BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

I've always wondered if the NYCTA Old Looks were retired too early; the last of these sturdy, solid, reliable coaches made its last run in The Big Apple around 1973. Many other cities kept at least some of thier Old Look fleets going until the late 70s and early 80s. Here in NJ, the very last Old Looks in the North Jersey area (B-116/B-118, both ex-Hudson Boulevard coaches) ran in 1986. Given the fact that Old Looks were known for thier ruggedness, I've long wondered about NYCTA's Old Looks being retired when they were. Was the new MTA particulary gung-ho about purging the roster of Old Looks? Appreciate any info! Thanks!

[B53RICH]

The last of the NYCTA Old Looks in the 7000 and 9000 series were retired at about 15 years old, close to the same age when the New Looks were retired at. The last NYCTA Old Look I had seen in service was 7030 out of Fresh Pond.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Appreciate the info, thank you! By the early 80s, the remaining Old Looks on Hudson County-area (NJ) "indies" were clearly on borrowed time, with the last few (4512's) making it well into 1986, and they were the very last of the breed. Fishbowls, also, have long been gone from my area, the last disappearing around 1997/98.