Old Missoula

Buses Take Over For Streetcars

Regular bus service began in Missoula Jan. 25, 1932, the day after streetcars had served their last day. Buses began a brisk business, serving passengers who for 21 years had ridden streetcars.

Eleven buses operated by the United Transit Co. followed the streetcar routes where possible. Runs included the University, Daly Addition, West Side, East Side, Higgins avenue, Ft. Missoula and Bonner.

The fare was five cents and transfers were given to students on a temporary arrangement. School children were required to purchase tickets at the rate of 20 for $1.

The operation ran smoothly the first day, with the exception of one difficulty. The first bus company operating to the University – that of O. H. Coats – offered door-to-door service, even furnishing patrons with bus signs to hang out when it was desired that the bus stop and honk. When the United Transit Co. took over the line, the feature was discarded as it made it impossible to maintain a regular schedule. Patrons were slow to get in the habit of waiting at the far corner of the block.

Buses ran smoothly and quickly over the few half-buried tracks left by the rumbling trolley cars on the wood-paved streets and Higgins Avenue Bridge.

Bus service had been attempted before the regular service was established in 1932. The Intermountain Transportation Co. began experimental service in January 1930. A year later south side residents enjoyed a rate war between the Intermountain Transportation Co. and the University bus service of Coats. As a result of the battle for customers, the price of the two-mile trip from the Northern Pacific depot to the campus was cut to 16 rides for 50 cents on Coats’ bus. Fare on the Intermountain bus was five cents.

Meanwhile, the price-cutting made inroads into the revenues of the University streetcar line which, with rates controlled by the state railroad commission, stood by watching buses fighting over business which the U line formerly had for its own.

Though the majority took the first vehicle which came along, some exhibited preference. Old-timers who had been riding on streetcars for more than 20 years stuck to their old allegiance, reasoning that the trolley line was in Missoula first and might be in Missoula when the buses were gone.