BusTalk

[Mr. Linsky]

New York City and its environs had to have been probably one of the most interesting places to be pre World War II with its popourri of transit buses in every shape size and color.

Herewith are just some samples of what could be found plying our streets and highways at the time;

Fifth Avenue Coach, along with it's 'Omnibus Corporation' partners favored 'Yellow' Coaches by General Motors (I can't imagine why!) in many different shades of 'drab' green.

While Surface Transportation tried a number of different demonstrators through the years, they seem to favor Macks (and did so even after the war), and mostly in a very utilitarian version of a combination of red and cream.

Avenue 'B' and East Broadway with a fleet made up generally of an ex this and an ex that also seemed to like Macks, and repainted them to their version of a red and cream.

North Shore Bus Company was devout Twin Coach but was never much for custom livery ordering everything in 'generic' battleship grey.

Green Bus Lines (my alma mater) not only favored Macks but was listed as one of their largest pre war customers topping nearly 200 buses but also in an unimaginative dark green and light grey.

Triboro Coach Corporation tried a little of everything including ACF's and Yellows but when it came down to brass tacks, they were 'White' fans and colored their buses with more pizazz in richer tones of red and cream.

Jamaica Buses swore by 'Twins' also done well in their trademark reds and creams.

Queens Nassau (which is what the orange buses used to be called) was heavy into ACF's and came in very eye pleasing orange and cream combinations.

I know very little about Bee Line (Long Island) before the war but their competitor Schenck Transportation, generally a Mack user, should have gotten the equivalent of either and 'Emmy' or an 'Oscar' for their deep dark reds and jet blacks that made them look so elegant.

There were other companies such as Semke on Long Island, Comprehensive in Manhattan and even the beginnings of the bus division of the Board of Transportation about 1940 that I really don't remember, but I'm certain that they also added flavor to the stew!

BTW; this little essay is not meant to slight you Westchester fans - it's just that I am unfamiliar with the area (bus wise).

Mr. Linsky
"The Green Hornet"
Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica & Rockaway, NY