BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Thanks.

For some reason, the Fishbowls with "fixed windows" that stick out most in my mind were the "blackout buses" running on the long-defunct #144 (MOUNTAIN COACHES/TRACKLESS TRANSIT) out of Newark, in the early/mid-1970s.

Yes, I do now recall "Bison" operated by "En-Jay Tee" (MAPLEWOOD EQUIPMENT Co."), in the early days (those Your's Truly knew best were those running on the ex-ORANGE & BLACK's "RIVER ROAD EXPRESS", during rush hours.........

"NYO"

["NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The "Are-Tee-Es" (the twilight years)..........

Curious as to the last several years that the RTS was in operation for the MTA:

By that time, were replacement parts becoming more difficult to obtain?

Were there retired buses being cannibalized to keep remaining buses in operation?

As always, appreciate any info............

"NYO"

["Rapid Transit Series"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

THANK YOU......EXCELLENT "commentary"!

Recall, that, by the time that the last "R-12/14/15s" were making their swan song (mostly relegated to the 7th Avenue line by this late date) when the "Silverboids" ("R-62s") were just entering "soivice", a good many of these battle-scarred old workhorses (all over "toity" years old by then) had already been retired, and no doubt that a number of these cars ended up "donor" cars, to keep the remaining dwindling fleet running.

Now, recall when the hulking "Pattons" were poised for retirement; by that time, MACK had not built any new buses in a number of years.

And, yes, I DO well recall all the flack about older buses being assigned to routes in poorer areas (ah, political correctness has infilterated all aspects of life, these days); and, now, with the "Em-Tee-Yay" going "all 'lectric", and going gung-ho with "See-Bee-Tee-See" underground, transit's getting far too hi-tech and too politically motivated, IMHO..........

"NYO"

["MTA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's something else of interest we MIGHT have touched, quite awhile back.........

When the "Are-Tee-Es" first entered "soivice", what type of fare boxes were then in use? (of course, tokens would still be in use for many years to come)

Upon retirement, what types were then aboard the buses?

Thanks in advance.....

"NYO"

["MTA"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

I KNEW you'd be the man for this one.....thanks!

And, to think, in my day, the "joisey" indies were STILL using those ancient, clunky, glass-topped Johnson "D" fareboxes; the very last did not disappear until about 1997 (ironically, the last one I remember was being used aboard an ex-WAMATA "Dangerfield", running on the old NHBL #1 to "Joinal" Square!)

Obviously, this was one of the "rescue" buses that, years before, were sent north from "Dee-See" when the "Borough Bombers" were dropping like flies......

"NYO"

["FLXIBLE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Quick question............

Is it safe to assume that the "Are-Tee-Es" once carried Yankees fans to and from the Stadium?

What about the infamous "Borough Bombers"?

Appreciate info, as always......

"NYO"

["GRUMMAN"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B:

Thanks for the info; by the time the last "Torpedoes" carried Yankee fans to the stadium, it had to have been at least several decades since the last "Kramdens" were in attendance at "The House That Ruth Built".........

"NYO"

["RIDE THE SURFACE WAY"]

[MaBSTOA 15]

New York Omnibus 262 in regards to your question about MaBSTOA and NYCTA fare boxes checkout my earlier posting regarding this topic

http://forum.bustalk.info/viewtopic.php?t=5196&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=fare+boxes&start=15&sid=60e581bfffcad0944949076f6dde79ad


This is in NYCTA MTA fare boxes page 2

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Mabstoa 15:

THANK YOU for the link; TOTALLY forgot about you posting these incredible old photos (as well as providing some VERY interesting information!)

"NYO"

["New York City Transit Authority"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just thinking...............

Odd how it was humble Queens "indies" that "foist" operated the RTS in "Noo Yawk" in revenue "soivice"(1979), and NOT the mighty "Em-Tee-Yay" (maybe they were waiting for any potential bugs to be worked out!)

However, there was no turning back when the "Em-Tee-Yay" began ordering RTS in large numbers over a period of many years.....indeed, it WAS pretty obvious that they were QUITE enamored with the sleek new "Torpedo"......

"NYO"

["QUEENS SURFACE"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Indeed, just as how the "Kramdens" and the Fishbowls eventually became the solid backbone of the NYCTA/MTA fleets, the "Torpedo" indeed became QUITE the DOMINANT player in "Noo Yawk" for, sure!

IMHO, the NOVA models that were operated by "En-Jay-Tee": were retired far too early.........

"NYO"

["Rapid Transit Series"]