BusTalk

[traildriver]

NYO--
You are most welcome!

Do you happen to recall that "cut-rate" Red Apple bus line, that for several years competed with NJT's PABT - Hoboken line on Washington Avenue? They only charged a dollar! and ran a rag tag fleet of older buses. Their fare was even below the NYCTA's local fare, at the time!
Academy took them over, and ran it for a few years, before ending it...

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Man, I haven't thought about "RED APPLE" in EONS!!!!!!!

I TOTALLY forgot this long-gone "bargain basement" outfit, but now, thanks to your jarring my memory, I indeed DO seeing recall their buses on Washington Street in Hoboken, when I was still working downtown!

I also well recall seeing buses of the #63 (Hoboken Terminal-PABT); that route # was the same as it was, waaaaaay back in the PSNJ days!

Thanks again for the "memory jog"!

"NYO"

["RED APPLE"]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"CONTINENTAL TRAILWAYS" (1960-1975)..........

traildriver:

This inquiry is indeed your forte! (been QUITE awhile since you've been seen in these parts!)

Am curious as to "CONTINENTAL's" pooling/interlining runs, especially in the New York/Chicago/Dallas/Houston/Los Angeles areas.

As always, I am always greatly appreciative of your always in-depth and fascination historical intercity bus operations trivia.........

"NYO"

"5 STAR LUXURY SERVICE"]

[traildriver]

[traildriver]

Added to above...even ran runs pooling with arch-rival Greyhound!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In the book "INTERURBAN TRAINS TO CHICAGO PHOTO ARCHIVE" (John Kelley), there is an interesting photo from 1973, showing an old sign painted on the rear of the South Shore's Michigan City station..........

BUS SERVICE TO..........

BENTON HARBOR

STEVENSVILLE

SAWYER

LAKESIDE

NEW BUFFALO

ST. JOSEPH

BRIDGMAN

UNION PIER

GRAND BEACH

Curious as to what company(s) operated these connecting buses..........

"NYO"

["SOUTH SHORE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Hope some info turns up on the bus company(s) that connected with the South Shore electric trains at Michigan City, back in the 1970s.

I'm guess that that this company(s) have long since either given up the ghost entirely, merged with other carriers, or are now operated by a government agency.......

"NYO"

["CHICAGO"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Through-service" companies: bidding farewell to GM.........

An interesting time indeed for America's intercity bus companies was when GM had pulled out of the bus market, and the intercity fleets now becoming more and more MCI-dominated (then, too, recall the PREVOSTS purchased for intercity services)

We all know how quickly the big MCIs became known for their rugged construction, their reliability, and their passenger comfort.

I have to wonder, though, how veteran drivers, long accustomed to driving only GM-built buses, felt about the transition from GM to MCI.

Think also, of veteran mechanics, who were used to working on GM-built buses for decades.

In short, the MCI indeed "took up" where GM left off, beginning a new era in solid, reliable, and comfortable highway (and suburban) buses.............

"NYO"

["NEW YORK EXPRESS"]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

An EXCELLENT personal account.....thanks for sharing this!

Clearly, then, you could NOT have been the ONLY driver who felt likewise, regarding the transition from GM to MCI.

QUICK question:

What were the first buses you drove with power steering?

"NYO"

["SCENICRUISER SERVICE"]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Ahhh, so power steering (for buses) DID go back that far; my thoughts were more on buses of a later vintage.....thanks for the info!

"NYO"

["TRAILWAYS: EASIEST TRAVEL ON EARTH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Were the "Buffalo"/"Bison" as good performers (handling, etc) as the 4104s and 4106s?

"NYO"

["GMC"]