BusTalk

[Mr. Linsky]

In the slightly warped factory photo taken at Allentown, Pa., we see fleet number 9 - a 1940 Mack Model L-25 (serial# L3G-1163) about to be delivered to the Universal Auto Bus Service Corporation of Great Neck, New York in April of that year.

The little single door 27 seat L-25 was ideal for short haul lighter volume routes and Universal made good use of their only one on its regular railroad station run to Kings Point and it's rush hour only loops to North Great Neck.

While the company was incorporated officially in February of 1921, its roots and routes go far further back in time as can be seen in the lower frame of a circa 1910 Mack.

In fact, their first two coaches were half trolley bodies on two cylinder Autocar frames which may have dated to 1900.

Universal was taken over by Schenck Transportation of Floral Park in 1960 which was subsequently absorbed by the Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority in 1973.

Upper photo courtesy of Mack.
Lower photo courtesy of Great Neck Historic Society.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York

[Hart Bus]

What happened to this fallen flag? Was it merged into MSBA or someone else prior to the county takeover?

[Mr. Linsky]

ECA,

Universal became Schenck in 1960 with the placement of Schenck equipment on the routes.

So, when MSBA took over in 1973 their hadn't been a Universal flag for the previous thirteen years.

BTW; the same fate was met by Nassau Bus Lines which was also folded into Schenck at about the same time.

Regards to all,

WCA