BusTalk

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Fellows:

As this month is Black History Month, I thought it would be appropriate to recall those pioneering men who fought discrimination and injustice many years ago, to become drivers and motormen for public transit companies.

The following article (w/photos) deals with the infamous Philadelphia transit strike of 1944, which, as you shall see, dealt with African-American men working menial jobs for the PTC, who wanted to better themselves, and become motormen and operators.

As we delve so much here into bus (and transit) history) I steadfastly believe that it is most important that we not forget these fellows (and gals) who had the courage and determination to stand up and make a difference.....

"NYO"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_transit_strike_of_1944

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Another excellent illustrated article on the Philly strike of 1944.

Additional photo links are also included here.

Well worth reading, this is another fine story on men long forgotten in the transit world.....

http://myauctionfinds.com/2011/08/16/phillys-first-black-trolley-operators-1944/

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This illustrated article tells the story of the first African American motormen/drivers in Los Angeles.

Again, these pioneering fellows of another era certainly should not be forgotten, especially by those of us who are students of bygone public transport.......

http://www.metro.net/about/library/archives/historic-firsts/motormen/

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Who today knows the name of Joe Clough?

In 1908, he became London's first black motorbus driver......QUITE an achievement, for the early years of the 20th century!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/place-london/A4197350

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Another article of Mr. Clough, including a photo.......

http://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/joe-clough-the-first-black-bus/4566345038

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In this photo from 1958, we see an African-American conductor aboard one of the last elevated gate cars serving the old Myrtle Avenue line.
Without a doubt, he was proud of his job......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?56296

(courtesy nycsubway.org)

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All:

Though African-American porters and redcaps are still most associated with the railroads of years ago, they were also common fixtures at big- city bus terminals.

And, aboard the famed PICKWICK NITE COACHES, uniformed porters performed much the same duties as their Pullman car counterparts.

Though they performed menial tasks, they nonetheless took great pride in their jobs, though they recieved little recognition.

This, I feel, is yet another reason to remember these hard-working men from a long-ago era in bus travel.......

"NYO"

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Ulysses Bryant.

Herman Ogletree.

These men, whose names are quite obscure today, were the first African-American drivers hired by GREYHOUND (1964)

They started out on routes in the Orlando area.

Not surprisingly, some white passengers refused to board the bus when they saw a black man behind the wheel.

We can learn so much from history.......

"NYO"

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Recognized by the North Carolina Transportation Museum, the SAFE BUS COMPANY (1926-1972) was the only African-American owned city bus company in the nation that ran a fixed route for the general public........

http://www.nctrans.org/media/Releases/Historic-African-American-owned-Safe-Bus-company-o.aspx

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All:

During further research, I was most fortunate to come across this detailed history of the SAFE BUS COMPANY.

Truly a fascinating (and VERY obscure) chapter in bus transport history!

http://wstransit.com/history-of-safe-bus/

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Another interesting find!

This page on the SAFE BUS COMPANY includes a number of historic photos......two of these show their buses (A Fishbowl and an Old Look)

Good to see that at least a few photos exist of this old company, a company that should not be forgotten.......

http://northcarolinaroom.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/safe-bus-at-a-crossroad-1965/

[Runcutter]

Not only do photos exist of Safe Bus Company, but the Winston-Salem Transit Authority (successor to Safe Bus) has preserved one of their fishbowls. I was teaching a scheduling/runcutting class there last month, and the fishbowl still looks good.

Arthur

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This humble TDH-3610 is, perhaps, the most famous bus in American history........

http://www.thehenryford.org/exhibits/rosaparks/story.asp

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This 1956 photo shows the inside of a now non-segragated MONTGOMERY CITY LINES Old Look; this was the first bus to make a run after segregation aboard Montgomery buses had been struck down.

Dr. Martin Luther King is seen looking out of the window; alongside him, is his close friend and associate, Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy.

A truly historic moment in American history......

http://public.media.smithsonianmag.com/legacy_blog/King-and-Abernathy_Withers.jpg