BusTalk

[Mr. Linsky]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Mr. "L":

Exactly!

Indeed, when one recalls that, even back in the era when MACKS, WHITES, and ACF-BRILLS were commonplace sights, it was the GM bus that truly ruled our streets and highways!

Old Looks, Fishbowls, SCENICRUISERS, 4104's, 06's, Buffalos.......well, you get the picture!

Now, look at the bus scene today.......where have all the GM's gone?

You are quite correct.....GM was indeed the KING of the road....but, sadly, that "King" has long ago been overthrown by insipid underlings and his long and glorious reign now but a fading chapter in history......

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another vintage "action" scene at the PABT ramps (1981)

GM's dominate here....one lone Flex New Look is visible, and an EAGLE hunkers down in the gloom.

Note NJT's "disco stripe" scheme is just beginning to appear (IMHO, it never did a thing for any of the older coaches it was applied to; I'm still no fan of it)

It marred their dignity.....superficially.....

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1513

(courtesy bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

More rush hour action at the PABT (1981)

The beefy ex-GREYHOUND MC-7 (now operated by COMMUNITY) seems a bit out of place in this sea of GM products!

Man, the variety we once took for granted, back in the day.....

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3412

(courtesy bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

More PABT nostalgia from 1981.....another "mixed bag" shot with the GM's once again dominating the scene!

The SHORTLINE "Buffalo" further adds to the colorful nostalgia!

The ex-INTER-CITY Fishbowls I remember very well.

In later years, both INTER-CITY and ORANGE & BLACK routes were operated by MAPLEWOOD EQUIPMENT COMPANY; from the late 70's onwards, a number of ex-INTER-CITY Fishbowls found thier way to the old O&B Fairview garage, where they ran on the old O&B routes for a number of years.

I rode a number of them on the RIVER ROAD EXPRESS (old O&B) then; there so much of a fascinating hodgepodge operating for NJT in the early years...Fishbowls, Flexies, Buffalos, 4106's........aaahh, why didn't I take more pics??

I even recall a couple of ex-O&B 4104's running on the RIVER ROAD EXPRESS, back in the early 80's.......aaaahhh, that sweet GM music!

"NYO"

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3409

(courtesy bus.nycsubway.org)

[traildriver]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Oubound ex-INTER-CITY Fishbowl #246 seems rather outnumbered by coaches of RED & TAN and MANHATTAN LINES.

The same can be said by the one bus sporting the new NJT scheme.

The motorists at the wheel of thier dinky little autos surely must feel at least a bit intimidated by the sea of big GM's surrounding them!

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3418

(courtesy bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Pursued by a hulking Hound, MANHATTAN LINES Fishbowl #453 is seen at Weehawken, inbound for the Lincoln Tunnel and the PABT (1981)

The "RED STAR" rigs outbound from the tunnel on the Helix further date this photo; the company, long a well-known area hauler, has, like the classic buses seen here, also since vanished into oblivion, though more recently.

The company's "RED STAR" neon sign on Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen was, for many years, a local landmark.

Supposedly, it has since been moved elsewhere, hopefully to be preserved.

Cannot even begin to say how many times I've seen that impressive example of classic signage, over the years, blazing in the darkness.......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3506

(courtesy bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

It's now 1981, and the Fishbowl seen here, signed "SPECIAL", is now sporting the new colors of NJT, which was soon to be the largest bus operator in the State.

Though, right up until retirement, many buses from independent companies would still sport thier original "heritage" paint, in most cases, the old company lettering would have been buffed out.

Hard to believe this photo at the PABT was taken over 30 years ago......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3593

(courtesy bus.nycsubway.org)

[Mr. Linsky]

It's one minute after Midnight on December 15th. 1950 that we see the first bus to leave Manhattan's new Port Authority Bus Terminal bound for Raleigh, N.C., with plenty of well-wishers and dignitaries on hand.

The bus, fleet # S506, is a 1950 41 passenger ACF Brill Modeled as an IC-41 and one of three likenesses numbered S504 to S506 operating for Safeway Trails, Inc., of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Safeway, along with affiliates American and Trailways of New England, became the first long distance carriers to move into the brand new terminal, leaving behind an inadequate facility located in the basement of the nearby Hotel Dixie.

Operating out of the new space was expensive, but Marvin Walsh, Safeway's president, negotiated with the carriers south of Washington to give Safeway a differential to cover its additional expenses. In the mean time, over 188,000 commuters a day from New Jersey had direct access in the same building to long distance bus service. Safeway would be the only such carrier operating to the south until the early 1960's when New York City would finally force a reluctant Greyhound into the Authority's new terminal but, by that time, Safeway had a commanding lead.

Photo taken by Art Wittaker with information courtesy of the New York Daily News Archive.

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

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

NJDOT (TNJ) Flex New Look #7527 outnumbered by the "older generation", outbound (1981)

I am sure that other older bus fans, like myself, had mixed feelings anout these New Looks.

While I liked the buses themselves, the fact that they sent the remaing ex-ORANGE & BLACK, PSNJ, and INTER-CITY Old Looks to the scrap heap helped me to carry a bit of resentment for quite some time, as, in that respect, I saw them as the enemy.

Of course, in later years, as they themselves were coming near to thier own retirement, I came to fully appreciate them, and tried ride one whenever I could.

"Fallen Flag" Fishbowls represent TNJ, RED & TAN, INTER-CITY, and SUBURBAN.

The SHORTLINE coach was the "big boy" in this 1981 scene......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2330

(courtesy bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Mr. "L":

You, sir, indeed work miracles!

I recall seeing this very picture back in 2000, at a photo exhibit at the PABT, celebrating the terminal's 50th anniversary!

NEVER thought I'd see this classic and historical photo again!

Not only were buses smartly attired back in 1950, the folks were as well!

A long, long, time ago....thanks for posting!

"NYO"

[traildriver]