Third and Amsterdam Avenues Line

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The Third and Amsterdam Avenues Line, also known as the Third Avenue Line, is a public transit line in Manhattan, New York City, United States, running from Lower Manhattan to Fort George in Washington Heights. Originally a streetcar line, it is now the M101 bus route, operated by the New York City Transit Authority. The M101 bus now runs southbound on Lexington Avenue rather than Third Avenue north of 24th Street.

[edit] M101 bus

The current form of the M101 spans between Astor Place and Third Avenue in the East Village and West 193rd Street and Fort George Avenue in Fort George. The M101 runs on Third Avenue from Astor Place to East 125th Street, while southbound buses use Lexington Avenue north of East 24th Street. The M101 continues crosstown on 125th Street to Amsterdam Avenue, running north on to West 193rd Street after Amsterdam Avenue becomes Fort George Avenue.

The M101 runs as a limited-stop service during the day south of East 125th Street, with no other local service. Local service is provided by the M102 and M103 buses, during that time. Overnight and weekend morning service runs local. [1]

[edit] History

The Third Avenue Railroad opened the line in 1853, from Astor House (Broadway and Park Row) north along Park Row, the Bowery (shared with the Second Avenue Line), and Third Avenue to 86th Street; an extension to East Harlem opened in 1859. Using the One-Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Street Railroad and trackage along Amsterdam Avenue, Third Avenue cars were also operated to Fort George. Buses were substituted for streetcars by the Surface Transportation Corporation on May 28, 1947. It was operated by Fifth Avenue Coach Lines from 1956 to 1962, when the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority took over operations. On July 17, 1960, most of Third Avenue became one-way northbound, and southbound buses were moved to Lexington Avenue.[2]

[edit] References