07/22/2026
New Publications from the Motor Bus Society
Mailed to MBS members mid-July 2026!
Production is now completed on the first two chapters on the long-awaited history of New York City’s extensive commuter express bus network as told by long time NYC bus expert and historian, Edward R. Crew. MBS will publish this extensive history in multiple issues of Motor Coach Age.
Release of the first installment was mailed out to all MBS members in good standing as of 2022 in mid-July 2026.
This first installment includes a general history of the New York City express bus phenomenon in Chapter 1, followed then in Chapter 2 with a detailed look at the express bus services and operators in the borough of Queens, where modern express bus services first started.
Forthcoming issues will be delving into the other NYC boroughs, next with a detailed look at The Bronx operators in Chapter 3 and Manhattan operations in Chapter 4. Brooklyn operations will be the focus in Chapter 5 and the commute from Staten Island in Chapter 6 will then follow next. Finally ending with the operations of MTA Regional Bus & MTA Bus in Chapters 7 & 8.
Release of the next two chapters are anticipated for later in 2026 and the remainder targeted for 2027.
Express buses were a new found treasure for New York City commuters starting in the late 1960’s continuing through today. Express buses allowed outer borough city residents a direct, speedy, and comfortable trip to a variety of destinations in both Lower and Midtown Manhattan. City residents now had a premium service on par with their New Jersey commuter counterparts. Commuters now enjoyed the convenience of on-street delivery versus traveling via the centralized pandemonium of the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Prior to express buses, most outer borough residents had to use a combination of slow local bus routes connecting to either a NYCTA subway line or a limited LIRR or then Penn Central commuter rail station where available. With the new express bus network now in place in Manhattan, for those who worked uptown or downtown, the one-seat bus ride replaced a long walk or slow local bus, cab or subway ride. While our story starts with a look at the colorful array services operated by the seven privately-owned, subsidized express bus operators, we will continue our story with the City’s take over these carriers in 2002 the creation of MTA Regional Bus Operations and ending with a summary of express bus services up through 2022.
So sit back and enjoy the ride!
This new issue of Motor Coach Age has been sent to all MBS members in good standing as of 2022. Forthcoming issues will only be sent to members who renewed their MBS membership for calendar year 2025 and 2026 going forward. So please renew your membership in the MBS today so you don't miss a future issue.
A very limited number of extra copies of this issue will be available to purchase for both MBS members and non-MBS members for a cost of $35 per issue (shipping included). Please reach out to us via the MBS website contact page found at www.motorbussociety.com if you wish to purchase additional copies while supplies last.
