EVERETT — Tiny Everett Transit buses may soon be headed to the Matchbox section of a toy store near you.
The Everett City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to give Mayor Ray Stephanson the green light to sign a licensing agreement with Mattel Inc. to make replicas of the city’s buses with their distinct art deco logo — wings with a red circle around the letters ET.
No money will change hands in the deal with the world’s largest toy maker.
“It’s more of an honor than anything,” Council President Drew Nielsen said. “Bragging rights.”
The city first contacted Mattel because it was looking for replicas of its red and light gray buses to help explain the benefits of mass transit.
The El Segundo, Calif., company offered to consider it for the its City Action series, which includes fire and dump trucks, police cars, heavy equipment and other service vehicles.
An official for Mattel, which also makes Hot Wheels, Barbie dolls and Fisher-Price toys, could not be reached for comment. An Everett Transit representative said the toys should be available by the Christmas shopping season.
When the city-owned transit agency unveiled a new paint scheme in 2001, Nielsen said he had a spirited disagreement with one of his sons who did not like the new look.
“He already knows what he’s getting for Christmas,” Nielsen said.
Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
