March 27 marks the end of an era in local bus travel, as
King County Metro Transit retires the
last of its AM General 900 series trolley buses.
For 24 years, these 40-foot buses have traveled on overhead wires up
Seattle’s hills, down its valleys, and across the flats. The last trips for
this trolley series will be made on Thursday, March 27 on Route 10 between 6:30
a.m. and 2:30 p.m. And, in keeping with a public transit tradition dating back
to the early days of streetcars, the very last run will be filled with veteran
operators and long-time riders.
Although its being retired, the AMG 900 series will live on because the
propulsion systems from 100 of the old trolleys have been rebuilt and installed
in the new, state-of-the-art electric buses that began serving the public in
2002.
"We’ve been calling it the ultimate recycling project," said Metro General
Manager Rick Walsh. "Reusing the propulsion systems saved us about $200,000 per
coach, or $20 million for the purchase of 100 trolleys. The AMGs will be gone,
but not forgotten."
When the AMGs went into service in 1979, they replaced trolley buses built
in the 1940s. They were also the first new trolley buses built in the United
States since the 1950s.
Driver Mike Freund will operate the last AMG in regular Metro service. The
final run will leave Volunteer Park at 15th Avenue East and East
Galer Street at 2:07 p.m. The public is welcome to ride along until the trolley
reaches First Avenue and Union Street at approximately 2:29 p.m.
One of the AMGs not being used for the rebuild project will be placed in the
King County Metro historic fleet. It is being repainted and spruced up before
joining other historic buses in the rolling museum. A special public trip is
being arranged by Metro Employees Historic
Vehicle Association (MEHVA) for fans of the AMGs. A date has not yet been
set, but information will be posted on the
MEHVA website, and on the telephone hotline number (206) 684-1816.
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