GARY TRANSIT HISTORY

INTERURBAN BUS TRANSPORTATION

In 1922, rail service between Woodville and Chesterton was replaced with buses. In 1925 the bus service was discontinued.

BUS SERVICE SUPPLEMENTING INTERURBAN RAILWAYS

In 1925, Gary Street Railway Co. and successor Gary Railways Co. introduced the listed interurban bus routes. In 1926, Shore Line Motor Coach Co. was formed as a subsidiary of Midland Utilities, to assume all bus operations from Gary Railways Co. Midland Utilities had been formed in 1924 as a holding company, controlling various electric railways and utilities in Indiana.

Indicated are the numbers of each Certificate of Convenience and Necessity issued by the Public Service Commission of Indiana.

Whiting to Highland - From 119th & Indianapolis to Ridge & Kennedy primarily via Kennedy (PSCI Certificate 331M)

Gary to Michigan City - From Gary CSS&SB station to Michigan City CSS&SB station primarily via Dunes Hwy (US 12) (PSCI Certificate 340M)

Hammond to Cedar Lake - From Hammond CSS&SB station to Cedar Lake primarily via Calumet (PSCI Certificate 342M)

Gary to Hobart and Valparaiso - From Gary CSS&SB station to Valparaiso interurban terminal at Lincolnway and Franklin primarily via Old Ridge Rd and Yellowstone Trail (PSCI Certificate 519M)

Gary to Merrillville and Valparaiso - From Gary CSS&SB station to Valparaiso interurban terminal at Lincolnway and Franklin primarily via Broadway and Lincoln Hwy (PSCI Certificate 520M)

Hammond to Valparaiso - From Sibley & Morton to Valparaiso interurban terminal at Lincolnway and Franklin primarily via Kennedy and Ridge Rd and Yellowstone Trail (PSCI Certificate 521M)

Gary to Hobart - From Gary CSS&SB station to Hobart PRR station primarily via Dunes Hwy and Pine St (PSCI Certificate 522M)

Gary to Lafayette - From Gary CSS&SB station to Lafayette primarily via US 231 (PSCI Certificate 523M)

Hobart to Deep River - From Chicago & Main via Ainsworth (PSCI Certificate 588M)

The certificates were cancelled for the Whiting to Highland route in 1930, and for the remaining routes in 1931. Though it is not known when the Lafayette route was discontinued or sold.

BUS SERVICE REPLACING INTERURBAN RAILWAYS

With Shore Line Motor Coach Co. dissolved, Gary Railways Co. became the operator of the bus lines replacing the interurban railways.

1933 - Crown Point rail line replaced with buses.

1938 - Valparaiso rail line replaced with buses.

1939 - Hobart rail line replaced with buses.

1950's - Bus service to Valparaiso discontinued.

1956 - Gary Railways reorganized, with Gary Transit Inc. formed to operate city bus service, and Gary Intercity Lines Inc. formed to operate interurban bus service.

1971 - All bus service outside Gary discontinued.

1975 - Gary Transit becomes publicly owned Gary Public Transportation Corporation.

1996 - Gary Public Transportation Corporation introduces bus routes to Hammond and to Crown Point.

2007 - V-Line introduces local bus service in Valparaiso, along with connecting service to NICTD rail line.

In addition, according to the 1952 "Mass Transportation's Directory", there existed a Cedar Lake Bus Service, operating in southern Lake County. Also, according to the WPA American Guide Series of state guidebooks, there existed an Interstate Travelways around the 1930's, serving Gary.

A special thanks goes to Chicago bus historian Andre Kristopans, for supplying information from a book of Public Service Commission of Indiana (PSCI) orders pertaining to these bus routes.

Go to Chicago Transit & Railfan Web Site