BusTalk

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:18 am Post subject:

(SEE PREVIOUS POST)

Regarding the aforementioned toy die-cast "pullback" RTS back in the 1990s, Your's Truly purchased a few (MTA livery) from a vendor at the PABT, on the suburban concourse level, while I was still commuting into the city.

AFAIK, these (and the "HOT WHEELS" slant-back versions of the 1980s) were the only toy "Are-Tee-Es" made...........

"NYO"

["Rapid Transit Series"]

W.B. Fishbowl · Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:58 am Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2024 12:42 pm Post subject:

W.B.:

Recall, pre-ADA compliancy, "kneeling buses" were as close to handicapped access as you could get.

When ACADEMY was operating METRO "B's" on the "BOULEVARD EAST" route, it seemed as though, despite their being good, reliable buses, that their wheelchair lifts were forever malfunctioning.

Back in the mid-late 1990's, the lifts on the ex-DART "Are-Tee-Es" operated by ACADEMY were notorious for not functioning properly, just like the buses that were installed in (I recall these buses well)

IMHO, the ex-MTA "Torpedoes" were the best performers.

I've also read that most "Torpedoes" went through anywhere between two and three wheelchair lifts during their lifespan.............

"NYO"

["BOULEVARD EAST"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2024 12:36 am Post subject:

Just curious:

On average, how reliable were the wheelchair lifts used on the (MTA) "Torpedoes"?

It would seem that the mechanisms working these lifts had to endure a lot of wear and tear, each and every day.

On a related note, in London, during and just after WW2 a number of the oldest double (and single deck) buses had their seats removed, had portable ramps installed at the rear, and were used to transport wheelchair-bound military men between different hospitals and rehab facilities.........

"NYO"

["GeneraL']