BusTalk

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Thu May 07, 2026 2:25 pm Post subject:

W.B.:

Mam from what I've heard (and read) those early Baltimore RTS were a TOTAL DISASTER when they were new; passengers were letting them pass by, in order to board an OLDER bus!! Shocked

With near-useless a/c, and sealed windows, trying to survive aboard one of these "Boilermakers" during a long, hot Baltimore summer indeed was an experience you'd wish to avoid......... Razz

"NYO

["8 CANTONSVILLE"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Thu May 07, 2026 8:44 pm Post subject:

Here's an interesting page on the RTS that once served Miami, beginning in 1980........

https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Miami-Dade_Transit_1000-1259

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat May 09, 2026 12:17 am Post subject:

Trivia.......

When Miami retired their fleet of "T8J-204s", one was spared the torch, and finished its days as a mobile police command center.

Also interesting to note......

A select few of Baltimore's less-than-beloved "TH-8603s" were equipped with ALLISON gas turbines, as an experiment with the Department of Energy.

These buses also sported a unique color scheme, and featured a raked rear hatch, which provided additional engine cooling.........

(Source: "RAPID TRANSIT SERIES BUSES" (McCausland)

"NYO"

['MTA"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat May 09, 2026 7:09 pm Post subject:

Talk about ""lagging behind"..........

By the time "En-Jay-Tee" began taking delivery of thier "foist" RTS, circa-1997/1998, the "Em-Tee-Yay" had already been operating them close to 20 years by that time; the Queens "indies" already had "slant backs" by '79.......

"NYO"

["BOULEVARD EAST"]

W.B. Fishbowl · Posted: Mon May 11, 2026 6:52 am Post subject:

I think I saw another reason why, after the "Borough Bombers" debacle, the "Em-Tee-Yay" waited to get RTS buses in the "foist" place: The "slant backs" that the private companies ordered had the tailpipe below the engine (which, according to one SubChatter, "was horrible biking behind them . . . spewing ground-level filthy black soot and smoke"), whereas the "square backs" the MTA ordered had the tailpipe at the roof as was on the last Fishbowls and 1973-77 "Dangerfields."

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon May 11, 2026 1:49 pm Post subject:

W.B.:

Interesting info; "foist" RTS Yours Truly rode on was down in Disney Workd (in shuttle service) back in 1985 (this was a "slant back")

I know, back in 1981`, Disney ordered 13 "604s" ("slant backs)"; the RTS eventually became the mainstay for Disney shuttles for years.

Liked the RTS from my very 'foist" ride..... Wink

"NYO"

"GMC"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2026 9:24 am Post subject:

The NYCTMs "Are-Tee-Es"............

Where is this historic bus residing today?

Is it still operavle?

Any chance it might one day run in "nostalgia" service again?

Appreciate info....

"NYO"

['Rapid Transit Series"]

W.B. Fishbowl · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2026 12:58 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2026 2:36 pm Post subject:

W.B.:

Thanks for the info.

Sure hope that the "Em-Tee-Yay" will one day bring out the historic buses for holiday runs again, after a long hiatus..........

'NYO"

['MTA"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2026 9:45 pm Post subject:

Hard to believe..........

As I type, it is now 21 uears since Your'sTruly rode aboard an "Are-Tee-Es"; this was when NJT, in its infinite wisdom, cut back the "22 HILLSIDE" to Nungessers, which which eliminated all service to my town. Sad

I especially miss the ex-MTA buses.......NICE BUSES, indeed! Wink

"NYO"

["RTS"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2026 10:08 am Post subject:

.....way, way back in this topic, our good friend MaBSTOA 15 posted info on the MTA buses that were purchased by ACADEMY?.

W.B. ,might you have this info handy?

"NYO"

["22 HILLSIDE"]