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THE SHOWBUS AMERICA BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Santa Monica Big Blue Bus | Electric Buses | The Tide
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 The Tide Shuttle linked the wonderful 3rd Street Shopping / Dining / Entertainment pedestrian precinct with the immediate coastal residential area and Venice Beach. The service ran every 15 minutes from noon until late evening, requiring two vehicles: there appeared to be three available. They were charged (as here) overnight at the depot (which maybe the reason for the late start!) Each bus seated close to 30 with room for standees, though loadings probably never reached that number, but the service appeared to be well used even though it was a new concept. Their near total silent running occasionally fooled motorists and pedestrians, particularly when moving off from the busy 3rd Street terminus. Clearly the fleetname 'Big Blue Bus' was deemed inappropriate! |
 One of the three APS Systems P10-01A buses, numbered 2601 to 2603, awaits departure from 3rd & Broadway with 3rd Street brimming with activity as usual, as it would continue to do into the wee small hours. |
A return visit to Santa Monica in January 2001 found five Tide electrics, four of which were on charge on Sunday morning, with the 5th round the back of the depot. Numbers 2604 and 2605 had srrived in 2000. All five were withdrawn in 2004. |
On the first run of the day, just after noon, is 2603 edging along the cliff walk.
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 Just to emphasise a bit of the colour and variety in the big blue bus fleet back in 2001 are the green electric Tides, red GM 5174 and further blue GMC and MCI Classics. |
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