Home · Maps · About
Home > BusChat

[ Post a New Response | Return to the Index ]

(333261)

view threaded

W.B.'s Bus Almanac for March 15th

Posted by W.B. on Fri Mar 15 05:36:57 2019


March 15, 1937 - The Book of Route Extensions

Manhattan, New York
Fifth Avenue Coach Company

Route 20 - 57th Street Crosstown is extended from its prior western terminus at Columbus Circle (which it had been since the line's original startup on April 7, 1934) to West 55th Street and 12th Avenue, hence it now runs "from river to river." Except for the 1939-42 period when the 20 terminates west at 42nd Street and 12th Avenue, this west end will largely remain unchanged for more than 52 years.

(Sources: "Buses to Link 2 Rivers Via 57th St. Monday," The New York Times, March 12, 1937; "Opening New Bus Route on West Side" (with photo), The New York Times, March 16, 1937.)

Post a New Response

(333267)

view threaded

Re: W.B.'s Bus Almanac for March 15th

Posted by northshore on Fri Mar 15 15:31:52 2019, in response to W.B.'s Bus Almanac for March 15th, posted by W.B. on Fri Mar 15 05:36:57 2019.

If I recall my Motor Coach Age history of Fifth Avenue Coach, Route 20 was extended to 42 St Pier in 1939. It was cut back to 12 Av during the WWII service reductions, and it never returned to 42 St.

Post a New Response

(333277)

view threaded

Re: W.B.'s Bus Almanac for March 15th

Posted by W.B. on Fri Mar 15 20:41:34 2019, in response to Re: W.B.'s Bus Almanac for March 15th, posted by northshore on Fri Mar 15 15:31:52 2019.

According to a New York Times article of the period, its extension to 42 St. Pier would have been on or about July 5, 1939. The paper also seemed to suggest a few Route 15 - Jackson Heights runs, rather than turning at 57th onto Fifth, also went for a time to 42 St. Pier, but I haven't been able to gauge how long that arrangement lasted (and may have read that part of the article wrong).

Would anyone have any idea at what point Rt. 20's eastern terminus was shifted on Sutton Place from 59th to 55th (as it was set by the time of the first MaBSTOA-issued bus map in '69)? As today's M57, it seems quite ironic that its western and eastern termini now mimic the old M103's, except it goes across 57th rather than 59th.

Post a New Response


[ Return to the Message Index ]