Here is the story behind my trip...

Back in the summer of 2000 I was standing in the Drivers' Lounge and I happened to look out the window and I watched 5034 turn left onto Central Parkway and vanish. I said to myself...it moves! It had sat in the back of the garage lot for 3 years since 1997 after being retired as many of you are aware. My curiosity got the best of me and I started to ask questions.

It took me 2 years to locate someone who had more information about the location of 5034 because no one really knew for sure. I came across a great website http://natransit.com/gtabus/ full of GTA (and beyond) bus pictures and information. I contacted the webmaster Felix who happened to have photos of 5034 in California on his site. I eventually found out it was now owned by Scott Richards who resides in Riverside, California about an hour east of Los Angeles. He drove 5034 from Mississauga to Riverside, California on the highways.

I got the name of Scott's website http://www.rts-regionaltransitservice.com/ and found an email contact there on his site. I asked Scott if I were to take a trip to California sometime could I view 5034. He replied and said that it would be fine and to contact him at a future time when I was sure of my arrival date. I figured out a good time to jet away and set up a day to meet up with Scott and 5034. That day was on Saturday February 22, 2003.

I decided to take a trip down after getting sick of the snow and cold here at home. I flew down on Air Canada/United Airlines partnership to Ontario, California with just one short connection in Denver (yes there is a city named Ontario...made for some interesting looks when I had to show my license card for I.D. with Ontario on it!). Flying to Ontario International beats going into LAX or Los Angeles International because Ontario is smaller. Riverside is a short 15 minute drive from Ontario. When I landed it was 25c or (to make it feel warmer) 75f and sunny. The next day on the Saturday when I took my pictures it was just as nice. The area down there is beautiful and full of sights to visit.

It was nice of him to offer me the chance to drive around the streets for a few hours. I felt right at home on one of our own buses in a different city. It was a whole lot of fun and I thank both Scott and his friend Andy Goddard for the tour and the afternoon on 5034. Nice quick bus. Sure beats an Orion any day!

If you wish to contact Scott his email and other information is listed on his website...http://www.rts-regionaltransitservice.com/ Scott's E-mail

On his site it shows photos of his fleet of buses going back many years and details what his business is about and some of the movies etc. that his buses have been used in. Great site.

Scott and Andy are great guys. Both are a wealth of knowledge in buses, trains, trolleys etc.

Chad
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