BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POST)

The "JERSEY CITY & MONTCLAIR BUS COMPANY".

This company was purchased by DE CAMP in the 1940s, as part of its route overlapped that of DE CAMP; it became the "22" (with which I was quite familiar when I was growing up!), running between JSQ and Caldwell; this company originally operated only as far west as Montclair.

Four small ACF's were initially used (Model "26-U"*), later supplemented by several second-hand WHITES.

During the War, service was increased with the addition of several WHITES and a group of ex-GREYHOUND (front-engined) Yellows........

"NYO"

*Only 50 buses of this model were built by ACF.

(note: DE CAMP's routes were not numbered until the opening of the "Port-of-Authority" in 1950)

["JERSEY CITY-H&M TUBES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Hust to get "off topic" for a moment.......

You'd mentioned "stagecoaches"; here are a few bus companies that used the word "STAGES".............

"LAS VEGAS-TONOPAH-RENO STAGE LINE"

"SCENIC STAGE LINE"

"ATLANTIC-PACIFIC STAGES"

"MOYERS STAGES"

"RIMROCK STAGES"

"SUN VALLEY STAGES"

"PEERLESS STAGES"

"GRAY GOOSE STAGE LTD"

"SCENIC HAWKEYE STAGES"

"MT. HOOD STAGES"

"NYO

["CHARTERED"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

DE CAMP's first route into New York (1927)............

Through Newark (from Orange) the eastbound buses traveled over the same route as did the buses of the company's local lines.

Then, running over the Jersey City & Newark Turnpike, and thence through Jersey City via the new Holland Tunnel.

Upon exiting, the route was via Varick Street, 7th Avenue, 31 St. (return 32nd St) and 6th Avenue to DE CAMP's new Herald Square terminal...........

"NYO"

["NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here we have a DE CAMP Fishbowl (still in its original paint) at the Lincoln Tunnel helix back in 1981, inbound to the "Port-of-Authority".

Who would have thought, that, way back in 1981, that one day, over 40 years later, that the proud, storied, long-established bus company DE CAMP would be no more?

What makes this photo even more nostalgic is the "hound" cameo at upper center.........

"NYO"

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?154715

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["99 NEW YORK"]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Thanks for the link, as well as the additional info!

One of the VERY earliest references to what had to have been an "ancestor" of DE CAMP* was the "PEOPLE'S CHOICE" omnibus company, which, as early as 1858, was operating between The Oranges and Newark...........

"NYO"

*(I've also read that at least some of DE CAMP's horse-drawn omnibuses/stages were built by STEPHENSON)

[" THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE OMNIBUS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further...........

Recall that, earlier, I'd mentioned that DE CAMP had purchased older-model (front engine) YELLOWS from GREYHOUND, to increase their fleet (and also to add more frequent service, particularly into New York) during WW2.

It would have been interesting to see if any other of the suburban operators in New Jersey (RED & TAN, MANHATTAN LINES, etc) had also purchased older models from GREYHOUND during WW2............

"NYO"

["UPPER MONTCLAIR"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further:

Second-hand DE CAMP buses (WW2).............

During the War, DE CAMP also (in addition to GREYHOUND) purchased used buses from:

CHAMPLAIN COACH COMPANY

NEWARK SIGHTSEEING COMPANY

BEVIANO CHARTERED SERVICE

IRVING TRANSIT CO.

SOKOLOW & GLICK

["145 NEWARK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting photo from 1981, just outside of the Lincoln Tunnel, looking east................

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156760

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

I am wondering if this "ARROW TRAILWAYS" Fishbowl was either second-hand from DE CAMP, or (for whatever reason) operating on a DE CAMP route (#32)................

"NYO"

["32 NUTLEY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Thought this might be of some interest.......

https://arrowtrailways.com/about

["TRAVEL BY BUS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Re: "ARROW TRAILWAYS" Fishbowl w/DE CAMP #32 sign (1981 photo, in earlier post).........

Strangely enough, though I DO recall seeing these buses in the vicinity of the Lincoln Tunnel, 40-odd years ago, I cannot remember noticing the destination signs displayed..........

"NYO"

["32 NUTLEY-NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Finis...........

Sadly, the move by DE CAMP to end all suburban commuter bus operations and, instead, concentrate of charters was not enough to keep the iconic and long-established company (New Jersey's oldest privately-owned bus company) from becoming a "fallen flag".

COVID 19 and its fallout (many former commuters now work from home), as well as other factors, were simply too much for the pnce-proud company to withstand.

Personally, I feel as though I've lost yet another integral part of my long-ago childhood days; DE CAMP was long a part of our "family", and, to see it disappear down the echoing corridors of time is indeed a thing of sadness..........

"NYO"

["33 NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also............

Like most other New Jersey suburban carriers at that time, the company purchased its first Fishbowls in 1960.

These were SDM-5301s; the first group was purchased in 1960, the second batch one year later. in 1961.

No doubt the first batch replaced the old WHITE 798s, which DE CAMP "inherited" when they took over "ATLANTIC TRANSPORTATION" ("THE GARDEN STATE LINES") in 1956..............

"NYO"

["22 JERSEY CITY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

I was VERY lucky to come across this rare 1930s photo of one of DE CAMP's big, brawny 1928 WHITES, being refueled at the old Mount Pleasant Avenue garage; these buses were purchased for increased service to New York, via the then-new Holland Tunnel.

It took TOUGH men indeed to pilot one of these fearsome brutes!

https://decamp.com/wp-content/uploads/DeCampBusLines0017-1200x987.jpg

["DE CAMP BUS LINES"]

[Cyberider]

That's a real beast, alright. Only strong men need apply as drivers!