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JOIN US... FOR A HISTORIC JOURNEY
The Greater Lansing community has a long and proud manufacturing and transportation legacy — and we are always on the lookout for unique ways to honor it! The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission has launched a project to restore a century-old REO passenger bus back to its former glory and bring this one-of-a-kind piece of local history home.
This restoration is about more than preservation — it’s about connecting with our community and regional pride, building a bridge between Lansing's industrial past and Tri-County's ongoing role in planning for a sustainable transportation future, and recognizing the innovation, craftsmanship, and vision that helped build Michigan’s transportation identity.
Learn more about the project and follow the bus's restoration journey through videos, photos, and interactive storytelling on this webpage and on our social media accounts.
HOLY MATER!
97-year-old Lansing bus is hitting the road to restoration
The bus represents Lansing’s deep roots in automotive history and its pioneering role in early American transit. The bus’s chassis was built by the REO Motor Car Company, founded in Lansing in 1904 and an early pioneer of automotive innovation. It personifies not only a significant piece of local manufacturing history but also a broader story about how Mid-Michigan helped shape modern transportation.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Over the next 12 to 18 months, the bus will undergo a meticulous restoration to bring it back to operational condition, a process that combines artisanship, research, and engineering expertise.
Once complete, the bus will be returned to Lansing with the goal of making it usable for community events and educational exhibits.
Check back for updates!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This is more than a restoration. It’s a revival. We’re breathing life back into a piece of Michigan’s history, and in doing so, we’re reconnecting our community to the legacy that helped move it forward.
Jim Snell, Executive Director
