Thomas Rice has been a fan of buses since he was a child growing up in the Bronx along the Bx1 and Bx2 lines.
“It was something. As a kid I was always fascinated and I used to always sit in the front of the bus and I always got a kick of seeing them drive,” said Rice.
Fast forward 40 years later, Rice has been an MTA bus operator for more than two decades.
What You Need To Know
- Among the most historic buses were the Fifth Avenue Coach prototype, which debuted in 1956 as one of the first air-conditioned buses in the nation
- Another notable bus is known as “Betsy,” a double decker bus dating back to 1930 and the oldest vehicle in the New York Transit Museum’s fleet
- Transit enthusiasts met bus operators, technicians and got to sit on vintage buses, spanning the 1930s to present day
He was among several drivers at the New York Transit Museum’s Bus Festival at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday.
“These are the buses that a lot of us, our parents, our grandparents, grew up riding and it’s nice to bring them and meld them together in one place. It brings back a lot of memories,” said John Lupo, a festival attendee transit enthusiast.
The festival featured buses from the museum’s vintage fleet — representing more than 90 years of transit history.
“Buses, just like subway cars, go through a lot of redesigns as they’re in service according to how people use them, how many people need to be moved by that particular mode of transportation,” said Jodi Shapiro, the Curator of the New York Transit Museum. “Your trip happens because of New York Transit, transit is what built New York City.”
Among the most historic buses were the Fifth Avenue Coach prototype, which debuted in 1956 as one of the first air-conditioned buses in the nation, and most notably “Betsy” — a double-decker bus dating back to 1930 and the oldest vehicle in the museum’s fleet.
“Stepping back to see New York as it was in the 1939, 1959, it’s just fabulous,” said festival attendee Deborah Fischer. “It’s what makes our city thrive.”
While buses continue to adapt to the changing city, transit fans say they’re delighted that this historic fleet is maintained.
“You feel like you’re getting older,” said Stephen Shklanko. “But it’s still beautiful to see them in good shape as well as share with the public.”
As for Rice, he hopes to continue driving and getting New Yorkers to their destination.
“We have a responsible job, a tough job and I feel honored to do what I do and I take pride in what I do,” said Rice. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”