HERSHEY, Pa. -- The Museum of Bus Transportation has acquired something it has been wanting for a long time: a permanent place to store and maintain buses that are not on display.

Until now, the museum has had to rent storage space.

The building, formerly a garage, has room for 12 buses and already is adapted for bus maintenance and repair. Its also conveniently located in Hummelstown, Pa., a mere one-and-a-half miles from the museum in Hershey.

In the view of museum President John Dockendorf, the new storage facility is ideally located. He notes that many of the museums antique buses are only "marginally roadworthy" and should not be driven very far.

In fact, some cannot be driven and must towed to and from the museum display area.

The only down side is the buildings size. Normally 9 of the museums approximately 30 antique buses are on display on the museum floor at any one time. The new facility holds 12. That means a few buses must remain in the hands of volunteers who provide storage for them when they come off display.

Dockendorf believes the museum houses the largest indoor display of antique buses in the country. He says there are larger displays elsewhere, but they are usually outside and, of course, the weather deteriorates the vehicles.

The public will have an opportunity to view the new building in June. The museum plans to conduct its 2007 Spring Fling there June 2.

Good time to give

The storage facility was purchased for $340,000. The museum made a downpayment of $100,000 and has a mortgage for the balance, which it expects to pay off with donations. Early contributions through the end of October had reached $50,000.

Anyone considering making a donation to the museum may "double" their gift by doing so before the end of the year.

Prior to his death this month, George Sage, former owner of Bonanza Bus Lines, made provisions to match all donations to the museum received before Dec. 31. (See obituary on Page XX.)

The museum qualifies as a charitable organization for tax purposes.

Those interested in donating to the museum can use its secure Web site at www.busmuseum.org, or mail a check to Museum of Bus Transportation, 161 Museum Dr., Hershey, PA 17033.

For more information, contact Pastor Daniel Lehman, vice president and fleet manager, at icarrythelight4god@msn.com, or Dockendorf at (717)787-1220.