Fifth Avenue Coach Company was the pioneering urban bus operator in the United States. Beginning in 1885 with horse-drawn buses on its namesake avenue between Washington Square and 89th Street, the firm successfully introduced motor buses in 1907 and soon completely phased out the need for equine power. By 1956 Fifth Avenue Coach and its affiliated firms were the largest privately-owned urban bus operation in the United States, encompassing all of Manhattan and The Bronx, a portion of Queens, and half of Westchester County. In March 1962, the Fifth Avenue Coach Company was suddenly finished as a NYC bus operator.
Join long-time Transit Museum volunteer, CUNY instructor, and historian Andrew Sparberg for a digital discussion about this significant part of New York transit history. Learn about the management-provoked strike that spurred the end of the Fifth Avenue Coach Company and the prominent business, political, and labor leaders who played key roles in the drama.
Please Note: This discussion will take place online. Upon registration, all participants will receive a confirmation e-mail with instructions on how to participate. We encourage you to download the Zoom app in advance for the best user experience
Thank you for supporting the Transit Museum!
Please note: This program is free for members. To receive the member ticket price in your cart, current members must sign in above to verify membership.