BusTalk Forum Index BusTalk
A Community Discussing Buses and Bus Operations Worldwide!
 
 BusTalk MainBusTalk Main FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups BusTalk GalleriesBusTalk Galleries   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

NYC Bus Route History

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    BusTalk Forum Index -> New York City Buses
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Q65A



Age: 66
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 1764
Location: Central NJ

PostPosted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:35 pm    Post subject: NYC Bus Route History Reply with quote

The following article (written by Bill Vandervoort) originaly had been posted some time ago at BTN; it is a long post, but I think that the info is very good:


The following prepared and owned by Bill Vandervoort:


New York City Transit Routes
Concise History: Brooklyn
In New York City, all bus route numbers are preceded by a letter indicating the borough.
In Brooklyn, all streetcars and buses were eventually operated by Brooklyn Manhattan Transit, which in 1923 succeeded the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co. The same company also operated subway trains. In 1940, Brooklyn Manhattan Transit was acquired by the city.
Some bus routes were originally operated by independent operators, prior to being operated by Brooklyn Manhattan Transit. Original operating company names are indicated. By the early 1930's, all bus routes were operated by Brooklyn Manhattan Transit.
All trolleybus routes were at one time streetcar routes.
In 1961, route B72 became route Q72 in Queens, operated by Triboro Coach Co.
Around 1989, several former Brooklyn routes which had operated through into Queens, were redesignated as Queens routes, with "Q" route numbers.
Where no present route number is indicated, route has been discontinued.

Route Route Old Route Buses Introduced
Number Name Number Streetcars Discontinued

B 1 Bay Ridge Av B 34 5/15/49 Replace Streetcar
B 1 86 St B 34 8/12/48 Replace Streetcar
B 1 Avenue X B 1 4/ /19 New Bus-Plum Beach Auto Stage
B 2 Avenue R B 2 1922 New Bus-Kings Coach Co.
B 3 Avenue U B 3 1922 New Bus-Kings Coach Co.
B 4 Bay Ridge Pkwy/Neptune Av B 4 9/28/31 New Bus-BMT
B 4 Emmons Av B 21 3/18/46 New Bus-BMT
B 6 Bay Pkwy/Avenue J/Flatlands B 6 8/24/31 New Bus-BMT
B 6 Cozine B 84 7/ 1/68 New Bus-BMT
B 7 Kings Hwy/Saratoga Av B 7 6/29/30 New Bus-BMT
B 8 18 Av/Avenue D B 8 10/22/25 New Bus-Queens Bus Lines
B 9 60 St/Avenue M B 9 10/28/31 New Bus-BMT
B 11 49 & 50 St/Avenue J B 11 9/21/31 New Bus-BMT
B 12 Clarkson/E New York/Liberty B 12 11/23/31 New Bus-BMT
B 13 Crescent St B 13 10/ 5/21 New Bus-Independent buses
B 14 Sutter/Pitkin Av B 14 1923 New Bus-Eastern Parkway
B 15 Marcus Garvey Blvd B 10 7/20/47 Replace Streetcar
B 15 New Lots Av B 10 6/28/41 Replace Streetcar
B 16 Ft Hamilton Pkwy/13 & 14 Av B 16 10/28/31 New Bus-BMT
B 17 Remsen/Seaview Av B 17 8/17/31 New Bus-BMT
B 18 Wyckoff/Cypress Av B 18 11/30/31 New Bus-BMT
Adelphi/Carlton B 19 6/29/42 New Bus-BMT
B 20 Pennsylvania Av/Linden Blvd B 20 11/30/31 New Bus-BMT
Q 24 Atlantic Av/Broadway B 22 1/15/50 Replace Streetcar
B 23 16 Av B 23 1/26/30 Trolleybus 5/27/32- 10/31/56
B 23 Cortelyou Rd B 23 7/23/30 Trolleybus 7/23/30- 10/31/56
B 24 Greenpoint/Kingsland Av B 24 11/19/45 Replace Streetcar
B 25 Fulton St B 25 8/10/41 Replace Streetcar
B 26 Halsey/Fulton St B 26 2/ 5/50 Replace Streetcar
Marcy Av B 29 4/17/39 Replace Streetcar
Humboldt/Kingsland/48 St B 29 2/26/40 New Bus-BMT
B 31 Gerritsen Av B 31 1922 New Bus-Kings Coach Co.
Hamilton Av B 33 3/29/42 Replace Streetcar
Prospect Av B 33 6/ /47 New Bus-BMT
B 35 Church Av/39 St B 35 10/31/56 Replace Streetcar
B 36 Avenue Z/Surf Av B 36 12/ 1/46 Replace Streetcar
B 37 3 Av B 37 3/ 1/42 Replace Streetcar
B 38 DeKalb/Lafayette Av B 38 1/30/49 Replace Streetcar
New Utrecht Av/West End B 38 6/28/47 Replace Streetcar
B 39 Delancey St/Williamsburg Br B 39 12/ 4/48 Replace Streetcar
B 41 Flatbush Av B 41 3/ 4/51 Replace Streetcar
B 42 Rockaway Pkwy B 42 5/27/51 Replace Streetcar
B 43 Manhattan Av/Graham Av B 62 12/21/48 Trolleybus 12/11/49- 7/27/60
B 43 Tompkins Av B 47 8/24/47 Trolleybus 11/19/48- 7/27/60
B 44 Nostrand Av B 44 4/16/51 Replace Streetcar
B 45 St Johns Place B 45 8/24/47 Trolleybus 9/14/48- 3/25/59
B 46 Utica Av/Malcolm X Blvd B 46 3/18/51 Replace Streetcar
B 47 Broadway B 40 1/15/50 Replace Streetcar
B 47 Ralph Av/Liberty B 40 5/27/51 Replace Streetcar
B 47 Ralph Av B 78 11/ 1/43 Replace Streetcar
B 48 Lorimer St B 48 12/14/47 Trolleybus 3/23/49- 7/27/60
B 48 Franklin Av B 48 10/28/45 Replace Streetcar
B 48 Classon Av B 48 11/19/45 Replace Streetcar
B 48 Nassau Av B 48 10/28/45 Replace Streetcar
B 49 Ocean Av/Bedford/Rodgers Av B 49 4/29/51 Replace Streetcar
Bushwick B 50 9/ 1/47 Replace Streetcar
B 51 Manhattan Bridge B 15 11/13/29 New Bus-BMT
B 52 Gates Av B 52 10/ 5/41 Replace Streetcar
Q 54 Jamaica/Metropolitan Av B 53 6/12/49 Replace Streetcar
B 54 Myrtle Av B 54 7/17/49 Replace Streetcar
Q 55 Myrtle Av (East) B 55 4/26/50 Replace Streetcar
Q 56 Jamaica Av (West) B 56 11/30/47 Replace Streetcar
Union Av B 56 12/ 1/45 Replace Streetcar
B 57 Flushing Av B 57 11/28/48 Trolleybus 11/14/49- 7/27/60
Q 58 Fresh Pond Rd/Corona Av B 58 7/17/49 Replace Streetcar
Q 59 Grand St/Grand Av B 59 12/11/49 Replace Streetcar
B 60 Wilson Av/Rockaway Av B 60 5/27/51 Replace Streetcar
B 61 Van Brunt St B 61 3/ 5/44 Replace Streetcar
B 61 Manhattan Av B 61 1/27/51 Replace Streetcar
B 63 Fifth/Atlantic Ave B 63 2/20/49 Replace Streetcar
B 64 86 St/Bath Av B 64 8/12/48 Replace Streetcar
B 65 Bergen/Dean St B 65 7/20/47 Trolleybus 10/17/48- 7/27/60
B 67 McDonald/7 Av B 67 2/11/51 Replace Streetcar
B 68 Coney Island/Brighton Beach B 68 11/30/55 Replace Streetcar
B 69 Prospect Pk W/8 Av/Vanderbilt B 69 3/18/51 Replace Streetcar
B 70 7 & 8 Av B 70 5/15/49 Replace Streetcar
B 71 Union St/Eastern Pkwy B 71 12/ 1/45 Replace Streetcar
Q 72 Junction Blvd. B 72 8/25/49 Route transferred to Triboro
B 74 Mermaid Avenue B 74 11/ 7/48 Replace Streetcar
B 75 9 Street B 75 2/11/51 Replace Streetcar
B 75 Court St B 75 7/17/49 Replace Streetcar
B 75 Smith St B 75 2/11/51 Replace Streetcar
B 77 9 Street/Lorraine St B 77 8/27/36 New Bus-BMT
15 St B 77 11/ 8/41 Replace Streetcar
B 82 Bay Pkwy/Kings Hwy/Flatlands B 5 8/29/24 New Bus-Queens Bus Lines
B 83 Van Siclen/Pennsylvania Av B 83 9/27/66 New Bus-NYCTA

Concise History: Queens
In New York City, all bus route numbers are preceded by a letter indicating the borough.
Much of Queens was developed later than the rest of New York City. Thus in most areas, the first public transportation routes created were bus routes, with fewer streetcar routes ever operating in Queens.
Also unusual in Queens, is the manner in which several private companies emerged as transit operators. And how most of the private companies continue to operate, although now, subsidized by the New York City Department of Transportation. Only the North Shore Bus Co. failed, in 1947, resulting in the city takeover of the operations. Those routes are now operated by the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA).
Four private bus companies continue to operate in Queens. Two bus companies evolved from streetcar operations, which had been converted to buses in the 1930's. While two other bus companies serve areas which never had streetcar routes. Each bus company has its own official Web site.
Jamaica Buses, Inc. - evolved from Long Island Electric Railway, which in 1926 had been succeeded by Jamaica Central Railways Co., and converted to buses in 1933.
Queens Surface Corp. - evolved from New York & Queens County Railway, which in 1932 had been succeeded by New York & Queens Transit Corp., and converted to buses in 1937 operated under the name Queens-Nassau Transit Lines, renamed Queens Transit Corp. in 1957. Also affiliated was the Steinway Railway, which became a separate company in the 1932 reorganization, and was reorganized again in 1938 as Steinway Transit, with replacement of streetcars with buses. Those companies were combined again in 1986, forming Queens/Steinway Transit Corp. Bus operations were sold in 1988 to Linden Bus Co., which then changed its name to Queens Surface Corp.
Green Bus Lines, Inc. - has operated buses since 1925.
Triboro Coach Corp. - has operated buses since 1925.
The Steinway Railway had operated primarily in Astoria, while the two other street railways had operated over various distances throughout Queens. Former Steinway routes are now bus routes Q101-Q102-Q103-Q104, while former New York & Queens County routes are now bus routes Q65-Q66-Q67. In addition, the New York & North Shore Traction Co. existed from 1910 to 1920, operating east from Flushing paralleling Northern Blvd., with a branch operating north along 150th St. to Whitestone. Replacement bus service evolved to North Shore Bus Co. routes Q12 and Q14, now operated by the New York City Transit Authority.
A streetcar line was also operated by the Manhattan & Queens Traction Co. (M&Q), from Manhattan across the Queensboro Bridge into Woodside. In 1937, replacement bus service was operated by the Manhattan & Queens Bus Corp., which was acquired by Green Bus Lines in 1943, now route Q60.
In 1936, Queens was divided into four zones, for bus operating franchise purposes. Prior to then, many bus routes were originally operated by various independent operators. And a few routes were temporarily operated under supervision by the New York City Department of Plant & Structures (DP&S). With the new zone setup, one company would be awarded the franchise in each zone, with any remaining smaller operations acquired by the larger company. Meanwhile, the bus companies which had evolved from street railway companies would continue to operate their routes.
Zone A covered Woodside, and the franchise was awarded to Triboro Coach Corp. Zone B covered Flushing, and the franchise was awarded to the North Shore Bus Co. Zone C covered Ozone Park, and the franchise was awarded to Green Bus Lines, Inc. And Zone D covered Jamaica, and the franchise was awarded to the Bee Line. But after a few years, the Bee Line was replaced with the North Shore Bus Co. in Zone D.
The Bee Line and Schenck Transportation were based in suburban Long Island, continuing to operate there until the public takeover in 1973 of the Long Island buses.
Around 1989, several former Brooklyn routes which had operated through into Queens, were redesignated as Queens routes, with "Q" route numbers. All of these bus routes are former Brooklyn Rapid Transit streetcar routes. At the same time, route M32 became route Q32. And at the same time, NYCTA routes with suffix letters were renmbered to eliminate the suffix letters.
And around 2003, routes Q35 and Q37 were transferred from Triboro Coach to Green Bus Lines.

Route Route Current Old Route Buses Original
Number Name Operator Number Introduced Company

Q 1 Hillside NYCTA Q 1 1923 Bee Line
Q 2 Hollis Av NYCTA Q 2 1923 Bee Line
Q 3 Farmers Blvd NYCTA Q 3 1923 Bee Line
Q 4 Linden Blvd NYCTA Q 4 Bee Line
Q 5 Merrick NYCTA Q 5 1923 Bee Line
Q 6 Sutphin Blvd Green Q 6 1922 Queens Bus Corp.
Q 7 Rockaway Green Q 7 1922 Ruoff brothers
Q 8 101 Ave Green Q 8 4/15/33 Green
Q 9 Lincoln Green Q 9 5/ 1/20 Ludwig Bilow
Q 9A Linden Blvd Green Q 9A 4/ 3/86 Green
Q 10 Lefferts Blvd Green Q 10 1921 Richmond Hill Bus
Q 11 Woodhaven Blvd Green Q 11 1918 Liberty Bus
Q 12 Northern Blvd NYCTA Q 12 1921 Rauchwerger
Q 13 Northern/Bell NYCTA Q 13 3/24/20 DP&S
Q 14 Union/149 St NYCTA Q 14 1922 DP&S
Q 15 150 St NYCTA Q 15 4/ 3/24 Rauchwerger
Q 16 Bayside/Willets NYCTA Q 16 8/15/30 North Shore
Q 17 Kissena/188 St NYCTA Q 17 1928 Flushing Hts. Bus Co.
Q 18 30 Ave Triboro Q 18 1925 Woodside-Astoria Trans.
Q 19 Astoria Blvd Triboro Q 19 1933 Triboro
Q 19A 21 St Triboro Q 19A 1933 Triboro
Q 19B 35 Ave Triboro Q 19B 1/ /38 Triboro
Q 20A Union St/20 Av NYCTA Q 44FS 2/15/32 North Shore
Q 20B Union St/14 Av NYCTA Q 44FS 2/15/32 North Shore
Q 21 Cross Bay Blvd Green Q 21 1923 Queens Auto Traction
Q 22 Rockaway Beach Green Q 22 1912 Long Island Coach Co.
Q 22A Bayswater Green Q 22A 1921
Q 23 108 St Triboro Q 23 1925 North Shore
Q 24 Atlantic Av NYCTA B 22 1/15/50 Replace BMT Streetcar
Q 25 Parsons Blvd Queens Q 25 1928 Flushing Hts. Bus Co.
Q 26 46 Av/Hollis Ct NYCTA Q 26 10/ 1/31 Z&M Coach Co.
Q 27 46 Av/Rocky Hill NYCTA Q 27 1926 Z&M Coach Co.
Q 28 Northern/32 Av NYCTA Q 28 4/ /28 North Shore
Q 29 80 St Triboro Q 29 1921 Kings Coach Co.
Q 30 Utopia/Harding NYCTA Q 17A 9/ 7/47 NYCTA
Q 31 Utopia/Bell NYCTA Q 31 1932 S&C Buses
Q 32 Roosevelt/Fifth NYCTA M 32 1925 Fifth Avenue Coach
Q 33 82 St Triboro Q 33 1/ 1/33 Municipal Motorbus Co.
Q 34 Parsons Blvd Queens Q 34 1933
Q 35 Marine Pkwy Green new recent Triboro
Q 36 Hillside NYCTA Q 36 4/ /26 Schenck Trans.
Q 37 111 St Green Q 37 1/ /39 General Omnibus Corp.
Q 38 Eliot Triboro Q 38 6/ /34 Affilliated Transit
Q 39 Forest Triboro Q 39 7/ /34 National City Bus Lines
Q 40 142 St Green Q 40 2/ 5/34 Midland Coach
Q 41 127 St Green Q 41 7/19/34 Courier Bus Co.
Q 42 Addisleigh Park NYCTA Q 42 3/27/34 North Branch Bus
Q 43 Hillside Av NYCTA Q 43 5/24/39 Schenck Trans.
Q 44 Cross Bronx NYCTA Q 44 3/22/38 North Shore
Q 45 69 St Triboro Q 45 10/ 1/39 Triboro
Q 46 Union Turnpike NYCTA Q 44A 12/ 4/39 North Shore
Q 47 74 St Triboro Q 47 10/ 1/39 Triboro
Q 48 Ditmars/LGA NYCTA Q 48 3/31/40 North Shore
Q 53 Rockaway Park Triboro Q 53 6/28/56 Triboro
Q 54 Metropolitan Av NYCTA B 53 6/12/49 Replace BMT Streetcar
Q 55 Myrtle Av NYCTA B 55 4/26/50 Replace BMT Streetcar
Q 56 Jamaica Av NYCTA B 56 11/30/47 Replace BMT Streetcar
Q 58 Corona Av NYCTA B 58 7/17/49 Replace BMT Streetcar
Q 59 Grand Av NYCTA B 59 12/11/49 Replace BMT Streetcar
Q 60 Queens Blvd Green Q 60 4/17/37 Replace M&Q Streetcar
Q 65 College Pt-164 Queens Q 65 1937 Replace Queens Streetcar
Q 65A Jewel Ave Queens Q 68A 1951 Queens
Q 66 Northern Blvd Queens Q 66 1937 Replace Queens Streetcar
Q 67 Middle Village Queens Q 67 1937 Replace Queens Streetcar
Q 72 Junction Triboro B 72 8/25/49 Replace BMT Streetcar
Q 74 Vleigh Pl NYCTA Q 44VP 10/14/40 North Shore
Q 75 188 St/73 Av NYCTA Q 75 4/28/52 NYCTA
Q 76 Francis Lewis NYCTA Q 76 10/29/61 NYCTA
Q 77 Springfield Blvd NYCTA Q 77 9/13/65 NYCTA
Q 79 Little Neck Pkwy NYCTA Q 12A 6/ 4/50 NYCTA
Q 83 Liberty/Murdock NYCTA Q 3A 1923 Bee Line
Q 84 Merrick/120 Av NYCTA Q 4A 1923 Bee Line
Q 85 Merrick/Conduit NYCTA Q 5A Bee Line
Q 88 Harding/73 Av NYCTA Q 88 9/16/74 NYCTA
Q101 Steinway St Queens Q101 1938 Replace Steinway Streetcar
Q102 31 St Queens Q102 1938 Replace Steinway Streetcar
Q103 Vernon Blvd Queens Q103 1938 Replace Steinway Streetcar
Q104 Broadway Queens Q104 1938 Replace Steinway Streetcar
Q110 Jamaica Ave Jamaica Q110 1933 Replace Jamaica Streetcar
Q111 Guy R. Brewer Jamaica Q111 1933 Jamaica
Q112 Liberty Jamaica Q112 1933 Replace Jamaica Streetcar
Q113 Guy R. Brewer Jamaica Q113 1933 Replace Jamaica Streetcar

Concise History: Manhattan
In New York City, all bus route numbers are preceded by a letter indicating the borough.
In Manhattan, most surface transportation was eventually operated by the Fifth Avenue Coach Co. and its subsidiaries. Fifth Avenue Coach Co. was formed in 1886, first operating horse drawn omnibuses on Fifth Avenue, later expanding onto other streets which did not have streetcar routes.
Most of the streetcars were operated by New York Railways (NYRys), which in 1925 was acquired by Fifth Avenue Coach Co. as a subsidiary. Also in 1925, Fifth Avenue Coach Co. formed another subsidiary, New York City Omnibus Co. (NYCO), to operate the bus routes which would replace the streetcars. That company actually began operating buses in 1936, the year when all of the New York Railways streetcar routes were converted.
A few New York Railways streetcar routes were converted in earlier years, with buses operated independently.
In addition, the Third Avenue Railway Co. continued to operate streetcars in Manhattan, which were subsequently replaced by operated by subsidiary Surface Transportation Corp. In 1956, the Third Avenue Railway Co. merged with the Fifth Avenue Coach Co. And in 1962, the city took over the Fifth Avenue Coach Co. operations with the city. A separate entity, the Manhattan & Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority (MaBSTOA), was formed to operate the routes. This was to isolate any legal complications of the takeover from the main New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA). MaBSTOA continues to exist as a separate operating entity, although perceived by the public as part of the same system as NYCTA.
A few smaller companies also operated some streetcar and bus routes independently. These routes eventually became the only Manhattan routes actually operated by NYCTA.
Where no streetcar company is listed, route started new as a bus route.
Where no present route number is indicated, route has been discontinued.
Around 1989, the crosstown routes were given new numbers corresponding to the numbered streets.

Route Route Old Route Streetcar Private Bus Buses Introduced
Number Name Number Company Company Streetcars Disc.

M 1 Fifth Av 1 ----- Fifth Av. 1886
M 1 Madison Av 1 NY&H Madison 3/ /36
M 2 Fifth/Madison/Powell Blvd 2 ----- Fifth Av. 2/23/01
M 3 Fifth/Madison/St Nicholas 3 ----- Fifth Av. 2/23/01
M 4 Fifth/Madison/Broadway 4 ----- Fifth Av. 8/ 5/00
M 5 Fifth Av/6 Av/Riverside 5 ----- Fifth Av. 8/ 5/00
M 6 6 Av 6 NYRys NYCO 3/ 3/36
M 6 7 Av 6 NYRys NYCO 3/ 6/36
M 6 Broadway 6 NYRys NYCO 3/ 6/36
M 7 Columbus/Amsterdam/Lenox 7 NYRys NYCO 3/25/36
M 8 8/9 St Crosstown 13 NYRys NYCO 3/ 3/36
M 9 Avenue B/East Broadway Dry Dock Av B/E Bwy 7/30/32
M 10 7/8 Avs/Douglass Blvd 10 NYRys NYCO 3/ /36
M 11 9/10 Avs 11 8&9 Av NYCO 3/ /36
M 14 14 St Crosstown 14 NYRys NYCO 4/20/36
M 15 First/Second Av M 15 Second Av East Side 6/25/33
M 16 34 St Crosstown 16 NYRys NYCO 4/ 1/36
M 18 Convent Av 3 ----- Fifth Av. 1/13/39
M 20 Lincoln Ctr/Battery Pk
M 21 Houston St/Avenue C 21 ----- Hamilton 3/ /29
M 22 Madison/Chambers St M 1 NYRys DP&S 9/21/19
M 23 23 St Crosstown 15 NYRys NYCO 4/ 8/36
M 27 49/50 St Crosstown M 3 NYRys DP&S by 1930
M 30 57/72 St Crosstown 6 ----- Fifth Av. 2/23/01
M 31 57 St/York Av M 11 Second Av East Side
M 34 34 St Crosstown 16 NYRys NYCO 4/ 1/36
M 35 Randall's Is./Ward's Is. TB
M 42 42 St Crosstown M 106 Third Av Surface 11/17/46
M 50 49/50 St Crosstown M 3 NYRys DP&S by 1930
M 57 57 St Crosstown 20 ----- Fifth Av. 4/17/34
M 60 La Guardia via 125 St Bx 29 Third Av Surface 8/ 5/41
M 66 66/67 St Crosstown M 7 ----- Compreh. 1933
M 72 72 St Crosstown 6 ----- Fifth Av. 2/23/01
M 79 79 St Crosstown 17 ----- DP&S 11/30/21
M 86 86 St Crosstown 18 NYRys NYCO 6/ 8/36
M 96 96 St Crosstown 19 ----- DP&S 7/ 1/21
M 98 Washington Hts/Midtown
M 100 Amsterdam/Broadway/125 St M 100 Third Av Surface 6/22/47
M 101 Third/Lexington/Amsterdam M 101 Third Av Surface 5/28/47
M 102 Third/Lexington/Lenox Av M 102 NYRys NYCO 3/ /36
M 103 Third/Lexington Avs
59 St Crosstown M 103 Third Av Surface 11/10/46
M 104 Broadway/42 St M 104 Third Av Surface 12/15/46
M 106 96/106 St Crosstown M 107
M 116 116 St Crosstown 20 NYRys NYCO 4/ 1/36
The Hamilton Bus Company began operating the Houston St/Avenue C route in 1929, was sold to the Triangle Bus Co, in 1935, and to New York City Omnibus Co. in 1940.
Beginning in 1919, several bus routes began operation, operated by independent owner operators granted permits by the New York City Department of Plant & Structures (DP&S). In 1933, those routes were assumed by Green Bus Lines, which was and still is a major operator of buses in Queens. In 1935, the Madison/Chambers and the 49/50 St Crosstown route franchises were awarded to the Comprehensive Omnibus Co. And in 1936, the remaining Green Bus Lines route franchises in Manhattan were awarded to the New York City Omnibus Co. At that same time, Green Bus Lines was permitted to expand significantly in Queens.
The East Side Omnibus Co. operated buses originally to replace the streetcars operated by the Second Avenue Railroad. In 1948, the East Side Omnibus Co. and the Comprehensive Omnibus Co. were acquired by the city.
After the Dry Dock East Broadway & Battery Railroad failed in 1932, the Avenue B & East Broadway Transit Co. began operating buses over that route. That remained the last independent bus operation in Manhattan, until the NYCTA took over the route in 1980.

Concise History: Staten Island
In New York City, all bus route numbers are preceded by a letter indicating the borough.
In Staten Island, the largest street railway company was the Richmond Light & Railroad Co. In addition, the Staten Island Midland Railway operated a few routes. After the Staten Island Midland Railway failed in 1920, the New York City Department of Plant and Structures began operating those streetcars, along with some trolleybus routes beginning in 1921.
In 1925, the Tompkins Bus Co. was formed, and was awarded a franchise to operate gasoline buses on Staten Island. Buses replaced the Department of Plant and Structures streetcar and trolleybus routes, and new bus routes were formed serving previously unserved areas.
In 1927, the Richmond Light & Railroad Co. became Richmond Railways. And in 1933, a Richmond Railways subsidiary Staten Island Coach Co. began operating buses, replacing the Richmond Railways streetcars. The two separate bus systems continued to operate until 1937, when the Staten Island Coach Co. began operating the Tompkins Bus Co. routes. The former Tompkins Bus Co. routes were given new route numbers in the 100's.
In 1946, the Staten Island Coach Co. failed, and the Isle Transportation Co. began operating the buses on Staten Island. But the Isle Transportation Co. failed in 1947, and the city took over the buses.
Around 1989, the present route numbers were adopted.
Not listed are limited or express bus routes into Manhattan, created in recent years. The 11/21/64 opening of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge at last connected Staten Island with the rest of New York City.

Route Route Old Route Buses Introduced
Number Name Number Streetcars Discontinued

S 40 Richmond Terrace S 1 1/21/34 Replace Richmond Streetcar
S 42 St Marks Pl/Bay St S101 4/ /25 New Bus-Tompkins
S 44 Cary Av/Henderson Av S102 3/20/25 New Bus-Tompkins
S 44 Richmond Av (Victory-north) S 4 12/31/33 Replace Richmond Streetcar
S 44 Richmond Av (Victory-south) S 4 1934 New Bus-Staten Island
S 46 Castleton Av S 3 1/14/34 Replace Richmond Streetcar
S 46 Walker St/South Av S 3 6/21/36 New Bus-Staten Island
S 48 Forest Av S107 5/ /25 New Bus-Tompkins
S 51 Bay St S 2 1/ 7/34 Replace Richmond Streetcar
S 51 Father Capodanno Blvd S 2 1936 New Bus-Staten Island
S 52 Jersey St S 5 12/31/33 Replace Richmond Streetcar
S 52 Cebra Av S 5 3/14/37 New Bus-Staten Island
S 52 Tompkins Av S104 1927 New Bus-Tompkins
S 53 Clove Rd/Verrazano Narrows S 7 11/21/64 New Bus-NYCTA
S 54 Manor Rd S110 8/21/27 Tompkins Replace DP&S Streetcar
S 54 Giffords La/Nelson Av S 4 6/ 3/29 New Bus-Tompkins
S 55 Annandale Rd/Richmond Av S115 1930 New Bus-Tompkins
S 56 Richmond/Arthur Kill/Forest S115 1930 New Bus-Tompkins
S 57 Watchogue Rd S106 1938 New Bus-Staten Island
S 57 Bradley Av/Brielle Av S111 8/ 1/27 Tompkins Replace DP&S Trolleybus
S 57 Brielle Av/Rockland Av S111 1932 New Bus-Tompkins
S 59 Richmond Av (Victory-north) S 4 12/31/33 Replace Richmond Streetcar
S 59 Richmond Av (Victory-south) S 4 1934 New Bus-Staten Island
S 60 Howard Av/Clove Rd S 6 7/30/51 New Bus-NYCTA
S 61 Victory Blvd S112 1930 New Bus-Tompkins
S 62 Victory Blvd (Jewett-east) S112 1/26/34 Tompkins Replace DP&S Streetcar
S 62 Victory Blvd (Jewett-west) S112 8/ 1/27 Tompkins Replace DP&S Trolleybus
S 66 Victory Blvd/Jewett Av S 6 1/26/34 Tompkins Replace DP&S Streetcar
S 67 Victory Blvd/Watchogue Rd S106 1938 New Bus-Staten Island
S 74 Richmond Rd S113 10/16/27 Tompkins Replace DP&S Streetcar
S 74 Arthur Kill Rd S113 10/16/27 Tompkins Replace DP&S Trolleybus
S 76 Richmond Rd/New Dorp Lane S117 1920's New Bus-New Dorp Beach Bus
S 78 Hylan Blvd S103 3/24/37 New Bus-Staten Island
S 79 Hylan/Verrazano Narrows new New Bus-NYCTA
Trolleybuses were introduced on what would become routes 111 and 112 effective 10/8/21. While trolleybuses were introduced on what would become route 113 effective 11/4/22.

Concise History: The Bronx
In New York City, all bus route numbers are preceded by a letter indicating the borough. In the Bronx, routes are indicated with "Bx", to differentiate from Brooklyn.
In the Bronx, all streetcars were eventually operated by the Third Avenue Railway Co. The Third Avenue Railway Co. had originally operated in Manhattan, but later expanded by acquiring the various street railways in the Bronx.
In 1924, the Third Avenue Railway Co. formed a subsidiary, Surface Transportation Corp., to operate the bus routes which would replace the streetcar routes. In 1956, the Third Avenue Railway Co. merged with the Fifth Avenue Coach Co. And in 1962, the city took over the Fifth Avenue Coach Co. operations with the city. A separate entity, the Manhattan & Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority (MaBSTOA), was formed to operate the routes. This was to isolate any legal complications of the takeover from the main New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA). MaBSTOA continues to exist as a separate operating entity, although perceived by the public as part of the same system as NYCTA.
Some bus routes were originally operated by independent operators, prior to being operated by Surface Transportation Corp. Original operating company names are indicated. A few routes were temporarily operated under supervision by the New York City Department of Plant & Structures (DP&S).
Where no present route number is indicated, route has been discontinued.

Route Route Old Route Buses Introduced
Number Name Number Streetcars Discontinued

Bx 1 Grand Concourse Bx 1 7/ 3/21 New Bus-Concourse
Bx 2 Grand Concourse/Melrose Bx 2 7/ 3/21 New Bus-Concourse
Bx 3 University/W 181 St Bx38 10/26/47 Replace Streetcar
Bx 4 Westchester Av Bx42 7/20/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx 5 Bruckner Blvd/Story Av Bx 5 3/26/28 New Bus-DP&S
Bx 6 East 161/E 163 St Bx34 6/27/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx 7 Riverdale Av/Broadway Bx10 2/12/28 New Bus
Bx 8 Bronxwood/Williamsburg Bx 8 11/ 1/27 New Bus
Bx 8 Crosby/Layton Bx23 6/15/34 New Bus-Bronx Coach
Bx 9 Broadway/Kingsbridge Bx20 3/25/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx10 Riverdale/Norwood Bx28 8/22/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx11 Claremont Pkwy/E 170 St Bx11 2/27/48 New Bus
Bx12 Pelham Pkwy/Fordham Rd Bx12 4/23/28 New Bus
Bx13 Ogden Av/W 181 St Bx37 10/26/47 Replace Streetcar
Bx14 Country Club Bx22 1933 New Bus-Capwood
Bx14 Westchester Bx22 8/25/40 Replace Streetcar
Bx14 Metropolitan Av Bx54
Bx15 3 Av/125 St Bx29 8/ 5/41 Replace Streetcar
Bx16 E 233 St Bx14 8/18/35 Replace Streetcar
Bx16 Nereid Av Bx16 8/18/35 Replace Streetcar
Bx16 Baychester Bx19
Edenwald Bx14 4/20/31 New Bus
Bx17 Crotona Av/Prospect Av Bx 3 10/24/21 New Bus-DP&S
Bx18 Macombs Rd Bx18 6/22/41 New Bus
Bx19 Southern Blvd Bx31 8/22/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx19 E 149 St Bx30 8/17/47 Replace Streetcar
Bx20 Broadway/Hudson Pkwy Bx24 6/27/48 Replace Streetcar
Randalls Island Bx21
Bx21 Morris Park Av/Boston Rd Bx26 8/22/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx22 Castle Hill Av Bx13 1928 New Bus-Windus
Bx26 Allerton Av Bx17 6/26/41 New Bus
Bx27 Westchester/Soundview Av Bx27 3/ 9/47 Replace Streetcar
Bx28 E Gun Hill Rd Bx15 9/18/33 New Bus
Bx29 City Island Bx12 4/23/28 New Bus
Bx30 Boston Rd Bx 7 2/12/28 Replace Streetcar
Bx30 E Gun Hill Rd Bx 6 3/26/28 New Bus-DP&S
Bx31 Eastchester Rd Bx 9 11/ 1/27 New Bus
St. Anns Bx32 7/11/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx32 Morris/Jerome Bx25 11/ 1/41 Replace Streetcar
Bx33 W 135/E 138 Bx33 7/11/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx34 Bainbridge Av Bx 4 4/ 2/28 New Bus-DP&S
Bx35 E 167/W 181 St Bx35 7/11/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx36 E 174/E 180 St Bx36 10/26/47 Replace Streetcar
Bx39 White Plains Rd Bx28 8/22/48 Replace Streetcar
Sedgwick Bx39 6/27/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx40 Tremont Av Crosstown Bx40 8/22/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx41 Webster Av/White Plains Rd Bx41 6/27/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx42 Tremont Av/Throgs Neck Bx40 8/22/48 Replace Streetcar
Bx55 Williamsbridge and the Hub Bx55

The preceeding prepared and owned by Bill Vandervoort.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    BusTalk Forum Index -> New York City Buses All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You can attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group