BusTalk

[Cyberider]

Follow the money!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

From:

"PUBLIC SERVICE'S ALL-SERVICE VEHICLE: A DUAL-POWERED BUS BEFORE IT'S TIME" (Wilkins/Phraner)............

".........the title 'A Hybrid Bus Before Its Time' had been considered for this book, however, it was decided that the term 'hybrid' was never once found in the mountains of preserved PSNJ paperwork, documents, etc. which was researched for this work......."

"........no one back then used the term 'hybrid' to describe any type of bus, experimental ore otherwise. Calling an ASV a 'hybrid" would have been inauthentic, but would be perfectly acceptable for such a unit today......."

It is also important to remember that the ASVs utilized lineside electric power, instead of the present use of on-board batteries.............

"NYO"

["5 KINNEY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See:

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

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

["CLEAN AIR HYBRID BUS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The MTA's Janno Leber was interviewed by Bill Ritter on "Up Close" (ABC-7) this (Sunday) morning; Mr. Leber mentioned the new electric buses coming in, and remarked:

".......we can say 'goodbye' to dirty, diesel-spewing buses........"

But, we CAN say 'hello' to what will eventually become a major disposal issue, regarding spent batteries.

Man, do I miss the "Kramdens", Fishbowls, "Dangerfields", and "Are-Tee-Es"..............

"NYO"

["GMC"]

[Cyberider]

Not to mention Con Ed emissions!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Ain't it strange..........

All the "Go Greenies" so infatuated with the new " 'lectric buses" do not seem too concerned of just what might happen to whatever landfill the spent batteries are eventually dumped into........give me a "dirty, diesel-spewing" BUS anyday (sorry, Janno!)

"NYO"

"'CLEAN AIR HYBRID BUS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Wonder why a certain Janno Lieber and the "Em-Tee-Yay" never considered this option for "clean air buses"*............

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

*note photo of steam-powered Fishbowl on bottom right........

[Cyberider]

Video of Lear Fishbowl Steam Bus:

https://digitalcollections.museumofflight.org/items/show/55140

Maybe it's time to revisit this concept!

Just over halfway through, there's a gap in the film but stay tuned for the rest.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

Thank you!

London seemed to be far more advanced regarding buses than any other city if the world, prior to 1910; they had over 1.000 motor-buses in service by 1908!

PLUS, the "ELECTROBUS" company of London was operating battery buses prior to 1910; "NATIONAL" continued to operate steam-powered buses (virtually identical to the motor buses of that era) until the early 1920s.

Interestingly, Germany was experimenting with battery buses (and on-line charging stations) in the 1950s.............

"NYO"

["NATIONAL"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

EXCELLENT point to bring up here.

Look at how many serious (and sometimes deadly) incidents have occurred with these ion lithium batteries over the past several years; I shudder to think of what could happen if a "BINO's" battery caught fire, when the bus was carrying a full load of passengers.

Give me a "dirty, diesel-spewing antique" anyday!

"NYO"

["GMC"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

If "hybrid clean air buses" are now regarded as "the salvation of the transit bus industry", why not have NJT bring back the ASV, developed by PSNJ, and DID NOT require on-board batteries to run in electric mode!!

With modern light rail lines everywhere utilizing overhead, WHY NOT bring back a "modern" version of the ASV?

Recall, also, the MBTA up in "Bah-ston" scrapped their entire trolleybuses fleet (the coaches were not at all old) in favor of EVENTUALLY going over to battery buses.

Recall, the MBTA's "SILVER LINE", until a few years ago, was using dual-powered trolley buses, modern-day versions of the ASV................

"NYO"

["43 NEWARK"]