BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

First-generation #501 at Washington Plaza, 1972 (note the bus displays neither the old "TA" logo, nor the new "MTA" emblem)

Note two of the R-27/30 cars rumbling overhead are still wearing the older red scheme (which I greatly preferred to the silver-blue "Ronan" scheme which the other cars are wearing.

The scheme did look good on the newer cars, but (IMHO) never looked good on the older equipment then in use.......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?353

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A few more vintage views of MaBSTOA batwings "in flight".......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2990

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2996

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2999

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3194

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

59th & Park, 1981.

A lot to see here, regarding buses, taxis, and streets signs.

#8546 is here displaying the MTA "M" logo on an empty ad rack on the dash; the driver also looks quite dapper!

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1142

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's another of those "gritty vintage Noo Yawk" bus scenes that truly captures the flavor of the era (34th & 3rd, 1972)

The ads sported by #8543 are particularly nostalgic, nearly a half-century later! (also, the vintage store signage)*

The rear of one of #8543's running mate can also be seen on the left.......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1137

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

*Note, too, the now-dated street lamp; I believe these were called "Broadways" or "Whiteways" (or something along those lines); these were quite futuristic at the time they debuted (early 1960's, or thereabouts)

These were also quite commonplace in my area of northern New Jersey for many years; the last of these distinctive street lights vanished quite a few years ago here.......

"NYO"

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Yet again, the need for a good book (or books) on MaBSTOA's history is clearly made evident; what buses operated out of what depot, what lines were eventually re-routed, etc.

The Ogden book (as we have so often discussed here) on FACCo., though (for the most part) a wealth of vintage photos, BARELY got into the MABSTOA era (what, nothing else ever happened regarding the former FACCo. routes after the company disappeared?)

IMHO, there should be at least TWO books on MaBSTOA; the first volume would deal with the early years, and end with the retirement of the last Old Looks.

The second volume could deal with the all-New Look era, and detail both the buses and operations until the MTA took the helm.

I know I'm preaching to the choir, here, but, as we've so often commented on here, Ogden's FACCo. book makes it glaringly obvious that he did not consider the New Looks to be TRUE "Fifth Avenue" buses.

This, I feel, as a great omission, as the New Looks WERE indeed a part (albeit quite brief) of the Company's diverse history and should have warranted at least a short chapter dedicated to them alone.

Just my 2 1/2 cents worth, here......

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

#3215 "swinging it" at the 165th St. terminal, 1971.

The first-generation New Look is already sporting new MTA "M" logo; driver is sans both tie and cap, both of which seemed be falling out of favor with many drivers, back then (ironically, about this time, uniform caps and ties were also falling out of favor with London Transport crews, as well as with many drivers throughout the US, especially younger fellows)

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?834

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Perhaps the most poignant MaBSTOA photo in the archives.........

In this lonely scene, Flex #4705 is here sitting silently by the original "House That Ruth Built", back in 1973.

The Flex New Looks (like their GM counterparts) now have been gone for many a year; today's Yankee Stadium is the "new, improved" version, while most of the original structure has likewise vanished.

The "Bronx Bombers" then playing have long since retired (and/or passed on), and the New Looks long ago made their final runs to the scrapyard.......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?959

*courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

GREAT photo and historical info!

Funny, when you consider how the FACCo. New Looks were a/c equipped, it still took many more years before the MTA could boast a fully a/c-equipped fleet!

Was also looking at the Old Looks in the background; I could swear that the bus on the right was a RED & TAN!

Again, as always, GREAT photo and historical bus info....

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a few more glimpses of MaBSTOA operations in the early 1970's.......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3179

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3184

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3200

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3210

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another aspect I find interesting to think about regarding both FACCo. and MaBSTOA is thinking about how many riders from the far reaches of Upper Manhattan/the Bronx (passengers that worked far downtown) actually rode the buses all the way down to their destinations (whether it be either their place of employment, or for shopping)

That far uptown, of course, there was no BMT subway, but there was (and still is the IRT and the IND subways); certainly, the subway (even a local train) could reach midtown (or downtown) in far less time than any bus.

Until it was closed, the nearby 6th Avenue El was available; ditto the 3rd Avenue line.

The Second and Ninth Avenue elevateds were further away from Fifth)

With FACCO's fare being more expensive than either the subways or the elevateds, perhaps certain bus riders felt that riding the bus all the way downtown was far more preferable (more "civilized"?) than mixing with the "rabble" on either the sardine-packed subways or the Els.

Then, too, there were those bus riders who were not making long trips downtown, only "short hauls"........

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Lexington & E. 32nd, 1972.

Recalling the days of Fishbowls, phone booths (where does Clark Kent dash into these days when he changes into Superman??) and "DON'T WALK" signs, not to mention colorful ads for "RINGLING BROS".

Also, note that #5416's roller curtain is not properly set......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2038

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

West Farms Square, 1974.

The IRT subway (elevated at this point) is not only quite near to the bus stop, but also, would certainly provide a much speedier ride downtown.........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?920

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)