BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A few more vintage "Green Era" shots.......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2569

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2571

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2717

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In 1969, one could still ride the IRT's Bowling Green-South Ferry shuttle, traveling aboard classic R-12's (I can remember when Lo-V's were still used on this shuttle!)

This 1970 view recalls the old shuttle as it was, now gone 42 years.......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2648

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

July, 1969 (Broadway & 96th).........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2824

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"TRANSITION".........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2864

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2842

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2841

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Park Row & Beekman, 1969*.............

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2865

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

*Also, note the physcedelic "BUSORAMA" ad........

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Park Row, long, long ago.......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1086

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1095

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Chatham Sq. and Mott St., 1972..........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2899

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

#8540* at 86th & Lexington, 1970.

This is another one of those vintage shots where the old-style store signage is as nostalgic as the bus itself.....

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1133

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

*Note the ad card on #8540's dash: "WHOOPEE! HERE COMES THE N.Y. TIMES BUS"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"GREEN-TO-BLUE" (South Ferry, 1973)

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1194

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

12th Avenue & 42nd, 1972.......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1190

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Dateline, 1969.........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1157 *

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1162

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

*Note ad placards on #8553: "EXACT FARE ON BUSES AUG. 31st"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Broadway & Reade, 1970 (#8553 again!).......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1158

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[MaBSTOA 15]

New York Omnibus 2629, I like to thank you for your kind words and respect for my New York City bus knowledge. Hope to continue to help in the future.

Several comments regarding the great photos you have posted:

1) Note the difference in destination signs even within the same number series. i.e., #8557 “16 to 1 Ave” and #8576 “16 to 1st Ave” (BTW, the driver on 8576 by his body action appears to be shifting into drive gear to start his run. He is also wearing a hat, a rare sight!)

2) Several photos show a front destination route different from the route designation on the batwings therefore alluding to the comment that both routes were based at the same depot. This assumption is incorrect.

The front destination signs were individually assigned to each depot. In other words, the buses based at a given depot only had signs for the routes based at that depot.

The batwing sign curtains were assigned by borough. Therefore, all buses based in the Bronx only had batwing destination curtains for all the Bronx routes; all Manhattan based buses had batwing signs for all the Manhattan routes (including routes 15 Jackson Heights, 16 Elmhurst Crosstown and TB Triborough Bridge)

This is the reason why when the buses were reassigned, they lacked the correct batwing signs.

This only applied to MaBSTOA buses.

3) BTW, I prefer the green color with roof script or “OA” logo as I believe that it was perfect for these buses.

In retrospect, I (like so many) took these new looks for granted. Rode them every day, took some pictures, I eventually moved away from New York and then… they were gone! Replaced by the iconic RTS and Flxible 870s, totally different but each had character, unfortunately, to be replaced by bland two-by-fours with wheels. Glad to see BUSTALK exists allowing us to reminisce, exchange information, etc.