In the late 1950's, in New York City and elsewhere, many of the older buses, and of course, some of the last trolleybus lines were replaced by modern and sleek new diesel buses produced by General Motors. They were given the nickname "Fishbowls" because of the large curved windscreen at the front. In New York City, for many years, for both Transit Authority and private buses, the fishbowls ruled. When the fishbowls came to Brooklyn and elsewhere, I noticed as a small child, that the front destination signs were not that clear. In those early years, there were no side signs and no back signs or route numbers in the back of the bus. I remember the following signs:
35 TO FIRST AVENUE
35 TO ROCKAWAY AVENUE
16 TO SHORE ROAD
9 TO SHORE ROAD
44 TO WASHINGTON PLAZA
In Manhattan, I remember:
1 TO GRAND STREET
So my question was, is it the number "35" going to First Avenue but not the bus and passengers?
And, which FIRST AVENUE are we going to? There is a FIRST AVENUE in Brooklyn at the waterfront, as shown in this blog regarding the Church Avenue Trolley loop. There is a FIRST AVENUE in Manhattan as well. There is probably a FIRST AVENUE in Seattle as well. So which FIRST AVENUE are we going to? And is the number going only?
It could be worse, for the sign could have said: 1 TO GRAND.
Grand Street, Grand Avenue and in which borough? What happens if Grand Street is very long. Which intersection are we going to?
The point that I am trying to make is that the signs, as planned by our transportation planners were not so grand, after all.
