The MCI Classic was the Darling of NYC transit systems, and I appreciate the memory of riding these vessels. KAL-EL, I thank you for posting the documentary of all buses, but these beauties especially. ❤❤❤❤🎉🎉
You really want the truth. I was an avid bus fan when I lived in NYC. I couldn't get enough. When I discovered New York Bus Service and Liberty Lines switched their entire fleet, I had to ride, and I did, just to ride. I remember how these buses would sway and rock upon stopping, all the while sophisticated as you'd hear the dollar bills roll in the fare machine. If you sat in the back or near the rear, sometimes you'd be treated to a Gallup of a ride at times tossed into the air. It was fun. A delight it was, and again, thank you for a reignited fond memory. 😊
It was a pity that I never get to ride on these buses, at all, before they were all gone at the end of 2009, but I have other past-life memories of watching them everyday day in New York City!
Word. I also remember seeing them all the time before I started riding them. They were more attractive in appearance than the current MTA buses. Also you always saw them en route to the Bronx in Manhattan in groups of 5 most of the time.
@8:24 that sound of that motor is the reason i fell in love with the Mci Classics i remember when Ct Transit had them. they sounded like the liberty lines Classics
I miss the classics so much. When I heard that sound of the 6Vs, it brought back so many memories of riding the Classics from Drieser loop in co op city with my parents. Good job, and thank you.
Yea. I hear ya. There was just something special about the sound of that engine. I got off the Classics back in the day and waited for the driver to pull away just so I could hear the engine
I miss command bus line I remember going on the BM1 and BM2 and BM3 I used to take the BM1 bus to Manhattan all the time to work in the Morning and when MTA Bus took over the line it was not the same anymore because they got rid of all the RTS GMC bus and the 1989 MCI Bus I still miss my childhood 😢💔
I am glad you made good use of my footage for educational purposes. Thank you for helping untangle the crazy web of bus model numbers for me. Life was a lot simpler when most buses were 53somethings.
I miss seeing those MCI bus back in the days i us to see those buses on the bm1 and bm2 and bm3 and bm4 and the b103 when command bus company handle those buses in Brooklyn new york
I have vivid memories of the MCI Classics….I’m a now retired NYCTA subway motorman and when I worked from the 239th St Yard (#2 line) I’d ride a Liberty Lines Express bus from the yard to 65th St/5th Ave and then a crosstown bus to the UWS….I’d also ride the Q10 Green Lines bus to Queens Blvd (also on MCI Classic buses)….I miss those old workhorses
from 1982-97 TC 40-102 ta-tn offers a 6v 71 and 92 powered one stroke and two stroke Detroit diesel engines with the v730 or v731 Allison automatic transmission and the Cummins diesel or caterpillar diesel engines or dd series 50 engine with B400 or ZF ecomat automatic transmission they remind me of the GMC new look buses
WMATA in D.C. never had these buses, during the time between 1986 to 1995 our city was being dominated by Flxible Metro's, however Omni Ride of Northern Virginia had these Classics and I got a chance to catch one, their engines were similar to the Flxible Metro A buses and they had plenty of power.
This brought me back man! I used to live by the BxM3 (Liberty Lines) and when i got to ride of them for the first time in 1989, I was instantly in love. I was glad i got to ride on them a few more times after the MTA took over the Private Bus routes. I always wonder what the MTA would’ve looked like if they had gotten MCI Classics in the late 80’s-early 90’s. As much as I love the RTS, I would’ve loved to have seen as a part of the Transit Authority. Regardless, they have the right name, “Classic”, because that’s what it is!
Never rode the MCI Classics because I didn't ride on express buses until 2009, by then all of them have been retired. I remember seeing the triboro ones and was wondering what they were used for since I didn't see them on the local routes.
Growing up in The Bronx, I heard these buses buzz on the highway and on the street. I got a chance to ride one of them Liberty Line bus. It was pretty comfortable. My second chance was when the MTA took it over.
Bob Ambrose Jr. I believe so. It's been about 6 years now so I don't remember that clearly. I do remember driving 7341 to 23rd street and a LL driver went ga ga so badly, I swore the guy got a hard on. Lol
No. It's long gone. The starter went bad and the price installed was around 800. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. Either that or a free tow to the junk yard. I chose the latter. Also, the property owner sold the land 7341 was on.
The should make new versions of these buses for routes like the m1-5/55(rush hour), the crosstown routes, the rush hour routes, st George routes, phealham bay routes, gw bridge routes, Jamaica routes, airport routes, some Express routes (off peak) the SBS routes and theb103
Great and thorough video! I wish I got to ride more of these Classics - at least I got to ride a GBL one before MTA Bus took over everything. I was wondering if any of the Transit Versions were repainted, and you answered my question about that as well! Thanks!
You should do a review on the GMC New Look and Old Looks and why are you going to to the mci coaches later on is it because you have to get up to date on the transit buses PLEASE COMMENT BACK thanks
The MCI Classic was the Darling of NYC transit systems, and I appreciate the memory of riding these vessels. KAL-EL, I thank you for posting the documentary of all buses, but these beauties especially. ❤❤❤❤🎉🎉
@@DRIVINGSTEIN glad you enjoyed it stay tuned for more
You really want the truth. I was an avid bus fan when I lived in NYC. I couldn't get enough.
When I discovered New York Bus Service and Liberty Lines switched their entire fleet, I had to ride, and I did, just to ride. I remember how these buses would sway and rock upon stopping, all the while sophisticated as you'd hear the dollar bills roll in the fare machine.
If you sat in the back or near the rear, sometimes you'd be treated to a Gallup of a ride at times tossed into the air. It was fun. A delight it was, and again, thank you for a reignited fond memory. 😊
the engines on these buses were epic... i wish i had a opportunity to drive these
It was a pity that I never get to ride on these buses, at all, before they were all gone at the end of 2009, but I have other past-life memories of watching them everyday day in New York City!
Word. I also remember seeing them all the time before I started riding them. They were more attractive in appearance than the current MTA buses. Also you always saw them en route to the Bronx in Manhattan in groups of 5 most of the time.
Weren't they gone in early 2008 ?
@8:24 that sound of that motor is the reason i fell in love with the Mci Classics i remember when Ct Transit had them. they sounded like the liberty lines Classics
I miss the classics so much. When I heard that sound of the 6Vs, it brought back so many memories of riding the Classics from Drieser loop in co op city with my parents. Good job, and thank you.
styldsteel1 I miss these too, especially when they used to put me to sleep when I was little
Yea. I hear ya. There was just something special about the sound of that engine. I got off the Classics back in the day and waited for the driver to pull away just so I could hear the engine
+styldsteel1 they all sounded different from each other
***** I loved all of them
Such a popular unit. Not surprising really. Very cool
I was a driver for command bus those buses were fast and agile and road like a dream .
I miss command bus line I remember going on the BM1 and BM2 and BM3 I used to take the BM1 bus to Manhattan all the time to work in the Morning and when MTA Bus took over the line it was not the same anymore because they got rid of all the RTS GMC bus and the 1989 MCI Bus I still miss my childhood 😢💔
I am glad you made good use of my footage for educational purposes. Thank you for helping untangle the crazy web of bus model numbers for me. Life was a lot simpler when most buses were 53somethings.
These buses engine sound like Grumman Flxibles, Flxible Metros and GMC TMC RTS buses
I miss seeing those MCI bus back in the days i us to see those buses on the bm1 and bm2 and bm3 and bm4 and the b103 when command bus company handle those buses in Brooklyn new york
Keep these videos coming, Kal-El! As someone who wants to learn more about the history of buses in MTA/NYCT, your videos are a godsend.
I remember seeing them in CT Transit on my visit to Hartford, Connecticut. Both MCI and NovaBus classics ran great on the streets!
I’m a Suburban Fishbowl guy. But these classics were great. Man they had some power, too. Sorry they stopped making them!🤨
I have vivid memories of the MCI Classics….I’m a now retired NYCTA subway motorman and when I worked from the 239th St Yard (#2 line) I’d ride a Liberty Lines Express bus from the yard to 65th St/5th Ave and then a crosstown bus to the UWS….I’d also ride the Q10 Green Lines bus to Queens Blvd (also on MCI Classic buses)….I miss those old workhorses
from 1982-97 TC 40-102 ta-tn offers a 6v 71 and 92 powered one stroke and two stroke Detroit diesel engines with the v730 or v731 Allison automatic transmission and the Cummins diesel or caterpillar diesel engines or dd series 50 engine with B400 or ZF ecomat automatic transmission they remind me of the GMC new look buses
They sounded like the GMC RTS and the flixibles
I remember riding an MCI Classic in Buffalo back in 2006 when I was little.
I’m from Buffalo but they still had the mci classic in 2006
That’s crazy I thought they had retired earlier
Good Vídeo Kal I Remember My Last Ride With These MCI Classic On The MTA Bus Ex Green Lines. On the Q6.
WMATA in D.C. never had these buses, during the time between 1986 to 1995 our city was being dominated by Flxible Metro's, however Omni Ride of Northern Virginia had these Classics and I got a chance to catch one, their engines were similar to the Flxible Metro A buses and they had plenty of power.
So many priceless memories
On jamaica bus, I ride one before I thought they were retired before MTA took over.
I remember the "command" bus 🚌 company, triboro coach, green line, queens surface, and Jamaica bus lines with these models
This brought me back man! I used to live by the BxM3 (Liberty Lines) and when i got to ride of them for the first time in 1989, I was instantly in love. I was glad i got to ride on them a few more times after the MTA took over the Private Bus routes. I always wonder what the MTA would’ve looked like if they had gotten MCI Classics in the late 80’s-early 90’s. As much as I love the RTS, I would’ve loved to have seen as a part of the Transit Authority. Regardless, they have the right name, “Classic”, because that’s what it is!
Never rode the MCI Classics because I didn't ride on express buses until 2009, by then all of them have been retired. I remember seeing the triboro ones and was wondering what they were used for since I didn't see them on the local routes.
I rode all except for the Triboro Coach ones
Those are one of the coolest looking buses ever I wish I buy one
So this was the model I saw from Roblox. Didn't know what it was in Roblox due to detail loss. XD
Growing up in The Bronx, I heard these buses buzz on the highway and on the street. I got a chance to ride one of them Liberty Line bus. It was pretty comfortable. My second chance was when the MTA took it over.
I almost cried when I heard the 6v71 engine in those classics. especially the 6v92 engine
LOL
Yeah lol
me too!!
Dang this is a old comment. I was still in middle school 😂
By the way, I owned 7341 for about 4 months, and the cost for the upkeep was way way too much to handle.
Bob Ambrose Jr. I believe so. It's been about 6 years now so I don't remember that clearly. I do remember driving 7341 to 23rd street and a LL driver went ga ga so badly, I swore the guy got a hard on. Lol
Bob Ambrose Jr. but it was fun. I do miss it though
does it still exist? and it's 6v92
No. It's long gone. The starter went bad and the price installed was around 800. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. Either that or a free tow to the junk yard. I chose the latter. Also, the property owner sold the land 7341 was on.
styldsteel1 what about 7905?
That 1984 GM Classic sounded just like GM New Looks from 1977 and later models.
Yes they did
The should make new versions of these buses for routes like the m1-5/55(rush hour), the crosstown routes, the rush hour routes, st George routes, phealham bay routes, gw bridge routes, Jamaica routes, airport routes, some Express routes (off peak) the SBS routes and theb103
If you think about it the LFSs are kinda related but at the same time it's not the same
I keep thinking that the Liberty Line buses had to have a lot of power due the more mountainous terrain of Yonkers and the Northwestern Bronx.
True true
Correction: NYBS 1600-1602 were the first to be retired before the takeover
I like them both in Detroit Michigan DDOT MCI Bus Transit and Smart Bus Semta Grum Flexible Transit .
Great and thorough video! I wish I got to ride more of these Classics - at least I got to ride a GBL one before MTA Bus took over everything. I was wondering if any of the Transit Versions were repainted, and you answered my question about that as well! Thanks!
you know your stuff brother keep it up
Thanks, man!!!
11:02 - my favorite express bus route, the QM3
Wish nyc ordered these for local lines
R.I.P. MCI Classics 1984-2008
The bus honking while driving by you, was that you laughing? :D
This bus should be called the NovaBus RTSA. Lol.
haha.. yea really.
But the RTSA already exists as a discontinued model
@@w8nsoqa20drbrrubddhdv3 Yeah I had no idea what I was thinking
Interesting! Thank you for sharing!
10:25
I really liked your review, keep em coming & drop me a line us young bus fans need to link up
Thank you so much!!!!
You should do a review on the GMC New Look and Old Looks and why are you going to to the mci coaches later on is it because you have to get up to date on the transit buses PLEASE COMMENT BACK thanks
+CrownKing I have plans on continuing NYCTs fleet
so your going to do the GM New Looks and the GM Old Looks
Unfortunately I can't since I wasn't alive long enough to see them
I was born in the wrong generation, I just about missed these buses when I was born
I liked the MCI Classics but never got to ride on them
like bus
Took them on maybe on 5 or 6 occasions because I took the train 95 percent of the time.
Next to the RTSs and Orions the Classic was another bus I often took on a constant basis back in those days
The MCI Classics looked cool but I never got to ride on one
The 84 gm classics models sound similar to the RTS buses
Shame I never got to ride on this type bus not even once.
Did these buses kneel?
Yes
🥇🥇🥇🥇
i dont think the MTA holds 3006 anymore
@@ethanpadilla1131 they still got it, it's just stored away like the rest of the museum fleet by law you can't scrap a museum bus
3:11
like bus