BusTalk

[X-Astorian]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

X-Astorian:

You just got me to thinking..........

Outside of the Fishbowls and the "Dangerfields" (Flex New Looks), Old Look "Shermans" were not running mates of AVENUE B's fleet of old MACKS, as the company did not purchase any Old Looks (second-hand) until the 70's.

The buses obtained came from Chicago (I believe South Suburban Safeway)

Interestingly, though they were re-lettered for AVENUE B, they were not repainted, and retained their old "SAFEWAY"paint until they were retired, after a very short career in "Noo Yawk".......

"NYO"

["SOUTH SUBURBAN SAFEWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a few photos of the ex-"SAFEWAY" buses now running for "AVENUE B".........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153047

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153049

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153050

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153048

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["M9 CITY HALL"]

[MaBSTOA 15]

The battle scars on 882 while owned by Queens Transit became battle wounds under Avenue B’s ownership as shown in this photo (note the destination signs)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153753

Too bad these were never repainted in Avenue B colors.

Btw, the old looks from South Suburban Safeway were actually leased by Avenue B from Hausman Bus Sales and not purchased by Avenue B.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

MaBSTOA 15:

As always, appreciate the additional information.

I've always wondered why "AVENUE B" never purchased any Old Looks prior to the ex-SAFEWAY buses; it was also obvious that the company indeed favored MACKS.

I've read that MACK #501 (a suburbanC-49-DM) had originally been a demo operating for PSNJ, and used exclusively in racetrack service.

Five MACK C-45-DT's were purchased used in 1964 from YONKERS TRANSIT......

"NYO"

["M9-AVE. B"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The heck with McDonald's, here's AVENUE B's "BIG MACKS"...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153034

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153032

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["SPECIAL"]

[MaBSTOA 15]

Avenue was known as a “Mack property” one of the original founders was associated with Mack and therefore were not relying on GM buses that’s why the purchase of the five Flxibles. They began buying GM after the death of the company president, Jacob Greenberg. Reverting back to non-GM buses was the order by NYC ODT for Flxible-Grumman 870, that were never delivered to Avenue B but instead went to the NYCTA and not MaBSTOA.

I wonder if those 870 received the Avenue B colors before they were repainted to the TA colors?

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

MaBSTOA 15:

I have also wondered myself, if the 870 "Bombers" had been already painted in the "AVENUE B" scheme, and then repainted into MTA colors, or, at the last minute, were these buses painted for the MTA prior to delivery?

I sure would have loved to have seen a few photos of 870's in "AVENUE B" paint........

"NYO"

["GRUMMAN"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

What's interesting to me is that the "Bombers" originally meant for Avenue B ended up not only going to the 'Tee-Yay' but serving in Brooklyn, whilst their two main routes - M8 Grand Street and M9 Avenue B - were assigned to MaBSTOA at their Hudson Depot. (And their M7 express route was merged and absorbed into the X23.)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"THE END OF THE LINE"(1980)..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153061

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153076

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153078 *

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153080

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

*(Note Fishbowl with ad card behind rear wheel)

["M8 GRAND ST. CROSSTOWN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

From "NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT BUSES" (Martin)......

"..........prior to the end of the Company in 1980, it had asked the City of New York for financial help. The city responded by placing an order for 13 new Flxibles to be owned by MaBSTOA and leased to Avenue B........."

".......it was too little too late. The 40-foot long, 96-inch wide buses arrived after operations ceased, and were absorbed into the MaBSTOA fleet......."

"NYO"

["M-9 CITY HALL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another thing I have always wondered about is why the ex-"AVENUE B" Fishbowls and "Dangerfields"(at least some of them) were not sold to any of the then-operating Hudson County-area independents, outfits long known for purchasing second- and third-hand equipment for their diverse fleets.

Seems to me that at least of these buses could have been sold for further service elsewhere.........

"NYO"

["440 SHOPPER"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Water & Pike, 1974.

Here's an interesting contrast between elderly, work-weary MACK #309 and a "Dangerfield" (aka "Dangerfield Jr.").............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153019

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["M8 GRAND ST-CROSSTOWN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Dangerfield Jr." #605, 1972...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153057

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["M9 CITY HALL"]