Previously on display in the Special Collections Display Cases during Winter Quarter 2008. Now, presented here as a web exhibit.

Exhibit prepared by Sara Gunasekara, Collections Manager

In the late 1960s, the Associated Students of UC Davis explored possibilities for providing bus transportation to students traveling between the City of Davis and the campus. The University Transport System, or Unitrans, was founded by ASUCD and service officially began on February 28, 1968 with two London double decker buses operating on two routes. Today, Unitrans provides transportation with 40 buses on 15 routes, carrying over 3 million passengers a year. The exhibit chronicles the history of Unitrans, which is celebrating its 40th year of operation.

Special Collections is charged with collecting, preserving, administering, and providing access to the University Archives. This exhibit draws materials from several University Archives Collections including: the Unitrans Archives, Chancellor's Archives, University Communications Archives, and the University Archives Serials Collection.

Timeline of events leading up to the official founding of Unitrans in February 1968

	Spring 1966 ASUCD Election Robert Black, candidate for ASUCD president, makes campaign promises to bring bus service to campus.
	October 1966 Two week trial bus line provides service on a twice hourly basis to students in East Davis.
	December 1966 ASUCD contracts with Patchett Bus Lines for bus service to the University.
	April 1967 ASUCD off-campus rep Richard Kleker sponsors proposal to buy two double decker buses from the London Transport System.
	Fall 1967 Buses arrive on campus and are christened in a ceremony on November 10.
	February 2, 1968 Bus service is delayed due to a regulation requiring safety glass windows.
	Bus service officially begins!

1960s

	ASUCD press release announcing the start of Unitrans service, 1968
	Last run of the 1967-1968 school year At the terminal in the Young Hall parking lot, June 1968
	System Route Map of the Big Red Bus, Effective September 30, 1968 There were three lines: A: East Davis, B: West Davis & C: North Davis
	Article from the Daily Democrat, October 21, 1969
	Bus schedules from 1969

1970s

	Advertisement in the California Aggie, January 6, 1971
	Invoice from London Transport System for two double decker buses, April 7, 1970
	Bus RT742 before being repainted red, circa Fall 1971. It was dubbed "Moby Bus" due to the white color scheme from the previous owner.
	Article in the Davis Enterprise announcing new bus signs, September 25, 1975.
	Bus sign, circa 1975.
	Article from Davis Enterprise announcing the expansion of service to the general public, August 9, 1972.
	Bus fleet, circa 1972.
	Bus passes from the 1970s.

1980s

	Ribbon cutting ceremony for new transit coaches, February 1982.
	Bus schedules from the 1980s
	Construction of the Unitrans Garage, 1986
	Article from the Davis Enterprise, February 1986
	Route Map for 1986-1987

1990s

	Article from Bus Ride, February 1992 First page.
	Article from Bus Ride, February 1992 Second page.
	Article from Bus Ride, February 1992 Last page.
	Members of the Unitrans staff who competed against other Northern California bus drivers in the North Bay Regional Transit Association Rodeo, October 1994
	Compressed Natural Gas buses introduced, April 1996.

2000s

	Unitrans schedules from the 2000s
	Graphic from General Manager's Report, Fiscal Year 2006-2007
	This Unitrans t-shirt commemorates the milestone of reaching 3 million riders in one year.
	Article from Davis Enterprise, December 13, 2007.
	Route Map for 2007-2008
	New Terminal A new Unitrans bus terminal is scheduled to be built on Hutchison Drive in front of Haring Hall.

Images (unless otherwise credited) are the property of the Regents of the University of California; no part may be reproduced or used without permission of the Department of Special Collections.