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   There were many instances in which the New York City Transit Authority issued tickets for special occasions; some one off event and others daily in regular service. 

   Some of these special occasions were sporting events, and some of these occasions were to garner more revenue during weekdays or late nights. As most of the passenger traffic was during morning or evening rush hours on weekdays, a lot of transit equipment sat idle during the off hour periods. 

   Obviously, this equipment cost money to purchase, as was the employees hired to operate the equipment; so having either sit idle was not financially sensible.

   So, the NYCTA operated "specials".

The IND Division Rockaway Beach Line was unique to the single fare rule on rapid transit lines for regular service.    This line was purchased for $8,500,000 from the Long Island Railroad after several fires of the wood trestle over Jamaica Bay took place; the last of which was so severe the LIRR was content to abandon the line. The NYCTA completely rebuilt the route with fill and concrete trestles and connected to the IND Subway at Howard Beach Station at a cost of $57,000,000.    As proposed originally on February 16, 1956, it was supposed to be a 40 cent fare each way. 15 cents for the regular subway, and an additional 25 cents to be collected at Broad Channel. There was such sufficient outrage at this, considering it would cost 80 cents round trip for Rockaway residents, of which at the time a good portion of Rockaway was lower income; was in no doubt justified.    So, after public hearings on the matter and local politicians getting involved; on March 30, 1956 the NYCTA relented to a degree and reduced the proposed fare to 30 cents each way. The line opened June 28, 1956.    Passengers using this line were charged a double fare south of the Howard Beach Station. The manner of collecting this extra fare entailed the following:    Northbound from the Rockaways: passengers entering along the line from any of the stations south of Howard Beach Station; required the deposit of two tokens into the turnstile upon entering the station.    For those already on board a southbound train from other parts of the system, an additional token was payable upon exit at stations south of Howard Beach Station.    For those passengers traveling only within the double-fare zone (between the Rockaways and Howard Beach Station) would request a special "refund ticket" from the token clerk, entitling them to a refund upon exiting the system, either in cash or a token from the token clerk at their station of destination. This ticket can be seen at right.    Needless to say, there was still outrage over the double fare, and a lawsuit filed, but on June 15, 1956; Supreme Court (New York) Justice Schwartzwald found in favor of the NYCTA, adding that the LIRR fare to the Rockaways (when the line was owned and operated by them) was higher than the fare being charged by the NYCTA. Fortunately, this quelled most dissent.    This double fare remained quite unpopular, and in 1972, the matter was revisited following another lawsuit. The NYCTA conducted a study that showed due to the increased population now residing in the Rockaways, lowering the fare to regular amount would not incur any undue loss of revenue.    But, it would not be abolished until September 1, 1975; which coincided with a system-wide fare increase, as well as an increase in tolls on the Cross Bay Bridge and Marine Parkway Bridges.

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   The most widely known of these special tickets was for the JFK Express. This service was heavily advertised on broadcast television and radio and the slogan, which a lot of people remember to this day was "Take the Train To The Plane".

   This special but scheduled service was assigned its own "bullet" on the roll signs on the subway and bus equipment:

   The cost of the shuttle bus from the Howard Beach - JFK Airport Station was free for JFK Express ticket purchasers, but $1.00 for those arriving via IND Rockaway Line  train.

   Therefore it is wondered if there was a slight fare difference incurred in one direction as opposed to another? A little more thought and research was put into this, and upon locating an article published in the September 28, 1978 issue of the  "Leader Observer"; (a local newspaper published for Queens residents) explained this to be exactly the case.

To the Airport

   So, why two different fares for coming and going? Passengers going to JFK Airport, had to pay the prevailing subway fare to enter the subway station from the street. This would give them access to the subway platform, where the JFK Express made its scheduled stops (see list above right). Once aboard, they would pay the on-board ticket clerk the premium fare for the JFK Express. By the way, this person was not a conductor, as NYCTA ticket clerks are bonded to handle money and conductors are not. As the trains were short: 3 to 4 cars, a conductors position was superfluous, and the motorman operated the doors.

   Upon arrival at the JFK Airport / Howard Beach station; the passenger disembarked from the train, walked a little ways and boarded the Airport Loop Bus. Here, either Bus Loop A or Bus Loop B took the passenger(s) to their airline terminal of their departure (or employment).

   These passengers, upon showing their JFK Express train ticket to the bus driver, rode the loop bus for free.

   For those passengers arriving at JFK Airport station on regular IND train subway service, they could purchase the $1.00 Airport Loop Bus ticket for transportation to their desired terminal (see below).

From the Airport

   However, for those passengers arriving at the airport and needing to go towards the City (to include western Queens, downtown Brooklyn and Manhattan), they got on board the Airport Loop Bus first at their respective airline terminal and were brought to the JFK Airport subway station. As JFK Express trains originated at this location, they paid the train clerk the entire $3.50 JFK fare in full upon boarding, including the base subway fare.

   Furthermore, as a courtesy on trains originating at JFK Airport and heading towards the city, the passenger could request a stop at an intermediate station along the route. Such as, if the passenger wanted to disembark at Ralph Avenue, they told the ticket clerk selling them the ticket and the motorman was notified to stop at that station. This would alleviate the need for them and their luggage to go to a regular station of the JFK Express and either wait for a second "local" subway train or backtrack.

   The Airport Loop Bus service also continued after the JFK Express service was abolished.

Fare Difference

   With this information in hand, when we subtract the prevailing rate of subway fare (for that particular date of usage), we will encounter the lower amount of the two fare tickets that are marked FROM airport. This we will find they should match the listed fare on their TO airport counterparts.

   For example, for passengers going to the airport: the subway fare is 50 cents. Passenger pays at the token booth, gets a token and goes through the turnstile to the platform. The JFK Express pulls in, the passenger boards and pays the conductor the $3.00 JFK Express premium fare. Therefore, they are issued a $3.00 ticket. Upon arrival at the JFK Airport Station, they disembarked and then boarded the JFK Airport Loop Bus.

   In the opposite direction, passengers paid the on-board train clerk both the regular subway fare AND the Express train fare in one payment.

At the airport: the Airport Bus Loop - during and after the JFK Express service

   An original car advertising sign reflects that not one, but two JFK Bus Loops operated at the airport: Bus Loop A for the southern half of the Airport, and Bus Loop B for the northern half:

   For those leaving the airport, they could pay the combined fare of the Express Bus and the subway fare with the $1.50 ticket. This allowed them to board the IND train by showing the ticket to the station ticket clerk but not the actual JFK Express Train.

    After when the JFK Express Train service was abolished on April 15, 1990, the bus loop service was still needed to get passengers to and from the JFK Airport / Howard Beach subway station for those passengers arriving ad departing via the IND train. So, the Airport Express bus could be paid for independently, for passengers arriving via the normal "local" subway train or by connecting bus routes. This is the $1.00 ticket.

date	base subway Fare	train TO JFK (not including regular fare for subway)	train FROM JFK (including regular fare for subway)	JFK Employee tickets (20 tickets)	shuttle bus onlyc
January 1, 1979	.50			$25.00 ($1.25)		On January 1, 1979; employees of the various airlines as well as employees of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey who worked at JFK airport; were provided with a discounted book of twenty tickets, sold for $25 ($1.25 per ticket).
unknown date	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	$1.00	Shuttle Bus to JFK
unknown date	.50	n/a	n/a	n/a	$1.50	Shuttle Bus & Train from JFK
September 23, 1978	.50	$3.00	$3.50
June 28, 1980	.60	$3.40	$4.00	$30.00 ($1.50)	$1.80
July 3, 1981	.75	$4.25	$5.00	$45.00? ($2.25?)		the express fare was raised from $4.00 to $5.00. This era of JFK Express train service also provided service to the Aqueduct Racetrack when racing was in session and upon request of the passenger.
January 2, 1984	.90	$5.10	$6.00
January 1, 1986	1.00	$5.50	$6.50	$50.00?	$1.80	On January 1, 1986, the cost of an JFK employee discount ticket rose from $2.25 to $2.50. For this fare, $6.00 tickets were redacted and overprinted with $6.50. b
to April 15, 1990	1.15	$5.60a	$6.75			JFK Express service was discontinued April 15, 1990

^a - $5.60 denomination ticket not yet seen or confirmed, but believed to exist.
^b - $6.50 non-redacted tickets have not yet been seen.
^c - fare for shuttle bus when not used with JFK Express train.

JFK Employees JFK Express Ticket (bi-directional)- 1978 Globe Ticket
FROM NYC / TO AIRPORT 50 cent subway fare paid at token booth and $3.00 JFK Express fare & Shuttle Bus paid to on-board ticket clerk. Globe Ticket		TO NYC / FROM AIRPORT Shuttle Bus and JFK Express  from JFK Airport $3.50 JFK Express fare and subway combined and paid together to on-board ticket clerk Globe Ticket
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FROM NYC / TO AIRPORT 60 cent subway fare paid at token booth & $3.40 JFK Express fare & Shuttle Bus paid to on-board ticket clerk Globe Ticket		TO NYC / FROM AIRPORT $4.00 - JFK Express fare and subway combined and paid together to on-board ticket clerk Globe Ticket
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		$5.00 ticket needed
FROM NYC / TO AIRPORT 75 cent subway fare paid at token booth + $4.25 JFK Express fare & Shuttle Bus paid to on-board ticket clerk Globe Ticket		TO NYC / FROM AIRPORT $5.00 - JFK Express fare and subway combined and paid together to on-board ticket clerk
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FROM NYC / TO AIRPORT 90 cent subway fare paid at token booth & $5.10 JFK Express fare and Shuttle Bus to JFK Airport paid to on-board ticket clerk the goldenrod printing (top) is Globe Ticket the pale cream (bottom) is unknown printer		TO NYC / FROM AIRPORT $6.00 - JFK Express fare and subway combined and paid together to on-board ticket clerk. Arcus Ticket
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$1.00 subway fare paid at token booth & $5.50 JFK Express fare and Shuttle Bus (free) to JFK Airport paid to conductor Globe Ticket		$6.00 redacted, overstamped to $6.50 - Shuttle Bus (free) and JFK Express  from JFK Airport paid together to on-board ticket clerk. Arcus Ticket
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not yet seen		not yet seen
$1.15 subway fare paid at token booth & $5.60 JFK Express fare and Shuttle Bus to JFK Airport paid to conductor		$6.75  - Shuttle Bus and JFK Express  from JFK Airport
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Airport Loop Bus		Airport Loop Bus & Local Subway Service
$1.00 - Shuttle Bus ONLY to JFK Airport Globe Ticket		$1.50 - Shuttle Bus and  Train ONLY from JFK Airport Globe Ticket

Unissued books of JFK Tickets in varying denominations are now appearing on the eBay market. 

Individual tickets: $7.00 to $10.00 for circulated and punch canceled tickets
Books; no more than $15.00 per book as these are unissued remainders.

JFK Express JFK Employee Tickets; are somewhat rarer: $15.00 - $20.00 for issued tickets.
Books; no more than $15.00 per book as these are unissued remainders.

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Sports Specials

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Football Subway Special at the Polo Grounds:

   The NYCTA operated N. Y. Titans Football Specials, which departed from the IND Parsons Boulevard Station in Queens at 6:40 pm, with one stop at 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue and terminating at the 155th Street Station which serviced the Polo Grounds at 7:35 pm. 

   Tickets for the Football Subway special were sold at the Parsons Boulevard and the 42nd Street Stations for 50 cents. The ticket, when turned in with $1.25, allowed the passenger a discount on grandstand seating that was normally priced at $4.00 (a discount of $1.75).

   The first mention of this Football Special is published in the November 2, 1960 edition of the New York Times. The Titans would only play at the Polo Grounds located in northern Manhattan for three seasons, after which they were renamed the New York Jets, and took up residence in the newly built Shea Stadium in Flushing Meadows - Corona Park in Queens.

October 1, 1961 - New York Titans vs. Boston Patriots (American Football League)
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October 15, 1961 - New York Titans vs. San Diego Chargers (American Football League)

Aqueduct Racetrack - Thoroughbred Horse Racing

   It should be noted that Aqueduct Special trains only operated when racing programs were being held at Aqueduct. For those not familiar with thoroughbred racing, racing programs are not held year round at a single track, and alternated with Belmont Park. The programs at Aqueduct were usually slated for October through April, with the Belmont Park racing program from April through July and September through October. 

• 42nd Street & Port Authority Bus Terminal
• Hoyt / Schermerhorn Streets
• Aqueduct Racetrack.

"Extra Large Y Cutout" issued in 1966 at 75 cents as special fare token for trains to Aqueduct Race Track then repurposed for use for Express Buses late 1980's-1990's. 28mm / 1.10", brass, Y cutout Atwood-Coffee NY630AP uncommon; $15.00

issued April 1979 used as special fare for train to Aqueduct Race Track. 500,000 struck 23mm / .90", white metal, solid Atwood-Coffee NY630AX uncommon; $20.00

75 cent Cash Fare Ticket - Special Trains to Aqueduct Racetrack May 15, 1967 Globe Ticket
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"Special Aqueduct Special" Subway fare, and clubhouse admission and one free program ticket to Aqueduct Racetrack issued by the New York Racing Association valid to May 21, 1978 Globe Ticket	"Special Aqueduct Special" Subway fare, and clubhouse admission and one free program ticket to Aqueduct Racetrack issued by the New York Racing Association valid to May 21, 1978 Globe Ticket

Aqueduct Cash Fare Tickets rarely encountered; $30.00 - 40.00 in good condition.
Special Aqueduct Special rarely encountered; $30.00 - 40.00 in good condition.

1974 - New York City Transit Authority Transit Museum archives

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Nostalgia Special

July 17, 1976, and undated - Adult Fare (or Round Trip?)
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July 18 and July 25, 1976 - Child's Fare 4 7/8" x 2 15/16" these seem cut on a table top cutter probably should have been 5x3
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August 8, 1976 - Adult Fare (Round Trip?) and unissued August 1976 - Adult Fare
5" x 3 3/16"
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unissued August 1976 - Child's Fare
July 23, 1978 - Adult Fare (green)
September 2, 1978 - Adult Fare (yellow)	September 2, 1978 - Child;s Fare (salmon)
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November 11, 1978 - Adult Fare (pink)	undated - Child's Fare (blue)
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undated - Adult Fare (pink)	undated - Child's Fare (yellow)
undated - Adult Fare (white)	undated - Child's Fare (pink)
June 10, 1979 6 3/16" x 3" all adult and child's tickets for Nostalgia Special above are common; $3.00 to $5.00 each.
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Nostalgia Special Ticket - Complimentary uncommon, but sporadically encountered - $15.00 to $20.00.

June 28, 1980 Fare for the Nostalgia Train rose 50 cents from $3.00 to $3.50 for adults and 25 cents for under 17: $1.50 to $1.75.

3 3/16" x 4 1/4"

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   Block tickets are issued for unplanned temporary interruptions of service due to fire, flood, derailment, law enforcement activity, signal problems, or power outages. 

   This ticket allows a passenger of whom has already paid their fare, to alight from a subway train, exit the paid portion of the system and reenter at another location to take an alternative subway line or bus instead, without having to pay a second fare.

   These tickets are good for 48 hours but are seldom marked with a date or time. The meaning of the N & B letter codes is currently unknown - if you know please send me an email .

Brooklyn Manhattan Transit System
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First Unification - 1940-1953
sans-serif "N" December 1940 BTT-N 11 Arcus Simplex Brown 4 3/8" x 2-1/16"	sans-serif "R" December 1940 BTT-R 34 Arcus Simplex Brown 43/8" x 2" inches high.
The reason of the letter codes 'N' and 'R' remain unknown at this time. From the printers information reflect they were two separate issues, and not a reprint of of a single issue. A fleeting thought was perhaps the letter denoted subway line of usage, but route letters were in use at time of this issue (December 1940), and furthermore a single change booth could serve different lines.Nor does it denote rapid or surface methods as all are listed on both tickets.
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"A" prefix - serif B BTT - B42 - March 1950 (BT) unknown printer	serif 'N' 4 5/8" x 2" w/ 1/2" selvage Globe Ticket
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Second Unification; 1953 to present
serif "B" prefix International Ticket - serif B 4 3/4" by 2", including selvage	sans-serif "E" prefix Elliott Ticket 58-69-0834
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	intentionally left blank
sans-serif "G" prefix Elliott Ticket - sans-serif G 4 3/4" by 2", including selvage
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H prefix date? Globe Ticket -  5 13/16" with selvage by, and 2"	C prefix ca.1980s Globe Ticket
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1994 - 2006 This Block Ticket lists the private bus companies: Command Bus, Green Bus Lines, Jamaica Buses, Queens Surface and Triboro Coach
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2006 and later: this Block Ticket does not list the private bus companies which have been absorbed in the NYCTA. s/n prefix A & C known 7 1/4" long and 2"

Block Tickets; uncommon but occasionally offered for sale;
(on pulp paper); rare - $10.00 to $12.50.

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General Order Transfers

Daily General Order

Monthly General Order

   In contrast to Block Tickets in the above section of this page, of which are issued for unplanned temporary interruptions of service and are only valid for 48 hours after punched; General Order Transfers are issued for planned prolonged outages or rerouting due to construction or reconstruction.

   As such, G. O. Tickets are issued monthly, and are valid until the end of that month; as all dates seen thus far are for the last day that month.

   1990's through 2010(?): solid beige, pink, green paper;
   2010's: white paper with magenta, lavender, yellow stripes (possibly other colors as well)
all appear to have unprinted backs.

 

June 30, 1992	September 30, 1992	March 31, 1993	March 31, 1996 note that despite the MTA logo being changed in 1994, this ticket still bears the M logo above but the new  logo below.	July 31, 1998	September 30, 1999
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September 30, 2003	December 31, 2003	December 31, 2004	December 31, 2005	December 31, 2007	December 31, 2008
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	intentionally left blank	intentionally left blank	intentionally left blank	intentionally left blank	intentionally left blank
December 31, 2010
intentionally left blank					intentionally left blank
	December 31, 2018	September 30, 2019		December 31, 2019

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Culture Bus Loops

Culture Bus I - Midtown Manhattan & Harlem

   The Culture Bus Loops I and II operated from May 26, 1973 through September 3, 1984 and on weekends and holidays only. The Culture Bus Loop III operated briefly from August 3, 1974 through September 2, 1974, and a Staten Island Culture Bus Loop operated sometime between 1974 through 1977.

   The Culture Bus Loops allowed a passenger to disembark and visit museums and places of interest along the route, then reboard a later bus to continue their journey to their next destination pretty much door to door. This allowed passengers greater flexibility than having to walk several blocks to a subway station, make a transfer to adjoining line, et al; then walk back to their next destination.. 

   The following two sided five panel brochure, explains in detail how and when the Culture Bus Loop I and Culture Bus Loop II operated, their routes and the places of interest on each route. 

   As an added bonus, it also explains the other discounted special services such as the Sunday Half Fare, Add-A-Ride, Shoppers Special, and Nightcoach programs (as shown on this particular page and on others in this website); so without a doubt this brochure was worthy of display.

	above: back cover	above: front cover
5 panels; 20" x 9 1/8"; undated (but mention of 50 cent fare usage has this brochure fall into the September 2, 1975 - June 27, 1980 date range).

   The Culture Bus Loop I ran in Manhattan, and for the price of $1.00 a Culture Bus ticket was issued to the passenger. This Culture Bus gave the passenger access to dozens of New York City's Museums and Tourist Attractions as listed in the above brochure.

5" x 3 1/8" Culture Bus & Culture Bus II tickets; $15.00 to $20.00 in good condition. Due to the short existence of the Culture Bus III, tickets are worth substantially more: $25.00 - 35.00

    We know on June 28, 1980 the price of a Culture Bus ticket rose from $1.25 to $1.75.

Culture Bus II - Brooklyn & Midtown Manhattan

    There was also a Culture Bus that operated in Brooklyn. This was known as "Culture Bus II" and ran the route of the B88:

5" x 3 1/8" Culture Bus & Culture Bus II tickets; $15.00 to $20.00 in good condition. Due to the short existence of the Culture Bus III, tickets are worth substantially more: $25.00 - 35.00

   The fares on Culture Buses I and II and Staten Island Culture Bus rose from $1.00 to $1.25 on September 1, 1975. On June 28, 1980 the price of a Culture Bus ticket rose from $1.25 to $1.75.

Culture Bus III - Harlem, Manhattan & Bronx

   There was a third culture bus route, the Culture Bus III.

   The Culture Bus III route was located in north Manhattan and the Bronx. However, this route was extremely short lived, and only operated from August 3, 1974 (some sources erroneously cite Memorial Day weekend - but the NY Times article at right states otherwise) through September 2, 1974 - Labor Day; at which time this special route was discontinued, and never reinstated. 

   This loop route was designated the Bx56.

   To date, tickets for this route remain undocumented.

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Staten Island Culture Bus

   The Staten Island Culture Bus route started at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, Ramp F in St. George, and stopped at the Staten Island Museum, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Jacques Marchais Center for Tibetian Art, and Richmondtown Restoration and back to the Ferry Terminal, where one could visit the Staten Island Ferry Maritime Museum at either the beginning or end of the bus loop. 

   Fare was $1.25, operating on Saturdays and Sundays, Summer and Fall; however the year is not noted. Abraham Beame is listed as Mayor on the pamphlet, and his single term administration was January 1, 1974 through December 31, 1977 which helps date the pamphlet to some degree.

   As with the Bronx Culture Bus III, tickets remain undocumented. 

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Shoppers Buses

   In an attempt to drum up business during the midday, when bus occupancy is at its least, the NYCTA advertised for and ran "Shoppers Buses." This was a bus that ran a fixed route throughout the Manhattan Shopping District. With the purchase of a ticket, the passenger could get on or off the bus on that route however many times they chose, to do their shopping in an endless number of stores.

   Shoppers Buses rose from 75 cents to $1.00 on September 1, 1975

5 1/16" x 3 1/8" Shoppers Special Tickets (on cardstock); $15.00 to $20.00 in good condition.

Shoppers Special Tickets (on pulp paper); $8.00 to $10.00 in good condition.
Complete books are known. 

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A Night On The Town

A Night on the Town Bus Ticket (on cardstock); $12.00 to $15.00 in good condition. A Night on the Town Bus Ticket (on pulp paper); $8.00 to $10.00 in good condition.

2 1/16" x 5 5/8" with 5/8" selvage, pulp paper
Globe Ticket
uncommon; complete book, $10

Midtown Shoppers or Night on the Town Exchange Coupon
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Culture Bus I or Culture Bus II Exchange Coupon
Shoppers Bus / A Night on the Town Bus Ticket and Culture Bus Exchange Coupons (on pulp paper); National Ticket rare - $25.00 to $30.00. . .

Night Coach

Nightcoach Ticket
Globe Ticket
(on pulp paper); rare - $20.00 to $25.00.

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New York City Youth Board - Free Transit Pass for Group
Free Transportation Pass for Youth Board / Boy Scouts of America - April 13, 1972 extremely rare; $50.00 8 5/8" x 5"
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Op Sail '76 Bicentennial Special Transit Pass - July 4 to July 11, 1976
3 3/4" x 2 9/16" extremely rare; $50.00
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Special Transit Pass - Harbor Festival 1979
4 7/16" x 2 15/16" extremely rare; $50.00
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Visitors Pass - 1979
4 7/16" x 2 15/16" extremely rare; $50.00

Page 1: Fare Tickets & Employee Passes	Page 7: Half Fare Tickets - Sundays / Weekends
Page 2: Tokens	Page 8: Half Fare Tickets - Senior Citizens & Handicapped
Page 3: Continuing Ride Tickets & Transfers - Rapid Transit	Page 9: School / Student / Pupil Reduced Fare & Free Passes
Page 4: Continuing Ride Tickets & Transfers - Surface; Streetcar Lines	Page 10: Special Issue Tickets
Page 5: Continuing Ride Tickets & Transfers - Surface; Bus Routes	Page 11: Staten Island Rapid Transit
Page 6: Continuing Ride Tickets; Surface; Add-A-Ride	Page 12: Hudson and Manhattan & Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH)

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	© 2021 - Brighton Beach Express
	Philip M. Goldstein / George S. Cuhaj
	For reuse, additions or corrections,  please contact: brghtnbchexp@aol.com