BusTalk

[Mr. Linsky]

Thanks to Bruce K. of eBay, I found this interesting page from the August 1980 issue of Bus World touching upon Brooklyn bus operations at the time.

Of course, Green Line and Command Bus are long gone but I believe the Private Transportation Corporation (their #806 shown at bottom of page) still operates and does so without subsidy from New York D.O.T. (if so, it proves that it can still be done if you put your mind to it!).

Enjoy,

Mr. 'L'

[Mr. Linsky]

The Chevrolet billboard above the old Pabst Grand Circle Hotel (1874 - 1960) adjoining Manhattan's Columbus Circle says it's 4:35 P.M. on what looks to be an overcast afternoon sometime in the early fifties where we see a late forties Mack Model C-45-DT operating for the Surface Transportation System of New York.

By the positioning of the shot, which is partially obscured by statuary at the northeast corner of 59th. Street and the Circle, it would appear that the bus is heading west bound to Eleventh Avenue on the M-103 59th. Street Crosstown Line.

Another great slice of the 'Big Apple' back when.

BTW; the pictured Pabst Grand Circle Hotel was built by Milwaukee's Pabst Brewing Company (makers of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer) as a New York retreat for company executives and their guests.

Photo courtesy of eBay.

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

[Mr. Linsky]

In a shot taken in May of 1972 presumably somewhere in downtown Manhattan, we see fleet # 505 - a 1957 Mack Model C-49-DT (ser# 2029) operating for the Avenue B and East Broadway Transit Company, Inc.

At forty feet long with a breadth of 102 inches and featuring a Firestone Air Suspension system, # 505 and its sister ship # 506 were purchased used in the late sixties from the Cleveland Transit System of Cleveland, Ohio.

Avenue B and East Broadway, the smallest of the Manhattan based private operators and the last to succumb to city takeover, had a rich history in service in densely populated lower Manhattan and especially its East Side as a successor to battery car operators in 1932.

# 505 is signed for the M-9 Avenue B line with a destination as Chatham Square and Essex Street.

The bus has also had the honor of being selected for replication by the very fine model makers of Saint Petersburg in Russia (also shown below).

New York photo courtesy of eBay.

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

[N4 Jamaica]

Regarding Mack 505 in May of 1972: The decorations on the former bank windows show that the location is East 15th Street as it reaches (westbound) Union Square East. For many years the M-9 began its trip south from this lay-over point. However, the M-9 has been re-routed, and it now begins at 23rd Street and First Avenue, according to the MTA map.
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The East 15th Street scene (with the bank windows) can be observed on Google Street view.
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Many thanks for posting the photo!
Joe

[Mr. Linsky]

The fare was still thirteen cents when the attached photo was taken of fleet # 6000 - a 1954 Flxible/Twin Coach Model FT-35-D operating in demonstration for Surface Transportation System of New York (STS).

With a 44 passenger capacity, the 35 foot long, 96 inch wide model FT-35-D with underfloor power gained from a Fageol/Leyland Diesel Engine was a result of a collaboration between The Flxible Corporation and Twin Coach that began in 1953 when Flxible's Loudonville, Ohio plant took over the manufacture of Twin products.

The venture lasted until 1959 and all buses that were built to Twin's original design during that period carried both manufacturer's names on builders plates and on under windshield badges (as can be seen in the photo).

# 6000 was the only FT-35-D built and spent two years in STS's Bronx division (as seen by its destination sign) and was subsequently purchased by the company and moved to Westchester to join a fleet of twenty earlier Twin model 45-S's.

Of note is the driver's side windshield wiper that I guess just couldn't take it any more!

The photo from the New York City Subway site is part of the Joe Testagrose Collection.

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

[roymanning2000]

Mr. L,

I continue to be educated on New York buses. Had no idea that Surface had these Flx/Twins. Thanks for all the information. Really liked the Avenue B Macks and all the other pictures, too.

Roy

[Mr. Linsky]

Another truly fantastic find!

Seen in June of 1940 at a stop along Park Row in downtown Manhattan is fleet # 461 - a 1938 Yellow Coach Model 740 and one of over 100 likenesses numbered between 367 and 475 delivered to the New York City Omnibus Corporation division of the Chicago based Omnibus Corporation.

While all of the buses in the shipment sported the identical livery scheme of 'Omnibus' cream over medium green, they arrived carrying three different flags with the bulk being under New York City Omnibus Corporation itself and lesser numbers for its Madison Avenue Coach Company and Eighth Avenue Coach Company subsidiaries with # 461 assigned to the Madison Avenue contingent.

The model 740 was the first Yellow to carry a rear mounted 6-71 Detroit Diesel engine in combination with a Spicer hydraulic torque converter and set the pace as the drive train of choice for decades to come.

# 461 is signed for the #1 Madison Avenue line with a destination of 135th. Street via 42nd. Street (this #1 line should not be confused with the #1 line of commonly owned Fifth Avenue Coach which it often was in those days).

A little history of Madison Avenue Coach thanks to Joe Brennan;

"Madison Avenue Coach Company, Incorporated in 1933-1951, operated bus service over the former New-York and Harlem Rail-Road streetcar line after it was abandoned in 1935. It was controlled by NYR 1933-1936, and then by New York City Omnibus".

Photo thanks to Lemonade Squeeze (I don't make these names up!)

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

[Mr. Linsky]

I suppose I should have created a special thread for the interesting buses in Emergency Service for New York's bygone Department of Plant and Structures (DP&S) but it is a so important part of the 'Vintage New York City' scene that here they shall remain.

In the best photo thus far, we see fleet/permit # 117 - a very early twenties twenty five passenger specimen mounted on an expensive Pierce Arrow chassis and already re-equipped with pneumatic tires.

# 117, painted in the same dark red with white lettering as had been specified by the DP&S on all its 'contractor' buses, is signed for the 86th. Street Crosstown with the destination being the 92nd. Street Ferry Terminal to Astoria.

Most of these independent operators and their buses became part of an amalgamation that created Green Bus Lines in 1925 which continued to serve 86th. Street and other important crosstown routes until 1935 when the New York City and the Comprehensive Omnibus Corporations took them over.

Photo courtesy of eBay.

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

[Mr. Linsky]

Seen sometime between mid 1921 and late 1924 just off the Grand Concourse in The Bronx New York is fleet/permit # 39 - a double decked coach of unknown manufacture but operating for the Concourse Bus Lines under the supervision of the City of New York Department of Plant and Structures (DP&S).

As a temporary replacement for an abandoned service, # 39 and its ilk operated the Grand Concourse route between Mosholu Parkway in the north Bronx and 110th. Street and Fifth Avenue in upper Manhattan as well as to a terminus at the Fort Lee (NJ) Ferry dock at the foot of 125th. Street.

Unfortunately, the company found itself in financial difficulty due to a restrictive five cent fare imposed upon it by the city and did itself abandon its contract in the fall of 1924.

Fifth Avenue Coach Company was granted a temporary extension of their Manhattan franchise to service the routes which became their # 12 and # 14 lines and did so until August of 1927 when Surface Transportation System gained five year permits and took over the operation.

The attached houses to the right of the frame date from the mid to late 1800's and are a stark contrast to the brand new apartment complex in the background which, with many others built at the time, made the Concourse one of the borough's premiere residential enclaves.

Photo courtesy of eBay.

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

[Mr. Linsky]

Another ex Green Liner found (actually, it was never lost - I knew where it was all along!).

Pictured sometime in 1974 on what appears to be a dreary midwest winter day is fleet # 1745 - a 1954 GM Coach Model TDH 4512 and one of seven likenesses purchased used in 1967 from Green Bus Lines of New York City by the Kent State University's newly formed Campus Bus Service (CBS) in Kent, Ohio.

A total of fifteen buses made up the original Campus roster and also included five 4512's from Santa Monica and two more from M K & O Transit of Tulsa along with one 4509 from Cincinnati Street Railway.

# 1745 (ex Green Line # 104) is seen at the very well equipped CBS garage facility along with several newly purchased GM New Looks ready to carry the torch into the future.

Green Line's buses can be easily spotted among their peers by the optional set of extra stainless steel wings under the windshields.

What appears to be a light fixture in place of the original body reflector under the right headlight, a plug connection under the right floor vent and a water filled front bumper were added by the school (the bumper was experimental at the time and paid for by a government grant.

During my three summers with Green Line, I drove every one of their fifteen 4512's many times and they handled like baby carriages with their improved steering, air suspension ride, better muffling and pleasant shades of peach for interiors.

With the popularity of the 4512 model (over 3500 built between 1953 and 1959), it's amazing that Green Bus Lines was the only New York City based operator to have them.

Photo courtesy of the Kent State Campus Bus Service Archive.

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

[Mr. Linsky]

It's August of 1947 and Madison Avenue Coach Company # 1816, a 1946 GM Coach Model TD 4506, is celebrating its first birthday and showing off its more rakish 'Fifth Avenue' style paint job although the company slogan 'Go The Motor Coach Way' is still sprawled diagonally between the head- lamps instead of above the standee glasses as it does on its Fifth Avenue cousins.

# 1816 is sitting unsigned and at rest at East 91st. and East End Avenue in upper Manhattan with its driver behind the wheel either taking his readings or perusing the local paper while he awaits his next run.

# 1816 was among the last small batch of 4506's delivered to Madison Avenue as production of the model came to an end followed by the rousingly successful 4507 series that featured the first use of a ThermoMatic heating and ventilation system, recessed headlamps, the familiar GM badge and wings under the windshield and chromium plated bumpers.

Of note is the special State Public Service Commission permit number between the front door and the wheel well which was a carry over of an original permit granted to the New York & Harlem Rail Road that had serviced the Fourth and Madison route until the early thirties.

Photo from eBay and borrowed for educational purposes only.

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

[Mr. Linsky]

Here's an interesting ad appearing in 1955 and probably in 'Bus Transportation' magazine (the industry bible at the time).

The pictured bus, a 1951 GM TDH 4509, was one of many 4509's operating for the New York City Omnibus Corporation during the fifties and, in fact, was among the last buses ever bought by that Fifth Avenue Coach affiliate.

DuPont's automotive paints were and still are the overwhelming choice of operators nationwide.

Photo thanks to Bruce K. of eBay.

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

[HwyHaulier]

Mr. "L" -

Thanks! I recall seeing this on occasions, while leafing period trade journals and magazines.

DuPont? Sure! Sure! All part of the evil, named Defendants in the (absurd) US Govt v. National City Lines, General Motors, Et. Al. Case! <G>

.....................Vern....................

[Mr. Linsky]

In a photo taken in June of 1993 at the MTA Crosstown Depot in Greenpoint, Brooklyn we see fleet # 7754 - a 1975 Flxible Model 53102-6-1 and one of 238 likenesses numbered between 7700 and 7937 delivered to the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority (MaBSTOA) in March of that year.

# 7754 is signed as 'Mobile Training' and has been refitted as a rolling classroom for newly hired drivers (we should have had such nice (air conditioned) accommodations during our training phase!).

While the GM New Look standing just behind # 7754 may also be a 'school bus', the two Flxibles beyond them in the background are marked for the shredder as evidenced by the legend 'Bus In Tow' scrawled across their engine hatches.

This photo in the form of a slide is up for bid on eBay as item #230748883061.

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

[Mr. Linsky]

Seldom do I find a photograph that is so rare and, on top of which, has such personal meaning to me, that I sit in front of the computer screen with my mouth wide open gazing in disbelief and muttering the words "I don't believe it" over and over again!

Pictured at Queens Plaza in May of 1942 and readying to make its arduous climb over the Queensborough Bridge to Manhattan on the Q60 Queens Boulevard Line is fleet # 101 - a 1937 Mack Model 6-CT-3S and one of thirty likenesses numbered from 101 to 130 operating for the Manhattan and Queens Bus Corporation (M&Q) of Elmhurst, New York.

As successor to the Manhattan and Queens Traction Company that had its beginnings in 1913 and served only one line between 2nd. Avenue and 60th. Street in Manhattan and South Jamaica in Queens, M&Q was incorporated by new owners in 1937 to maintain the route with buses until its sale to Green Bus Lines of Jamaica, New York in 1943.

While the buses were immediately repainted in Green's then familiar livery of cavern green roofs and window frames over battleship gray bodies, the M&Q flag was maintained until 1947 when a long term state Public Service Commission permit originally issued to the traction company expired.

The Mack CT's were notoriously underpowered but very reliable and were the backbone of Green Line's fleet through the war years and, with the thirty from M&Q added to seventy of its own, made the company the largest operator of the model with only the Brooklyn Bus Corporation coming close with its seventy-five.

The CT's served well into the early fifties at which time they were transferred to commonly owned Triboro Coach and Jamaica Buses.

Photo thanks to Judahpraise and is up for bid on eBay as item # 190644160546

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