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Text by Robert Lubinski
See Also
- A History of the GM/MCI/Nova Buses
- The GM Old Look Buses
- The GMC/MCI Classic
- GM’s New Look Articulated Buses
- The NovaBus LFS
- The NovaBus RTS
- The NovaBus LFS Articulated Buses
Special New Look Pages
Charter Reports
In the 1950’s General Motors began developing what was to be the basic transit bus design for North America, the model 5300 series. This model, designated the “New Look”, was the first new major city bus design in more than 20 years, and arguably the most successful. It was powered by a standard 6 cylinder “V” type engine with an automatic transmission and had many interior design, suspension and heating and ventilation improvements which made it the most comfortable bus to ride. Over the lifespan of the New Look, 44,484 buses were produced, 33,413 in the United States and 11,071 in Canada. These buses would provide the backbone of the TTC’s bus fleet for over 50 years.
The New Looks Come to Toronto
In 1959, the Toronto Transit Commission ordered 50 model 5301 New Looks (2900 - 2949), which were built by GM at Pontiac, Michigan. These buses entered service in January of 1960 and were greeted favourably by passengers and drivers. More orders followed, and production shifted to London, Ontario as the bus fleet expanded greatly during the mid-1960s when TTC service was extended along new suburban routes and buses replaced streetcars on some routes. Later, when the venerable GM ‘Old Looks’ and ‘Twin’ coaches were due for retirement, more New Looks were ordered to replace them.
Subsequent orders had different features as years went on such as the exhaust pipe moved up to near the rear roof, water bumpers, newer-design front safety bumpers, enhanced tail light/turn signal designs, updated seating from bench seats to individual seats, and mechanical improvements such as new transmissions. By 1978, the oldest New Looks were themselves being replaced by more New Looks. The TTC ordered its last 246 New Looks in 1982 (8740 - 8985) and as older New Looks were retired the fleet began to shrink in size.
An Ambitious Rebuild
By 1983, the TTC had purchased 2,077 New Look buses. It is difficult to estimate how many they had in their fleet when it was at its height, as new buses were bought in the seventies as the original buses were being retired, but the number was certainly in the thousands. The majority of these buses easily lived out their 18 year lifespan, and some lasted even longer.
By the early 1990s, however, even the youngest GM New Looks were beginning to show their age. However, at the time, the TTC was feeling the pressure of budget cuts, so the cost of purchasing new buses to replace their aging fleet seemed prohibitive. Much as the TTC was committed to expanding its fleet of new low floor vehicles, in 1995, the TTC decided that rebuilding its remaining GM New Look buses was most cost-effective step they could take to ensure their current fleet could continue to serve Torontonians. GM buses from 1977 to 1983 (8160-8204, 8270-8314, 8320-8369 and 8520-8985) were taken and completely refurbished. When put back on the streets, they were renumbered from 2000 to 2155, 2240 to 2485 and from 2700 to 2858. Some of these buses were rebuilt again in 2004. The first bus in the series, Birchmount-based 8942, debuted its new paint scheme on February 22, 1995 and was in revenue service on March 22. The first version of the livery retained its existing paint with the grey removed. The position of the large red side stripe on the first version resulted in the TTC crest on the side of the bus straddling the red stripe and the white area above it. The revised version of the simplified scheme on 8942, seen a few weeks later, shows the red stripe lowered so that the TTC crest fits entirely on the first white band below the windows. This paint scheme would later be the standard TTC livery for future bus orders beginning in 1996.
As ridership began to increase in the late 1990s and a bus shortage loomed, the TTC looked for inexpensive used GM New Looks to bolster their numbers. In September 1997, the TTC turned to a company which had acquired New Look buses from the Utah Transit Authority of Salt Lake City. A total of 30 New Looks were acquired by short term lease. These buses kept their old colours and had TTC decals hastily slapped on them. They were numbered 1002 to 1036. The lease ended in April 1998, by which time enough TTC GM New Looks had been rebuilt to take up the slack.
In 1999, the TTC purchased twenty second-hand buses from Montreal (STCUM), to be rebuilt and put into service. Numbered 2600-2619, these buses retained a number of unique features from their Montreal days, including gates in front of the rear door steps. This precluded their use on routes which made free transfers with the Toronto subway, as it was no longer possible to board via the rear doors. For this reason, these vehicles tended to be used on the 35 JANE route. These would be the last New Looks acquired by the TTC.
The Long Twilight
The 8740-8985 group, purchased in 1983, were given rebuilt again by 2004. In total, 561 New Looks were rebuilt, and another 20 added from Montreal. This number began to drop steadily as the TTC took delivery of new buses in the form of the Orion VII model. As more Orion VII buses entered service, the number of New Looks slowly dwindled until there were about 120 in service at the beginning of 2010, and just over 40 in service by early 2011.
The remaining New Looks were consolidated at the Mount Dennis division in March 2011 and were steadily confined to fewer routes as more bus routes were designated accessible. Following the designation of the 71 RUNNYMEDE and 90 VAUGHAN routes as accessible in early 2011, the remaining New Looks were assigned to the 52 LAWRENCE WEST route.
By the fall of 2011 only a dozen New Looks remained in service. December 16, 2011 was the last day of revenue service with buses 2281, 2286, 2290, 2444 and 2855 operating on the Lawrence West route. Bus 2281 had the honour of being the last New Look in revenue service and operated on the late-night Yonge Subway shuttle bus, running into the Mount Dennis garage in the early hours of December 17. However this was not the very last New Look to operate in Toronto. Bus 2252 was assigned to Toronto Island service, and remained active until March 2012.
Preservation
In 2010 the TTC approved the retention of two GM New Looks as historic vehicles, similar to the two PCC streetcars and Peter Witt streetcar. While the exact use of these buses isn’t known, it’s likely that they would be used for special events. One such event took place on July 5, 2012 as the TTC temporarily bussed the 510 SPADINA streetcar while it upgraded the tracks and platforms. The event coincided with the release of a new album by a musical group known as the Shuffle Demons. Two decades before, the group achieved cult status when they recorded the song Spadina Bus. A video, which featured extensive guerrilla filming of GM buses and the group partying with passengers along Spadina received considerable air play, and when the group released its new album in 2012, they saw the return of buses on Spadina as an excellent marketing opportunity. The TTC agreed, and brought GM New Look #2252 out of retirement, providing shuttle service on the route while the Shuffle Demons serenaded passengers on board, to the delight of the local media.
As the most recognizable bus and certainly the workhorse of the TTC fleet over the past 50 years, it is fitting that two GM New Looks are preserved by the TTC.
Fishbowl Condensed Roster:
- 2900 - 2949 - TDH 5301 - Delivered 1959
- 2950 - 2984 - TDH 5301 - Delivered 1960;
- 3100 - 3139 - TDH 5301 - Delivered 1962;
- 2985 - 2999 - TDH 4517 - Delivered 1960 (35 foot model);
- 3140 - 3149 - TDH 5302 - Delivered 1962;
- 3300 - 3379 - TDH 5303 - Delivered 1963;
- 3500 - 3599 - TDH 5303 - Delivered 1964-65;
- 3700 - 3799 - TDH 5303 - Delivered 1966;
- 7100 - 7179 - TDH 5303 - Delivered 1967;
- 3150 - 3174 - TDH 5304 - Delivered 1963;
- 3980 - 3999 - TDH 5304 - Delivered 1966-67;
- 7180 - 7199 - TDH 5304 - Delivered 1967;
- 7300 - 7354 - T6H 5305 - Delivered 1968-69;
- 7355 - 7395 - T6H 5305 - Delivered 1966-70;
- 7523 - 7552 - T6H 5305 - Delivered 1972
- 7570 - 7599 - T6H 5307N - Delivered 1973
- 7700 - 7774 - T6H 5307N - Delivered 1973
- 7775 - 7962 - T6H 5307N - Delivered 1974 - 75
- 8010 - 8117 - T6H 5307N - Delivered 1975
- 8140 - 8158 - T6H 5307N - Delivered 1976
- 8160 - 8204 - T6H 5307N - Delivered 1977; rebuilt, renumbered 2000 - 2155
- 8270 - 8314 - T6H 5307N - Delivered 1979; rebuilt, renumbered 2000 - 2155
- 8320 - 8369 - T6H 5307N - Delivered 1980; rebuilt, renumbered 2000 - 2155
- 8520 - 8985 - T6H 5307N - Delivered 1981-83; rebuilt, renumbered 2000 - 2155, 2240 - 2485, 2700 - 2858
- 2600 - 2619 - T6H 5307N - Delivered 1998 (Ex- STCUM Montreal) Retired 2005
- 2000 - 2155 - T6H-5307N - Rebuilt 1998-2000; retired 2005-2009
- 2240 - 2485 - T6H-5307N - Rebuilt 1998-2000; retired 2005-2011
- 2700 - 2858 - T6H-5307N - Rebuilt 1998-2000; retired 2005-2011
GM New Look Image Archive
TTC GM "New Look" bus 2926 poses with a 5B AVENUE ROAD rollsign, date unknown, but probably between 1957 and 1963. Photo courtesy the Toronto Archives. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #3900 loads passengers at Blondin Loop at the west end of the 96 WILSON bus route in this 1966 shot. The photographer is unknown and the image is courtesy the Pete Coulman collection. | |
A line of TTC GM New Look buses returns from the Exhibition heading downtown in this September 1971 shot by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #7744 operates southbound on 6 BAY, picking up passengers on King Street in this July 1974 shot. The photographer is unknown and the image is courtesy the John Knight collection. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #3349 pauses on Queen's Quay, just east of Bay, in 6 BAY service in 1975. Photo by Paul Bateson, courtesy the Rob Pineault collection. | |
TTC GM "New Look" TDH53 #7114 heads south along Bay Street at St. Joseph Street in summer 1976. Note the trolley bus wires overhead -- the TTC converted the 6 BAY route to trolley coach operation that September. Photo: Mitchell Libby. | |
TTG GM "New Look" bus #7387 heads westbound on St. Clair Avenue, crossing Brimley with comrades while in 86B SCARBORO service. Richard Glaze took this photograph in May 1977. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #3979 waits at Bathurst station to pick up passengers on 90 VAUGHAN in July 1977. The photographer is unknown and the image was donated by Pete Coulman. | |
TTC GM TDH 5303 "New Look" bus #3569 is seen operating in service on 90A VAUGHAN eastbound on St. Clair pulling into St. Clair West station just past Bathurst in this August 1978 shot. Bob Hussey took this photo, which comes to us from the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #3341 pauses at York Mills station, in service on the 97 YONGE route ("Yonge Blvd" branch) on October 5, 1982. The photographer is unknown. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #8176 heads southbound on Yonge Street at Hendon in 97 YONGE service on April 9, 1984. The photographer is unknown and the image is courtesy the Gilbert Ebling collection. | |
TTC GM T6H 5307N "New Look" bus #8338 poses at Bathurst station in service on 90 VAUGHAN in this shot, taken on September 11, 1990. This photograph is by David Cook and is used with his permission. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #8082 is seen on route 57 MIDLAND at Midland Avenue and Sheppard Avenue East. This photo was taken in November 1994 by Fred Tang, when that bus was less than a year before retirement. | |
TTC GM New Look rebuild bus #2010 seen departing Kennedy Station on South Service Road West and Transway Crescent operating on the 86A SCARBOROUGH service in January 1998. Photo taken by Jeff Bentley. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #2837 in service on route 74 MOUNT PLEASANT on March 7, 2003, at Eglinton loop. Photo by Jeff Bentley. | |
TTC GM "New Look" 2439 waits for a green light at the intersection of Vaughan Road and St.Clair Avenue West to proceed northward to Oakwood Avenue. Photo by Roman Fomin on December 19, 2009. | |
Bus models meeting side by side. TTC Flyer D-901 bus #6000 bearing the 96D WILSON sign poses with GM New Look (T6H-5307N) bus #8840 with the 96 WILSON exposure. The photographer is unknown. | |
The last of the Mohicans. Mount Dennis garage was the last place for iconic "Fishbowls" to have a rest in before being scrapped in Hillcrest Complex. All of them have been recently taken out of service after decades of work in Toronto Transit Commission. In this photo, GM TC40-102N buses ##6223 and 6221 share the backyard of Mount Dennis with GM "New Look" ##2265, 2855, 2444, 2299, 2271, 2266, 2280, 2472, 2302 buses at sunset. This photo was taken by Roman Fomin on December 18, 2011. | |
A line of TTC GM New Looks heads westbound on Bloor, approaching Bathurst, likely during a subway outage. This shot was taken by Richard Glaze in November 1976. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #8109 picks up passengers at Ossington station while its comrade, GM New Look #8525 lays over. Both are in service on 94 WELLESLEY in this mid 1980s shot. Photo by John Calnan. | |
Leased Utah 'Fishbowl' 1016 operates on the 36 FINCH WEST route in 1999. The Utah Fishbowls were later sold off to Quebec City and Brantford. Photo by Brad O'Brien. | |
TTC rebuilt GM New Look 2007 recently transferred from Birchmount to Wilson Complex is completing a right turn from Finch Avenue to southbound Dufferin on the 196A YORK UNIVERSITY EXPRESS route heading to Downsview station in this 2001 shot. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #2012 on a layover at Kennedy Station preparing its next run on the 116 MORNINGSIDE in winter 1998. This pkhoto was taken by Jeff Bentley. | |
TTC GM "New Look" buses 2058 and 2733 rest at the old Eglinton terminal in this September 1998 shot by Jeff Bentley. | |
David Cavlovic caught this picture of the TTC's rebuilt GM New Look 2080 in the 124 SUNNYBROOK bus bay at Lawrence station in 2001. | |
GM New Look rebuilds #2090 (ex-#8534), #8860 and #8902 going up the hill westbound on York Mills Road at Don Mills Road on October 4, 2001. #2090 was fully loaded on 95E YORK MILLS EXPRESS, 8860 was a 95 YORK MILLS locl, and 8902 was pulling into York Mills from Don Mills not in service. This photo was taken by Felix Tse. | |
TTC rebuilt GM New Look 2097 is seen here in 2001 operating eastbound on Lawrence east of Carnforth Road with the Main Toronto CPR Line in the background. The bus is in service on 54 LAWRENCE EAST to Orton Park. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #2102 seen in service on the 133 NEILSON at Scarborough Centre Station. Photo taken by Felix Tse on January 26, 2001. | |
TTC GM New Looks 2151, 8058 and 8051 pose alongside other buses in this July 2001 shot by Jeff Bentley. | |
In this photograph, taken during Duncan Shops Open Door on September 19, 2015, GM New Look bus is seen with rear engine removed. Presumably, the engine is undergoing a rebuild. Its two other comrads that were spared by TTC out of hundreds of "Fish Bowls" stand nearby (#2444 and #2345) in as it appears to be operational condition. Photo by Roman Fomin. | |
...a closer look at the rear of TTC GM New Look 2252. Note Orion VII bus 8064 that boasts its fresh coat of paint of a superb quality. Nice job, TTC! Photo by Roman Fomin. | |
TTC GM "New Look" #2252 is seen here being preserved and rebuilt at Hillcrest Shops on September 24, 2016. Photo by Patrick Yutiga. | |
TTC restored GM "New Look" bus #2252 poses as a display at the Canadian Urban Transportation Association 2018 conference. Photo by Gordon Aikman. | |
A rear view of the TTC's restored GM "New Look" bus #2252 at the CUTA 2018 conference. Photo by Gordon Aikman. | |
As "fishbowls" dissapeared from Toronto streets, these last few buses are put in storage in Mount Dennis garage before being scrapped. Photo by Roman Fomin on December 18, 2011. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #2354 is seen at Don Mills Station on February 16, 2004. This route was months away from discontinuation. The photographer is unknown. | |
Fishbowl meets Fish. Glenn Kapasky chronicles a rare meeting in 2005 between TTC GM New Look rebuild 2454 and the Happy Hippo amphibious bus. | |
TTC GM New Look (second hand from Montreal) operates on the 35 JANE route in 1999. Photo by Rob Hutchinson. | |
TTC GM New Look re-build 2702 patiently waits for passengers at the 57 MIDLAND bay at Kennedy Station in 2000. The bus in the background is an Orion V on the 20 CLIFFSIDE route. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
At the lower bus platform at Wilson station, looking north. Here, TTC rebuilt GM "New Look" 2716 has just alighted passengers on a 104 FAYWOOD run. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
GM re-build 2738 laoding for a short northbound 64 MAIN run in 2000. Notice the Ontario Drive Clean sticker, and the lack of a provincial government logo, signifying that the bus was no longer partially paid for by the province of Ontario. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
GM re-build 2746 speeds round the corner onto southbound Dufferin on 196 YORK UNIVERSITY EXPRESS service in 2001. Behind it is a GM re-build on 105 DUFFERIN NORTH with an Orion heading west on Finch. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC rebuilt GM New Look 2758 just turned east on to Finch completing a right-turn from Dufferin in this 2001 shot. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
Rebuilt TTC GM "New Look" 2758 loads passengers on Overbrook at Allen and Dufferin, preparing for its return trip to Wilson station, in the days before the line was rerouted to operate between Wilson and Downsview stations. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC rebuilt GM New Look 2773, seen here late at night westbound on 84 SHEPPARD WEST at Allen Road in 2000. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC GM Rebuild 2822 shows its back end to photographer Roman Fomin at Hillcrest on May 17, 2012, not long before retirement. | |
A shot of rebuilt TTC GM "New Look" 2845 from a distance. Photo by Jonathon Markowski. | |
A rebuilt GMC "New Look" fishbowl 2845 poses on Sheppard Avenue near Don Mills station, while serving passengers on route 10 VAN HORNE. Photo by Jonathon Markowski. | |
TTC GM New Look #2900 pauses at Sherborne garage during a November 1978 fan trip, showing off a 25B DON MILLS EXPRESS rollsign. Photo by Ted Wickson, courtesy the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC GM New Look sight-seeing buses 2905 and 2963, the former (on the left) bearing the TTC's rarer red-front colour scheme pose at Hillcrest Shops on September 9, 1961. Photo by Bill Hood. | |
TTC GM New Look bus Route 2917 pokes out of Davisville station's bus terminal, about to start out on its run to Lawrence and Bathurst in this 1960 shot. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #2969 waits next to GM New Look bus #2973, both on special service to the Woodbine Racetrack in this September 1977 shot. The photographer is unknown. | |
TTC GM New Look 2986 waits at Bicknell Loop on August 30, 1976. Photo donated by Pete Coulman. | |
TTC GM New Look 2986 poses at Birchmount Garage on May 30, 1966. Photo donated by Pete Coulman. | |
TTC GM New Look 2990 poses with a 2B ANGLESEY exposure, late in the 1950s. | |
After retirement from the TTC in the 1990s, GM New Look (model TDH-5301, built in 1962) bus #3121 had a second life under Markham Transit as #2055. It was converted to natural gas-hydraulic hybrid bus in 1996 by Fiba Canning Inc where it currently resides. While operating for Markham, it had a special Clean Air Bus livery when it was in revenue service. This photo was taken by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos on May 6, 2016. | |
TTC GM TDH 5304 class "New Look" bus #3155 operates southbound on Bay, near Dundas, in this late 1960s shot. Photo donated by Peter Coulman. | |
TTC GM TDH 5304 New Look bus #3172 heads westbound on St. Clair, crossing Clifton Road and passing the Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in this early 1970s shot. The bus is in service on 88 SOUTH LEASIDE. The photographer is unknown and the image is courtesy the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #3308, in service on 21A DANFORTH (the "Ellesmere-Luttrell via McCowan" branch) pulls into Luttrell loop while A8-class all-electric PCC #4456 pulls out in this 1966 shot by Anthony Holt. Image courtesy the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC GM "New Look" 3328 operates in 6 BAY service, passing TTC GM "New Look" 7149, on a special service bound for the Exhibition in this August 1969 scene. Both buses are southbound at Bay and Dundas. Photo donated by Peter Coulman from the collection of John Knight. | |
TTC New Look bus #3342 heads southbound on Bathurst, having crossed Lawrence, in 7E BATHURST "Wilmington" service. This shot was taken circa early 1970 and is courtesy of the Leonard Jacks collection. | |
TTC GM "New Look" #3347 heads westbound on St. Clair Avenue East, passing Brimley Road in 86 SCARBOROUGH service. This shot was taken circa November 1972 by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM TDH 5303 "New Look" bus #3505 lays over at York Mills statin's bus terminal on opening day, March 31, 1973. It is bearing a 98 WILLOWDALE rollsign exposure on the front, but on the side, it's showing part of the 59 NORTH YONGE "Via Willowdale" exposure, which is the route that 98 WILLOWDALE replaced. The photograph is by Bob Hussey and the image is courtesy the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #3541 heads westbound on Front Street, crossing York Street in Exhibition Flag Service circa August 1971. This shot was taken by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #3548 heads up a column of similar buses behind City Hall as part of special service for the Toronto Caravan multicultural festival. Richard Glaze took this photo on July 1, 1973. | |
TTC GM TDH 5303 "New Look" bus #3556 poses eastbound on Crescent Road at Rosedale Road on April 27, 1981. Photo by Ted Wickson, from the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #3564 heads southbound on Bay, about to cross Dundas in 6 BAY service. This shot was taken circa May 1973 by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #3564 operates in 6 BAY service, southbound on Bay Street, pausing at Dundas Street. This photo was taken circa October 1973 by Richard Glaze. | |
Jack Hannah stumbled upon the wreck of TTC GM "New Look" bus #3564 in April 2014 and snapped these photographs. | |
The bus was shrouded by trees near Highway 7 outside of Peterborough. It had been pretty much trashed and stripped. Photo by Jack Hannah. | |
The bus had clearly been there a long time, judging from the trees that were growing through the window frames. Photo by Jack Hannah. | |
The frame is crumpling, and the elements are taking their toll. Photo by Jack Hannah. | |
TTC GM Fishbowl 3590 poses in Islington station in the days leading up to the opening of the extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway line. | |
TTC GM New Look Route 3703 turns off of Danforth Avenue into Luttrell loop in this 1966 scene. Photo by Peter Cox, donated by Pete Coulman. | |
TTC GM TDH-5303 "New Look" #3733 sits at Danforth garage, bearing a 17 BIRCHMOUNT rolling, on September 5, 1967. Alongside it is an older vehicle in SCHOOL BUS service. The photographer is Harry E. Bennett Jr. and the image is courtesy the Gilbert Ebling collection. | |
TTC GM New Look operates east on Eglinton Avenue, past Mount Pleasant, in service on 34 EGLINTON EAST. Photo by Pete Cox. | |
TTC GM New Look bus 3739 poses with a 72 PAPE rollsign exposure outside of Danforth Garage in this July 1975 shot. This photo is by J.D. Morgan and is courtesy the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #3739 turns from Sherbourne onto Front Street in this February 1971 shot. The photographer is unknown. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #3748 seen arriving at Finch station via Bishop Avenue on the 53 STEELES EAST route in September 1977. Photo by Bob Hussey. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #3764 heads into Main Street Station circa 1970 in 20 CLIFFSIDE service. Photo by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #3913 has just departed Lansdowne station on Wade Avenue, bearing a 41 KEELE "Short Turn" sign. Photo by Jim Blair, courtesy the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #3931 sits next to Marmon-Harrington trolley coach #9149, along with other comrades at Lansdowne Garage circa October 1971. Photo by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM New Look 3949 poses at Wilson Garage (the Allen Expressway is behind it) bearing an experimental flip-dot display destination sign (a Luminator LIDS model) in this September 1977 shot. The photographer is unknown. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #3949 boards passengers at Pine Loop at the west end of the 74 PORT CREDIT route on October 16, 1971. Photo by J. Boros, donated by Pete Coulman. | |
TTC New Look 3964 poses on Scott Street, about to make a northbound run on 19 CHURCH. Photo donated by Peter Coulman. | |
TTC GM New Look #3999 operates eastbound on Eglinton, crossing Mount Pleasant for 51 LESLIE in this 1974 shot. Photo by Peter Cox. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #7100 has pulled out of Coxwell Loop in 22 COXWELL service. This photo was taken circa June 1970 by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #7167 lays over at Bingham Loop in 22 COXWELL service circa March 1970. This photo was taken by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #7167 pauses at Bingham Loop in 22 COXWELL service. Richard Glaze caught this photograph circa April 1970. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #7181 operates on Main Street, in service on 64 MAIN, approaching Danforth Avenue from the south. Photo by Pete Cox. | |
TTC GM New Look 7197 waits to enter service at Lansdowne Garage on a cold day in February 1974. The day before, it served on 41C KEELE. Photo donated by Peter Coulman. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #7313 enters Warden Station from eastbound on St. Clair Avenue East in 43 KENNEDY service. This shot was taken by Richard Glaze circa August 1970. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #7324 heads westbound on St. Clair Avenue East, crossing Brimley in 86 SCARBOROUGH service, circa April 1972. Photo by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #7345 poses at Eglinton Garage, bearing a 56 LEASIDE rollsign in this 1970 shot. The photographer is unknown. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus lays over at Lansdowne Garage on April 25, 1971, after having served on the 94 WELLESLEY route. This photo was taken by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GMC "New Look" bus 7372 poses on York Street just south of the Gardiner Expressway in this October 11, 1969 shot. Photo by Peter Cox. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #7373 prepares to turn from westbound Front to southbound Bathurst in shuttle service to Ontario Place. This shot was taken circa June 1971 by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #7386 heads southbound on Kennedy Road, leaving 95 YORK MILLS service back to Birchmount Garage. This shot is looking north towards Eglinton Avenue East and was taken by Richard Glaze near the end of November 1980. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #7388 heads back to Birchmount Division after a days work on 54 LAWRENCE EAST. Seen here at Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton. Photo by Pete Cox. | |
TTC GM New Look #7390 is seen at Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton operating on the 56 LEASIDE route. Photo by Pete Cox. | |
TTC GM T6H 5305 New Look bus #7523, having been recently retired, was still called out for a charter. It is seen here on Norseman in this April 1992 shot, years after the 121 NORSEMAN route was discontinued. In spite of its short lifespan, the 121 NORSEMAN route was able to take advantage of a number of "cut-ins" built by the City of Etobicoke for certain transit stops. These weren't done for the route, but decades earlier when a rush hour branch of the 69 QUEENSWAY route served Norseman.. The photographer is unknown (possibly Ted Wickson) and the image is courtesy the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #7549 is seen operating on 34 EGLINTON EAST at Mt. Pleasant. Photo by Pete Cox. | |
Sometime during the mid-1980s, Bob Hussey captured TTC GM New Look bus #7588 picking up passengers at Donlands Station running on the 83 JONES service. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #7716, in service on 109 RANEE, is passed by Flyer Industries D800A bus #7968, in service on 52 LAWRENCE, at Lawrence West station on February 8, 1978. This photograph was taken by Patrick Semple and is courtesy the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #7732 pauses at Wellington Street West between Yonge and Bay in 77 SPADINA service. This image was taken circa April 1976 by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #7745 heads southbound on Bay Street, crossing Grosvenor, in 6 BAY service in this May 1975 shot by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #7748 heads southbound on Bay Street at Union Station circa August 1976. Photo by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #7754 heads southbound on Bay, crossing Edward and passing the Toronto Coach terminal in 6 BAY service. This May 1975 photo was taken by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #7760 heads westbound on St. Clair Avenue East, passing Brimley in this October 1976 shot by Richard Glaze. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #7777 heads westbound on Kingston Road, near Manse Road in 86 SCARBORO service. Richard Glaze took the photograph circa August 1975. | |
TTC GM T6H 5307N "New Look" bus #7779 poses beside GM Classic #6261 at Malvern Garage on January 1, 1988. Both buses are bearing 321 YORK MILLS BLUE NIGHT rollsign exposures. Photo by Dave Chalmers, from the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #7795 heads westbound on St. Clair Avenue East, crossing Brimley Road in 86 SCARBOROUGH service. Richard Glaze took this photograph circa June 1976. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #7798 bears a 95 YORK MILLS exposure while at Birchmount Garage in this August 1976 shot. Its neighbour, TTC GM New Look bus #7781, bears the same sign. This photo was taken by Keith Littlewood and donated from the Pete Coulman Collection. | |
TTC GM "New Look" #8015 pauses to pick up passengers at Coxwell loop at Queen Street in this 1975 shot. Photo donated by Peter Coulman. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #8027 seen at Finch station operating on route 39F FINCH EAST EXPRESS service in October 1992. Photo taken by Fred Tang. | |
1975 Vintage New Look 8051 at the Arrow Road garage in 1999. This was one of the last TTC buses to carry a rollsign. Photo by Brad O'Brien. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #8056 has just received the new yellow and black mylar when the bus was photographed by Fred Tang in July 1995. Here it was seen operating on the 34 EGLINTON EAST service at Kennedy Station. #8056 together with most of the other 1975 GM buses were retired as the #7000 series Orion Vs arrived in 1996. The bus at the background is #8167. | |
Fred Tang caught TTC GM New Look bus #8058 after refurbishment in the summer of 1996 (also the time when most of the 1975 Fishbowls retired from Malvern), #8058 received large number on the front. Here, it is seen operating on the 39E FINCH EAST EXPRESS service. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #8058 poses at Scarborough Centre station on a charter in this July 2001 shot by Jeff Bentley. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #8271, after retrofitted with electronic signs, seen at Finch station preparing its next run on route 53A STEELES EAST in April 1992. This photo was taken by Bob Hussey. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #8284, wrapped for Milk covering the entire bus in blue, in service on route 60B STEELES WEST on the intersection of Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue on a summer day of Monday, August 22, 1988. This photo was taken by Bob Hussey, which is donated by Jelo Gutierrez Cantos. | |
TTC GM New Look #8325 poses at Hanlon's Point. Photo by Ted Wickson, donated from the collection of Scott Richards. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #8330 operates westbound on St. Clair, approaching Mount Pleasant in service on 88 SOUTH LEASIDE in this July 1986 shot. Photo by Tom Twigge, courtesy the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC GM New Look #8602 is running southbound on Dufferin just north Sheppard Avenue in service on 108 DOWNSVIEW route. The bus has left Allen Road running first north then east via a bus-only roadway and is heading south to turn right (west) onto Sheppard Avenue, thus avoiding a complicated left-hand turn. The day is February 4, 1984, and the old house in the background has long since vanished, in place of an Idomo store. Photo by Jeffrey Kay. | |
TTC GM New Look #8632 pulls out of a stop near Dufferin Mall in service on the 29 DUFFERIN route in this July 1997 shot by Jeff Bentley. | |
TTC GM T6H-5307 "New Look" bus #8653 departs Islington station in 110 ISLINGTON SOUTH service on August 20, 1982. The photograph is by T.E. Dorsey and is courtesy the Gilbert Ebling collection. | |
Up-close and personal with parked GM re-builds (8678 and one other) at the south end of Bay #10 at Eglinton station. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC GM New Look 8710 passes ALRV 4216 on Queen Street east of Broadview in the summer of 1999, performing shuttle service on 501 QUEEN during track repairs. Photo by Brad O'Brien. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #8748 as seen in the Ellesmere/Kingston Loop resting on route 95F YORK MILLS on April 14, 1993. This photo was taken by Paul A. Bateson and used with permission. | |
TTC GM T6H 5307N "New Look" bus #8756 departs Warden station in service on the 102A "Progress" branch of 102 MARKHAM ROAD in this September 1985 shot by Patrick Semple. Note the "Estate Drive" window card. Photo courtesy the Pete Coulman collection. | |
TTC rebuilt GM New Look 8758 westbound on 36B FINCH WEST at Dufferin, while traffic passes in the summer of 2000. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
A bevy of rebuilds (8762, 2079 and the rear of 8956) at Lawrence West station in the spring of 2001. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC GM "New Look" bus #8775 operates on Casebridge Road on a revision of the 133 NEILSON bus on New Year's Day, 1988. Photo by Dave Chalmers, courtesy the John Knight collection. | |
TTC rebuilt GM New Look 8781 appoaching the eastbound bus bay at Wilson station on its run as a 165 WESTON ROAD NORTH to York Mills station in 2002. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC GM New Look 8781 turning southwest from Bergamot to westbound Rexdale in the summer of 2001. The 37A ISLINGTON branch saw service increased to seven days a week, eighteen hours a day that year due to rapid devolpment west of Woodbine Centre. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #8790 pulls up to Don Mills Road, westbound on Sheppard in 85 SHEPPARD EAST service on September 15, 1995. Photo by Robert Lubinski. | |
TTC GM New Look re-build 8831 having just arrived at Lawrence West Station is just as quickly preparing to leave for Lawrence Station on the 52 LAWRENCE WEST route in spring 2001. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
In the mid 1980s, GM New Look 8842 poses with a fresh coat of paint, advertising service to Sherway Gardens on its rollsign. | |
GM re-build 8849 on a 104 FAYWOOD run inside the Wilson lower bus terminal in 2000. Photo by David Cavlovic | |
TTC GM New Look re-build 8849 seen heading southbound on 45 KIPLING at Finch in spring 2001. The route is shared by the Arrow Road and Queensway Divisions. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC GM New Look bus #8876 seen in service laying over at Kennedy Station preparing its next run on the 131E NUGGET EXPRESS during the afternoon rush hour on January 3, 2002. This photo was taken by Stephen Lam, from the Felix Tse collection. | |
Rebuilt TTC GM "New Look" 8913 runs southbound on Wilmington at Overbrook in service on 104 FAYWOOD, heading for Wilson station. In this July 2001 shot, threatening skies are in the background. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC GM New Look re-build 8927 on a beautiful spring afternoon westbound on Overbrook at Allen and Dufferin, in service on 104 FAYWOOD in the spring of 2001. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
Rebuilt TTC GM "New Look" 8968 operates late on a Saturday night picking up passengers at Wilson station for a northbound run on 104 FAYWOOD. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC rebuilt GM New Look #8976 rests at Finch station prepares its next run on the 60E STEELES WEST EXPRESS during the rush hour period in September 1997. Photo by Jeff Bentley. | |
Bay #10 at the original Eglinton station bus terminal sees a number of GM re-builds at rest in this 2000 shot. Photo by David Cavlovic. | |
TTC GM New Looks and Flyer D-901 buses gather at Hillcrest, at the end of their service life. John Spence took this image of these buses bound for the scrap heap in 2006. |
References
- Bus World Encyclopedia of Buses, Stauss Publications, Woodland Hills (California), 1988.
- Diesel City Bus, Toronto Transit Commission, Toronto (Ontario), 1991.
- Toronto Transit Commission 7200-7251, Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board Wiki, Website.
- Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board Wiki
- Rail & Transit, Upper Canada Railway Society, March-April 1995.