City of Montebello

MBL History

Montebello Bus Lines - Transportation service began in Montebello in 1910 with one motorized coach. As previously stated, Montebello was predominantly an agricultural region but World War I and the discovery of oil in the Montebello Hills quickly transformed the community. By 1917, there were four private companies competing for passengers among the influx of workers drawn to the area.

In 1922, two years after the incorporation of the City of Montebello, the city officially initiated a municipal bus service. Six years later, the city sold the operation to the Motor Transit Company, a division of Southern Pacific Railroad. Motor Transit later became Pacific Electric, operators of the famed “red cars.”

In 1931, the City purchased the lines back from the Motor Transit Company and launched its second municipal bus line. The City purchased a lot on Greenwood Avenue with a fleet of four coaches and began Montebello Bus Lines (MBL). During this period, a 17 passenger coach could be purchased for $2,700 each; a bus driver’s salary was $120 a month and the driver had to purchase his own uniform; and the fare was five cents.

What Do We Do ?

Montebello Bus Lines’ (MBL) primary responsibility is to provide transportation services to residents of Montebello and neighboring cities. MBL is the third largest municipal bus system in Los Angeles County, behind Long Beach Transit and Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus. With a fleet of 66 buses, MBL has proudly served more than 7 million passengers over the past decade throughout the communities of Alhambra, Bell Gardens, Boyle Heights, Commerce, Downtown Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, La Mirada, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, South Gate and Whittier.

What's Next ?

Montebello Bus Lines is always looking for ways to innovate and improve its services. We are currently in the process of acquiring three new Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric, Heavy-Duty Buses (FCEBs). An order for these vehicles has been placed with New Flyer of America for three of their Xcelsior XHE40 FCEBs, which are scheduled to arrive in August of 2024.

As this takes place, our staff are diligently engaged in the necessary planning stages for the infrastructure to support these vehicles. Our overall plan includes establishing a temporary fueling station.

Service Data