Metropolitan Transit Authority 788

Mack Trucks (originally named Mack Brothers Company) built its first bus in 1900 and continued in the bus business until 1960. Early buses were usually gasoline powered. Mack began building diesel buses in 1938. No. 788 is a model C-41GT, with 41 indicating the number of seats, G for gasoline and T for “Turbomatic” torque converter transmission. Mack produced a total of 7095 Model C buses in different varieties between 1945 and 1960. The Mack model C buses had heavy frames giving them a reputation for being tough and durable. However, compared with competing General Motors buses, the Macks required a larger engine which made them more expensive to operate. The Boston Elevated Railway and Metropolitan Transit Authority purchased 60 Model C-41GT Mack buses while neighboring Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway owned 109. No. 788 is one of a group of twenty C-41GT buses, Nos. 780-799, ordered by the BERy but delivered to the newly created Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1947. The MTA’s paint scheme was cream in the window area, a red belt rail and orange below the belt rail. The MTA assigned No. 788 to Boston’s busiest route – Allston/Dudley Station. No. 788 spent most of its operating life based at the Bartlett Street garage. No. 788 remained on the property when the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority assumed ownership in 1964. No. 788 was one of 10 Model C Macks still running in 1966. In December of that year, the MBTA retired its remaining gasoline buses, including No. 788 and Seashore’s White bus No. 2824. The MBTA bus fleet became entirely diesel powered. Alan Pommer acquired No. 788 when it was retired in 1966. Pommer transferred it to Seashore in 1987.