BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Recalling now the happy-go-lucky Doris Day romp from 1962, "THAT TOUCH OF MINK" (Audrey Meadows was a dead-ringer for Mom!)

There is one brief part that features the old GREYHOUND terminal near the original Penn Station, featuring 4104s (ahhh, the fond memories that the sweet sounds of GM engines conjured up!)

Enjoy the photos!

https://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_1642037-GMC-PD-4104-1953.html

(courtesy: imcdb.org)

["TRAVEL BY GREYHOUND"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Regarding the old 34th Street GREYHOUND station.......

Aside from "THAT TOUCH OF MINK", I wonder how many other films this now-gone station was featured in?

I have a circa-1947 short "THE BUS DRIVER" on dvd, which features both interior/exterior footage of the station (a "SILVERSIDES" is the undisputed "star" of this wonderful old short; great driver scenes as well!)

"NYO"

["IT'S SUCH A COMFORT TO TAKE THE BUS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also interesting to note that when the GREYHOUND station opposite the old Pennsylvania Station about 1963, its closing also brought to an end to the era of "independent" outdoor bus terminals in Manhattan.

IMHO, GREYHOUND, being then the undisputed "King Of The American Highways" was truly deserving of its own Manhattan terminus; of course, many factors contributed to GREYHOUND's operations being transferred over to the "Port-of-Authority"...................

"NYO"

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Suburban runs..........

In the past, we've discussed GREYHOUND's once-extensive suburban operations in the Bay area (later, these routes were operated by SAMTRANS), and how GREYHOUND could never have held its own in the greater NY/NJ-era, regarding suburban operations.

This was, of course, due to far too much competition from the then-many New Jerrsey suburban operators, all of which operated numerous routes into Manhattan, including:

PUBLIC SERVICE

DE CAMP

ORANGE & BLACK

SOMERSET

INTER-CITY

NORTHEAST

LINCOLN

SUBURBAN TRANSIT

LAKELAND

MANHATTAN LINES

RED & TAN

DROGIN

SHORT LINE

Today, of course, it is a much different picture.

NJT, indeed, now has the monopoly on commuter bus operations into the "Port-of-Authority".

DE CAMP no longer operates commuter buses, now running charters only.

Many long-established NJ-NY runs have either been greatly truncated, or abandoned altogether.

In short, GREYHOUND could NEVER have made it in the NY/NJ commuter sector; think about it.....it can barely "hold its own" today, in regards to what remains of its once-vast intercity operations.

Indeed, it's now a totally different world................

"NYO"

["NEW YORK EXPRESS"]

[traildriver]

Comparing Greyhound Lines, such as it is today, with what once was, IMHO is an exercise in futility. Today's iteration is not even a shadow of the once mighty Company it once was. The very name should be retired by FlixBus, its current owner.

Greyhound in its heyday, had the power, the plant, and the personality, to dominate any market it chose to enter. The question is, did Greyhound have the desire to operate an unsubsidized commuter operation? I maintain, no...it did not, as evidenced by its steady exit from almost all its once extensive and far flung network of commuter operations.

These operations can only be sustained with either government ownership, or subsidy. The farebox only can't come close to doing it.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

First off, "WELCOME BACK!" (have not seen you around these parts for a spell!)

I could NOT agree more; the "GREYHOUND" name, today, is long overdue to be relegated into the history books.

It is impossible to compare what miniscule, skeletal services which remain today with the grand, powerful, and sprawling intercity bus network it was 60-70 years ago.

There is simply no comparison whatsoever.

The "GREYHOUND" we all knew and loved, the company which once was indeed a powerful and formidable American icon, is now nothing but a dying sigh.

Indeed, how the mighty hath fallen.........

"NYO"

["SECOND SECTION"]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just curious...........

Back in the days when GREYHOUND was still the undisputed King Of America's Highways, what constituted a "premier" or "prestige" route for the company?

Terminal points?

Areas served?

On-route tourist attractions?

Overall traffic volume?

What routes rated a SCENICRUISER, over, say, a 4104/4106?

Input always greatly appreciated, as always..............

"NYO"

["NEW YORK EXPRESS"]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Appreciate the response; I see that, basically, I was on the "right track"!

It would seem then, that the more "prestigious" routes would indeed deem the most "premier" equipment (wondering now if this also held true with CONTINENTAL TRAILWAYS, regarding the use of EAGLES vs 4104/4106 on certain routes)............

"NYO"

["THRU-LINER"]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Refresher courses (for drivers)............

Did GREYHOUND and TRAILWAYS drivers have to take a "refresher" course, at some point (written test and/or behind the wheel) throughout their time with the company?

Also, was there a mandatory retirement age for "veteran" drivers, or did they simply keep on "soldiering on" until they decided to call it a day?

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

"NYO"

["BOSTON"]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

EXACTLY what I wished to know; THANK YOU for sharing this info!

"NYO"

["IT'S SUCH A COMFORT TO TAKE THE BUS"]