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 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our mission is to preserve and celebrate bus history in the United States and North America through an extensive collection of historical documents, imagery, and artifacts.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 nonprofit IRS 501(c)(3) organization. All financial and material donations to the 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.
Forthcoming Publications from the Motor Bus Society
Coming April 2026!
Production is now underway on the long-awaited history of New York City’s extensive commuter express bus network as told by long time NYC bus expert and historian, Edward R. Crew. MBS will publish this long awaited history in multiple issues of Motor Coach Age.
Release of the first issue is now confirmed for April 2026 and will include a general history of the New York City express bus phenomenon in Chapter 1, then followed in Chapter 2 with a detailed look at the express bus services and operators in the borough of Queens, where modern express bus services first started.
Forthcoming issues will be delving in the other NYC boroughs, next with a detailed look at The Bronx operators in Chapter 3 and Manhattan operations in Chapter 4. Release of these next chapters is anticipated for later in 2026.
Express buses were a found treasure for New York City commuters starting in the late 1960’s continuing through today. Express buses allowed outer borough city residents a speedy, comfortable and direct trip to a variety of destinations in both Lower and Midtown Manhattan. City residents now had a service on par with their New Jersey commuter counterparts. Commuters enjoyed the convenience of on-street delivery versus traveling via the centralized pandemonium of the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Prior to express buses, most outer borough resident had to use a combination of slow local bus routes connecting to subway or limited commuter rail stations where available. With the new express bus network now in place, for those who worked uptown or downtown, the one-seat bus ride replaced a long walk or slow Manhattan local bus, cab or subway rides. While we will start with a look at the colorful array services operated by the seven privately-owned, subsidized express bus operators, we will continue our story with the take over these carriers in starting in 2002 with the creation of MTA Regional Bus Operations and ending with a summary of express bus services in 2022.
So sit back and enjoy the ride!
This issue of Motor Coach Age will be sent to all MBS members in good standing as of 2022. A limited number of extra copies of this issue will be available to both MBS members and non-members for $35 per issue (shipping included). Please reach out to us via our contact page if you wish to purchase a copy while supplies last.