
Welcome to the Motor Bus Society (MBS)
Explore the fascinating world of buses with the Motor Bus Society. Since 1948, we’ve brought together people who share a passion for all things buses—whether you ride them, drive them, restore them, or simply admire their history.
As a non-profit organization, our mission is to preserve and celebrate bus history through an extensive collection of historical documents, photographs, and artifacts. Members enjoy exclusive access to our publication Motor Coach Age, and can participate in semi-annual conventions and excursions throughout the year with our Metropolitan NY Bus Committee (MNYBC) subsidiary.
MBS is incorporated in the state of New Jersey as a non-profit IRS 501©(3) organization. Donations to MBS are welcome and are tax deductible. MBS officers and trustees are unpaid volunteers who donate their time and effort to preserve bus history for future generations.
Join us in keeping the rich legacy of buses alive. Whatever your interest, MBS offers a community where enthusiasts connect and knowledge thrives.
Upcoming Events
Recently Released and Forthcoming Publications
Coming Soon!
Production has started on the long-awaited history of New York City’s vast and treasured express bus network. MBS will publish this history in multiple issues of Motor Coach Age. Release of the first issue is targeted for Summer / Fall 2025 and include an overview and the services in the borough of Queens, where modern express bus services started. Subsequent issues will be issued one or more boroughs at a time.
Express buses were a found treasure for New York City commuters in the 1960’s. Express buses allowed them equal comfort with their New Jersey counterparts and in contrast, they enjoyed the convenience of street delivery versus the centralized pandemonium of the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Most who used the commuter railroads also started their mornings on buses, or were delivered to kissand-ride loops by the family car; all ended their rail trips at overcrowded mid-town stations. For those who worked uptown or downtown, the one-seat bus ride replaced a long walk or an additional bus, cab or subway ride. All seven privately-owned operators taken over by MTA Bus in 2004-2006 ran express bus service.