BusTalk

frankie · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 12:57 pm Post subject: No side destination!

Just curious! Was there any reason why the NYCTA never used side destination signs on the 6000 series Macks, and the 7000 & 9000 series old looks GMs? Seems like 1956, 57 & 58 were the only years that new deliveries came without them.

Frankie

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 1:34 pm Post subject:

frankie,

Probably because they finally found out that no one reads them anyway!

When I drove the three summers for Green Line (NY) we had very large and distinct signs both front and side and, in spite of that, every other passenger readying to board would invariably yell up to me asking where the bus was going!

I'll bet it's the same story today even with all the modern and well lit LED belt signs inside and out!

I think though that the real answer to your question was to save money.

Regards,

Mr. 'L'

JimmiB · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 9:52 pm Post subject:

Sort of like rear destination signs so you can see what bus you just missed.

frankie · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:00 am Post subject:

Good point JimmiB! I never could understand what purpose is served having a destination number on the rear of the bus.

Frankie

Jimbo · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:50 pm Post subject:

Could be helpful if.....Bus "A" pulls up to transfer point and is able to announce that passengers wishing to transfer, bus "B" is in front of them.

N4 Jamaica · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 858 Location: Long Island

Information on the sides and the rear is quite important. In some places, the stairs up from the subway are to the rear of the bus. Knowing the route of the bus loading forward of you is a great help.

fishbowl · Age: 76 Joined: 01 Sep 2010 Posts: 62 Location: Detroit

I can't tell you how many times I've run down a Chicago street to catch a bus (from behind) that was already stopped to pick up passengers, hoping to make it inside before the driver closed the doors. The side destination sign and (especially) rear route number indicator have been insidispensable in helping me know which bus to pursue, especially at a corner where multiple routes stop.

RailBus63 · Moderator Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 1063

The placement of the rear route indicator on the GMC RTS buses was what ended the MBTA's practice of putting the bus number on the lower right rear corner of the back window. The number was moved to the left side on these buses, although the older New Looks and Flyer D901's kept their right rear numbers until the end.

JimmiB · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:30 pm Post subject:

All good reasons for rear destination signs.