About
Climb aboard Betsy, a 1931 double-decker and a 1959 Fishbowl bus parked under the Brooklyn Bridge at the Transit Museum's free Bus Festival.
The museum rolls out its vintage fleet, from Betsy, a 1931 Fifth Avenue Coach double-decker, to Bus 3100, a 1956 prototype that was the first air-conditioned transit bus in the country. For the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Bus 2185, known as Pamela, which was badly damaged at the World Trade Center and later rebuilt, is also on display. For the best free photo op of the weekend, pose with classic buses and the Manhattan skyline.
What to expect
A plaza lined with restored buses you can step inside, each with a bit of its history on display nearby. Transit workers are on hand to answer questions, activities for kids run throughout the day, and the bridge and skyline frame every picture. It runs rain or shine.
Good to know
- Take the F to York St or the A or C to High St, then walk toward the waterfront under the Brooklyn Bridge
- Advance registration is encouraged but not required, and registrants are entered in a museum membership raffle
- The event runs rain or shine
- Strollers are common; lines to board the most popular buses move steadily
- The museum notes that equipment on display is subject to change
Common questions
Do I need a ticket?
No. The museum says the Bus Festival is free; registering in advance is encouraged but optional.
Which buses will be there?
The museum's highlights include Betsy (1931), Bus 3100 (1956), Bus 100 (1959) and Pamela (2001), though the lineup can change.