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Page 5 - Transfers & Tickets; Surface: Bus Routes
The Catalog of Transit Fiscal Ephemera & Exonumia from the City of the New York
(pre-MetroCard)
featuring the collections of George S. Cuhaj & Philip M. Goldstein

Page 5



Design NomenclatureBoard of Transportation Issues
1940-1953
NYCTA Issues
1953 to 1997?
Independent Operator /
Private Bus Line Issues
including Zone Checks


Design Nomenclature

   There were many different designs of transfers; but for the most part, they all shared some basic elements common to the various designs. Illustrated below are three of the most common transfer designs one will encounter:

   Continuing onwards from the streetcar line transfers on Page 4, this next generation of transfers came about sometime in the late 1930's (1938?). These were vertical format, similar to the streetcar transfers of same age; but instead of an hourly listing, these have simple AM and PM at the bottom. The PM is on a perforated tear off tab at the bottom. If the transfer was issued in the morning, the PM stub was torn off, making the transfer valid for use only in the morning hours.

   If you take note, these early bus route transfers lack the borough prefix letter ("B", "Bx", "M" "Q", "R" or "S") & route number that is in use and we have come to know so well and was simply carried route name. As best as I can discern, that while the prefix letter route number system was instituted by this time (it is listed in small type at very top of the Type 1 transfers e.g: "Omnibus Route B.18 Transfer") it was not used as a legend until the Type 2 were introduced around April (?) 1948. That is the earliest bus transfer I have that shows the prefix letter / route number nomenclature.

   Information is also lacking as to whether all the bus routes throughout the entire city had these various types implemented at once, or whether it was instituted in phases (phased institution seems much more likely). If you know, I would certain like to hear from you at brghtnbchexp@aol.com

   It should also be noted that for much of its existence, MaBSTOA (despite being an MTA subsidiary) was allowed to refrain from the issuance of transfers between most of their routes in northern Manhattan. Therefore, there will not be many transfers for North Manhattan and some Bronx routes operated by that company.

   Prior to surface route unification under the NYCTA throughout the 1960's and 1970's, the third type of surface transfer shown above, the horizontal format; was most common for companies operating surface routes in Richmond (Staten Island), Manhattan and the Bronx; with Queens being a mix of the two formats; and whereas Brooklyn appears to have been almost exclusively of the vertical type. Why this is, is not yet known.

   As for the various designs of transfers for surface routes in Brooklyn (and after the 1970's for all other boroughs), there are now seven distinct styles (with two subtypes of Type 7) of vertical bus route transfers that have been observed:

Board of Transportation & New York City Transit Authority
.
Type 1Type 2Type 3Type 4Type 5Type 6Type 7A & Type 7B
nomenclature:without borough prefix / route number with route namewith large borough prefix / route number with route namewith small borough prefix / route number with route namewith small borough prefix / route number with route namewith small borough prefix letter & large route number;
without route name
with large borough prefix and  route number
without route name
with large borough prefix & route number
without route name
format:am / pmam / pmam / pm am / pm hourly hourlyhourly
colors:buff, green, salmon, brown, purple paperbuff, purple paper, possibly othersbuff, green, red paperbuff paper
with blue, yellow, orange, pink
horizontal stripe
mid-ticket to
denote direction of travel
blue paper, orange paperbuff paper
with blue, orange horizontal stripe
mid ticket to denote direction of travel
(possibly other colors as well)
blue paper, orange paper
notes:"Omnibus Route" and
Route Designation at top


NYCTS
B. B. Corp
NYCTSdifferent issuing agencies:
BOT-NYCTS
NYCTS
BMT Bus Division
NYCTA

parallel hours separated by bus and word "transfer"

rules of use on front,
list of connecting routes on back
staggered hours separated by staggered lines

list of connecting routes moved to front.
staggered hours separated by staggered lines

list of connecting routes on front.

subtype A = M logo
subtype B =   logo
stock number:alpha numeric, i.e.: E-19
alpha numeric, i.e.: E-19numeric, i.e.: 5-2numeric for Brooklyn: 1-19
borough code & numeric for Staten Island, i.e.: SI-2
depot code with numeric:
i.e.: COL22-0
depot code with numeric
i.e.: COL22-0
depot code with numeric
i.e.: COL22-0
usage dates:institution of internal combustion bus
to ca.1948
1940? to 1953?ca. 1948 to September 12, 1982ca. 1978 to September 12, 1982September 13, 1982 to ca.1991April 1992? to ?ca. 1991 to end of use of paper transfer (July or August 1997?)

Type 1Type 2Type 3Type 4Type 5Type 6Type 7A and Type 7B:
values:uncommon
$1.50 to $3.00
with 10% for special issues from low traffic routes, i.e:
Plum Beach / Manhattan Beach and generic special issues etc.

complete books; $25.00 per book
extremely uncommon
it is not believed all routes were represented by this type.
$7.00 to $10.00 each


complete books unknown
very common
$1.25 to $1.50

$12.00 - $15.00 per book is fair for issues dated 1950-1970;
and
$7.50 to $10.00 per book for dates 1970-1982.
uncommon as individuals
$2.00 to $3.00

complete books common; $20.00 per book
extremely common by route and date; including private / independent bus lines
No more than .75 cents to $1.00 each with selvage.

Complete books are not worth sum of transfers, no more than $10.00 per book
very uncommon as individuals
$5.00 to $10.00

complete books unknown at this time
extremely common by route and date; including private / independent bus lines
No more than .75 cents to $1.00 each with selvage.

Complete books are not worth sum of transfers, no more than $10.00 per book
25% premium for special dates, 100% premium for last day of service on that route.


Index to catalog:
Brooklyn
Bronx
Manhattan
Queens
Richmond (Staten Island)
Brooklyn
Bronx
Manhattan
Queens
Richmond (Staten Island)
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Surface to Rapid
Brooklyn Special Use
Bronx BX55 (MaBSTOA) Bronx Special
Manhattan
Queens
Richmond (Staten Island)
Brooklyn
Bronx
Manhattan
Queens

Staten Island
Brooklyn
Bronx
Manhattan
Queens
Richmond (Staten Island)

Statue of Liberty 100th Ann'y
Express Buses
Brooklyn
Bronx
Manhattan
Queens
Richmond (Staten Island)
Brooklyn
Bronx
Manhattan
Queens

Staten Island
Express Buses
.


.

Independent Operators / Private Bus Lines (by borough)
.

BronxBrooklynManhattanQueensStaten Island
 Surface Transportation

Surface Transit

MaBSTOA
Pioneer Bus
Command Bus - NYC DOT
Third Avenue Bus
Fifth Avenue Coach
Surface Transportation
New York City Omnibus
Comprehensive Omnibus
Hamilton Bus
Triangle Bus

MaBSTOA
Board of Transportation - 
     Queens Bus Division
Affiliated Bus Transit
Green Bus
Lines
Jamaica Buses
North Shore Bus
Queens Nassau Bus
Queens Surface
Queens Transit
Steinway Omnibus
Steinway Transit
Triboro Coach
Tompkins Bus
Staten Island Coach
Isle Transportation

Interdivision
al Continuation Tickets - "Continued Ride" (bus to subway, by borough)
BronxBrooklynQueens
Bx55X 149th Street & Third Avenue
Bx55X 161st St & River Ave.
High St to Broadway-Nassau (Brooklyn Bridge) 
B54, 67, 75 - Jay Street Boro Hall (Myrtle Avenue El)

B24 - Greenpnt-Sunnysde-Wllmsbrgh (Marcy Ave)
B63 - Fifth Ave Route (36th Street Station)
B35 - Church Ave Route (9th Ave or Church Ave Sta)
Special Bus
Q49 to Queens Boulevard Station (Jamaica El)





Board of Transportation - New York City Transit System
1940-1953


Type 1
without prefix & route number, with route name 
am / pm format, colored paper
inception to ca. 1948

You will note, some routes were free while others required an additional 2 cent transfer payment.


Special Transfer
World's Fair Route
Brooklyn Bus Corp


intentionally left blank
A-28
Special Transfer
Ave U Gerritsen Beach Route
Brooklyn Bus Corp
A-29
Special Transfer
Avenue U Route
Brooklyn Bus Corp
A-30
Special Transfer
Avenue U Route
Brooklyn Bus Corp
E-18
Transfer (AB)
Crescent Street Route (B13)
Brooklyn Bus Corp
11-SPEC
Coney Island Avenue Shuttle Bus
BOT / NYCTS / BMT Surface
.
C-6
Special Transfer
15th Street - Erie Basin Route
NYCTS
J-2
Transfer (B)
49th Street-53rd Street
Brooklyn Bus Corp
C-6
Special Transfer
Flatbush Ave - Avenue R Route
Brooklyn Bus Corp
Continuing Trip
Fulton Street Route
NYCTS
E-54
Feeder Ticket
Gates Avenue Route
NYCTS
C-13
Special Transfer
Hamilton Avenue Route
NYCTS
.

.
.
intentionally left blank

E-25
Transfer (A)
Kings Highway-
Saratoga Ave. Route (B7)
Brooklyn Bus Corp
E-26
Transfer (B)
Kings Highway-
Saratoga Ave. Route (B7)
A25 or A26
Special Transfer
Manhattan Beach Route

Brooklyn Bus Corp
E-19
Transfer (AB)
Myrtle - Wyckoff Avenues Route (B18)
Brooklyn Bus Corp

Continuing Trip
New Lots Avenue Route
NYCTS
.


intentionally left blank
E-28
Transfer (B)
Pitkin Avenue - Brownsville Route
Brooklyn Bus Corp
A-24
Transfer (A)
Plum and
Manhattan Beaches Route
Brooklyn Bus Corp
A-26
Special Transfer
Plum Beach Route
Brooklyn Bus Corp
A-27
Special Transfer
Plum Beach Route
Brooklyn Bus Corp

G-5
Feeder Ticket
Putnam Ave. Route
NYCTS
..
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
A-34
Remsen Avenue Route (B17)
Brooklyn Bus Corp
J-8
Staten Island Ferry - Third Avenue - 60th Street Route (B9)
Brooklyn Bus Corp
 C-22
Continuing Trip
Third Avenue Route
NYCTS


"Type 2"

with large prefix letter, route number & route name
am / pm format, colored paper
ca. 1948?


intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
J-1 (purple) T-11-45
B-4 Bay Ridge Parkway Route
NYCTS
E-37 (buff) J-1-48
B-22 Atlantic Avenue Route
NYCTS
E-11 (buff) J-1-48
2 cent cash transfer (AB)
B-56 Jamaica Avenue Route
NYCTS

uncommon; $2.50 to $4.00
with 10% for special issues from low traffic routes, i.e: (Plum Beach / Manhattan Beach and generic special issues etc)

complete books; $20 per book


New York City Transit Authority

1953 - 1997 (?)


"Type 3"
with prefix & route number
am / pm format
, colored paper

1953 to ca. 1982

Letter (prefix) codes:
B = Brooklyn
Bx = the Bronx
M = Manhattan
Q = Queens
R = Richmond, replaced with S = Staten Island
X = Express



   Note that even after unification, bus transfers still carried an identifying subdivision: Brooklyn Bus, etc. Also, note that above the date of the above transfer, what we call a colloquially call a "bus", was referred to as an "omnibus" when they started to proliferate.

   However, note that the alpha-numeric stock code - i.e.: J-22, has been replaced by strictly numeric stock code: 4-15.

   Until September 12, 1982, all of the NYCTA transfers had a PM coupon on bottom that, if removed; meant that the transfer was only good for the morning.

   Oddly, we see Type 3 "Striped" Transfers coinciding with dates of the Type 2, so they apparently circulated alongside each other.

   All transfers below dated January 1, 1966 and from all routes operating on that date appear to be from a Master Set. This date is also coincidental as it was the first day of the Great Transit Strike that lasted 12 days, led to the arrest of Michael Quill the TWU founder and eight other union organizers; and culminated in the collective bargaining agreement for the Transit Workers Union. 

   It also appears the Brooklyn issues transfer are more prolific, with several revision dates seen in the upper right corner. These revisions could be most obvious such as added or removed transfer points, but some are very inconspicuous. As such, there are more varieties. Where several transfers of similar type are shown, varieties / revisions are noted.

   Other considerations are: the color of the green transfers are known to fade over time and appear buff. Caution is to be used when collecting. 


.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
5-3 (buff) 5-60
B-1 Manhattan Beach Route
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
 (green) 5-60
B-1 Manhattan Beach Route
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
5KC-1 Special Transfer (red) 8-65
B-1 Manhattan Beach Route
Kingsborough Community College
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division 
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
6-10 (buff) 1-58
B-2 Flatbush Ave.- Ave. R Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
6-11 (green) 1-58
B-2 Flatbush Ave.- Ave. R Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
6-1 (buff) Q-1-50
B-3 Avenue U Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
6-7 (buff) 5-60
B-3 Avenue U Route
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
6-8 (green) 5-60
B-3 Avenue U Route
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
.
....intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
5-1 (buff) A-7-53
B-4 Bay Ridge Parkway Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
5-2 (green) A-7-53
B-4 Bay Ridge Parkway Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
6-1 (buff) 11-58
B-5 Kings Highway Route
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
5-9 (buff) 7-63
B-5 Kings Highway Route
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
5-10 (green) 5-60
B-5 Kings Highway Route
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank

B-6 Bay Parkway
Avenue J Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
(note the serif J)
(Utica Ave location has more information)

5-17 (buff) 1-57
B-6 Bay Parkway
Avenue J Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
(note the serif J)

5-18 (green) 7-63
B-6 Bay Parkway
Avenue J Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
6-1 (buff) 7-63
B-7 Kings Highway-
Saratoga Ave. Route
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
6-2 (green) 7-63
B-7 Kings Highway-
Saratoga Ave. Route
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
5-6 (green) A-7-53
B-8 18th Ave.- Foster Ave Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
5-5 (buff) 9-56
B-8 18th Ave.- Foster Ave Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
5-6 (green) 9-56
B-8 18th Ave.- Foster Ave Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
5-7 (buff) A-7-53
B-9 60th Street Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
5-8 (green) A-7-53
B-9 60th Street Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
6-26 (green) Q-1-50
B-10 New Lots Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
3-22 (buff) 3-65
B-10 New Lots Avenue Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
3-23 (green) 3-65
B-10 New Lots Avenue Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
4-17 (buff) 5-60
B-11 49th Street 53rd Street Route

NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
4-18 (green) 5-60
B-11 49th Street 53rd Street Route
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
3-45 (buff) A-6-55
B-12 East New York Ave. Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
3-46 (green) B-12-55
B-12 East New York Ave. Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division

.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
1-1 (buff) 5-60
B-13 Crescent Street Route
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
1-2 (green) 5-60
B-13 Crescent Street Route
NYCTA Brooklyn Bus Division
.
.intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
3-3 (buff) A-7-53
B-14 Pitkin Avenue Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division
3-4 (green) A-7-53
B-14 Pitkin Avenue Route
NYCTA BMT Bus Division

intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
4-33 (buff) N-6-52
B-16 Ft. Hamilton Parkway Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-34 (green) N-6-52
B-16 Ft. Hamilton Parkway Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-33 (buff) A-7-52
B-16 Ft. Hamilton Parkway Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-34 (green) B65
B-16 Ft. Hamilton Parkway Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
6-27 (buff) N-7-52
B-17 Remsen Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
6-28 (green) N-7-52
B-17 Remsen Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
6-27 (buff) A-7-53
B-17 Remsen Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-28 (green) G-10-54
B-17 Remsen Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
..
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
2-14 (buff) A-6-55
B-18 Wyckoff Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
2-15 (green) A-6-55
B-18 Wyckoff Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
1-3 (buff) 5-60
B-20 Decatur Street Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
1-4 (green) 5-60
B-20 Decatur Street Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division


..
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
5-11 (buff) 5-60
B-21 Brighton Beach Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
5-12 (green) 5-60
B-21 Brighton Beach Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
3-5 (buff) A-1-55
B-22 Atlantic Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
3-6 (green) 7-63
B-22 Atlantic Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
4-11 (buff) 9-56
B-23 Cortelyou Road Rout
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-12 (green) 6-58
B-23 Cortelyou Road Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division


.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
2-8 (buff) 7-63
B24 / 29 Greenpoint
Meeker Avenues Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
2-9 (green) 7-63
B24 / 29 Greenpoint
Meeker Avenues Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
..
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
3-7 (buff) 3-65
B-25 Fulton Street Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
3-8 (green) 3-65
B-25 Fulton Street Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division

intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
3-9 (buff) V-7-50
B-26 Putnam Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-2 (green) 11-56
B-26 Putnam Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
1-5 (buff) 3-65
B-26 Putnam Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
1-6 (green) 3-65
B-26 Putnam Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
2-10 (green) B-3-59
B-29 Meeker Avenue Shuttle Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
11-6 (buff) A-7-53
B-31 Gerritsen Beach Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-3 (buff) 5-60
B-31 Gerritsen Beach Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
6-4 (green) 5-60
B-31 Gerritsen Beach Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division

..
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
4-3 (buff) N-6-52
B-33 Hamilton Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-4 (green) N-6-52
B-33 Hamilton Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-3 (buff) N-6-52
B-33 Hamilton Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-4 (green) C-3-54
B-33 Hamilton Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division


.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
11-16 (buff) G-3-49
B-34 Bay Ridge Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
11-17 (green) G-3-49
B-34 Bay Ridge Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
5-23 (buff) 5-56
B-34 Bay Ridge Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
5-24 (green) A-7-53
B-34 Bay Ridge Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
Both of these are marked "Last Day" which was the last day of operation of the
Bay Ridge Avenue Line trolley; yet are marked "route" which was usually
so marked to denote internal combustion engine bus service.
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
4-9 (buff) 9-56
B-35 Church Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-10 (green) 12-56
B-35 Church Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
5-13 (buff) 5-60
B-36 Surf Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
5-14 (green) 5-60
B-36 Surf Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
5KC-2 Special Transfer (purple) 8-65
B-36 Surf Avenue Route
Kingsborough Community College
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
5KC-3 Special Transfer (pink) 8-65
B-36 Surf Avenue Route
Kingsborough Community College
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
 

.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
4-8 (green) 5-60
B-37 Third Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division

4-7 (buff) 12-64
B-37 Third Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
4-8 (green) 5-60
B-37 Third Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blank
4-26 (buff) M-6-52
B-38 DeKalb Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-26 (green) N-6-52
B-38 DeKalb Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-26 (green) A-1-56
B-38 DeKalb Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
1-7 (buff) 5-60
B-38 DeKalb Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
1-8 (green) 5-60
B-38 DeKalb Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
(green)
B-39 Williamsburgh Bridge Route

BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
2-13 (green) A-6-55
B-39 Williamsburgh Bridge Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
3-35 (buff) 7-63
B-40 Ralph Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
3-36 (green) D-6-54
B-40 Ralph Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
6-16 (buff) N-7-1952
B-41 Flatbush Ave. Route
(East 71st St. Branch)
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
6-15 (buff) A-7-53
B-41 Flatbush Ave. Route
(Avenue U Branch)
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-16 (buff) A-7-1953
B-41 Flatbush Ave. Route
(East 71st St. Branch)
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-15 (buff) 7-63
B-41 Flatbush Ave. Route
(Avenue U Branch)
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-16 (buff) 7-63
B-41 Flatbush Ave. Route
(East 71st St. Branch)
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-17 (green) B-3-63
B-41 Flatbush Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
6-24 (buff) N-7-52
B-42 Rockaway Parkway Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-24 (buff) A-7-53
B-42 Rockaway Parkway Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-29 (buff) G-4-51
B-42 Rockaway Parkway Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines

Continuing Ride on Rapid Transit on
14th St-Canarsie Line at Rockaway Parkways Station
.
intentionally left blank
6-19 (buff) A-7-53
B-44 Nostrand Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-19 (buff) 3-65
B-44 Nostrand Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-20 (green) B-12-53
B-44 Nostrand Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-20 (green) 3-65
B-44 Nostrand Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division

6-23 (green) M-7-52
B-44 Nostrand Avenue
Holy Cross Shuttle Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
3-1 (buff) 5-60
B-45 St. Johns Place Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
3-2 (green) 3-2
B-45 St. Johns Place Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
6-21 (buff) 7-63
B-46 Utica Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-22 (green) -54
B-46 Utica Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-22 (green) 1-57
B-46 Utica Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-22 (green) 7-63
B-46 Utica Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division

.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
3-11 (buff) 3-65
B-47 Tompkins Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
3-12 (green) 3-65
B-47 Tompkins Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
H-31 (buff) H-12-47
B-48 Lorimer Street Route
NYCTS
2-16 (buff) 3-65
B-48 Lorimer Street Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
2-17 (green) 3-65
B-48 Lorimer Street Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
11-13 (buff) A-7-53
B-49 Ocean Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
6-5 (buff) 7-63
B-49 Ocean Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
6-6 (green) 7-63
B-49 Ocean Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
(green)
B-50 McDonald Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
This transfer is rather unique,
as the McDonald Avenue trolley line was still in operation.
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
4-21 (buff) N-6-52
B-52 Gates Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
1-9 (buff) 3-65
B-52 Gates Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
4-22 (buff) N-6-52
B-52 Gates Avenue Route

BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
1-10 (green) 3-65
B-52 Gates Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
1-11 (buff) 5-60
B-53 Metropolitan Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
1-12 (green) 5-60
B-53 Metropolitan Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division

..
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
1-13 (buff) 3-65
B-54 Myrtle Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
1-14 (green) 3-65
B-54 Myrtle Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
1-15 (buff) 5-60
B-55 Richmond Hill Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
3-13 (buff) A-5-48
B-56 Jamaica Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
3-13 (buff) A-7-53
B-56 Jamaica Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
3-14 (green) A-7-53
B-56 Jamaica Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
..
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
12-9 (buff) R-2-50
B-57 Flushing Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
1-17 (buff) 5-60
B-57 Flushing Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
1-18 (green) 5-60
B-57 Flushing Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
1-19 (buff) 1-61
B-58 Corona Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
1-20 (green) 1-61
B-58 Corona Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
2-3 (buff) 6-58
B-59 Grand Street Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
2-4 (green) 6-58
B-59 Grand Street Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
..
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
6-5 (buff) 9-56
B-60 Wilson Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
3-15 (buff) 5-60
B-60 Wilson Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
3-16 (green) 5-60
B-60 Wilson Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
2-1 (buff) 7-63
B-61 Crosstown Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
2-2 (green) 7-63
B-61 Crosstown Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
2-18 (buff) 7-63
B-62 Graham Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
2-19 (green) 5-65
B-62 Graham Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
5-32 (buff) 5-58
B-63 Fifth Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-19 (buff) 12-64
B-63 Fifth Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
4-20 (green) 5-60
B-63 Fifth Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
9-7 (buff) A-5-48
B-64 Eighty-Sixth Street Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
11-10 (buff) A-7-53
B-64 Eighty-Sixth Street Route

NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
5-15 (buff) 5-60
B-64 Eighty-Sixth Street Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
9-8 (green) A-5-43
B-64 Eighty-Sixth Street Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
5-14 (buff) 5-60
B-64 Eighty-Sixth Street Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
5-16 (green) 5-60
B-64 Eighty-Sixth Street Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
..
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
3-9 (buff) 3-65
B-65 Bergen Street Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
3-10 (green) 3-65
B-65 Bergen Street Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
4-29 (buff) _-54
B-67 Seventh Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-29 (buff) 7-63
B-67 Seventh Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-30 (green) O-12-52
B-67 Seventh Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-30 (green) 12-56
B-67 Seventh Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
(buff)
B-68 Coney Island Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
5-19 (buff)
B-68 Coney Island Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
5-20 (green)
B-68 Coney Island Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blank
4-5 (buff) M-5-52
B-69 Vanderbilt Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-5 (buff) 12-56
B-69 Vanderbilt Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-6 (green) 7-63
B-69 Vanderbilt Avenue Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-6 (green) 7-63
B-69 Vanderbilt Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-6 (green) 7-63
B-69 Vanderbilt Avenue Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
..
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
4-1 (buff) 5-60
B-70 Eighth Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
4-2 (green) 5-60
B-70 Eighth Avenue Route
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
4-13 (buff) M-5-52
B-71 Union Street Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-13 (buff) A-7-53
B-71 Union Street Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-14 (green) M-5-52
B-71 Union Street Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-14 (green) A-7-53
B-71 Union Street Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
1-11 (buff) A-7-53
B-74 Norton's Point
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
5-21 (buff) 5-60
B-74 Norton's Point
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
5-22 (green) 5-60
B-74 Norton's Point
NYCTA
Brooklyn Bus Division
.
intentionally left blank
4-31 (buff) N-1-53
B-75 Smith Street Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-31 (buff) 12-56
B-75 Smith Street Route

NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-32 (green) N-6-52
B-75 Smith Street Route
BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-32 (green) N-6-52
B-75 Smith Street Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-32 (green) 12-56
B-75 Smith Street Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
4-15 (buff) N-6-52
B-77 Lorraine Street Route

BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-15 (buff) F-9-54
B-77 Lorraine Street Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
4-15 (buff) N-1-53
B-77 Lorraine Street Route

BOT NYCTS
BMT Division - Surface Lines
4-16 (green) F-9-54
B-77 Lorraine Street Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division

common; $1.25 to $1.50 with selvage. Again, complete books are plentiful; and not worth the sum of 25 transfers. 

$12.00 - $15.00 per book is fair for issues date 1950-1970; and $7.50 to $10.00 per book for dates 1970-1982.


Type 3
Surface to Rapid Transit Interdivisional Continuation Tickets - "Continuing Ride"

   These next issues, were to allow bus passengers to continuing a ride from a bus route to a subway or elevated line.

   In some cases these continued rider transfers were offered to connect to an adjoining rapid transit service, when an elevated line were eliminated due to the demolition of the elevated line and a bus route replaced that service; or in those areas that are very transit under-served, a bus ride was the only route to connect to a rapid transit service.





Brooklyn Surface Transit (Bus) to Rapid Transit (Subway) Transfer

High Street Station (Brooklyn Bridge)
to
Broadway - Nassau  / Fulton Stations
        

(all years)

   This issue was offered only to passengers getting off the bus at High Street and upon request. This transfer offered them entrance to the IND Subway High Street Station  lines towards Manhattan, and as stipulated, only to the Broadway - Nassau Street Station (since renamed Fulton Street Station). However, reflection from users of the connection and transfer state this was hardly enforced and passengers rode further than the stop indicated.

   Access to the Broadway - Nassau Station, allowed riders from Brooklyn to actually access four different stations and lines via interconnected passageways: 

   For the sake of continuity, I have shown all years of these surface to rapid transit issues below, but it should be noted there are three types of tickets below, those with a large day number on the face, those with a small day number, and those without a day number on the back.

intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
Sp. 1 - Special Transfer - May 22, 1958
w/ large day number on face
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
..........
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intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankBy this date, the large black date number on the back was no longer printed.
intentionally left blank
SP-1
Valid for a ride on the IND Subway at High Street Station
Good only to Broadway - Nassau Station (now Fulton Street)


Special Transfers for continued trip from bus routes to rapid transit stations are much less common than that of the general issues for bus routes transfers in the previous chapter.
As such, these tickets can be prices at $3.00 - $4.00 each, with selvage.



B54 (Myrtle Avenue Elevated
bustitution), B67, B75 Routes
to
IND Jay Street / Borough Hall Station 
Cand

   This next special transfer allowed bus passengers of the B54, B67 and B75 routes to transfer to the IND Subway lines  and , at the Jay Street - Borough Hall Station, (now Jay Street - Metrotech) replacing the IND High Street Station to Broadway-Nassau Station continuing trip transfer above.

   The B54 bus route specifically replaced the rapid transit service of the of Myrtle Avenue Elevated following cessation of that service in 1969. 

   Note the issue date of the ticket below: September, 1988. Without a doubt, this bus service and connection to the subway remained a very important and well utilized connection between the bus routes that replaced the Myrtle El and the subway.

   This ticket can also be considered the later era counterpart issue to the continued rider tickets for the Myrtle Avenue Elevated, of which are listed on Page 3: Continuing Ride Tickets & Transfers - Rapid Transit.

MR 1 (buff) 5-88
B54 - B67 - B75 to  IND Jay Street / Borough Hall (now Jay Street - MetroTech)
Valid for a Continuing Trip of Rapid Transit Lines at Jay St. - Boro Hall Station to Broadway - Nassau St. Station (now Fulton Street Station).

Special Transfers for continued trip from bus routes to rapid transit stations are much less common than that of the general issues for bus routes transfers in the previous chapter.
As such, these tickets can be prices at $3.00 - $4.00 each, with selvage. 



B24 - Greenpoint-Sunnyside-Williamsburgh Route
to
BMT Jamaica Line - Marcy Ave Station (elevated)
 

   This special transfer issue allowed surface transit riders from Kent Avenue and Broadway access to the   subway lines (BMT Jamaica Line) at the Marcy Avenue Station.

   

  

2-7 (orange)
B24 - Greenpoint-Sunnyside-Williamsburgh Route
Valid for one ride on rapid transit lines at Marcy Avenue El Station only.

Special Transfers for continued trip from bus routes to rapid transit stations are much less common than that of the general issues for bus routes transfers in the previous chapter.
unissued remainders of books of this ticket are known: $15.00 per book


B63 Fifth Avenue Route
to
BMT 36th Street Station - after hours West End Local 

 

   This issue needs confirmation. It is believed this ticket allowed transfer of a paying passenger on the southbound (toward Fort Hamilton) B63 bus boarding between Pacific Street and 36th Street to a continued ride on the BMT Subway (southbound) TT West End Local.

   The BMT 36st Street Station at one time served the Sea Beach Line , the West End Line , and the Fourth Avenue Line , and earlier on, even the Culver Line. So it is not known at this time if this ticket was for a connection to one or all of the lines at this station. Either of these lines are applicable to fill the definition of "BMT southbound".

   Upon examining the transfer, we see the hours stated on the ticket, "between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m." From this, it can be presumed this ticket was to allow passenger travel when one of the rapid transit services was curtailed for late evening / early morning hours, and when passenger traffic was insufficient enough to warrant full length / full time service.


   Furthermore, the fine print specifies the ticket was only good on trips toward Fort Hamilton to a passenger paying a cash fare when boarding between Pacific and 36th Streets. I
n referencing old subway maps of that era reflect that operating during those hours, the West End Line offered the TT Local.

   And, while the 36th Street Station was a through station for all other lines, it was the northern terminal for the which was the West End Local between 36th Street and Coney Island, and only operated between the hours of 8:00 pm and 5:30 am, which coincides exactly with the times listed on this transfer.

So in all likelihood, this ticket might have been issued to continue a passengers southward travel when only this Local was operating.
5-32 (buff) 5-58
Valid for a Continuing Trip on the Rapid Transit Lines at 36th Street Station BMT Division (southbound) between 8 p.m. and 5:30 am only.

Special Transfers for continued trip from bus routes to rapid transit stations are much less common than that of the general issues for bus routes transfers in the previous chapter.
As such, these tickets can be prices at $3.00 - $4.00 each, with selvage. 

.



B-35 Church Avenue bus route to Rapid Transit (Subway) at either
BMT Sea Beach
Line at the Ninth Avenue Station;
or the
BMT Culver Line
Line at Church Avenue Station


   These next issues, were to allow bus passengers a continuing ride from the B-35 bus route to the BMT Sea Beach  Line at the Ninth Avenue Station; or BMT Culver Line Line at Church Avenue Station.

   This service was instituted upon the cessation of Culver Shuttle service between these two stations and lines.

   Usage of these transfers were only applicable between those stations.
.     .
(yellow stripe) "C"
B-35 Church Avenue Route
Valid for Continuing Ride on Rapid Transit Lines at Church Avenue Station
(Culver Line - F train)
(blue stripe) "N"
B-35 Church Avenue Route
Valid for Continuing Ride on Rapid Transit Lines at Ninth Avenue Station

(Sea Beach Line, then B, now D train)
both uncommon: $10.00 - $15.00



Type 3

Special Transfer - undetermined use, Brooklyn Buses

    The following is a special transfer for an as yet undetermined use; but appears to be a generic issue for transfer to bus routes; possible from one of the subway lines: Brighton, Culver or Sea Beach. 


KP-1
common; $1.00 - $1.50 each, with selvage. 

complete books regularly seen for sale; $15.00


M1, M2A, M7, M10 (January 1972)
Valid from Sub-Route to Through Bus
5 9/16" x 2"



North / East, South / West (December 1983)
Valid from Sub-Route to Through Bus
5 1/2" x 2 1/16"


"Type 3"
Interdivisional Continuation Ticket - "Continued Ride"


BX-55 Third Avenue Elevated
Route "bustitution"
to 
NYCTA Subway: IRT Jerome Avenue Line
and White Plains Road Line and IND Concourse Line 

   This Bx55X service allowed free transfers to intersecting subway lines and bus lines, thereby effectually making this issue a large format combination ticket.

   It was issued following the cessation of service on the Bronx portion of the Third Avenue elevated on April 29, 1973, the NYCTA / MaBSTOA introduced the Bx55X bus route. This route could be considered permanent "bustitution" (bus service replacing train service on either a temporary or permanent basis). This Bronx portion of the Third Avenue Elevated was the last remaining operating segment of that elevated line.

    It is understood that the following issues were issued to bus passengers
riding the BX55 bus which the former Third Avenue El service and were alighting at either:
  • the Third Avenue / 149th Street Station of the IRT White Plains Road Elevated Line  ,
  • the Gun Hill Road / White Plains Road Station of the IRT White Plains Road Elevated Line   ,
  • the 161st Street / River Avenue / Yankee Stadium Station of the IRT Jerome Avenue Subway 
  • the 161st Street / River Avenue / Yankee Stadium Station of the IND Concourse Line (former and , and present day ,
   The Bx55X stopped only at the former stations of the Third Avenue Elevated, those being:

149th Street,   156th Street,   161th Street,   166th Street,   169th Street,   Claremont Parkway,   174th Street, Tremont Avenue / 177th Street,   180th Street,   183rd Street,    Fordham Road / 190th Street,   Bronx Park Terminal,   200th Street,   204th Street,   210th Street / Williamsbridge   and Gun Hill Road.

   As this bus route only stopped at limited locations and not every street corner as would a local bus, it constituted an express service and therefore carried the X suffix.


  This Bx55X service was one of the few routes in the city to allow free transfers to the subway prior to the introduction of the MetroCard in 1993, and one of the first routes to use the MetroCard (another being the B35 / Ninth Avenue Station in brooklyn).


   At some point in its operating history, the X suffix was dropped from the route number, becoming simply the Bx55.

   Southbound buses originally traveled via Washington Avenue and service between East 161st Street and 149th Street ran at Melrose Avenue in both directions until February 1984, when all service was shifted over to Third Avenue.

   Bx55 service was slowly reduced after the MetroCard's introduction with free transfers to other buses and the subway. All late night buses terminated at Fordham Plaza on September 10, 1995. Late night service (between 1 a.m. and 4:30 a.m.) was eliminated on September 8, 1996, and was merged with Bx15 service. Supplemental Bx15 service was provided between Fordham Road and 149th Street to maintain the Bx55's frequency. To maintain the transfer to the subway, bus-subway transfers were accepted on the Bx15 overnight. The change was made to eliminate duplicative service, which was lightly patronized.

   Select weekday and all weekend trips terminated at Fordham Plaza in February 2004, and all weekend and evening services were eliminated on June 27, 2010.

   All Bx55 service was discontinued on June 28, 2013.


   The rapid transit counterpart to these issues would be the IRT Third Avenue Elevated Bx55X continuation tickets on Page 3 of this website.
3-73
Northbound: Valid for a Continuing Ride on Rapid Transit Lines
at Gun Hill Rd. and White Plains Rd.
(former northern terminus of Third Avenue El)
May 7, 1978
Southbound: Valid for a Continuing Ride on Rapid Transit Lines
at 149 St, and Third Ave. (former 
southern terminus of Third Avenue El)
or
161 St. and River Ave. (Yankee Stadium)

..Special Transfers for continued trip from bus routes to rapid transit stations are much less common than that of the general issues for bus routes transfers in the previous chapter.
As such, these tickets can be priced at $3.00 - $4.00 each, with selvage.


.




Type 3
NYCTA Manhattan Bus Division

M-3 (buff)
M-3 49th - 50th Sts. Route
(to routes of New York City Omnibus Corp listed)

.

NYCTA Manhattan Bus Division set
(believed to be incomplete)
M-1 (buff)
M-1 Madison - Chambers Route
NYCTA
M-3 (buff)
M-3 49th - 50th Sts. Route
NYCTA
M-7 (buff)
M-7 65th Street Crosstown Route
BOT-NYCTS
M-7 (buff)
M-7 65th Street Route
NYCTA
M-11-S (buff)
M-11 York Avenue Route
NYCTA
M-11-N (orange)
M-11 York Avenue Route
NYCTA
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
M-13-N (green)
M-13 First Ave. Route
BOT-NYCTS
M-13-X (buff)
M-13-15 Journal Bus Route
NYCTA
M-15-S (buff)
M-15 First-Second Aves. Route
NYCTA
M-13-N (green)
M-15 First-Second Aves. Route
NYCTA

Transfers of this style for the routes in Manhattan are not as common as Brooklyn. This may be due in part to the control of most northern routes by MaBSTOA. $2.00.50 to $2.50 with selvage.
Again, complete books known and not worth the sum of 25 transfers. $15.00 - $17.50 per book is fair for issues date 1950-1970; and $8.0 to $10.00 per book for dates 1970-1982.





"Type 3"
NYCTA Queens Bus Division

   Note the placement of the word "Route" in the description. All other borough issues have the word Route at the end, i.e.: B-68 - Coney Island Avenue Route.

   With these Queens issues however, the word Route precedes the description: Route Q-1 - Hillside Avenue. The reason for this is unknown.
..........
J-1 (buff)
Route Q-1 Hillside Avenue
J-2 (green)
Route Q-1 Hillside Avenue
J-3 (buff)
Route Q-2 Hillside Avenue - Hollis
J-4 (green)
Route Q-2 Hillside Avenue - Hollis
J-5 (buff)
Route Q-3 Jamaica - Hollis
J-6 (green)
Route Q-3 Jamaica - Hollis
.
intentionally left blank
J-7 (buff)
Route Q-3A Jamaica - 114th Avenue
J-8 (green)
Route Q-3A Jamaica - 114th Avenue
J-9 (buff)
Route Q-4 Jamaica -
Cambria Heights
J-10 (green)
Route Q-4 Jamaica -
Cambria Heights
J-11 (buff)
Route Q-4A Merrick Blvd. -
120th. Ave.
.
J-12 (buff)
Route Q-5 Merrick Blvd.
J-13 (green)
Route Q-5 Merrick Blvd.
J-14 (buff)
Route Q-5A Merrick Blvd.
J-15 (green)
Route Q-5A Merrick Blvd.
F-1 (buff)
Route Q-12 Flushing - Little Neck
F-2 (green)
Route Q-12 Flushing - Little Neck
.
intentionally left blank
F-28 (buff)
Route Q-12A Little Neck Parkway
F-29 (green)
Route Q-12A Little Neck Parkway
F-3 (buff)
Route Q-13 Flushing - Bayside
F-4 (green)
Route Q-13 Flushing - Bayside
F-5 (buff)
Route Q-14 Flushing - Whitestone
.
F-6 (buff)
Route Q-15 Flushing - Beechhurst
F-7 (green)
Route Q-15 Flushing - Beechhurst
F-8 (buff)
Route Q-16 Flushing - Clearview - Fort Totten
F-9 (green)
Route Q-16 Flushing - Clearview - Fort Totten
J-30 (buff)
Route Q-17 Flushing - 188th St - Jamaica
J-31 (green)
Route Q-17 Flushing - 188th St - Jamaica
.
F-26 (buff)
Q-27 Flushing - Rosewood
F-27 (green)
Q-27 Flushing - Rosewood
F-15 (buff)
Q-28 Flushing - Bayside West
F-16 (green)
Q-28 Flushing - Bayside West
F-17 (buff)
Q-31 Bayside - West Jamaica Connection
F-18 (green)
Q-31 Bayside - West Jamaica Connection
.
intentionally left blank
J-18 (buff)
Q-36 Hillside - Jamaica Aves.
J-19 (green)
Q-36 Hillside - Jamaica Avenue
J-20 (buff)
Q-42 177th Street
J-21 (buff)
Q-43 Hillside - City Line
J-22 (green)
Q-43 Hillside - City Line
.
F-22 (buff)
Route Q-44 Bronx - Jamaica
F-23 (green)
Route Q-44 Bronx - Jamaica
F-31 (buff)
Route Q-44 Flushing Shuttle
F-32 (green)
Route Q-44 Flushing Shuttle
F-19 (buff)
Route Q-44A Union Turnpike
F-20 (green)
Route Q-44A Union Turnpike






F-30 (buff)
Route Q-44B Malba Shuttle
57
Route Q/44 - Bronx - Jamaica
.
F-21 (green)
Route Q-44 VP
Vleigh Place
J-28 (green)
Route Q-75
73rd Avenue
J-29 (buff)
Route Q-75 73rd Avenue
J-27 (buff)
Rosedale Shuttle
J-24 (buff)
Laurelton Shuttle
J-25 (green)
Laurelton Shuttle

.$1.25 to $1.50 with selvage. Again, complete books are plentiful; and not worth the sum of 25 transfers. $12.00 - $15.00 per book is fair for issues date 1950-1970; and $7.50 to $10.00 per book for dates 1970-1982.
Identification Checks are more uncommon, $2.50-$4.00 with selvage.

.

Interdivisional Continuation Ticket - "Continued Ride"


Q49 (bus)
to
BMT Jamaica Line 
- Queens Boulevard Station 

   In September 1977, the three stations: Sutphin Boulevard, 160th Street and 168th Street, which were east of the Queens Boulevard station on the BMT Jamaica Line Jsubway line, were closed. 

   The Q49 bus route was created as a bustitution shuttle to provide service along the now closed portion of the route.

   On April 15, 1985, the Queens Boulevard station along with the Metropolitan Avenue station were closed as well, when the line was further cut back to 121st Street; and the Q49 bus route was extended to this new terminal.

   The Q49 bus itself was discontinued when the rest of the Jamaica Line was connected to the Archer Avenue Subway Extension in 1988.



Q49 continuation ticket to Queens Boulevard Station - 1977 - 1985
Globe Ticket
5 9/16" x 2 1/8" w/ 1/2" selvage

uncommon; $5.00 - $7.50 without selvage / 7.50 - $10.00 with selvage.

.




.
Type 3
Staten Island Bus Division
Note, that the earlier era of transfers used an R prefix to denote Richmond (the borough)
This was later (unknown date) changed to S, as no self respecting New Yorker referred to it as anything other than Staten Island!

.....intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
SI-1 (buff)
R-1 Richmond Terrace Route
NYCTA
SI-2 (green)
R-1 Richmond Terrace Route
NYCTA
SI-3 (green)
R-1 Richmond Terrace Route
NYCTA
SI-64 (buff)
R-1 Richmond Terrace Route
NYCTA
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
SI-4 (green)
R-2 Bay Street Route
NYCTA
SI-5 (green)
R-2 Bay Street Route
NYCTA
SI-65 (buff)
R-2 Bay Street Route
NYCTA
SI-66 (green)
R-2 Bay Street Route
NYCTA
.
SI-6 (buff)
R-3 Castleton Avenue Route
NYCTA
SI-7 (buff)
R-3 Castleton Avenue Route
NYCTA
SI-8 (green)
R-3 Castleton Avenue Route
NYCTA
SI-9 (green)
R-3 Castleton Avenue Route
NYCTA
SI-10 (green)
R-4 Richmond Avenue Route
NYCTA
SI-11 (buff)
R-4 Richmond Avenue Route
NYCTA
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
SI-12 (buff)
R-5 Jersey Street Route
NYCTA
SI-13 (green)
R-5 Jersey Street Route
NYCTA
R-6 Victory Blvd. Route
NYCTA
.
SI-14 (buff)
R-6 Victory Blvd. -
Jewett Avenue Route
NYCTA
SI-15 (buff)
R-6 Victory Blvd. -
Jewett Avenue Route
NYCTA
SI-16 (green)
R-6 Victory Blvd. -
Jewett Avenue Route
NYCTA 
SI-17 (green)
R-6 Victory Blvd. -
Jewett Avenue Route
NYCTA
SI-61 (buff)
R-6 Victory Blvd. Grymes Hill Shuttle Route
NYCTA
SI-63 (buff)
R-6 Victory Blvd. -
Jewett Avenue Route
NYCTA
.
intentionally left blank
SI-68 (buff)
R-7 Verrazano - Narrows Bridge Route
NYCTA
SI-69 (buff)
R-7 Verrazano - Narrows Bridge Route
NYCTA
SI-70 (green)
R-7 Verrazano - Narrows
Bridge Route
NYCTA
SI-18 (buff)
Brighton Ave. Route
NYCTA
SI-19 (green)
R-101 Brighton Ave. Route
NYCTA
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
SI-20 (buff)
R-102 Henderson Ave. Route
NYCTA
SI-21 (buff)
R-102 Henderson Ave. Route
NYCTA
S1-22 (green)
R-102 Henderson Ave. Route
NYCTA
SI-23 (green)
R-102 Henderson Ave. Route
NYCTA
.
SI-24 (buff)
R-103 Hylan Boulevard Route
NYCTA
SI-25 (buff)
R-103 Hylan Boulevard Route
NYCTA
SI-26 (green)
R-103 Hylan Boulevard Route
NYCTA
SI-27 (green)
R-103 Hylan Boulevard Route
NYCTA
SI-28 (buff)
R-103 Tompkins Ave. Route
NYCTA
SI-29 (green)
R-104 Tompkins Ave. Route
NYCTA
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
SI-32 (buff)
R-106 Watchogue Road Route
NYCTA
SI-33 (buff)
R-106 Watchogue Road Route
NYCTA
SI-34 (green)
R-106 Watchogue Road Route
NYCTA
SI-35 (green)
R-106 Watchogue Road Route
NYCTA
.
.....SI-38 / R-107 ticket missing from setintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
SI-36 (buff)
R-107 Forest Ave. Route
NYCTA
SI-37 (buff)
R-107 Forest Ave. Route
NYCTA
SI-39 (green)
R-107 Forest Ave. Route
NYCTA
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
SI-40 (buff)
R-108-113 Richmond - Arthur Kill
Roads Route
NYCTA
SI-41 (green)
R-108-113 Richmond - Arthur Kill
Roads Route
NYCTA
SI-42 (green)
R-108-113 Richmond - Arthur Kill
Roads Route
NYCTA
SI-43 (green)
R-108-113 Richmond - Arthur Kill
Roads Route
NYCTA
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
SI-44 (buff)
R-109 Midland Beach Route
NYCTA
SI-45 (buff)
R-109 Midland Beach Route
NYCTA
SI-46 (green)
R-109 Midland Beach Route
NYCTA
SI-47 (green)
R-109 Midland Beach Route
NYCTA
.
intentionally left blank
SI-48 (buff)
R-110 Manor Road Route
NYCTA
SI-50 (buff)
R-111 Bradley Avenue Route
NYCTA
SI-51 (green)
R-111 Bradley Avenue Route
NYCTA
SI-53 (buff)
R-112 Victory Blvd. - Travis Route
NYCTA
SI-54 (green)
R-112 Victory Blvd. - Travis Route
NYCTA
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
SI-55 (buff)
R-117 New Dorp Lane Route
NYCTA
SI-56 (green)
R-117 New Dorp Lane Route
NYCTA

1950's - 1970's transfer issues from the Borough of Richmond "Staten Island" are not as widely known as Brooklyn or Queens; or perhaps even less than Manhattan.

$2.00 to $3.00 each with selvage. Complete books are not widely seen for older issues, and those books are worth equal to or slightly less than the sum of all transfers. ($2.00 x 25 = $60)





Type 4
am/pm format, natural / buff paper with printed stripe

ca. 1978 - ca. September 1982


   Commencing sometime in 1978, the NYCTA also issued surface transfers in natural colored (undyed) pulp paper with a printed stripe across the face of the transfer,with stripes seen in both light blue, yellow, orange and pink. 

   This may have been an attempt to save on the added cost of the added process of dying the paper; because as we see by the Type 5 Hourly Transfers below, they have returned to the completely dyed paper issues once again.

   And oddly enough, we see Type 3 transfers issued with dates concurrent with the Type 4.

   At this time, these issues have not been seen for all routes city wide and are only known for certain depots in Brooklyn and Queens.



intentionally left blank.....
4-33 (yellow stripe)
B-16 Fort Hamilton Parkway
4-34 (pink stripe)
B-16 Fort Hamilton Parkway Route
4-35 (blue stripe)
B-16 Fort Hamilton Parkway
4-11 (yellow stripe)
B-23 Cortelyou Road Route
4-12 (blue stripe)
B-23 Cortelyou Road Route
.
.....
4-9 (yellow stripe)
B-35 Church Avenue Route
4-10 (blue stripe)
B-35 Church Avenue Route
5KC-2 (pink stripe)
B-36 Surf Avenue Route
Kingsborough Community College
4-7 (yellow stripe)
B-37 Third Avenue
4-8 (blue stripe)
B-37 Third Avenue
2-13 (buff w/ blue stripe) A-12-74
B-39 Williamsburgh Bridge Route
NYCTA
BMT Bus Division
.
4-19 (yellow stripe)
B-63 Fifth Avenue
4-20 (blue stripe)
B-63 Fifth Avenue
4-31 (yellow stripe)
B-75 Smith Street Route
4-32 (blue stripe)
B-75 Smith Street Route
4-15 (yellow stripe) 
Lorraine Street Route
4-16 (blue stripe)
Lorraine Street Route

.

.






(blue stripe)
Route Q-17
Flushing-188th St. - Jamaica





   


SI-4 (blue stripe)
R-2 Bay Street Route



Type 5 
hourly format, colored paper

September 13, 1982 to ca.1991

   Return to the hourly format! 

   To minimize fraud, and / or multi-segment trips (when only two were allowed for as stipulated), the TA amended their rules by adding a 24 hour section to the top of the transfers (returning to the original method of timestamps as on the 1900-1920's transfers); and the expiration time reduced to one minute after last hour transfer was issued (when torn at appropriate time line).  This also required the addition of the following text:

“Do not accept this ticket if expiration time is less than one hour from the time you receive it.”


   
At the beginning of each shift, the bus operator would insert the book of transfers into a holder plate with a spring loaded holder bar. This device was mounted to the right side of the dashboard next to the fare box and upon request; tear off a transfer at the time that transfer expires. This prevented passengers from saving transfers and giving them to others for a trip later in the day. As the hours progressed, the driver would move the booklet of transfers down in the holder. This way, when he or she went to tear off a transfer upon request, the transfer would tear at the appropriate time of day.

   In truth, during all my travels on the bus throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s; I think I only saw maybe 25% of the bus operators actually use and tear off the transfer to note the time. Most of the time, in the hustle and bustle of their occupation, they simply plucked the transfer from the book at the perforation under the staple and handed the transfer to the customer to the passenger.

   Also as long as I have been collecting fiscal issues, sad to say, I have never learned the color code of the transfers. A quick research of the transfers in my collection, reveal buff and later orange transfers were predominantly issued for northbound and eastbound direction of travel. Green and later blue transfers were issued predominantly on southbound or westbound direction of travel; however there are exceptions to this! 

   It should be noted, the direction of travel reflected is for the general direction of the route, not the actual direction the bus takes on a particular segment of the route in a specific area; as bus routes zig zagged their way through the street block grid.

   The first type of these "modern" issue transfers noted the rules on the front of the transfer, and applicable locations of transfer points on the back. Also a silhouette of a bus was used between the hours which were horizontally opposed to each other.

   We also see with the later issues, a decipherable coding was seen on the selvage. The bus depot "garage" that the particular route is assigned to and serviced at, is used as a three letter code; followed by a stock number. With issued tickets, which have been detached from the selvage; these codes are not normally seen, so they are only visible in on either booklets of transfers or complete transfers broken out of books with their selvage attached.

NYCTA Surface Transit (Bus) Depot - Transfer Codes
BrooklynBronxManhattanQueensStaten Island
CRO = Crosstown (closed 1981)COL = Coliseum  (closed)AMS = AmsterdamCOL = College PointCAS = Castleton
ENY = East New YorkKBB = KingsbridgeFFS = 54th Street (closed 1980)FPD = Fresh PondYUK = Yukon
FAV = Fifth Avenue (Jackie Gleason after 1988)WFF = West Farms DepotHUD = Hudson (Pier 57) (closed)QV = Queens Village
FLA = Flatbush MAN = ManhattanvilleBaisley Park?Meredith Ave?
FPD = Fresh PondEastchester?OFS = 146th Street Depot (now Mother Clara Hale)Flushing (now Casey Stengel)?Charleston?
JG = Jackie Gleason (after 1988)Gun Hill?OHS = 100th Street Depot (now Tuskegee Airmen)Far Rockaway?
ULM = Ulmer ParkYonkers?OTT = 132nd Street Depot (once called Manhattanville during different time period)Jamaica?
UP = Ulmer ParkJFK?
Westside? (now Michael Quill)LaGuardia?
Spring Creek?

Notes:
Grand Avenue Depot, Brooklyn not listed because construction took place after paper transfer usage ceased
Fresh Pond Depot is located in Queens, but Brooklyn Routes use this depot as well

Bus Depots in italics: Unknown if paper transfers exist for these depots, as not yet observed.
Several Queens Depots are known to have served private bus companies; but are now used by NYCTA - unknown if they were during paper transfer usage.
On Add-A-Ride Tickets, not all depots listed in this table, issued tickets. Refer to Add-A-Ride Depot Transfer Codes on that page for confirmed Add-A-Ride codes.


   Size of the Type 4 transfer is 7 1/2" overall length, with 1/2" selvage at top, by 2" width.


B1B115AV 2
B16
FLA 11
B49
B50B67
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank

B68
5AV 12
B70




COL22-0 (orange)
Bx22
COL22-B (blue)
Bx22




M4M6M42



7½" length (7" long ticket and ½" selvage) by 2" width.
pulp paper, dyed orange or blue; printed front & back


All boroughs extremely common in unbroken books. No more than $10.00 - $15.00 PER complete book. Individual transfers of this type no more than $1.00 each with selvage.





Type 5 - Statue of Liberty 100th Anniversary

   On July 4, 1986; in commemoration of and in accordance to the nationwide celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty; the New York City Transit Authority issued a three day special citywide transfer issue. Specific routes were not listed as on regular issues of surface transfers, and the M insignia of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (the parent agent to the New York City Transit Authority) was replaced with the single color (red) artwork of the Statue of Liberty. Backs were unprinted.

   They are seen in four colors: pink, white, yellow and blue, and are also seen dated for July 5th and 6th.




7½" length (7" long ticket and ½" selvage) by 2" width
pulp paper, dyed orange or blue; printed front only.

Individual transfers regularly seen and complete books for sale.

Theoretically, these should be even more prolific as all the bus routes in New York City were issued these books for July 4 holiday as opposed those specifically marked for individual routes.
No more than $12.50 - $15.00 PER complete book. Individual transfers of this type no more than $1.00 each with selvage.



   The NYCTA operates Express Bus routes throughout the five boroughs with most termini being in Manhattan in the morning and outer boroughs in the evening. The original incarnation of this express service is reported to have began in 1968 with a Queens to Manhattan express service and these routes were originally suffixed with the letter letter "X", i.e.: Q20X

   In 1976, the NYCTA began adapting their bus nomenclature so the X would be a prefix letter: X20.

   This express service proved to be popular, and was slowly expanded throughout the years and boroughs, as demand increased in several neighborhoods. This provided a bus service with limited stops (instead of stopping as flagged at practically every or every other street corner as with regular surface routes) and in neighborhoods that may not have had a rapid transit system nearby.

   Most often, the passenger would plan their schedule to arrive at the express bus stop the same time every day, and be greeted by the same bus operator.


   These Express Bus Routes proved very popular with executives as well as middle management, and whose salaries could afford this premium service. It also offered a respite for those who took their own automobile to work; as by the time you calculated the cost of gas, tolls and wear and tear on your vehicle; the cost of Express Bus was on par. And, someone else was doing the driving!

   Furthermore, with the adaptation of bus only lanes at select river crossings; trip time on the Express Bus was usually less than if one drove their own vehicle. The Express Bus fleet is appointed with more spacious and cushioned seating in comparison to the regular fleet of buses. They were also easier to maintain to a higher degree of cleanliness on the interior as opposed to the regular fleet as well; primarily due to the higher standards of the passengers using them. Business types were nowhere near as slovenly or inconsiderate as slobs, school kids, and riff raff!

   
As of August 19, 2018; Express Bus routes from Staten Island / Manhattan have ceased using the X prefix, and now carry the borough letters of the service: SIM - Staten Island to Manhattan. This new nomenclature is slowly being adopted for the other express bus routes as well: BM - Brooklyn / Manhattan; QM - Queens / Manhattan and BxM - Bronx / Manhattan.

   Sidetrack down memory lane:
   My mother, when offered the position of executive secretary, getting promoted from staff secretary; calculated the annual cost of this premium service, and included it in her requested salary.

   I distinctly recall on one really miserable winter day in 1984, I had been waiting
for over 40 minutes for the regular northbound B68 Coney Island Avenue bus to go to school. My mother, who arrived at the bus stop after I, to find me waiting; caught her regular express bus, the X29. After a quick mother/son kiss, she got on board and I watched her say something to the operator, who then looked down at me and said, "hop on!"

   To a regular bus passenger used to the "normal" hard plastic mass transit seats, a perpetual funky humid / body odor / vinyl flooring smell, and the regular group of rowdy school kids in the back, graffiti, scratched windows and light rubbish on the floor; I was in awe. Wide cushioned seats, pleasant smell, clean and everyone in casual or business attire and properly behaved! It was like being transported into another dimension.
 
    Not 10 minutes later, I got off at my stop at Avenue M, and that was that. Back to the rat race and common folk!
PMG


NYCTA Express Bus Fares

Note:
some early express buses routes, particularly those from Great Kills, Staten Island to Brooklyn or destinations in Manhattan varied Wall St or Midtown.
fare from notes
$1.00April 12, 1971first route from 91st St / York Ave to Wall St
$1.25?
$1.50 September 1, 1975
$2.00 June 28, 1980
$2.50September 1981
$3.00 January 2, 1984
$3.50 January 1, 1986 Only the Manhattan East Side Express Bus went to $4.00. All others stayed at $3.00
$4.00 January 1, 1990
$3.00 March 1, 1998
$4.00 May 4, 2003
$5.00 February 27, 2005
$5.50 December 30, 2010
$6.00 March 3, 2013
$6.50 March 22, 2015
$6.75 April 21, 2019 present (MetroCard or OMNY only,
coin payment discontinued

.....
YUK-X-1-Y
X17 - X19
YUK-X-1-V
X17 - X19

Express Bus transfers are seldom encountered. $3.00 - $4.00 each with selvage. Unbroken books not encountered frequently and should command at least sum of individual transfers. 


Type 6 

hourly format, natural
paper with color stripe
ca. 1991 to end of use of paper transfer


   Here we see that natural paper ticket with colored stripe again, only now its on the hourly transfer (as opposed to the Type 3 am/pm format transfer seen above.)

   With this observation, we arrive at a quandary - why the difference in style? We know from examples in my (PMG) collection that there were at least two different printers: Globe Ticket and Southern Coupon. We see that Globe Ticket printed both the natural paper with colored stripe type in 1992 and the colored paper type in 1994. Yet we see colored paper prior to the 1992 natural paper / colored stripe as well., even going back as far as the 1980's.

   In comparing the transfers from both printers and all three types, we see them contain the same exact wording, for privileges and rules. So why two different designs? As for know, your guess is as good as mine.

FrontsBacks
.  .
March 31, 1992
blue paper,
Southern Coupon
April 1, 1992
natural paper, blue stripe
Globe Ticket
April 25, 1994
blue paper
Globe Ticket
March 31, 1992
blue paper,
Southern Coupon
April 1, 1992
natural paper, blue stripe
Globe Ticket
April 25, 1994
blue paper
Globe Ticket



   Regardless of the reasons behind these two different designs, we now have to account for yet another variety of surface transfer; but at this time I only have this set for the B68 route.


B9 (blue stripe)B68 (orange stripe)B68 (blue stripe)



Type 7a and Type 7b
Bus "Route" Transfers - hourly format, colored paper

ca. 1991 to end of use of paper transfer (July? August?) 1997

   Here we come to the next and final version of the paper transfer issued for general use on New York City surface transit.

   The borough prefix letter has be enlarged to match that of the numerals; the image of the bus and the word transfer removed from between the hours; and the hours and tear lines staggered instead of directly across from one another.


   The list of applicable routes of transfer has been relocated from the back to the front, and the list of privileges, rules and regulations of use relocated to the back.
 
  To date, two printers are known: Globe Ticket and Southern Coupon. 

 
  The transfers printed by Globe Ticket can be discerned from the Southern Coupon by the thickness of the circle M logo; the Globe Ticket has a thinner circle and M than the Southern Coupon version.

   In 1994, the logo of the MTA was changed from the M to the   logo. Therefore there are two subtypes of this transfer as seen below:


   Also the legend above the route number was changed from New York City Transit Authority to MTA New York City Transit;  however, it should be noted there are transfers printed after this date where this legend remains unchanged (B67 July 6, 1996 and B77 July 10, 1994 as seen below).
   
   We also see the decipherable coding seen on the selvage is now a two letter code, instead of three letter codes as previously seen on the Type 4; followed by the stock number.


   With issued tickets, which have been detached from the selvage; these codes are not normally seen, so they are only visible on either booklets of transfers or complete transfers broken out of books with their selvage still attached.
   

   Size of the transfer remains standardized: 7 1/2" overall length, with 1/2" selvage at top, by 2" width; however it should be noted, there were a several routes that required a "extra long" transfer form due to the number of connecting routes listed., and of which measures in at 9 1/8" in length.

   In the end, this would be the final style of paper transfers that would became obsolete when the bus fleet became completely equipped with modern computerized fare boxes.

   These fare boxes were able to print the MetroCard Bus Transfers on thin cardstock, which contained a magnetic stripe that was automatically encoded at time of issue with the expiration time upon issue.

Actual Date of Last Issue?


   Many internet sources state the last date of orange and blue paper (regular bus routes) as well as yellow & pink paper (express bus routes) use was July 4, 1997, but there is conflicting information. A couple of retired bus operators I have asked on Facebook, state July 5, 1997 was the last day of issue for the bus operations for the borough of Brooklyn.

   N
ot to mention the existance of this item to the right.
   
   Obviously, this booklet is dated after that July 4 (or July 7) end of use date.

   So, this raises the question: were the orange / blue paper transfer phased out from various lines or depots at different times, each borough or as opposed to all at once throughout the City, as it commonly believed?

   It is logical to conclude that since the NYCTA may not have known to the exact day when the all the MatroCard fareboxes aboard the buses would be finally installed; so paper transfers were printed, lets say; until end of July to hedge against unforeseen delay techinall issues.

   Hopefully someone with a little more insight can provide the answer. Please, feel free to contact me at brghtnbchexp@aol.com

July 22, 1997
UP (Ulmer Park) 14-B
Route B1

intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
B1 (blue)B1 (orange)B3 (orange)

B5 (orange)
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
B6 - (blue)
UP4-B
- 10-95

MTA New York City Transit
B6 
B6 (orange)

also entitles bearer to B11 transfer
MTA New York City Transit
extra long form: 9 1/8" x 2"
B9 (blue)
JG 2-B
- 10-94-P
MTA New York City Transit



.
B11 (blue)
MTA New York City Transit
B11 (orange)
MTA New York City Transit
B23 (orange)
MTA New York City Transit
B36 (blue)
MTA New York City Transit
B41 (orange)
MTA New York City Transit
extra long form: 9 1/8" x 2"
B44 (blue)
MTA New York City Transit
extra long form: 9 1/8" x 2"
(last day of paper transfers July 11, 1997)
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blank
B49 (orange)
MTA New York City Transit
B49 (blue)
MTA New York City Transit
B63 (orange)
subtype A with M logo
New York City Transit Authority
B67 (orange)
JG13-0 - 4-93P
New York City Transit Authority
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
B68 (blue)
5-92P
New York City Transit Authority
B68 (blue)
UP 8-B - 10-95
MTA New York City Transit
B68 (orange)
UP8-0 - 10-95
MTA New York City Transit
.
intentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blankintentionally left blank
B77 (orange)
New York City Transit Authority
B82 (blue)
MTA New York City Transit

 standard length: 7½" length (7" long ticket and ½" selvage) by 2" width.
extra long length: 9 5/8" (9 1/8" long ticket and 
½" selvage) by 2" width.
pulp paper, dyed orange or blue; printed front & back



Q44
extra long form: 9 1/8" x 2"


CAS 7-B
S53




M96 / M106

All boroughs extremely common in unbroken books. No more than $10.00 - $15.00 PER complete book. Individual transfers of this type no more than $1.00 each with selvage;
However a substantial premium should be considered for the last day of issue of paper transfers for that route.



X8
X27
UP 12-Y


Independent Surface Transit Operators - Various Types







Surface Transportation Corp.
 & Surface Transit Corp.



   Surface Transportation Corporation of New York was a bus operator in the boroughs of Manhattan and The Bronx in New York City.

   
Originally, this company was a subsidiary of the Union Railway Company of New York City, which was in turn owned by Third Avenue Railway System (TARS) and was the actual operator of TARS' Bronx routes.

   It became a subsidiary of the Third Avenue Railway System (TARS) in 1924; and it now operated feeder bus routes to its electric streetcar lines. But, as the existing electric streetcar lines were converted to internal combustion bus operation, those franchises would be re-assigned to Surface Transportation Corp. It would be the largest of the private bus operators in the City of New York.

   In 1942, TARS changed its name to "Third Avenue Transit Corporation" and took over control of Surface Transportation Corp. directly.


   On August 21, 1948, all electric streetcar lines in the Bronx and Manhattan had been converted to internal combustion powered buses. And within a year, Surface Transportation was in a dire financial situation. Shutdown was imminent, when the Public Service Commission approved the Third Avenue Transit to assist financially.

   But, by 1949; Third Avenue Transit itself was on the verge of shutdown for lack of funds. It filed for bankruptcy, and Lester Doyle was appointed receiver.

   In 1956, the New York City Omnibus Corporation (NYCO) purchased Third Avenue Transit / and with it, Surface Transportation's franchises. It then dissolved Surface Transportation as a corporation, and created a new subsidiary; Surface Transit Incorporated, to operate the existing routes. 
NYCO also purchased the bankrupt Fifth Avenue Coach Co. this year as well, reorganized that company as Fifth Avenue Coach Lines and made Surface Transit a subsidiary thereof.

   In 1962 all of the routes of Fifth Avenue Coach Lines, Inc. and Surface Transit, Inc. were taken over by the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority after a strike which left the company's patrons without service.



Bruckner Boulevard Line
North - PM (pink)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
South - PM (blue)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
.

.
City Island - West Farms
West - PM (buff)
Surface Transportation Corp.
(no patent)
note on back: bus

.

.
Concourse - Hub Line
North - PM (green)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
South - PM (pink)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)

.

.
Concourse - 138th Street Line
North - PM (green)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
South - PM (pink)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)

.

.
Eastchester Road Line
South - PM (salmon)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp
(no patent)

.

.
Jerome - Bainbridge Avenue Line
South - PM (buff)
Surface Transportation Corp
(no patent)

.

.

Prospect Avenue Line
North (green)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
South (pink)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)

.

.

Riverdale Avenue Line
North (green)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
South (pink)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)

.

.

Southern Boulevard
North (green)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
South (pink)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)



St. Ann's Avenue
South (pink)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)


Throggs Neck Line
(direction not specified) (green)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)


Third & Amsterdam
South (pink)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)



Tremont Avenue
East (orange)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
West (green)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)



Westchester Avenue
North (green)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)



Williamsbridge
North (orange)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)


Willis Avenue
South (pink)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
North (green)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)



138th Street Crosstown
(direction not specified) (buff)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)


149th Street Crosstown
(direction not specified) (buff)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)


163rd Street Crosstown
(direction not specified) (buff)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
(direction not specified) (buff) - different transfer points in center section
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)


167th Street Crosstown
East (buff)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
West (blue)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)


180th Street Crosstown
East (orange)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
West (blue)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)


170th Street Crosstown Line
East (orange)
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)






Surface Transit


BX 1 
Concourse - 138th Street - North
.

BX 1
Concourse - 138th Street - South
.

BX 3 
Prospect Avenue
.
BX 11
170th Street Crosstown
.
BX 12
City Island - Fordham Road - West
.
BX 13
Castle Hill Avenue
.

BX 14
Edenwald Avenue
.

BX 15
Gun Hill Road - Gunther Avenue
.

BX 19
207th Street Crosstown
.

BX 20
Bronx & Van Cortlandt Parks - North
.

BX 23
Crosby - Layton Avenues
.

BX 26
Boston Road - South
.

BX 28
Williamsbridge - South
.

BX 29
125th Street - Willis Avenue - North
.

BX 31
Southern Boulevard - North
.

BX 34
163rd Street Crosstown
.

BX 35
167th Street Crosstown
.

BX 36
180th Street Crosstown - West
.

BX 37
Ogden Avenue
.

BX 38
University Avenue - South
.

BX 40
Tremont Avenue - East
.

BX 42
Westchester Avenue

Operators Identification Check, April 23, 1944
for bus route between
Tremont Avenue and Fordham Road

S. W. Huff, president

There were only four bus routes in operation in 1944, with a route that had these points as listed along their route:
1)   Concourse - 138th St
2)   Concourse - Hub
3)   Prospect Avenue
29) Willis Avenue







Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority

BX 1, BX 2, BX3
North & South (red) - 1963-
From Sub-route Bus to Through Bus
Globe Ticket
.
BX 4, BX 10, BX18
North & South (buff) - 1963-
From Sub-route Bus to Through Bus
Globe Ticket
.
BX 6-6A-6B, BX 12, BX15
East & West (buff) - 1963-
From Sub-route Bus to Through Bus
Globe Ticket
.
BX 11, BX 20, BX 34, BX 35
East & West (buff) - 1963-
From Sub-route Bus to Through Bus
Globe Ticket
.
BX 29, BX 31
North & South (buff) - 1963-
From Sub-route Bus to Through Bus
Globe Ticket






NYC Dept of Transportation - Command Bus 

   Following the dissolution of Pioneer Bus Co., Command Bus was created in October 22, 1979 to provide local and express bus services to those residents of Brooklyn.

   From 1979 until 2002, Command Bus operated two local and seven express routes. At the close of its operations, the company operated 1 local route, 1 limited-stop route, and 5 express routes.

   Command Bus was an affiliate of Varsity Transit (which provided yellow school bus services) and both were 40% owned by Green Bus Lines, 40% by Triboro Buses and 20% by Jamaica Railways (Jamaica Buses).

   Local service was operated on route B100 - Fillmore (originally called Mill Basin-Kings Highway Route), connecting Mill Basin with the Kings Highway subway station (D and Q trains - (now B & Q) of the BMT Brighton Line in Midwood. Weekday limited-stop service connected Canarsie and downtown Brooklyn via route B103 Canarsie Limited.

   The company also provided express service to midtown Manhattan and lower Manhattan on routes BM1 - Mill Basin Express, BM2 - Canarsie Express, BM3 - Kingsbay Express, and BM4 - Gerritsen Beach Express. During rush hours, the BM2 - Canarsie Express also served Starrett City.

   Additional service to midtown Manhattan was provided on route BQM1 - Starrett City Express. During rush hours, the BQM1 also served the Canarsie area


   Beginning in 2005; the formation of MTA Bus was effected to consolidate all bus operations in New York City under the operation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), to include Command Bus Co., Green Bus Lines, Jamaica Buses, Liberty Lines Express, New York Bus Service, Queens Surface and Triboro Coach.


Command E-1
B100 - East
to Mill Basin
Globe Ticket
Command W-1
B-100 - West
to Kings Highway
Globe Ticket









Comprehensive OmnibusEast Side OmnibusFifth Avenue CoachMadison Avenue CoachNew York City Omnibus
.
Surface Transportation CorpSurface Transit CorpThird Avenue BusManhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority




Comprehensive Omnibus

49th & 50th Street Crosstown
(direction not specified) (buff)
detachable PM coupon
Comprehensive Omnibus Corp
E. J. Fennelly, treasurer
PM tab
(no patent)
(note on back: obsolete form new type now in use)






East Side Omnibus Corporation




York Avenue / 57th Street Line M-11 - ca. 1939
intersection punch box: at 57th Street & Second Avenue
Pat February 18, 1919
.
York Avenue / 57th Street Line - August 6, 1938
detachable PM coupon
2 cent transfer to New York City Omnibus
E. J. Fennelly, treasurer
.
First Avenue Line - December 7, 1948
detachable PM coupon
2 cent transfer to Comprehesive Omnibus, to New York City Omnibus
E. J. Fennelly, treasurer




New York City Omnibus Corporation


   The New York City Omnibus Corporation was formed in 1926 (not to be confused with the The Omnibus Corp). New York City Omnibus Corp. introduced new bus lines to replace those streetcar lines being withdrawn by the New York Railways Corp beginning 1935, and of which NYCO Corp also owned.

   In 1954, New York City Omnibus Corp. purchased the Fifth Avenue Coach Company, from The Omnibus Corp. and renamed it as Fifth Avenue Coach Lines on May 14, 1956. Also acquired was Surface Transportation Corp (owned by Third Avenue Railway) on December 17, 1956; and created an operating subsidiary "Surface Transit Inc".

   New York City Omnibus went bankrupt in 1962, and bus services were taken over by the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority "MaBSTOA".

   Of particular note is the use of the word "Line" in the context of a bus Route.

Broadway & Columbus Avenue Line North - AM/PM (green) - March 24, 1936
H. J. Sheeran, president
AM/PM punch
(no patent) Globe Ticket
(note on back: new bus replaced streetcar)
Lexington & Lenox Avenues Line South - AM/PM (salmon) - Monday, March 20, 1939
AM/PM punch
no signature
(no patent) Globe Ticket
.
6th Avenue Line - North - AM/PM (green) - September 9, 1957
detachable PM coupon
6th Avenue Line - South - AM/PM (salmon) - November 12, 1958
detachable PM coupon
.
North / South - AM/PM (buff) - February 20,
from Sub-Route to Through Route
H. J. Sheeran, president
AM/PM punch
(no patent) Globe Ticket
(note on back: bus)
South - AM/PM (buff) - Saturday, March 7, 1936
H. J. Sheeran, president
AM/PM punch
(no patent) Globe Ticket
.
Eighth Avenue and Central Park West Line - North - (green) - May 1, 1959Ninth Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue Line North - AM/PM (green) - July, 9, 1958
detachable PM coupon
intentionally left blank
Spring & Delancey Streets Line (direction not specified)  - buffAM/PM - December 2, 1958
detachable PM coupon
.
8th Street Line - buff - AM/PM - Monday, July 10, 1950
AM/PM punch
8th Street Line - buff - AM/PM only - December 26, 1957
detachable PM coupon
.
14th Street Line (direction not specified) - AM/PM (buff) - February 4, 1957
detachable PM coupon
23rd Street Line (direction not specified) - AM/PM (pink) - ca. March 1936 
AM/PM punch
Globe Ticket Co.
(no patent)
.
86th Street Line (direction not specified) - AM/PM (buff) - Saturday, February 4, 1957
New York City Omnibus Corp
AM/PM punch
Globe Ticket Co.
(no patent)
116th Street Line (direction not specified) - AM/PM (buff) - Saturday, May 2, 1936
New York City Omnibus Corp
AM/PM punch
Globe Ticket Co.
(no patent)







Fifth Avenue Coach


   Fifth Avenue Coach was originally founded in 1896 when it succeeded the bankrupt Fifth Avenue Transportation Company; and operated the existing horse-and-omnibuses along Fifth Avenue, with the route running from Bleecker Street to 89th Street.

   Ironically, Fifth Avenue would be the only north-south thoroughfare in Manhattan never to have seen streetcar service. This was due to the vociferous opposition of residents along the route, who opposed the installation of railway track in the street. In response, the company introduced battery powered electric buses two years later, and then was acquired by the newly formed New York Transportation Company in 1899.

   In 1907, Fifth Avenue Coach introduced a fleet of fifteen internal combustion powered motor-buses that would operate along Fifth Avenue, as well as on some crosstown routes. In 1912, the company became independent of the New York Transportation Company.

   In 1925, Fifth Avenue Coach came under control of The Omnibus Corporation, and the company purchased a majority share in the New York Railways Corporation.

   In 1935 and 1936, New York Railways Corporation began converting streetcar lines to buses, and the new replacement bus services would be operated by the New York City Omnibus Corporation, which had been formed in 1926 and had shared management with The Omnibus Corporation. New York Railways Corporation was formally dissolved in 1936.

   The New York and Harlem Railroad trolleys were replaced by Madison Avenue Coach Company, Inc. buses, and the Eighth and Ninth Avenue Railway trolleys by Eighth Avenue Coach Corporation buses, both companies owned by Fifth Avenue Coach. (Fourth and Madison Avenues; 86th Street Crosstown was not replaced with buses). Madison Avenue Coach and Eighth Avenue Coach were to be absorbed into New York City Omnibus in November 1951.

   In 1954, The Omnibus Corporation sold the Fifth Avenue Coach Company to the New York City Omnibus Corporation; and in 1956, changed its name to Fifth Avenue Coach Lines. The same year, they also acquired the Surface Transportation Corporation, and allowed it to operate under a new name as a subsidiary of Fifth Avenue.

   After a strike in 1962, and a fight for control with financier Harry Weinberg, Fifth Avenue bus operations were taken over by the City of New York.

   Throughout its history; the Fifth Avenue Coach often charged more for its base fare than other transportation companies and their routes, due to the increased wealth of the residents and businesses along Fifth Avenue. It also frequently chose not to issue transfers to other lines, unless forced by the Public Service Commission to do so in consideration of an approval for a raise in fare. That being the case; Fifth Avenue Coach transfers are not as commonly encountered as those from other corporations operating bus lines.

route #southern terminalnorthern terminalroute of travel
1Washington Square ParkHarlem
Fifth Avenue & 138th Street
Fifth Avenue
2Madison SquareWashington Heights
Broadway and 167th Street
Fifth Avenue, Seventh Avenue,
Edgecombe Avenue
3Washington Square ParkWashington Heights
St. Nicholas Avenue and 193rd Street
Fifth Avenue, St. Nicholas or Convent Avenues
4Pennsylvania StationThe CloistersFifth Avenue, Central Park North / Cathedral Parkway, Riverside Drive, Broadway & Fort Washington Avenue
5 / 19Washington Square ParkWashington Heights
Broadway and 167th Street
Fifth Avenue, West 57th Street, Broadway, Riverside Drive,
Broadway: Route 5 through Hamilton Heights or
Riverside Drive: Route 19 through Hamilton Heights
6Upper West Side
West 72nd Street &
Central Park West
Yorkville
East 72nd Street and York Avenue
Broadway, West 57th Street, Fifth Avenue, East 72nd street
9Washington Square ParkUpper West Side
West 72nd Street & Central Park West
Fifth Avenue, West 57th Street, Broadway
15Madison SquareJackson Heights - Queens
Northern Boulevard
Fifth Avenue, Queensboro Bridge, Queens Boulevard, Roosevelt Avenue
15Madison SquareCorona - Queens
Flushing Meadows - Corona Park
Fifth Avenue, Queensboro Bridge, Queens Boulevard, Roosevelt Avenue
16Jackson Heights
Northern Boulevard and 81st Street
Elmhurst - Queens
Broadway and Queens Boulevard
81st / 82nd Streets, Baxter Avenue, Broadway
20Hell's Kitchen
12th Avenue & West 55th Street
Sutton Place
Sutton Place & East 59th Street
57th Street Crosstown



Fifth Avenue, Seventh Avenue, St. Nicholas, Cathedral Parkway, Convent & Fort Washington Avenue Lines - Sunday, February 2,
February 2, year?
AM/PM punch
Globe Ticket Co.
.
14th Street Line - June 18, 1959
.
72nd Street Line - Saturday, September 6 (ca.1930's-40's)
AM/PM punch
Globe Ticket Co.
.
72nd Street Crosstown Line No. 6 - East - April 30, 1959
detachable PM coupon
.
Routes 5, 8 & 19 - Riverside Drive Northbound - June 29, 1927
PM tab
..
Riverside Drive Lines - South - AM/PM (pink) - July 4, 1936
AM/PM punch
Globe Ticket Co.


Riverside Drive Lines - North - AM/PM (green) - Saturday August 26,
Fifth Avenue Coach co.
(no patent)
AM/PM punch
Globe Ticket Co.
.
Routes 5 & 19 - Riverside Drive South - March 8, 1960
.
Broadway & Columbus Avenue Line - Sub-Route to Through Route
.
Elmhurst Crosstown Line 
October 13, 1942



.


Madison Avenue Coach Co. -  Manhattan

(March 1936 - 1951)

   In March 1936, the streetcar system of the Fourth and Madison Avenue Line (and operating entity of the New York & Harlem RR) was converted to internal combustion powered omnibuses, and the company reorganized as the Madison Avenue Coach Company.

   In 1951, the New York City Omnibus Corporation absorbed these operations and subsequently changed its name to Fifth Avenue Coach Lines in 1956.
When the bus that replaced the Lexington and Lenox Avenues Line was terminated, the Madison Avenue bus was extended west on 139th Street and north on Lenox Avenue to 147th Street. When Madison Avenue became one-way northbound, southbound traffic was moved to Fifth Avenue, replacing the original route of the Fifth Avenue Coach Company.

   The Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority (MaBSTOA) took over operations in 1962.



North - AM/PM (buff)
Madison Avenue Coach
H. J. Sheeran, president
(no patent) Globe Ticket




South - AM/PM (pink)
Madison Avenue Coach (above date)
(no patent) Globe Ticket
H. J. Sheeran, president
(note on back: bus line replaced streetcar)


South - AM/PM (pink)
Madison Avenue Coach (below date)
(no patent)
Globe Ticket





Surface Transportation Corp. - Manhattan


   Surface Transportation Corporation of New York was a bus operator in the boroughs of Manhattan and The Bronx in New York City.

   
Originally, this company was a subsidiary of the Union Railway Company of New York City, which was in turn owned by Third Avenue Railway System (TARS) and was the actual operator of TARS' Bronx routes.

   It became a subsidiary of the Third Avenue Railway System (TARS) in 1924; and it now operated feeder bus routes to its electric streetcar lines. But, as the existing electric streetcar lines were converted to internal combustion bus operation, those franchises would be re-assigned to Surface Transportation Corp. It would be the largest of the private bus operators in the City of New York.

   In 1942, TARS changed its name to "Third Avenue Transit Corporation" and took over control of Surface Transportation Corp. directly.


   On August 21, 1948, all electric streetcar lines in the Bronx and Manhattan had been converted to internal combustion powered buses. And within a year, Surface Transportation was in a dire financial situation. Shutdown was imminent, when the Public Service Commission approved the Third Avenue Transit to assist financially.

   But, by 1949; Third Avenue Transit itself was on the verge of shutdown for lack of funds. It filed for bankruptcy, and Lester Doyle was appointed receiver.

   In 1956, the New York City Omnibus Corporation (NYCO) purchased Third Avenue Transit / and with it, Surface Transportation's franchises. It then dissolved Surface Transportation as a corporation, and created a new subsidiary; Surface Transit Incorporated, to operate the existing routes. 
NYCO also purchased the bankrupt Fifth Avenue Coach Co. this year as well, reorganized that company as Fifth Avenue Coach Lines and made Surface Transit a subsidiary thereof.

   In 1962 all of the routes of Fifth Avenue Coach Lines, Inc. and Surface Transit, Inc. were taken over by the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority after a strike which left the company's patrons without service.




Broadway
South - PM (pink) - 1949-1956
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)


10th Avenue 
(direction not specified) - PM (green) - 1949-1956
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)


42nd Street Crosstown
(direction not specified) - PM (buff) - 1949-1956
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
..



Surface Transit Inc. - Manhattan



   In 1956, the New York City Omnibus Corporation (NYCO) purchased Third Avenue Transit / and with it, Surface Transportation Corp.'s (above chapter) franchises. It then dissolved Surface Transportation as a corporation, and created a new subsidiary; Surface Transit Incorporated, to operate the existing routes.

   NYCO also purchased the bankrupt Fifth Avenue Coach Co. this year as well, reorganized that company as Fifth Avenue Coach Lines and made Surface Transit a subsidiary thereof.


125th Street Crosstown Line
(direction not specified) - PM (buff) - 1949-1956
detachable PM coupon
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
(Smith Patent copy)
.

.
Third - Lexington - Amsterdam Avenues - South
M101
Third - Lexington - Amsterdam Avenues - South



Triangle Bus Corp



   The Triangle Bus Company was a short lived bus operator in the borough of Manhattan. It began by taking over the route(s?) of the Hamilton Bus Company, beginning in 1935. This was the Houston Street (pronounced HOW-sten) - Avenue C route. It also came to operate the Gouverneur & South Street Line.

   In 1940, Triangle Bus was taken over by the New York City Omnibus Corp. (NYCO)

   The Houston Street - Avenue C bus route, became the M21 Route, and was then incorpoated into the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority (MaBSTOA).




Gouverneur & South Street Line
(direction not specified) - Thursday, May 14, 1936
AM/PM hourly with quarter hour punch



Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority "MaBSTOA" - Manhattan

Formed in 1962, as a subsidiary of the New York City Transit Authority, it was created to take over bus operations in the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx of the bankrupt
Fifth Avenue Coach Company, and Surface Transit Corp.
Its creation as a subsidiary, allowed employees to avoid being subject to civil service employment rules; however,
some crafts of employees are afforded civil service protection; as well as a separate pension plan.


M101 & M104
North & South (buff) - 1963-
From Sub-route Bus to Through Bus
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
Globe Ticket
M103 & M106
East & West (buff) - 1963-
From Sub-route Bus to Through Bus
Surface Transportation Corp of NY (receivership, Lester T. Doyle trustee)
Globe Ticket





Board of Transportation - Queens Bus DivisionAffiliated Bus Transit
Green Bus LinesJamaica BusesNorth Shore Bus
.
Queens Nassau Bus / Queens Transit
Queens Transit
Queens Surface Corp
Steinway Transit
Triboro Coach





Board of Transportation - Queens Bus Division

1940-1953

intentionally left blank
Routes 1-43 - Outbound
Routes 12-44 - OutboundRoutes 12-44 - Inbound






Affiliated Bus Transit Corp



   Affiliated Bus Transit Corp was a bus operator in Queens, and operated the Q38 route before it was taken over by the Triboro Coach Corp.


Q-38 - Middle Village, Corona Crosstown
good on Forest Hills Bus
at 108th Street & 62nd Drive
Q-38 - Middle Village, Corona Crosstown
various points - unpunched
.
Q-38 - Middle Village, Corona Crosstown - September 23
various points - punched for 54th Avenue & 111th Street
back of transfer states "copy", also this printed on a blue laid (ribbed) paper. Very unusual.






Green Bus Lines


   On April 3, 1925, Green Bus Lines was incorporated by William Cooper and Martin Klein to provide local bus service in several boroughs. Cooper originally began operating a single bus line in 1922, a portion of which is today's Q8 101-Jerome Avenue route. This company consolidated several independently-operated bus lines, whose owners operated the buses, and now would become stockholders and employees in Green Lines.

   In 1933, the company acquired several Manhattan routes (including the current M22, M50, M79, M86, and M96 routes), but these routes were transferred to the Comprehensive Omnibus Corporation in 1935 and New York City Omnibus Corporation in 1936.

   Also taking place in 1936, Green Lines took over the operations of Liberty Bus, and the borough's bus system was divided into four lettered "zones", with each zone being served exclusively by one bus company. As such, Green Lines was awarded the rights to all of "Zone C" in southern Queens, which included the neighborhoods of Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Howard Beach, and the Rockaways.

   With this assignment of Zone C, Green Lines assumed the operations of seven other companies in that zone.

   In 1943, Green also acquired the Manhattan and Queens Bus Corporation, which had operated the ex-Manhattan and Queens Traction Company Queens Boulevard Line into Manhattan (the Q60) since 1937.

   Green Bus Lines acquired two other transit companies that continued to operate independently: Triboro Coach Corporation in October 1947, and Jamaica Buses in April 1949. Jointly these three companies formed Command Bus Company in 1979 to take over the routes that had been previously operated by Pioneer Bus Corporation, which went out of the transit bus business following a strike earlier in 1979.

   The QM23 was started in the 1950s to replace Long Island Rail Road service to the Brooklyn Manor station on the Rockaway Beach Branch. It was discontinued in 2010. Four more express routes began operation in the 1970s.


    In 2008; the formation of MTA Bus was effected to consolidate all bus operations in New York City under the operation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), to include Command Bus Co., Green Bus Lines, Jamaica Buses, Liberty Lines Express, New York Bus Service, Queens Surface and Triboro Coach.

   With many thanks to Mr. Michael Hennesy (a retired maintainer for Green Bus Lines); he was able to provide details on the letter codes seen on the transfers. They were intended so a passenger could not use a transfer that had been issued on one day, on another day. (Other companies used this method as well.) However he relates that this method did not always work as intended, as some passengers actually held on to the transfers long enough to incur the same letter on its next use day. Furthermore, the letters were randomly assigned and not issued in alphabetical order (making for random order). Thanks Mr. Hennesy!

intentionally left blank
(red on buff paper)
detachable PM coupon
Q-6 Sutphin Blvd. - north to Jamaica
day code: A
Kaymil Ticket
.
(red on buff paper)
detachable PM coupon
Q-6 Sutphin Blvd. - north to Jamaica
day code: K
Marmer Ticket
 (green on buff paper) 
detachable PM coupon
Q-6 Sutphin Blvd. - south to Lombard St.
day code: G
Marmer Ticket
.
intentionally left blank
 (green on green paper)
detachable PM coupon
Q-7 - Rockaway Blvd - westbound to Euclid Ave.
day code: A
Marmer Ticket
.

(red on buff paper)
detachable PM coupon
Q-8 Jerome (101st Ave) - east to Jamaica
day code: G
Marmer Printing

(green on green paper) 
detachable PM coupon
Q-8 Jerome (101st Ave) - west to Grant Avenue
day code: X
Marmer Printing
.

(red on buff paper)
detachable PM coupon
Q-9 Lincoln Street - north to Jamaica
day code: E
Marmer Printing

(green on buff paper) 
detachable PM coupon
Q-9 Lincoln Street - south to Rockaway Blvd
day code: M
Marmer Printing
.

(red on buff paper) 
detachable PM coupon
Q-10 Lefferts Blvd. - north to Kew Gardens
day code: V
Kaymil Ticket

(red on buff paper) 
Q-10 Lefferts Blvd. - north to Kew Gardens
day code: G
Kaymil Ticket
.

(blue on buff paper) 
detachable PM coupon
Q-10 Lefferts Boulevard - Hamilton Beach
day code: B
Marmer Printing

(blue on pink paper)
detachable PM coupon
Q-10 Lefferts Boulevard - Hamilton Beach
day code: B
Marmer Printing
.

intentionally left blank
(red on green paper) 
Q22A Bayswater - Ostend Beach
day code: 9
Elliott Ticket
.

(red on buff paper) 
Q-37 111th Street Line - north to Kew Gardens
day code: A
Marmer Printing
intentionally left blank
.

(red on buff paper) 
Q-41 Archer Ave - east to Jamaica
day code: V
Marmer Printing
intentionally left blank
(green on thin white semi-gloss paper) 
detachable PM coupon
Q-41 Jamaica - Lindenwood, west to 157th Street and Cross Bay Boulevard
day code: K
Marmer Printing

unknown printer (black on orange paper)
transfer connections now reciprocal with NYCTA routes
Q35 - Green Bus Lines
.

.

Zone Checks

   In the checks shown below, 23, 51 and 85 might pertain the route number or the driver operators identification number. Confirmation is needed to answer this bit of information.

New Lots - Far Rockaway
1 3/4" x 2"
 Zone 2
2 1/2" x 1 1/4"
Zone 3
2" x 2"




Jamaica Buses



   In 1926, the Long Island Electric Railway filed for bankruptcy, and the lines of this company were parted out to various companies. The lines in Queens however were reorganized as the Jamaica Central Railways. This company would continue to operate the Queens lines for six years.

   The City of New York granted the company a bus franchise in 1930; Jamaica Buses; which would operate as a subsidiary of Jamaica Central Rwy. Internal combustion powered buses would begin to replace all electric trolleys lines November 12, 1933 and the subsequent removal of trolley tracks on those routes; as well as coincided with the widening of Jamaica Avenue.

   Jamaica Buses entered financial problems, and would come to be acquired for $200,000 by Green Bus Lines in April 13, 1949, however, it would continue to operate independently and retain its name until 2008.

   Around 1990, (date uncertain) several of the private bus operators in Queens and the Bronx were reorganized under the the New York City Department of Transportation.
NYC DOT is also the operating entity for the Staten Island Ferry, as well as provides oversight and regulation of the private jitney vans (a/k/a "dollar vans"). NYC DOT is the agency responisble for maintenance for the "free" bridges (those untolled bridges not under the auspices of the Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority) and streets and highways; street signage, traffic light maintenance, and many other aspects of the City of New York transportation infrastructure. NYC DOT bus operating authority expired in 2003. 

   In 2008; the formation of MTA Bus was effected to consolidate all bus operations in New York City under the operation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), to include Command Bus Co., Green Bus Lines, Jamaica Buses, Liberty Lines Express, New York Bus Service, Queens Surface and Triboro Coach.



Route C
detachable PM coupon with tear off at hour
Jamaica Avenue & 160th Street
day code: W
Moran Patent October 28, '24
.

Route Q-111
detachable PM coupon
Jamaica Avenue & 160th Street
day code: B
Marmer Printing
7" x 2"

.

.

Jamaica Buses,
operating under
New York City Department of Transportation
(NYC DOT)

Q110 - Q112 East - ca. May 1990
Globe Ticket
9 1/4" x 2"
Q110 - Q112 West - ca. May 1990
Globe Ticket
9 1/8" x 2"
Q111 - Q113 North - ca. May 1990
Globe Ticket
9 1/4" x 2"

.

.


Zone Checks

   In the checks shown below, the use of the letter X in unknown. Confirmation is needed to answer this bit of information.



Jamaica Buses - Q113 Jamaica - Far Rockaway - Third Zone Check
Marmer Printing
3 1/3" x 2"




North Shore Bus



   Like with most bus operators, the history of the North Shore Bus began with trolley lines. The lineage of North Shore Bus could be traced back to 1902, Mineola, Roslyn and Port Washington Traction Company. While these towns are located in Nassau County, the company slowly expanded it's line west to the Borough of Queens. It had a line operating from Roslyn to Flushing known as the "North Shore Line" as ell as from Flushing to the Whitestone - 14th Station of the LIRR  "Whitestone Line".   

   
As the company expanded, it was renamed New York & North Short Traction Co in 1907. By the 1910's, when other traction companies were failing or consolidating with other companies, NY&NST began replacing their electric trolleys with the first internal combustion powered omnibuses.

   Following the Great Depression of 1929, NY&NST began to sell off its routes to other companies, particularly to Triboro Coach Corp. Afterwards this, it managed to replaced some of their shrinkage by purchasing routes form the Nassau County "Bee Line". It acquired the Flushing Heights Bus Corp. on September 22, 1935 and that company kept its own identity and operated as a subsidiary. On June 25, 1939, North Shore acquired the remaining Bee Line Routes as well as Bee Line 165th Street Bus Terminal in Jamaica in their acquisition of Zone D operations (Jamaica & Southeast Queens).

   By 1940; North Shore operated almost all bus routes in Zone B (Flushing & Northern Queens) and Zone D. On March 30, 1947, North Shore filed for bankruptcy after its labor force went on strike. Operations were taken over by the New York City Board of Transportation.




Route List:
Route
designation
Terminalsvia routenotes
Q1Jamaica - Hillsideformer Bee Line
Q2Jamaica - Hollis AvenueHempstead Avenue to Belmont Parkformer Bee Line
Q3Jamaica - HollisJFK Airport via Farmers Blvdformer Bee Line
Q3AJamaica (Parsons Blvd. & Hillside Av.) St. Albans - Cambria HeightsMurdock & 113 Av.former Bee Line; renumbered 1988 to Q83 by NYCTA
Q4Jamaica - Cambria HeightsMerrick & Linden Boulevardsformer Bee Line
Q4AJamaica - LaureltonMerrick Boulevard & 120 Avenue former Bee Line; renumbered 1988 to Q84 by NYCTA
Q5Jamaica - Rosedale & Green Acres Shopping MallMerrick Boulevardformer Bee Line
Q5AJamaica - RosedaleRochdale Village and Bedell Streetformer Schenck Transportation; renumbered 1988 to Q85 by NYCTA
Q5ABJamaica - Locust Manor LIRR Station Springfield Gardensformer Schenck Transportation; combined with Q5A into Q85 in 1988 by NYCTA 
Q5ASLaurelton - Rosedale Shuttle former Bee Line; renumbered 1988 to Q86 by NYCTA; then eliminated in 1995, low ridership, 
Q12Flushing - Little NeckSanford Avenue. & Northern Boulevard
Q12ALittle Neck LIRR Station - Floral Park Little Neck Parkway1933; renumbered to Q79 by NYCTA, then eliminated low ridership;
reinstated via compromise as part of the extended Q36 in 2013
Q13Flushing - Bayside - Fort TottenNorthern & Bell Boulevards1933
Q14Flushing - Whitestone1933; eliminated 2010, budget cuts; subsequently replaced with the Q15A route
Q15Flushing - Whitestone - Beechhurst1933
Q16Flushing - Clearview - Fort TottenBayside Avenue, Francis Lewis & Willets Point Boulevards
or Utopia Parkway
1933
Q17Flushing - 188 Street & Jamaica
Q17AJamaica - Little NeckUtopia Parkway & Horace Harding Boulevard renumbered 1988 to Q30 by NYCTA
Q17-20combination of Q17 and Q20 routes which operated in the 1940s and 1950s
Q20Flushing - College Point Shuttlerenumbered to Q44FS, Re# Q20 1990; then to Q20A & Q20B 1999 by NYCTA extended to Jamaica
Q23108th Street, Corona-Ditmars Avenue (pre 1933)originally North Shore, transferred first to Kings Coach Company (1931??),
then to Triboro Coach Corporation in 1936?, then to MTA Bus Company in 2005
Q26Flushing - AuburndaleHollis Court Boulevard
Q27Flushing - Rosewood – Queens Village & Cambria HeightsSpringfield Boulevard
Q28Flushing - Bayside Westbefore 1933
Q31Jamaica - Bayside West
Q35Flushing - College Point – Whitestonesubstitute for LIRR Whitestone Branch; replaced by Q20 in 1937
Q32Queens Village LIRR - Creedmoor shuttle
Q36Jamaica - Floral ParkHillside & Jamaica Avenues
Q42Jamaica - Addisleigh ParkSayres Avenue
Q43Jamaica LIRR Station – Hillside Av. to City Line.
Q44Jamaica - Flushing – Bronx.
Q44AUnion Turnpike - Kew Gardens – Lake Success & Glen Oaksrenumbered 1990 to Q46 by NYCTA
Q44BMalba Shuttleeliminated 1990, low ridership
Q44VPUnion Turnpike - Kew Gardens & Vleigh Place Shuttle renumbered 1990 to Q74 by NYCTA, eliminated 2010, budget cuts
Q48Flushing - LaGuardia Airport began operating April 5, 1940




ca. November 1942
day code: ZX
Q-5 Merrick Boulevard - Inbound to Jamaica
.

ca. November 1942
day code: PK
Q-43 Hillside Avenue - Inbound to Jamaica




Queens-Nassau Transit Lines

1926 - 1957


   Queens Nassau Transit Lines can be traced back to the New York and Queens County Railway, the largest operating trolley line in Queens by 1896. NY&QC Railway became an affiliate of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company.

   On February 19, 1926, the NY&QC Railway created a bus division: "Queens-Nassau Transit Lines".

   This bus division replaced all electrically operated trolleys by October 30, 1937. In 1957, Queens Nassau was renamed Queens Transit. (see next chapter)




1926-1957
detachable PM coupon
Q-25-34 Parsons Bld. / Jamaica / College Point - Northbound
day code: HJ
good only at Northern Boulevard & Main Street Flushing
to Q-66 Westbound Northern Boulevard
to Q-65 Northbound College Point via 122nd Street

Globe Ticket
1926-1957
detachable PM coupon
Q-65 Jamaica / 164th Street / College Point - Northbound
day code: UD
good only at Northern Boulevard & Main Street Flushing
to Q-66 Westbound Northern Boulevard
to Q-34 Northbound College Point via Airport

Globe Ticket




Queens Transit Corp

1957-1986


   The history of Queens Transit Corp. can be traced back to the New York and Queens County Railway, the largest operating trolley line in Queens by 1896. NY&QC became an affiliate of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company.The Queens Surface Corp is the direct successor to Queens-Nassau Transit Corp. (see chapter above)

   On February 19, 1926, the NY&QC created a bus division named Queens-Nassau Transit Lines. This division replaced all electrically operated trolleys by October 30, 1937.

   In 1957, Queens-Nassau was renamed Queens Transit. In 1986, Queens Transit merged with Steinway transit to become Queens/Steinway Transit Corp which was owned by the Salzberg family.

   In 1988, the Linden Bus Company acquired the company from the Salzbergs, and upon this changed their name to Queens Surface Corporation.

   On May 27, 2005, the company was taken over by MTA Bus Operations. The formation of MTA Bus was effected to consolidate all bus operations in New York City under the operation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), to include Command Bus Co., Green Bus Lines, Jamaica Buses, Liberty Lines Express, New York Bus Service, Queens Surface and Triboro Coach.

Q-25-34 Southbound
detachable PM coupon
day code: VY
Q-25-34 Southbound

day code: LG
.

Q-65 Southbound
detachable PM coupon
day code: OE
College Point - 164th St Jamaica
at Northern Boulevard and Main Street or Rossevelt Ave. and Main Street

Q-65 Northbound
day code: QF
Main Street and Roosevelt Ave. or Main Street and Northern Boulevard
at Jewel Avenue and 161st St.
.

Q-65A
day code: GR
at Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue or Main Street and Northern Blvd.

Q-65A
detachable PM coupon
day code: KR
at Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue or Main Street and Northern Blvd.
.

Q-66 - Eastbound to Q-65A

day code: KR
Westbound at Jewel Avenue and 164th St. East or Westbound at Kissena Blvd & Jewel Avenue
.

Q-66 - Eastbound

day code: QF
Westbound at Jewel Avenue and 164th St. East or Westbound at Kissena Blvd & Jewel Avenue

Q-66 - Eastbound

day code: QF
Westbound at Jewel Avenue and 164th St. East or Westbound at Kissena Blvd & Jewel Avenue.




Queens Surface Corporation

1988 - 2005

   The history of Queens Surface Corp. can be traced back to the New York and Queens County Railway, the largest operating trolley line in Queens by 1896. NY&QC became an affiliate of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company.The Queens Surface Corp is the direct successor to Queens-Nassau Transit Corp. (see chapter above)

   On February 19, 1926, the NY&QC created a bus division named Queens-Nassau Transit Lines. This division replaced all electrically operated trolleys by October 30, 1937. In 1957, Queens-Nassau was renamed Queens Transit. In 1986, Queens Transit merged with Steinway transit to become Queens/Steinway Transit Corp which was owned by the Salzberg family.

   In 1988, the Linden Bus Company acquired the company from the Salzbergs, and upon this changed their name to Queens Surface Corporation.

   On May 27, 2005, the company was taken over by MTA Bus Operations. The formation of MTA Bus was effected to consolidate all bus operations in New York City under the operation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), to include Command Bus Co., Green Bus Lines, Jamaica Buses, Liberty Lines Express, New York Bus Service, Queens Surface and Triboro Coach.



Generic for: Q65A / Q66 / Q101 / Q102 / Q104 / Wall Street - Eastbound
Globe Ticket



Steinway Omnibus

1938 - 1959

Steinway Omnibus roots beigin with Steinway Railway, which began operations in 1892. This would be merged with the New York and Queens County Railway before becoming a separate entity again in 1932, but remained under the control of the New York & Queens County Railways successor; New York & Queens Transit Corp.

   In 1938, Steinway was purchased by the Queensboro Bridge Railway, and set up as a subsidiary: "Steinway Omnibus", and embarked on converting its electric trolley lines to internal combustion powered buses.
In the Autumn of 1938, the Steinway Railway was purchased by the Queensboro Railway Co. and renamed Steinway Omnibus. On September 29, 1939, internal combustion powered buses replaced all electric trolleys. Both Steinway Omnibus and Queens Nassau Transit Lines were operated by the same company.

   In 1959, Steinway Omnibus was renamed Steinway Transit.


Steinway St Line (Q101) Inbound - May 29, 1950
detachable PM coupon
31st Street Line (Q102) Outbound - May 2, 1957
detachable PM coupon
.
Broadway Line (Q104) Inbound - January 10, 1958v
Vernon Boulevard (Q103) Inbound - May 29, 1950
detachable PM coupon

Q101 - Steinway Street Outbound
day code: DV
intentionlly left blank


Steinway Transit

1959 - 1986



   Queens-Nassau was renamed Queens Transit Corporation in 1957, and Steinway Omnibus became Steinway Transit in 1959.  In 1986, Queens Transit Corp (the successor corporation to New York & Queens Transit) merged once again with Steinway, and the company renamed Queens / Steinway Transit Corp, which was owned by the Salzberg family.

   This joint company was owned by the H. E. Salzberg Co. of whom were invested in scrap metal and short-haul railways) with father Harold Salzberg, son Murray M. Salzberg and grandson Harry Salzberg. The Salzbergs ripped up the rails of the former trolley lines, and operated these two companies until 1988, at such time the Linden Bus Company acquired the routes from the aging grandson Harry Salzberg.


Route List:
Route
designation
Terminalsvia routenotes
Q10159th St. & 2nd Ave. ManhattanNorth BeachJackson Avenue, Northern Boulevard, Steinway Street, and 19th Avenueformerly Steinway Street Line, abandoned 1939
now the  bus
Q102Long Island City - Astoria FerryJackson Avenue, 31st Street, Newtown Avenue, and Astoria Boulevard31st Street Line, abandoned 1939
now the  bus
Q103Hunters Point - Astoria FerryVernon BoulevardVernon Boulevard Line, abandoned 1939
now the  bus
Q104Astoria Ferry - WoodsideBroadwayBroadway Line, abandoned 1939
now the  bus
Q100Hunters Point - WoodsideJackson Avenue, Northern BlvdJackson Avenue Line, now abandoned
Triboro Coach Q19Astoria Ferry - Bowery BayAstoria BoulevardFlushing Avenue Line, abandoned 1935 - route later taken over by Triboro Coach Q19, Astoria-Corona



intentionally left blank
Q-101 Steinway Street - Inbound
datecode: BA
.
intentionally left blank
Q-101 Steinway Street - Inbound
date code: FR
.

Q-102 31st Street - Inbound

date code: TM

Q-102 31st Street - Outbound
date code: ZW
.
intentionally left blank
Q-102 31st Street - Inbound
date code: NO
.

Q-104 Broadway - Inbound
date code: JC

Q-104 Broadway - Outbound
date code: YU
.
Q-104 Broadway - Inbound
date code: BA
Q-104 Broadway - Outbound
date code: GS
.

Add-A-Ride
date code: MP
intentionally left blank




Triboro Coach

1931 - 2006

 
 In April 1919, Salvatore Fornatora created the Woodside - Astoria Transportation Company in Queens, NY.
   
   The first route (which is comprised of the eastern portion of the modern Q19) connecting the 103rd Street - Corona Plaza Station with Flushing. In 1928, the Corona Terminal was relocated to Astoria - 21st Street, completing the original route formation of the Q19 - Astoria Boulevard bus route. It added several other routes in the Astoria - Woodside - Maspeth neighborhoods by 1930.

   On April 10, 1931; the company was re-incorporated as the Triboro Coach Corp. and began operation of the Q18 and Q24 lines. It acquired a City of New York franchise for nine routes in northwestern Queens ("Long Island City Zone") on September 24, 1936. From here, Triboro acquired the Q23 from North Shore Bus, the Q29 from Kings Coach, the Q33 from Municipal Motor Bus, the Q38 from Affiliated Bus Transit, and the Q39 from National City Lines.

   Following World War II, Triboro Coach encountered financial difficulties and was purchased by Green Bus Lines; however continued to operate independantly.

   In 1956, it added an Express Bus route between Woodside and Rockaway Park (now the Q53) and replacing the Long Island Rail roads Rockaway Beach Branch; out of service since 1950.

   In 1961, it acquired the B72 route from the New York City Transit Authority, and was re-designated the Q72. Beginning in the 1970's, throughout the next two decades, five express routes were created: QM10 (1970) QM12 (1971), QM22, QM24, QM 24W (1988).

   On February 2, 2006, Triboro Coach was taken over by MTA Bus,
the formation of was intended to consolidate all remaining subsidized but subsidized lines operating in the New York City area, to include Command Bus Co., Green Bus Lines, Jamaica Buses, Liberty Lines Express, New York Bus Service, and Queens Surface.

Route List:
Route
designation
Terminalsvia routenotes
Q18Astoria - Maspeth30th Avenue, 58th Street, Woodside Avenue, 65th Place, 69th StreetFormerly Steinway Transit Corporation Flushing Line;
Q18 Astoria-Woodside and Q24 Woodside-Maspeth; combined into Q18
Q19Astoria - FlushingAstoria BoulevardSalvatore Fornatora's original bus route from Corona into Flushing formed during April 1919
Q19ALong Island City - Jackson Heights21st Street, Ditmars BoulevardOriginally ran from Queens Plaza to the Astoria–Ditmars Boulevard El station
Renumbered to Q69 in 2008
Q19BJackson Heights - East Elmhurst35th Avenue, 35th Avenue, 89th/90th Streets, Astoria BoulevardRenumbered to Q49 in 2008
Q23East Elmhurst - Forest Hills108th StreetAcquired in 1936 from North Shore Bus Company.
Q29Jackson Heights - Glendale80th StreetAcquired in 1936 from Kings Coach Company
Q33Jackson Heights - LaGuardia Airport Central Terminal82nd/83rd Streets, 23rd Avenue, 94th StreetAcquired in 1936 from Municipal Motorbus Company via 82nd / 83rd Streets
Since shortened due to new Q70 bus to LaGuardia airport
Q38Middle Village - Rego Park - or - CoronaEliot and Penelope AvenuesAcquired in 1936 from Affiliated Bus Transit Corporation
Q39Long Island City - RidgewoodForest AvenueAcquired in 1936 from National City Bus Lines
Q45Jackson Heights - Middle Village / Juniper Valley Park69th StreetMerged into an extended Q47 in 2011
Q45XRego Park - or - Corona - Middle Village / 69th Street
Eliot AvenueRego Park: Woodhaven & Queens Boulevards / Rego Center
Corona: 98th Street and 60th Avenue
Established in 1943
Q45X short for "Q45 Extension". This later became the first version of Q50; now part of Q38.
Q47Jackson Heights - LaGuardia Airport
Marine Air Terminal
69th Street and 80th StreetNow including former Q45
Q53Woodside /  LaGuardia Airport - Rockaway ParkWoodhaven Boulevard, Cross Bay Boulevard, Rockaway Beach BoulevardCreated as replacement for the partially abandoned Long Island Rail Road Rockaway Beach Branch in 1950.
Was named the "Rockaway Park Express," despite the fact that technically, it was never a true express bus.
Q72Rego Park - LaGuardia AirportJunction BoulevardOriginally the North Beach and Junction Boulevard trolley lines in 1894
Acquired in 1961 from New York City Transit Authority

Queens-Manhattan Express Routes
QM10Midtown Manhattan - Lefrak CityManhattan: 3rd Ave branch: 34th St, 3rd Ave, 57th St
6th Ave branch: 34th St, 6th Ave, 57th St
Queens: Queens Blvd, Linden Blvd,
63rd Road, 57th Ave
LeFrak City Express
Former 3rd Avenue service relabeled QM40 in early September 2016
QM11Financial District / Wall Street - Lefrak CityManhattan: Water St, Church St via 3rd Ave or 6th Ave
Queens: Queens Blvd, 63rd Rd, 57th Ave
Former downtown branch of the QM10
QM12Midtown Manhattan - Forest HillsManhattan: 3rd Ave, 34th St, 6th Ave, 57th St
Queens: Queens Blvd, Yellowstone Blvd
Forest Hills Express
Stops east of 71 Avenue in Forest Hills discontinued in January 2011
Third Avenue service was split off into QM42 in September 2016.
QM22Midtown Manhattan - Jackson HeightsManhattan: 3rd Ave branch: 3rd Ave, 59th Stt
6th Ave branch: 34th St, 6th Ave, 57th St
Queens: 21st St, 21st Ave, Ditmars Blvd
Jackson Heights Express
Discontinued in June 2010, due to budget crisis
QM24Midtown Manhattan - GlendaleManhattan: 8th Ave or 3rd Ave
Queens: Queens Blvd
Glendale Express
QM24WFinancial District / Wall St - Glendale (Myrtle Ave and 73rd St)Manhattan: 23rd St, Madison Ave, 57th St
Queens: Queens Blvd
Glendale - Wall Street Express
Renumbered as QM25 in June 2010
 Q57 Queensbridge at 21st Street and 41st Avenue to LaGuardia Airporta/k/a "QT" for Quick Trip LaGuardia Express. 1990 to May 1991. Discontinued due to lower than expected ridership. The fare was $5, in addition to the $1.15 subway fare. The buses had luggage racks, air conditioning and padded seats.[20]





Q-18 - no date
detachable PM coupon
day code: A
American Printing Specialty
.

Q-18 - October 3, 1961
detachable PM coupon
day code: B
American Printing Specialty
.

Q-18 - October 10, 1961
detachable PM coupon
day code: E
American Printing Specialty
.

Q-19A - no date
detachable PM coupon
day code: A
American Printing Specialty
.
Q-19B - no date
detachable PM coupon
day code: K
Globe Ticket
.

Q-23 - no date
detachable PM coupon
day code: K
American Printing Specialty
.

Q-33 - no date
detachable PM coupon
day code: G
American Printing Specialty
.

Q-33 - no date
detachable PM coupon
day code: G
American Printing Specialty
.

Q-72

detachable PM coupon
day code: E
Globe Ticket





Most independent surface transportation operators transfer issues are not quite as prolific as those issues from the New York City Transit Authority.

Transfer issues from the independent bus operators and not as common as with NYCTA issues
$2.50 to $4.00 each with selvage. 

Complete books are not widely seen for older pre-1980 issues, $20.00 per book
Complete books for newer issues widely seen;
and prolific for 1980-2000 issues. No more than $7.50 to $10.00 per book.





Tompkins Bus Corp.


   The Tompkins Bus Corporation was organized in 1925 to operate gasoline powered buses on Staten Island (the borough of Richmond in New York City).

   Tompkins Bus Corp began by replacing streetcar and trolleybus routes which had been run by the New York City Department of Plant and Structures, under the "Emergency Bus System"; and new bus routes were created to serve previously under-served areas.


   In 1937, Tompkins Bus Corp. was taken over by Staten Island Coach (see above chapter)


Midland Beach 7 - March 17, year?
Elliott Ticket Co.
6" x 2"
w/o selvage
.
Forest Avenue - Route 4 -  , year?
Elliott Ticket Co.
6" x 2"
w/o selvage




Staten Island Coach


   The Staten Island Coach Company was formed in 1925 as a subsidiary of Richmond Light & Railroad Co. to operate buses which were replacing streetcars operated by the parent company in Staten Island (the borough of Richmond in New York City).

   However, it was only in 1933 that the authority to operate motor buses was actually granted by the City of New York; and by which time the Richmond Light & Railroad Co. had been reorganized, with its streetcar operations now renamed Richmond Railways. Throughout 1933 and 1934, Staten Island Coach Co. bus routes gradually began to replace the streetcars of Richmond Railways.

   At this point, two separate bus systems now operated in Staten Island, the other being Tompkins Bus Co.

   In 1937, the Staten Island Coach Co. took over the Tompkins Bus Co. routes and the former Tompkins Bus Co. routes were given new route numbers  and being numbered in the hundreds; i.e.: R101, R102, etc


   In 1946, the Staten Island Coach Co. went bankrupt, and the Isle Transportation Co., began operating the buses on Staten Island. This company was organized by a group of former Staten Island Coach Co. employees. Isle Transportation Co. itself did not last long, going bankrupt the next year in 1947,

   Upon this, the City of New York took over the buses on February 23 of that year. This was the first city-operated bus service (other than the Williamsburg Bridge line, which retained city operation under the Board of Transportation) after the end of the Department of Plant and Structures.

   

No. 1 - Elizabeth Ferry - ca. 1937
detachable PM coupon
day code: NL
Free
Samuel H. Serena, president.
Globe Ticket Co.
6 1/4" x 2" w/o selvage
.

No. 6 - Victory Boulevard - ca. 1943
detachable PM coupon
day code: KR
Free
Samuel H. Serena, president
Globe Ticket Co.
6 1/4" x 2" w/o selvage
.
R103 - Tottenville - Northbound (IN) - ca. 1938
detachable PM coupon
day code: AO
Globe Ticket Co.
9 1/4" x 2" w/o selvage
R103 - Tottenville - Southbound (Out) - ca. 1938
detachable PM coupon
day code: PH
Globe Ticket Co.
.
R104 - South Beach - Tompkins Avenue - Northbound (IN) - ca. 1938
detachable PM coupon
day code: AO
(transfer points continued on back)
Globe Ticket Co.
9 1/4" x 2" w/o selvage
R109 - Midland Beach - Northbound (IN) - unknown date
(
PM coupon detatched)
day code: ES
Continuing Trip Transfer - 5 cents
Globe Ticket Co.
3 1/2" x 2 1/16" w/o selvage
.
Emergency Transfer - 1937
detachable PM coupon
Globe Ticket Co.
4 5/16" x 2" w/o selvage
.
Ticket, Good For One Ride (unknown purpose) - unknown date (pre-1946 bankruptcy)
unknown printer
2" x 1"



Isle Tranportation

No. 6 - Victory Boulevard - post 1946
day code: JC
Free
redacted: Staten Island Coach Company, Inc
Samuel H. Serena, president
4 7/16" x 2" w/o selvage
Tottenville R103 - post 1946
day code: JC
Free
redacted: Staten Island Coach Company, Inc
Samuel H. Serena, president
4 7/16" x 2" w/o selvage






Understanding the value of surface transfers



They are prodigious:

   Obviously, each bus route was issued several books of transfers, daily. Depending on the established traffic for that particular route, it could be as little as two books for a 12 hour shift) for a shuttle line, or several books for heavily traveled through routes. Most transfer ticket books were printed with 50 tickets in a book; however 25 ticket books are seen and depending on the route.

   These books of transfers were issued each day of the calender year: that is 365 days if you do not know how many days are in a year. Multiply this number, by the usual standard of two colors of issue: one color for each direction for a single route. You are now talking a minimum of 730 tickets of each date PER route PER year.

   Now, multiply that number by the total number of routes in the Five Boroughs. About an average of 75 to 80 routes per borough would be a fair estimate. That comes to 58,400 transfers.

   Factor in additional special transfers in multiple colors, and the total number of possible transfer grows exponentially.

   Some routes did not exist at certain periods - so a particular route may not be available in one year, but was a few years later, while another was abolished. 

   An attempt to make a "set" from issued tickets, is statistically (and financially) a very difficult thing to accomplish, unless you are fortunate enough to locate a control set. A control set was used by depots and by accounting department to check the validity of a questionable transfer. Believe me, while not common, attempts at counterfeiting transfers were not unheard of. 

   These control sets were usually issued on the first of the year.  A control set would have an example from all five boroughs from the same day.. This is something even the most earnest collectors could not achieve as it would require visiting every single depot within the five boroughs in a very small specific time frame to acquire a complete range of routes for that single day.

   But except for a control set, it also explains why there are so many whole books available for sale. After their printed issue date, they were no longer good, and so were discarded, even if unused. If 100 books were printed for a particular route for a particular day, at 25 transfers per book = 2500 transfers total. But if only 500 transfers were issued in one direction for the entire day, then there would be 80 books to dispose of. That leaves 2000 unused transfers, still in books, unused. And usually, they went into a paper recycling dumpster behind the bus depot. 

   Which is why surface transfers are plentiful and available in so many varieties and issue dates. And which is why they should be extremely cheap. 

So; how much should you pay?

   Some collectors and / or dealers acquired vast quantities of transfer books in the manner of dumpster diving; while others that were employed by the NYCTA and now retired; saved and accumulated them before they hit the dumpster. Totes and milk crate-fuls of transfer books. Of which, these thousands and thousands of books are still being sold and dispersed 30 years later. 

   When I first started collecting surface transfers around 2000, I was able to purchase individual transfers for around 25 to 40 cents a piece, and 2 to 3 dollars for a complete book. Every day of the week and twice on Sunday. As part of my OCD, I recorded the price and serial number of every transfer acquired, whether individually or in a group.

   Now, within the last few years there has been a dramatic rise in pricing on eBay in regards to these transfers. Sellers are asking $3.99, $5.99, even $9.99 each, and even higher! For 1990's bus transfers! Books? $25 and higher. This pricing greatly exceeds the rate of inflation. And there is no shortage of them, so it's not about supply and demand. A transfer that I would have purchased in 2000 for 40 cents, would now sell at 63 cents, adjusted for the rate of inflation. A $1.00 transfer? would be $1.56.  So why are sellers asking the prices they are? Are they worth this?

Absolutely NOT. Do not be fooled into even thinking this for a single moment!

   If one merely takes the time, look through the amount of auctions relating to NYCTA bus transfers (they only list the previous 90 days), and you will see the same thing I do. There are hundreds if not thousands of them out there, so they are obviously not rare. And frankly, there is not much demand, as it is a very specialized area. So why the jump in prices? 

   In one and a legitimate aspect, eBay fees. EBay has made it unprofitable and inconvenient to sell nickel and dime stuff cheaply. What used to be an online marketplace / garage sale / flea market, is now a boutique shop with antique store prices. In another, shipping. eBay has made it difficult to negotiate on shipping. They suggest a particular service and offer it to the seller as part of the sales package. Most of the time it is a standard flat rate first class mail with tracking number. 

   A first class stamp costs 55 cents at the time of this writing. Now it's 66 cents. Do I really need tracking on a $1.00 item? Not it my opinion. If it isn't rare and easily replaceable, I can buy another. But a lot of eBay sellers are afraid of the their shipments getting lost and then having to refund the money. So eBay packages the shipping label program with the sellers account and charges for it. And a seller is not overly enthusiastic to opt out of the all-in-one sales format and go the extra mile to just jam a transfer in a plain white envelope with a 66 cent stamp. They want to click, print and ship. While this works for normal sales, it does not apply or work for cheap under $2 - 3 dollar items. And do not let an seller try to shuck and jive you into an excuse of "there is my cost in gas, and time of having to go to the post office, printer ink, stationery, yada yada yada.). Postal carriers pick up these pre-paid pre-labeled ready to go envelopes and packages. 

   I have found the some sellers are willing to take the time upon an email, to adjust shipping accordingly. Believe it or not, newer sellers are more sympathetic to this than older established sellers. They cannot be bothered. 

   I also have caught several sellers charging $3.99 shipping with tracking, and when the package comes in, the transfer (or other cheap item) is a plain white envelope wrapped in plain white piece of 8 1/2 x 11" paper that doubles as a receipt, with a 55 cent stamp. On yes they did. Not once, but twice - the same seller. Usually this is easily rectified with a quick message stating this. One seller first would not respond to my messages. An eBay claim resulted in a very fast refund. Honestly, who pays attention when the package arrives? Most of the time we are so eager to open it and revel in our new acquisition. I'm no different, so pay attention to your postage label!

   Unfortunately, and in most cases, this outlandish pricing falls in the more prosaic category; plain and simple GREED. Some sellers in an attempt to cash in quick, and out-priced the objects; because selling one transfer at one time for $10 beats trying to selling 25 transfers at 40 cents each over tens of months, or years. 

   And since most collectors only need one example for their "set", and do not need duplicates; so the remainder of the transfers, and there is quite a lot; sit on eBay unsold. 

   Sellers need to understand this. Some think they are being low-balled, but thats not the case. These transfers are cheap and plentiful. They need to be sold as such. As a seller, if you don't have time or wherewithal to market accordingly sell them at a reasonable price to someone who will. Buyers, should not fall into their trap and think otherwise.

    



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