BusTalk

[Q65A]

Most of the NYC-area PBL’s also bought Second Generation New Look transits. Many of these were acquired in 1963-1964, probably in anticipation of the significantly increased ridership levels that would be experienced in NYC (especially in Queens) during the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadow Park. Green Bus Lines bought 85 units in 6 orders from 1963 to 1967: 511-530 (1963), 531-540 and 601-610 (1964), 701-710 (1965), 801-810 (1966), and 811-835 (1967). The 1966-1967 units were equipped with factory-installed air conditioning. Triboro Coach Corp. acquired 51 units in 3 orders from 1964 to 1967: 901-920 (1964), 931-946 (built in 1964 for Greyhound for service at the N.Y. World’s Fair, then acquired by TCC in 1966), and 951-965 (1967). As with GBL, the 1967 buses were air-conditioned. Jamaica Buses bought 9 TDH-5304’s in 1963 (JBI 751-760). They also bought 30 TDH-5303’s in 3 orders: 771-780 in 1964, air-conditioned 801-810 in 1966, and air-conditioned 821-830 in 1967. Queens Transit bought 25 TDH-5303’s in 2 orders: 953-962 in 1963 and 963-977 in 1964. They also bought 45 TDH-5304’s in 3 orders, making QTC the largest 5304 operator in NYC: 101-110 in 1963, 111-120 in 1964 and air-conditioned 121-145 in 1967. Sister company Steinway Transit Corp. also bought 15 air-conditioned TDH-5304’s (STC 301-315) in 1967. GM suburban devotee and future express bus operator New York Bus Tours bought 11 SDM-5302’s (243, 244, 249-251, 253, 254, and 256-259). Renamed New York Bus Service in 1967, these buses were renumbered 1243, 1244, 1249-1251, 1253-1254 and 1256-1259. To augment its growing fleet, NYBS also picked up several used SDH-4502’s, SDH-5302’s and SDM-5302’s, as well as a few TDH-5304’s.

[Mr. Linsky]

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words - well, here's a couple of thousand words to support Bob's latest offering.

Photos borrowed from BusTalk Galleries for educational purposes only.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY

Green Line # 806

Green Line # 705

Steinway #'s 357 & 360

Jamaica # 802

Triboro # 961

[Q65A]

Thanks Mr. L!
This series of photos illustrates very nicely the subtle evolution of the Fishbowl, even within a specific generation of models.
1.) Check out the changes in "Michigan Markers": GBL 705 and 806 (as well as STC 357 & 360) show 3 individually mounted center marker lamps, while JBI 802 and TCC 961 are equipped with the older 3-lamp assembly & trim piece that carried over from the Gen. 1 Fishbowls.
2.) Check out the side directional signals: the GBL units use "armored" lenses; JBI 802 uses a "beehive-type" lens; the STC units appear to be using the later "armored beehive" lenses that appeared with the Gen. 3 and Gen. 4 Fishbowls (the STC units also are using the smaller, Gen. 3-style corner marker lamps and may in fact be newer Fishbowls); TCC 961 has no side directional signal lamp, only a reflector (a common arrangement on TCC Fishbowls, and unique to that PBL among NYC carriers).
3.) Another TCC feature: check out the 2-hole 10-stud cast steel disc wheel.
4.) The JBI unit has an optional courtesy lamp mounted above the entrance door, a feature not commonly seen on other NYC Fishbowls; it probably illuminated the entry area at night whenever the front door was opened.
5.) Notice how the steering wheel color changes over time. Earlier units (JBI 802, built in 1963; GBL 705, built in 1965)appear to have the tan plastic steering wheel (also used on Gen. 1 Fishbowls and on GM Old Looks) while later units use black plastic steering wheels.
6.) Check out the folding right-hand convex mirrors mounted to the entry doors on the STC units (also used on QTC buses of the same period; TCC 961 also seems to have a similar folding mirror). Conversely, JBI 802 uses the bright-finish, GM-standard RH rearview mirror.

[LLE Rebel]

thanks linsky