BusTalk

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2026 12:53 am Post subject:

W.B.:

Thanks; alli nteresting historical info.

Just now thking of MTA drivers being trained to operate the initial batch of "Slinkies", back in the day......now THAT had to be INTERESTING, for "soitan"! Shocked

"NYO"

["MTA"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2026 1:01 pm Post subject:

Further..........

Indeed, "En-Jay-Tee" drivers also had to have an onteresting time of it, when those totally horrendous VOLVO artics began arriving, in the later 1980s............. Shocked

"NYO"

["159R"]

MaBSTOA 15 · Age: 72 Joined: 27 Feb 2013 Posts: 1256

What became of the NJT 30 foot RTS buses?

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2026 6:20 pm Post subject:

[quote="MaBSTOA 15"]What became of the NJT 30 foot RTS buses?[/quote

MaBSTOA 15:

That's good question; I've long wondered about what happened to these 30-footers myself.

I remember seeing them on the #751; NJT had them painted in this horrible-looking "wave" scheme that did nothing for them.

Also, I've wondered about the fate of the ex-MTA RTS tha tACADEMY was then using on the "22"(these were GOOD buses!!)

I also recall ACADEMY, back in the late 1990s, operating a 30-foot RTS "EMPLOYEE BUS" that I rode a few times years ago, when no other buses on the "BOULEVARD EAST" route were available (this MIGHT have been an ex-DART bus)

VERY few seats and NO a/c.....(!!)] Razz

"NYO"

(those used on the #751 were replaced by NABIs)

["RTS"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2026 6:28 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2026 1:27 am Post subject:

MaBSTOA 15:

Of related interest.....

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

Scroll down page to:

"PRODUCTION BUSES AFTER 1980"(photos)
[

MaBSTOA 15 · Age: 72 Joined: 27 Feb 2013 Posts: 1256

The 1999 Motor Bus Society convention and the APTA convention were held in Orlando.

I attended both and had the opportunity to inspect a NJT 30 foot RTS that was on display. If memory serves me right it had perimeter seating making the bus very spacious.

My only other experience with a 30 foot RTS was in Burlington, Vermont.

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2026 12:07 pm Post subject:

MaBSTOA15:

Sure wish I had also attended those conventions! Crying or Very sad

I never, sadly, got a chance yo ride on of NJT's 30-footers on the#751 (I DID see them regularly, though); the last time I rode that line (out to Hackensack and the Bergen Mall (Paramus) the line still used NDDOT
"Dangerfields".

If my memory serves me correctly, NJT (which purchased RTS late in the game) did not operate them as long as I believe they could have; NJT kept the hard-working Metro "Bs" for many years.

The RTS was the last "new" bus I really liked; hard to believe they already been gone for so many years........

"NYO"

["Rapid Transit Series"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2026 7:11 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2026 11:26 pm Post subject:

MaBSTOA 15:

Came across this smart-looking AVIS 30-foot RTS; NICE looking bus!

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156357

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["AVIS"]

MaBSTOA 15 · Age: 72 Joined: 27 Feb 2013 Posts: 1256

I beg to differ but this not a 30 footer. This is a 35 foot RTS model T7W-604 of January 1984.

The 30 footer had two window modules between the doors and the 35 footers had three window modules between the doors.

According to RTS production list neither Avis nor Hertz had any shorty RTS buses.

Also, this is a GMC and they never produced a 30 footer only NOVA did.

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2026 2:16 pm Post subject:

MaBSTOA 15L

Appreciate the correction; thank you! Wink

Cannot believe I have not seen or ridden on an RTS is some 20-odd years; sure wish NJT kept them longer............

"NYO"

["Rapid Transit Series"]