BusTalk

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

WB: Look at PSNJ-outside of a few "on trial" buses through the decades-they went straight through to the Fishbowls-after Old looks were no longer in production-with no "in between stopping off" regarding the purchase of "Dangerfields" (as noted earlier-the only "Dangerfields" to carry TNJ logos were the new NJDOT buses of the later 1970s-----ORANGE & BLACK had a good-sized fleet of Old Looks (as well as rostering "Pattons")-by the 1960's they also were purchasing Fishbowls only (no wonder so few suburban "Dangerfields" were built!); O&B also-unlike other "Joisey" suburban carriers-did not roster any WHITES or ACF-BRILLS (aka "Rocky Brill-boas")----------"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Personally----Your's Truly think it was the WRONG decision for the "Tee-Yay's" successor to NOT purchase "slant back" RTS (aka "Torpedos") and instead going gung-ho purchasing a certain type of boxy bus that indeed turned out to be QUITE ill-fated and-in fact-a rolling DISASTER); odd also-that Queens independents saw fit to purchase "slant back" RTS (which I think was a wise decision)-----and to think that-well into the 1960s-you still had 1940's-era square window Old Looks and "Pattons" in operation (and-on certain Hudson County area "indies"----buses dating to the late 1930s and early 1940s were STILL "getting it done" through the first half of the 1960s--------aaaah progress)-------- "NYO"

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

WB: Agreed----in a certain city located between Philly and DC-the RTS was indeed a HATED-----repeat HATED bus-------especially due to non-opening windows (as well as other issues); riders HATED these buses---in fact-they would let an RTS go by and wait for either a Fishbowl or "Dangerfield"-to be able to ride without suffocating!!!! NJT did not see any RTS until about 1997/1998; I rode ex-"Noo Yawk" "Torpedos" that I really liked-----good "all around" buses and great a/c and heat-----the WORST "Torpedos" I rode here (1990s) were the ex-DART buses-----the a/c (WHEN it worked) was pathetic-and the wheelchair lifts were always going "kaput" (the ex-"Noo Yawk" buses ran well !) "NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Who had but an inkling that-when the RTS "Torpedos" were just appearing in the city-40-odd years back-that they would be the LAST bus built for "Noo Yawk" that had any sort of appeal; how anyone can find appeal in a robotic caterpillar or a rolling shoe box? Ain't nuthin' to see here folks----------- "NYO"

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

WB: Recall-also-way back in the day-when those boxy "clapped-out" rolling booby traps (you know what buses Your's Truly is referring to)-as well as the earliest of the "Torpedos"-sported the "PA" prefix; Your's Truly first rode a "Torpedo" in Boston back in 1991 (and again in 1997)-----this was also when Boston still utilized trolley buses; NJT's later "Torpedos" were later replaced by those rolling white shoeboxes otherwise known as "NABIs"------- "NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

WB: This one's for you-----------when FACL's new "Jetson" Fishbowls entered the fleet-which line(s) were they assigned to? (I would guess that these flashy new buses would be assigned to a "tony" route)-----also-where were these buses running when they were retired? Appreciate info-----"NYO"

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

WB: EXCELLENT "thesis" for sure----THANK YOU for posting all of this detailed historical info (now THIS is what Your's Truly can REALLY sink his teeth into!) Odd-though-how the earliest ("Jetson") Fishbowls were not to be running as long as quite a few of the ex-FACCo square-window Old Looks (despite their shabby condition-the ex-ST Old Looks hung around for awhile-into the 1960s); though I do not know the exact year-I know that the ex-PSNJ "Jetson" Fishbowls were OOS by at least 1980-----in 1960-PSNJ began rostering their first Fishbowls; the transits were the 5302s-130 in all (quite a few went to Newark-area routes)----the suburbans were 5301s--------"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Going by photos at nycsubway I know that there were still at least a few "Jetson" Fishbowls still running in the late 1970s (early 80s?)-and looking worse for wear; these buses were still wearing the old classic "Tee-Yay" green; I would guess that these buses were originally purchased by the "Tee-Yay"? "NYO"

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

WB: Thanks for the info; yes-Your's Truly STILL clearly recalls that early 1980's WNEW report showing stored OOS buses being brought out a garage (to replace the new "Booby Trap Specials" then falling apart on the streets of "Noo Yawk"); the WNEW reporter-as you already know-referred to the old buses as "decade-and-a-half-old-clunkers"--------now----I ask you-----just WHAT buses were the REAL "clunkers"?? "NYO"

[W.B. Fishbowl]