BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

CyberiderL

Let's just say that Mom MORE than enjoyed indulging her transit-infatuated youngster, back in the day!

Until my oldest brothers married, we had three cars in the family, and yet, Mom and I rode the buses far more than going anywhere by car.

Why?

Back in the 60s, we had no less than THREE bus lines that used the stop about 30 feet from our front stop; they ran every few minites, and most local fares were between 10 and 15 cents.

PLUS, Mom knew I LOVED buses!!!!

'nuff said!

Getting back to Staten Island, until about 1966, all of the NYCTA buses that operated out of the St. George ferry terminal were all Old Looks and MACKS.

The Staten Island MACKS were gone by about 1968, and the last Old Looks disappeared around 1973.

Again, I am MOST FORTUNATE for so many WONDERFUL Memories....thanks, Mom!

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

Here are a few photos of Old Looks on Staten Island in their twilight years.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?154940

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?154941

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?154946

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["New York City Transit Authority"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Historical note:

On this day in 1971, the MTA/SIRTOA took over operations of the SIRT's Tottenville line from the B&O.

Today, the line is known as the MTA's "Staten Island Railway".......

"NYO"

["GREAT KILLS EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1942, the Erie Railroad discontinued ferry service between the massive Union Ferry Terminal at W. 23rd Street, Manhattan, and Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City.

Two boats were regularly assigned to this crossing, the "GOSHEN", and the "TUXEDO".

The "GOSHEN" was acquired by the US NAVY, along with another Erie ferryboat, the "RUTHERFORD".

The "TUXEDO" was then assigned to the railroad's Chambers Street crossing; the "TUXEDO" was one of the last boats in service when the Erie shut down all trans-Hudson ferry service in late 1958.

The CNJ discontinued ferry service from Jersey City to W. 23rd Street in 1943; the last DL&W boats from W. 23rd Street ran to Hoboken in December, 1946............

"NYO"

["TO UPPER DECKS OF FERRY BOATS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This year (2025)..............

2025 marks 120 years since the City of New York took over operations of the ferry from Whitehall Street to St. George; it had been operated by the Staten Island Rapid Transit (electrification, however, did not come about until 1925)

A massive modernization program took place with the City takeover, including a new, all-steel, two-level terminal at Whitehall Street (equipped for upper deck loading), installation of upper deck loading facilities at St. George, as well as an all-new fleet of double-ended ferries, "THE FIVE BOROUGHS" class.

At the time they entered service, they were the most powerful ferries on the East Coast; their cabins boasted elaborate woodwork, as well as leaded glass skylights in the upper deck cabins.

A few of these handsome, twin-stacked ferries remained in service as "spares" until the late 1940s.................

"NYO"

["DEPARTMENT OF PLANT & STRUCTURES"]