
square miles in 1926. Detroit was able
to accomplish this feat by annexing a
number of the townships and villages
located just beyond the city limits.
It was during this massive annexation
period when a privately-owned motor-
bus company was formed that would
soon establish a number of bus routes
within these newly acquired territories.
The City of Detroit, at that time, was
involved in a prolonged battle with the
Detroit United Railway (DUR) --
the city's privately-owned streetcar
company -- attempting to take-over
(click on above map to view larger more detailed version)
The first Detroit Motorbus route to be put into service was Rt 1-Jefferson Avenue, which began operating on June
11, 1920 -- charging a 10¢ bus fare. Its fleet of double-decker buses also competed with DUR streetcars along Jefferson
Avenue. Service operated along East Jefferson from Water Works Park (located at Jefferson and Cadillac) to Grand Circus
Park downtown. The following year, service along E. Jefferson was extended eastward to Continental Avenue -- providing
service to the Continental Motors, Maxwell Motors. and the Hudson Motor Car Company plants.
11, 1920 -- charging a 10¢ bus fare. Its fleet of double-decker buses also competed with DUR streetcars along Jefferson
Avenue. Service operated along East Jefferson from Water Works Park (located at Jefferson and Cadillac) to Grand Circus
Park downtown. The following year, service along E. Jefferson was extended eastward to Continental Avenue -- providing
service to the Continental Motors, Maxwell Motors. and the Hudson Motor Car Company plants.
|
After first having to rent garages to house its bus
fleet, the company built its first bus garage on the
city's lower east side at Terminal Avenue and Edlie
Street, just south of East Jefferson Avenue. The
garage opened on July 15, 1921, and was able to
accommodate as many as 75 coaches. After the
company's bus routes began to expand out into
the west-side, two additional west-side garages
were built. The first west-side terminal, located on
Tireman at Epworth, opened in July of 1923. The
DMB's largest facility, which included new offices
and a separate shop facility, opened on April 11,
1924, and was located on Dexter Avenue at Doris.
By early 1921, the DMB had already begun using
its main line along East Jefferson to extend service
outward into the expanding city. An East Jefferson
branch out Cass Avenue, and a later branch out
John R., provided service to the Burroughs Adding
Machine Company plant, located on Amsterdam
and Second Avenue. Later that year, another East
Jefferson branch, westward along West Lafayette
and Green Avenues, was added. These branch
extensions would later become separated from the
main East Jefferson line, and would form the basis
for a number of DMB bus routes -- many of which
would remain in operation long into the DSR years.
By the middle of 1921, the DMB would begin to
focus a number of their bus routes around two
major service hubs. One location was the massive
Ford Motor Co. Model-T plant on Woodward at
Manchester, in the city of Highland Park. Another
prim location would center around the area of the
block-long, 15-story, General Motors Building --
located at West Grand Boulevard and Second Ave.
City planners were hoping back then that the new
GM Headquarters building (completed in 1922)
would become the focal point for a new "second
downtown" to be known as "New Center." The
| (click on thumbnail photos to view larger image) |
majority of the Detroit Motorbus west-side bus routes provided service to the city's New Center area.
The DMB's Rt 11-East Grand Blvd. -- which was launched on December 11, 1923, and operated between E. Jefferson
(at Belle Isle) and the new General Motors Building.-- would become the last of the routes forming the company's network
of city lines. With the city-owned DSR launching its own motorbus division in January 1925 -- originally founded with the
intent to provide feeder-bus service to the city's newly acquired territories -- the successful bus company soon found its
ability to expand within the city had basically ceased. In a move which would later have lasting impact today, the Detroit
Motorbus Company decided to begin expanding aggressively out into the suburbs, operating a number of suburban
routes from downtown to the outlying suburbs. It even acquired a number of suburban bus companies.
Surprisingly though, the company's relationship with the city-owned DSR was rather friendly at first, with the DMB even
providing service periodically on behalf of the DSR. Several DSR bus lines, including Eight Mile, 14th Street, Conant, and
W. Warren were operated by Detroit Motorbus Company buses. By 1930, Detroit Motorbus was operating with a
fleet of 395 buses, over a network of both city and suburban bus routes. However, the DMB's relationship with the City
of Detroit would soon change.
The arrival of the Great Depression years wihich followed 1929 began to take its toll on the city-owned DSR system. As
factories closed, patronage and revenues declined, and the city was forced to place a number of its buses and streetcars
into storage. With the municipal system facing financial difficulties, the city, in April 1930, ordered the DMB to scale down
a number of its competitive bus routes, and discontinue its East Jefferson route -- which competed directly with the DSR.
Finally, after the DSR's receipts dropped by $2.5 million in 1931, the Common Council frantically decided that the best
solution for generating more revenue would be to take over the Detroit Motorbus Company's city bus routes.
On December 22, 1931, the Common Council voted to revoke the Detroit Motorbus Company's day-to-day license to
operate within the city of Detroit, effective on the close of business on December 31, 1931. As a result, effective Friday,
January 1, 1932, the city-owned DSR became the sole provider of both street railway and motor coach operations within
the city of Detroit. The Detroit Motorbus Company, for the most part, had been put out of business.
Although the Detroit Motorbus Company only operated within the city of Detroit from 1920 through 1931, many of
its city bus routes would remain in operation many decades later. Of the eight Detroit Motorbus city lines in operation at
the end of 1931, all but its Rt 1-Jefferson were continued on by the DSR. The following is a listing of the former Detroit
Motorbus routes that were taken over by the City of Detroit:
Rt 3-Cass Avenue-Second Blvd. --- Became the DSR/DDOT's former Second Avenue line
Rt 4-Dexter-Cass --- Still exists as the present-day Dexter line
Rt 6-Lafayette Avenue --- Became the DSR/DDOT's recently discontinued Lafayette-Green line
Rt 7-West Grand Blvd.-Tireman --- Still exists as the present-day Tireman line
Rt 8-John R. Street --- Became the DSR's former John R.-Oakland line
Rt 9-Dexter-John R. --- Became a branch of the DSR's Dexter line, but was discontinued in July 1933
Rt 11-East Grand Blvd. --- Would later form the eastern portion of the present-day Grand Belt line
But despite the fact that the company had been basically dismantled by the City of Detroit, the Detroit Motorbus Co's
suburban operations still lives on today through the suburban bus operation SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority
for Regional Transportation).
After the company's city bus routes were captured by the DSR in 1932, its eastern suburban bus lines were acquired by
some of its management people who formed Lake Shore Coach Lines. Another group of DMB employees acquired its
western suburban lines, forming Dearborn Coach Company, which later became Intertown Suburban Lines in 1950.
That company became a subsidiary of American Transit Corp. in 1960, and was renamed Metropolitan Transit in 1962.
Both companies were later acquired a few years after the formation of the regional transit authority SEMTA in 1967. The
Lake Shore lines were acquired by SEMTA in 1971 and Metro Transit in 1974. Today, many of these same routes are run
by the suburban SMART bus system.
The DMB's Rt 11-East Grand Blvd. -- which was launched on December 11, 1923, and operated between E. Jefferson
(at Belle Isle) and the new General Motors Building.-- would become the last of the routes forming the company's network
of city lines. With the city-owned DSR launching its own motorbus division in January 1925 -- originally founded with the
intent to provide feeder-bus service to the city's newly acquired territories -- the successful bus company soon found its
ability to expand within the city had basically ceased. In a move which would later have lasting impact today, the Detroit
Motorbus Company decided to begin expanding aggressively out into the suburbs, operating a number of suburban
routes from downtown to the outlying suburbs. It even acquired a number of suburban bus companies.
Surprisingly though, the company's relationship with the city-owned DSR was rather friendly at first, with the DMB even
providing service periodically on behalf of the DSR. Several DSR bus lines, including Eight Mile, 14th Street, Conant, and
W. Warren were operated by Detroit Motorbus Company buses. By 1930, Detroit Motorbus was operating with a
fleet of 395 buses, over a network of both city and suburban bus routes. However, the DMB's relationship with the City
of Detroit would soon change.
The arrival of the Great Depression years wihich followed 1929 began to take its toll on the city-owned DSR system. As
factories closed, patronage and revenues declined, and the city was forced to place a number of its buses and streetcars
into storage. With the municipal system facing financial difficulties, the city, in April 1930, ordered the DMB to scale down
a number of its competitive bus routes, and discontinue its East Jefferson route -- which competed directly with the DSR.
Finally, after the DSR's receipts dropped by $2.5 million in 1931, the Common Council frantically decided that the best
solution for generating more revenue would be to take over the Detroit Motorbus Company's city bus routes.
On December 22, 1931, the Common Council voted to revoke the Detroit Motorbus Company's day-to-day license to
operate within the city of Detroit, effective on the close of business on December 31, 1931. As a result, effective Friday,
January 1, 1932, the city-owned DSR became the sole provider of both street railway and motor coach operations within
the city of Detroit. The Detroit Motorbus Company, for the most part, had been put out of business.
Although the Detroit Motorbus Company only operated within the city of Detroit from 1920 through 1931, many of
its city bus routes would remain in operation many decades later. Of the eight Detroit Motorbus city lines in operation at
the end of 1931, all but its Rt 1-Jefferson were continued on by the DSR. The following is a listing of the former Detroit
Motorbus routes that were taken over by the City of Detroit:
Rt 3-Cass Avenue-Second Blvd. --- Became the DSR/DDOT's former Second Avenue line
Rt 4-Dexter-Cass --- Still exists as the present-day Dexter line
Rt 6-Lafayette Avenue --- Became the DSR/DDOT's recently discontinued Lafayette-Green line
Rt 7-West Grand Blvd.-Tireman --- Still exists as the present-day Tireman line
Rt 8-John R. Street --- Became the DSR's former John R.-Oakland line
Rt 9-Dexter-John R. --- Became a branch of the DSR's Dexter line, but was discontinued in July 1933
Rt 11-East Grand Blvd. --- Would later form the eastern portion of the present-day Grand Belt line
But despite the fact that the company had been basically dismantled by the City of Detroit, the Detroit Motorbus Co's
suburban operations still lives on today through the suburban bus operation SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority
for Regional Transportation).
After the company's city bus routes were captured by the DSR in 1932, its eastern suburban bus lines were acquired by
some of its management people who formed Lake Shore Coach Lines. Another group of DMB employees acquired its
western suburban lines, forming Dearborn Coach Company, which later became Intertown Suburban Lines in 1950.
That company became a subsidiary of American Transit Corp. in 1960, and was renamed Metropolitan Transit in 1962.
Both companies were later acquired a few years after the formation of the regional transit authority SEMTA in 1967. The
Lake Shore lines were acquired by SEMTA in 1971 and Metro Transit in 1974. Today, many of these same routes are run
by the suburban SMART bus system.
For more detailed information on the Detroit Motorbus Company see the Motor Bus Society's September 1988 edition of Motor Coach Age magazine titled
"Detroit Motorbus Co." by Jack E. Schramm.
Virtual Motor City Collection photo #21386 used by permission of the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University.
All rights, including those of further reproduction and/or publication, are reserved in full by the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University. Photographic
reproductions may be protected by U.S. copyright law (U.S. Title 17). The user is fully responsible for copyright infringement.
"Detroit Motorbus Co." by Jack E. Schramm.
Virtual Motor City Collection photo #21386 used by permission of the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University.
All rights, including those of further reproduction and/or publication, are reserved in full by the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University. Photographic
reproductions may be protected by U.S. copyright law (U.S. Title 17). The user is fully responsible for copyright infringement.
FOR RELATED TOPIC SEE: DETROIT'S DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES
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| DETROIT TRANSIT HISTORY |
| DETROIT TRANSIT HISTORY |
(NOTE: Page best viewed using Internet Explorer browser - Other browsers used with Macintosh computers may distort the page layout.)
| The web-site which takes a look back at the History of Public Transportation in and around the City of Detroit. |
| .. |
|
| In 1920, the Detroit Motorbus Company became the first motorbus company to begin operations in the city of Detroit. Its first route was along E. Jefferson Ave. Coach #934 in photo, was a 66-passenger semi-enclosed double-decker bus (model Z-F-204) built by Yellow Coach in 1924. It is seen here boarding passengers in Grand Circus Park, sometime between 1924 and 1929. Its destination sign reads "Jefferson--City Limits." (Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University photo #21386 — used with permission) |
that company's street railway operations. With the city focusing more on the streetcar operation, the increasing need to
provide transit services to those newly acquired territories would provide the perfect opportunity for the establishment of
the Detroit Motorbus Company (DMB).
Organized back in 1919 by Herbert Y. McMullen (an automobile accessory and supply distributor), the Detroit Motorbus
Company would become the first permanently successful transit bus company to provide motor coach service within the
city of Detroit. To help gain the support of the public as to the type of service it would be providing, the company began
operating a sample prototype double-decker bus on demonstrator trips to hotels, banks and department stores within the
central business district, and along Woodward Avenue. The promotion was a success, and even gained the support of the
local press.
The company began its operations in 1920 with a fleet of ten double-decker buses built by Fifth Avenue Coach Co. But
unlike the DUR, which had operated it streetcars through multi-year franchise agreements, the DMB was only licensed to
operate its service through so-called "day-to-day" revocable permits, issued by the Common Council. Consequently, the
city could cancel the company's license at any time.
provide transit services to those newly acquired territories would provide the perfect opportunity for the establishment of
the Detroit Motorbus Company (DMB).
Organized back in 1919 by Herbert Y. McMullen (an automobile accessory and supply distributor), the Detroit Motorbus
Company would become the first permanently successful transit bus company to provide motor coach service within the
city of Detroit. To help gain the support of the public as to the type of service it would be providing, the company began
operating a sample prototype double-decker bus on demonstrator trips to hotels, banks and department stores within the
central business district, and along Woodward Avenue. The promotion was a success, and even gained the support of the
local press.
The company began its operations in 1920 with a fleet of ten double-decker buses built by Fifth Avenue Coach Co. But
unlike the DUR, which had operated it streetcars through multi-year franchise agreements, the DMB was only licensed to
operate its service through so-called "day-to-day" revocable permits, issued by the Common Council. Consequently, the
city could cancel the company's license at any time.
| -- Map source: Motor Coach Age Magazine |