Bob Redden 1938-2004

The bus fan community has lost one of its leading lights. Transporation photographer Bob Redden, who had been in poor health for a number of years, has died at the age of 66.

Redden was editor and publisher of International Bus Collector, and his photographs of buses from all eras have appeared in virtually every major bus publication. He is survived by his wife Donna and seven children.

Bus Camp is a web site that is advertising for the 2004 "Jersey Roundup", seeking owners of former NJ Transit MC-9's. The Roundup is in early October, in Sarcoxie, MO.

Not every one of the 1,115 "Jersey Cruisers" made it into private hands; some were junked, some were sold to other charter companies, but the attractively low purchase prices (which I believe were from $13,000 and up) made this a steal for people who love to tinker with old buses and turn them into relatively cheap motorhomes. Drop Dell and/or JR a line and tell 'em you're coming to the Roundup!

VIVE LE DIFFERENCE!

So which do you prefer?

Me too.

We will be working on upgrading many of our slide scans, thanks to a newer and better slide scanner, and we'll have some new pix on the site too as a result.

Getting NJT Pictures Now Like Pulling Teeth

I had a visit yesterday with Charlie Sullivan, president of the Motor Bus Society. One of the documents he showed me was an official NJT letter of permission for him and his traveling companion to do photography in and around the River Line, the relatively new light rail system that runs along the Delaware River waterfront from Trenton to Camden. Apparently, you have to ask NJT for permission to do photography of their equipment now. Guess I'll be hanging my camera up for a while. But the good news is that very soon, we will be opening up our archives and featuring many more pictures of older bus equipment. Watch for them soon.

Transitalk Back Up

Trevor Logan's fine website, Transitalk, has been missing in action for quite some time. We are pleased to report he's back up at www.transitalk.info. Just don't ask him about 8462.

Yes, Virginia, MC-9's are still out there!

But you have to know where to look.

Carefree Bus Lines, an operator who's had a long history of running the oldest buses in the NJT fleet, has the only two surviving units of the 700 bus MC-9 order of 1982-1984, which are 6728 and 6757.

Trans-Hudson Express, which needed replacements for the dying 1989 Flxible Suburbans in the 3200 series, has turned to the slightly older MC-9's from the 1987 batch of 415. There are 15 buses in all. Beginning in 2002, NJT began systematically retiring some of the '89 Flxs.

As of January 2004, these buses were the only MC-9's left anywhere in NJT-land.

Update On The Nates Item Below

The bus owned by NJT was not the one that was smashed into the casino facade. Thanks for asking!