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To the editor:
Last week marked the 55th Anniversary of NYC Transit bus drivers no longer having to use a coin collector to make change for riders. Aug. 31st, 1969, was the first day that bus riders either had to deposit a subway token or the exact amount in coins directly into the fare box.
Drivers would no longer be required to make change. They could concentrate on driving instead of multi-tasking. It became the passenger's responsibility to deposit the exact fare in cash or subway token directly into the fare box when boarding the bus.
All the driver had to do was look through the upper portion of the fare box and make sure that the fare was paid. Previously, drivers had to deal with potential robbery while in service due to carrying cash. Safety increased for drivers and passengers. On‐time performance improved as passenger boarding time sped up.
Drivers no longer had to deal with money when returning to the bus garage. Other transit employees known as “vault pullers” would unlock the bottom of the fare box and empty the contents. Coins and subway token revenue would be sorted, counted and wrapped within the safe confines of a secure money room within the garage.
Even with the recent fare increase, MTA public transportation using your Metro or OMNY card is still one of the best bargains in town.
Larry Penner
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