Amtran pays tribute to its history, debuts ‘trolley’ bus

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Commuters in Altoona might see a vehicle that looks reminiscent of a trolley rolling down the city streets.

Amtran debuted a new bus Friday — Bus 56. This bus is the first and currently only one of the fleet to feature a new design that pays tribute to the trolley cars Amtran operated seventy years ago when they were known as Altoona & Logan Valley Electric Railway Company.

The bus is numbered ’56’ because that is the same number that appeared on the last trolley car to go out of service in August 1954.

“Well, it looks that way because we’re trying to mimic what it was at one time, the real trollies. And to us, to be able to see that, as drivers, to be able to see something like this coming back, it’s kind of historic,” said Jose Silva, who had the honor of driving Bus 56 on its debut journey.

Silva has worked for Amtran for 27 years and said that he sees Bus 56 as a tribute to drivers that came before him.

“I know it’s not a trolley, but it is — it signifies who the people have been behind us whenever this was a real trolley,” Silva said.

Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters .

If you’re trying to catch a ride on Bus 56, you’ll just have to keep your eyes out for the bright orange design heading down the street as it will run various routes throughout the city.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.