TRANSPO History

On May 25, 1885, public transportation in South Bend began when a single-truck wagon, painted black and white and sporting gold ornaments, and drawn by a team of horses started west on Washington Avenue. The moment was described at the time as a “stirring moment” with “thrills matched only by the arrival in spring of the circus.”

By November 15, 1885 electric streetcars took to the city streets, some of the earliest uses of such vehicles in the United States. By 1891 there were 16 miles of track, equally split between horse cars and the “electrics.” By 1894, improvements in electrification enabled a new generation of electric streetcars to be placed in operation in South Bend and Mishawaka, putting all the horses out to pasture.

During the 1900’s, the advent of the gasoline engine brought cars and buses to the city streets. The South Bend Motor Bus appeared in 1920. In response, the first bus was put into service on September 10, 1923. The bus service began with a fleet of three vehicles. Bus service began in earnest in 1934, and streetcar service ended after 64 years of operation in South Bend on June 6, 1940, when car No. 820 entered the yards for the final time. A fleet of “traffic sign yellow” diesel buses rolled out the following morning.

From 1940 to 1967, Northern Indiana Transit operated the bus service. The privately operated company faced decreasing ridership in the face of the growing ranks of automobile owners and also cited the effects of television invading the household as a factor in keeping riders at home.

In 1966 Mayor Lloyd Allen began plans for the City of South Bend to acquire the bus system. On January 1, 1968, the first bus under municipal ownership signified the transition from the privately-owned company to the formation of the South Bend Public Transportation Corporation (SBPTC). The name of Northern Transit, Inc. was then replaced with a single line painted on the bus exterior, “Love me, I’m yours.”

From 1971-1974, 32 new GMC buses replaced part of the outdated SBPTC fleet. In 1976, SBPTC also acquired a new name. The South Bend Public Transportation Corporation was dubbed “TRANSPO” after a local contest. Since that time, vehicles have come and gone while service has expanded. Today TRANSPO operates a fleet of 71 vehicles, including buses, trolleys and vans. These vehicles drive more than 2 million miles and carry over 2.5 million passengers annually.

Since its start, TRANSPO had consistently operated from its original Northside location. After over 125 years, TRANSPO moved to its new home – the Emil “Lucky” Reznik Administration, Maintenance and Operations Facility – a building that was designed and built specifically for transit.

Emil “Lucky” Reznik has served on the South Bend Public Transportation Corporation’s Board of Directors since its establishment 43 years ago. He was instrumental in designing the transit system as it exists today. All of us at TRANSPO appreciate the contributions Lucky has made to this organization and to this community. His leadership has been an integral part of TRANSPO’s success. For this reason, TRANSPO is proud to have its new facility named in honor of Lucky. We have been “lucky” to have him on our team.

This new home will allow TRANSPO to operate and service vehicles more efficiently, and allow the introduction of alternatively-fueled buses into its fleet. It is an important step toward not only TRANSPO’s future, but to the community’s future. For more information about the facility, click HERE. The Emil “Lucky” Reznik Administration, Maintenance and Operations Facility is the first occupant in Ignition Park, a newly developed technology park that sits in a brownfield area now targeted for economic revitalization. Ignition Park is located on the grounds of the former Studebaker Corporation, the legendary auto manufacturer that served as the economic and innovative backbone of South Bend until its closing in 1963.

Today, TRANSPO has realized its goal of constructing a building with potential to become the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum-certified single facility for transit administration, maintenance and operations in the country. It was also the first LEED Platinum project of its kind in the State Indiana. TRANSPO looks forward to providing transportation services to the community for many decades to come. Thank you for visiting our website and learning more about TRANSPO.