Vintage buses in Rockaway Park Part 3

We have one more bus to see in Rockaway Park, where we have been for the other two parts of the vintage bus trip. This time, we see 1980 Grumman 870 number 236. Behind it, we see other buses after they have already made the trip to and from Jacob Riis Park. If you have any questions about the video, feel free to message me. Comments are welcome. The video was taken on August 20th, 2011.

[@Railoffroader2]

The MTA purchased a bad batch of Grumman Flxible 870 busses that was known to not be suitable for harsh NYC road conditions at the time because they got them at a reduced price, but as usual ended up spending more on replacements. These buses were better suited for suburban service and were quite comfortable and modern looking for their time. My father used to drive them when he worked at MaBSTOA.

[@theocolbert6670]

I love that Bus

[@jorgefigueroa4437]

Put the Grumman in Vintage Holiday Service

[@jendel42750]

I trained on the Grummans and RTSs while a student driver for what is known today as the RTC System of Southern Nevada (Las Vegas) back in 2001. The Grummans rode nicely but their steering was terribly vague. The RTSs handled and rode beautifully, accelerated quickly, and stopped on a dime...but the control placement? Awful. I tried for I-don't-know-how-long to become sufficiently acquainted with those controls and STILL had to stop and look down at what I was activating/deactivating. Nice to see they ran these good old buses in my hometown, though. (I used to be known as "Atari Ari" to my contemporaries there in the '80s.) That bank you see across the street from the bus stop was once the home of a longtime Rockaways landmark called the Ram's Horn Diner.

[@eyestoenvy]

How does a near 40 year old bus look as sleek & stylish (hell even better) than what we have on our streets today? That is one great looking & sounding bus. They seem so agile and loaded with torque. The RTS of those times, memory serves, were sluggish & rattly.

[@jmjfanss]

But still sleek and futuristic.