BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(traildriver: I had you in mind when I came up with this topic!)

Many years ago, both Mom and I were frequent users of the former "#22 HILLSIDE", through the 1960s and 1990s, before NJT took over and cut the line back to Nungessers around 2005

The line is STILL greatly missed (and needed!) in my "burb";
Mom used the line to go shopping in West New York, and also, to meet my aunt for lunch at Tedesco's on Bergenline Avenue.

I used the #22 often as part of my commute, and also, when making (yet another!) trip to a long-gone West New York hobby shop ("Alessi's")

I still fondly recall the days of Flex New Look and Metro "Bs", looking pretty snappy in ACADEMY's blue and white scheme.

I also later recall frequenting the ex-NYCTA RTS on the "22"!

Never got to ride one of their "big boys" in commuter service, though (LOVED those big "H3-40" PREVOSTS!)

Yep, ACADEMY will always remain a strong focal point in my bus memory file.......

"NYO"

(interesting to note, that, many decades ago, the "22" was a PSNJ line, based out of the Union City garage/car house!)

["22 HILLSIDE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting page.......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Bus_Lines

["HOBOKEN PATH TUBES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

How many years I rode on these now-classic workhorses, both on the "#22 HILLSIDE" and rush-hour "BOULEVARD EAST" runs (the 3200s had NICE upholstered seating, as well!)

(The drivers I rode with each day called these "plush" buses "limousines")

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156356

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["FARE 45 CENTS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting "tie in" we cannot leave out.....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Transportation

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Ahhh, the memories this photo brings back!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/531213718525903325/

["ACADEMY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

And, here we have one of ACADEMY's modern PREVOST coaches, looking quite smart.........

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/368732288236753898/

["PREVOST"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Long, long ago.......................

I well recall those long-gone days when the Flex New Looks on ACADEMY's "22 HILLSIDE" sported a metal (illuminated) yellow sign on the front, reading "FARE 40 CENTS" (later, the sign displayed "45 CENTS")

This rooftop sign made it quite easy to spot an approaching "22", especially heading north on busy Bergenline Avenue!

Mom and I often recall these signs, many years later......

"NYO"

["22 HILLSIDE"]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

As always, greatly appreciate your "behind the scenes" input!

Am curious..........

Did you ever get behind the wheel of one of those impressive PREVOST "H3-40s"?

Mom saw one once, years ago, and commented that it reminded her of an "English lorry"!

The only RTS that ACADEMY later used on the "BOULEVARD EAST" run were those which were second-hand from DART; the a/c BAREFLY functioned (WHEN they worked) and the wheelchair lifts were always jamming.

I STILL, to this day, miss ACADEMY's presence in my area.........

"NYO"

["HOBOKEN PATH TUBES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"FRANMAR" and "M&G" were two "indies" I remember from many years back, operating the "22" prior to "ACADEMY"...............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?155424

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?157319

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

['22 HILLSIDE"]

[traildriver]

NYO
I never drove Academy's H3-40's, but I did Adirondacks's. Adirondack first purchased some H3-41's back in 1994, as an incentive to the Province of Quebec, where Prevost's are built, to win the battle for rights to service Montreal. The factory's waiting list was long, so Adirondack also bought a few on the used market, to have enough to begin the initial service. There were several difference's between the earlier and later design's, besides the one foot in length. The new model was much improved.

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are two photos of "FranMar" Fishbowls from 1981; the bus in the second photo is heading north on New York Avenue in Union City, and, when this photo was taken, the sprawling (now-demolished) ex-PS garage ("the carbarns" to us Union City locals!) was just a few blocks south on the right, just out of the photo.

I also recall when the "22" only went as far south as 14th Street in Hoboken, requiring a transfer to one of the noisy old antiques running down Washington Street to the PATH station/terminal, before service was extended down to the terminal itself.

Ahhh, the memories!

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?155426

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?155423

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["22 HILLSIDE"]