HERSHEY, Pa. The estate of George M. Sage, founder of Bonanza Bus Lines who died 13 months ago, has given $500,000 to the Museum of Bus Transportation.

In announcing the bequest, Mr. Sage's widow, Barbara 'Boo' Sage, said "this comes to you with great hope for the future of the Museum of Bus Transportation, as well as being a tangible sign of George's never ending passion for the bus industry."

Museum President Tom Collins, noting the bequest was the largest one-time gift ever presented to the institution, said the money will help eliminate debt and assure a brighter financial future for the 12-year-old industry museum.

Last year, with Mr. Sage's guidance and assistance, the museum purchased a large bus storage facility for $340,000. The museum made a down payment of $100,000 and borrowed the rest.

Mr. Sage helped guarantee the success of a year-end museum fund raising drive by matching all contributions dollar for dollar. Though his financial largesse to that effort was not announced, it is believed to have exceeded $50,000.

Collins said the museum board had decided to use the large Sage gift to pay-off the mortgage on the storage facility and invest the balance in an annuity.

"This bequest will enable the museum to establish a firm financial plan for the future," Collins noted.

The Museum of Bus Transportation in Hershey is North America's only showcase display of school, transit and intercity buses. It is housed within the Antique Automobile Club of Americas $7 million, three-floor museum complex, displaying both antique autos and vintage buses. It is open daily.

The museum is funded through memberships, annual pledges, donations and visitor ticket purchases, and operated entirely by volunteers. Nearly 44,000 people came through the museum last year.

For more information, go to www.busmuseum.org.

Last month, Mrs. Sage announced that Mr. Sage had bequeathed $4 million to a small boarding school in Rhode Island that specializes in educating children with disabilities. (See Dec. 15, 2007 Bus & Motorcoach News.)

Mr. Sage was well known during his career in Rhode Island as a philanthropist, civic leader, sports enthusiast and entrepreneur. He made his fortune by taking a half-interest in a one-bus company and building it into Bonanza Bus Lines, one of the most successful regional line-haul operations in the U.S. He died at the age of 75 on Dec. 4, 2006, while playing tennis. (See Dec. 15, 2006 Bus & Motorcoach News.)