Southern Pennsylvania Bus Company stock certificate 1922 (PA) - cert #5

Early regional bus line. Odd mining vignette for a transport cert, possibly early customers were miners (?). Early certificate number 5 from the company. Issued and cancelled. Marked returned and cancelled - new cert issued (#24 per note on the back). Dated 1922. Measures approximately 10 x 8.5 inches.

Unlisted in reference book, American Automotive Stock Certificates, by Larry Falater.

 The Southern Pennsylvania Bus Company was a historic transit operator incorporated in 1922, based in Chester, PA, that began replacing trolley cars in 1925. It operated into the late 1950s, with a major strike in 1960 leading to it going out of business. It was a predecessor to modern transit in the region.

 The Southern Penn Bus Transportation Company evolved from the Southern Penn Traction (trolley) Company, as bus substitution began to replace the many trolley routes in Delaware County in the 1930s. Buses such as the ACF Brill buses were a common sight going into and out of Chester along many different routes in Delaware County in the 1950s. The buses were painted a cream color on top, and a dark green on the bottom.

Operations:
Served the Chester, PA area with ACF and Yellow Coach buses.

History:
The company, often associated with Southern Penn Bus and Red Arrow Lines, was a precursor to modern transportation systems in Delaware County, PA.

Strike/Closure:
A labor dispute following an expired contract on March 21, 1960, halted services, and the company later dissolved. After about 3 months, Red Arrow Lines, the other major bus company in Delaware County, agreed to purchase Southern Penn for $210,000. The buses began rolling again on June 30, 1960, but painted in Red Arrow colors. Red Arrow was eventually taken over by SEPTA, ending private ownership of municipal transportation in Delaware County.

Product descriptions and images
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