In 1972, Jane Brooks Holbrook conceived of the idea of a special bus, which would be
able to accommodate wheelchair and ambulatory passengers, to take nursing home
residents on outings and rides throughout the community. The Red Bus started
operation in the fall of 1973, and in 1975 the Red Bus Corporation was created as a
non-profit organization "to solidify its affiliation with the Milwaukee Foundation,
and to provide new impetus, funding, and growth to the operations of the Red
Bus."
The Red Bus offered outings to many places throughout Milwaukee and the surrounding
area, including Cedarburg, Holy Hill, Mayfair Mall, Mitchell Park Domes, the
Milwaukee County Zoo, and Summerfest. The corporation purchased a new Red Bus in
1982/1983, in 1994/1995, and again in 2003. In 2005, the Curative Care Network
acquired the Red Bus.
