Hi everybody!
I enjoy this message board very much as well as everyone who participates in it. I am currently working on a public access show about the Transit System. If you guys have anything that you would like to see on it or have topics that you want to see discussed on the show plwase feel free to post them here or on my e-mail. I look foward to your input and maybe if anyone is up to it they can be a guest on the show.
Thank in advance.
Peace@
DaShawn
Anybody have the M15 signs
there must be a ton of them
1st Line
2nd line
3rd Line
4th Line
M15 Limited
city hall
via 2 av
M15 57 St
M15 Limited
South Ferry
via 2 Av
M15 Limited
Houston St
M15 23 st
M15 14 St
M15 East Harlem
125 st
via 1 Av
M15 City Hall
via 2 Av
M15 Limited
east Harlem
125 St
via 1 Av
M15 South Ferry
via 2 Av
M15 96 St
M15 Houston St
M15 Limiited
96 st
M15 Chatham Sq
M15 79 st
M15 50 St
Total 16 Readings
dated 9/98
Steve
Does anyone have an Updated 1999 listing of Bus routes vs ..Depots
Example
B64 Ulmer Park Depot
M15 126 st
Thank you
Steve
Does anybody have those destination signs
1st Line
2nd LIne
3rd line
4th Line
This is the format I use,,these are all from
Official Documents---I do not give out the
Programming codes
____________________________________________________
M106 E Harlem
F D R Drive
Crosstown
M106 W END Av
Crosstown
M106 5 Av
M106 BWay
M106 Rivrsde Dr
M106 5 Av ( 1 is EB ,,1 is WB (5 AV))
___________________________________________________
Q32 Jackson Hts
Northern --81
Via Roosvlt
Q32 Midtown
Penn Sta
Q32 Jackon HTs
74 St
Q32 Midtown
57 st==5 Av
Q32 Madisn--57 st
Q32 Midtown
42 st
Q32 Queens Bl
46 St
____________________________________________________
_
M9 15 St
Union Sq
M9 Bat Bk City
M9 Bellevue
1 Av==27 St
M9 CHatham Sq
M9 34 St--1 Av\
____________________________________________________
M14 10 Av
Crosstown
via Av A
M14 Union Sq
via Av A
M14 Union Sq
via Av C
M14 Union Sq
via Av D
M14 8 Av
M14 Delancy --FDR
Crosstown
Via Av C
M14 Abingdon Sq
Crosstown
via Av C
M14 Delancy -_FDR
Crosstown
via Av D
M14 Abingdon Sq
Crosstown
via Av D
M14 Grand ---FDR
Crosstown
Via Av A
M14 Abindgon Sq
Crosstown
Via Av A
M14 10 Av
Crosstown
Via Av C
M14 8 Av
M14 10 Av
Crosstown
via Av D
If you see any new signs for the M14 please let me
know ,,possibly reflecting Chelsea Piers or West 18
St
____________________________________________________
M11 Riverbnk
145 st
via 10 Av
M11 West Vill
Abingdon Sq
via 9 Av
M11 West Harlem
135 st
via 10 Av
M11 34 st
M11 110 St
M11 125 st
I did not know the M9 went up to 34 Street.
Please let me know if see any new readings reflecting Chelsea Piers,,or West 18 St
Thank you
Steve
Does anybody have those destination signs?
There are dozens and dozens of signs
Does anybody have a Brooklyn Bus Map from 1988?
yo new york graph boyswhat is up
props to the graph seen in nyc/ piece out fr/ kode.sab/ftc cru!
keep it raw
[yo new york graph boyswhat is up
props to the graph seen in nyc/ piece out fr/ kode.sab/ftc cru!
keep it raw]
Once more, in English?
David
Does anybody know about the Bx54?
I know it ran until the early 90's. I have old bus maps and I do have an old Bronx map with the Bx 54. I think it ran on Westchester Av. I am not sure.....
It operated between Purdy Street & Metropolitan Ave (Parkchester) to Sothern Blvd & Westchester Ave. For many years it operated out of Coliseum depot. In it's last days (early 1980's) it came out of West Farms, then Walnut depot.
Wayne
The Bx54 began life as the Bx-5A Story Av bus back in 1963 or 64 when EJ Korvette opened their store at Story Av and White Plains Road.It ran from Southern Blvd and Westchester Av via Stn Blvd,Hunts Point Av,Bruckner Blvd,Bronx River Av,Story Av,Looped thru Korvettes then White Plains Rd to Hugh Grant Circle in Parkchester.Some time later it was extended to Purdy St and Metropolitan Av.It was then referred to as Bx-5A Story Av-Parkchester. When the new bus maps were issuedon July 1,1974 the designation was changed to Bx-54. The route was discontinued about Sept of 1990. Hope this helps.
Best Wishes,Larry,RedbirdR33
In numerical order, the longest bus routes in Brooklyn are:
B6,B8,B41,B44,B46,B49,B82. The longest bus route I think is the B44(north-south) and the B6(east-west). I know people will say the B41 is the longest bus route but I disagree. The B44 is definitely the longest.
you absolutky right but, what about the b68 b35 and b12?
Not the B68, If you put the B68 in there, you might as well the B63 and B37. As far as the B12 and B35 is concerned, why not put in the B38 and B52. I do not agree with you..
I was just askin since iwas not sure if they were going in a certain order from first longest. sorry.
Does anybody know about the M103 59 Street Crosstown?
M103 in not 59st crosstown. M103 go from 125st lexington ave to City Hall.
An old version of the 103 ran from 59st and sutton place to 72 and bway. Its shown on a 1980 manhattan map.
It appears to mirror what the M57 does now, except the 57 runs on 57 street as the defunct M28 did. At 11th/West End avenue it turns north to 72 and bway.
The 103 ran on 59 street/Central park South
The M-103 59 Street Crosstown was a Surface Transit route. It ran from 72 St/Bway via West End Av,W 58 St,Central Park So,E 59 St to York Av. Westbound buses ran via E 60 St,5 Av,Central Pk So,W 60,Columbus,W59,West End to 72 St/Bway. This service was discontinued in 1989. Starting about the fall of 1995 the M-103 was assigned to 3 Av-Lexington Av buses between 125 St and City Hall.
Regards,Larry
Does anybody know about the Q12A
I believe it became the Q79???
Since I am no longer an NYC resident, I am curious to know what, if anything happened to the B-22 Atlantic Ave route; it used to run betweeen Bway - Lafayette Ave (Bklyn) via Bway, ENY Junction, Atlantic Avenue, out to Jamaica in Queens terminating at Parsons Blvd and 89th Avenue. This route paralleled the BMT 14/15 later J/Z for the entire route.
Also is there a listing for signs for the Q85? Thanks!
B22 became the Q24
Q24 Bushwick
Vn Buren St
Q24 Alabama Av
Q24 Bway Jct
Vn Sndrn Av
Q24 Jamaica
168 St
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Q85 Lmited
Jamaica
Prsns---Archer
Q85 Green Acres
Q85 Jamiaca
Prsns--Archer
Q85 Rchdale Vil
Farmers Bl
Q85 Rosdale
147 Av
Q85 Limited
Rosedale
147 Av
Q85 Spngfld Bl
143 Rd
Q85 Bailsey Bl
Does anyone know the weekend schedule for the NYCT Orion 6 "Hybrid" buses. What lines do they run? What times?
Thanks for your help.
-Andrew
I have read in your bustalk messege that you are getting new readings very shortly. I would like to know on when you'll have this information. Also, in that same messege, you said that I have listings you would not believe. I would like to know if you are referring to the new readings you'll be getting in which the information is on.
Sincerely,
Michael
5/99 scheduled to be release
The listings I have and will have show proposed extensions,,and some new areas
The Subway Shuttles,are very numerous and these can not be listed,,there are a almost 100 or so
I will be getting these shortly --1999 version
...
the One I am waiting for is the NEW M20
Have you ever considered a web page for all you readings? I'm thinking someone could write a java program that created a display style similar to that used on the buses. You could input the route you wanted, and the 'sign' would display just as it would on the bus..
-Hank
I would need the basic assistance
==How or where can I get info on the set up procedures
I have the idiot proof WebTv
Steve
To John,
I would like to know what is a Centralized Road Service Division.
Also, will Crosstown be a painting facility after this new division opens & will this depot reopen as a bus depot.
Sincerely,
Michael
Centralized road service will pool all of the road services (tow and road trucks). Should result in decreased times for service calls.
So lets see, they actually believe that on a road call to Tottenville in SI lets say, it will take less time to get a road truck to them??
No the truck will not be dispatched from xtown to tottenville. They will station a vehicle in Staten Island to handle road calls.
I was just curious if anybody had information on the bus operator on the B26 who was involved in an accident at Halsey and Stuyvesant about 5pm Monday afternoon. I heard he was pinned for a time.
I believe it was bus 9601 and it was run 13.
I believe that the operator's name is Harris. He has approx. one year on the job. His father (now deceased) was also a B.O. at Fresh Pond.
More importantly ,,how is the Operator ,,any passengers injured
Steve
NYC Fire Department
I hope 9601 gets scrapped!
I disagree. NYCT has put lots of monetary and manpower resources in keeping their new buses in tip top shape. Fresh Pond gets lots of mileage out of their new buses. The repair bill is just part of that investment.
Do you really think Fresh Pond depot's new buses are in tip top shape?
All except 4212.
I heard that 4212 was immediately dispatched to Wyckoff ave for B26 service.
<>
A vote of confidence for the Novas!
The Nova's get a thumbs up from me. I love them! These buses are the cleanest burning diesel powered buses I have ever seen and they have a good ride. What bothers me is that whom ever approved the order of these buses we just got is an idiot! Why would you order half of the fleet with a wheelchair lift that is proven to be slow and full of bugs and sometimes delivered from the manufacturer in non-working order. I would have thought that the TA learned their lesson when the 84xx, 85xx, 86xx and early 87xx buses had to have all of their lifts replaced with a really good model that works and it's fast. Now here we go again the 94xx, 95xx, and 96xx series buses will have to go through the same thing. Just a thought, Let me know what you guys think!
Peace
DaShawn
it seems nyct just loves to waste our money. heres what i heard about another problem from yukon. the radio headsets on the mci are all defective and must be replaced. the headset must be kept off its base to hear it and while driving on highway it could fall on you. nyct ordered wrong headset and must pay 300,000 or more to fix. this problem also extends to 4900-5249. just plain idiots!
I sounds like some person(s) with purchasing power is simply signing off on things without doing their homework first.
It is 4742 was on the B26 that had an accident, fire damaged and scrapped.
4742 has been awaiting scrap for several months now.
I believe 4742 occurred back in October or so. It's been that on the roster for some time.
Anybody know where I can get bus decals? Like a Flatbush depot decal or something.......
A couple of years ago I bought some at the Transit Museum.
How much did you pay for these decals? Were they any old ones like Crosstown or West Farms?
I don't remember exactly, but it may have been about $1. I don't think it was more than $2. I had purchased the old KB, ENY and a Quality Control Bus decal.
This may be a stretch but here it goes. I'm in desperate need for any Brooklyn or Queens bus system maps from the 1960s (any bus maps dated from 1962-1969). If anyone has any leads, please contact me here or by e-mail at: gallant7@mailexcite.com
This is a desperate request and I can reciprocate accordingly. Thank you in advance!
Cheers,
MIKE
Does anyone know if there is a printed public bus timetable for each and every NYCT bus route (all five boroughs)? If so, is there a way to get a complete schedule set? Up to recently, the NYCT would require customers requesting printed schedules and/or maps to send SAE (with a stamp per schedule). Obviously, this is not practical with a large order, even on a large 9 X 12 envelope- so is there a better way to get a complete set of bus schedules? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
MIKE
In the Lobbies of 370 Jay St,,and Livingston Plaza
--you might want to check those locations
Steve
I visited the lobby at the main headquarters on Jay Street and picked up all the timetables I could that was accessible to the public- but most of the others (approximately 100 other schedules) were behing a counter in which required me to trouble the busy customer service guy. In fact, I offered to pay him for his time (or at least let me go back there and pick my wants) but he refused. He only handles "reasonable" requests.
Most other transit systems have their timetables posted in racks at locations that are accessible to the public (not behind service desks). NYCT is different for some reason.
Cheers,
MIKE
Transit workers are civil servants. Please don't offer them money. It will mean immediate dismissal.
This m,eans that NYC Transit gives out only the info that "they" want you to have.
Sometimes you can luck out on a visit to Transit Info just off the lobby at Jay Street HQ. I've had one TA employee take the time to get me 1 copy of every schedule in the racks behind the counter. I've had another let me pick out 1 of each schedule, although it's evidently against security regulations to let an outsider behind the counter. Be nice and you might get what you want. But I agree - there should be a place to get the schedules like there is in most other cities.
As you enter 370 Jay hanga right into the customer service center. Most if not all the skeds are there, though most of them are behind the counter, which I find a problem, particularly if i want everyone of them.
They should place all the schedule racks on the customer side of the counter so as not to drive the guy crazy.
I would hope maybe theres a better set up at 130 Livingston
I totally agree with you, Mike. Most other transit systems will place their schedules in racks that everyone has access to (without an attendant hovering over the schedules). Even Los Angeles LACMTA has all of their schedules (several hundred!!!!) on a timetable wall at Union Station. NYCT has no excuse.
cheers,
MIKE
Are you sure the B18 & B59 buses came out of Crosstown bus depot.
Sincerely,
Michael
B18 & B59 did come out of Crosstown until they went to FP upon the closing of Crosstown.
I would like to know if there are plans to reopen Crosstown bus depot as a bus depot.
Sincerely,
Michael
Michael, as of now there are no plans to re-open XTN as an operating depot. However, due to a shortage of storage space, the TA may re-examine this issue in the near future.
what about extending the B35 east down newlots ave to junius during the weekdays? combine the ralph ave sections of the 40 and the 78 extend the 45 along the east new york ave. section of the 40 extend the 68 to stillwell extend the 71 easty on eastern parkway turn on troy turn right on st john's turn agian on utica and terminate at the subway? just some of my ideas
I agree with all of your ideas. I was thinking that years ago that the B35 should go down to the "L" train station. I guess there is an easier turnaround at M.Gaston. I still agree with your ideas. Somebody mentioned earlier that they should extend the B14 to Grand Army Plaza. There is nothing wrong with that. It can turnaround much easily.
I was the one who approach that idea. I don't like the idea for te B35 to extend to the L train unless that area becomes more safer, but than again it could lead to a safer area. This suggestion about the B40 , 78, 45 was brought up earlier and I do agree that it is the best suggestion. Sorry I have not finish on Brooklyn Bus extensions - I have been under the weather lately. I will resume today tell me what you think of my ideas from previously and currently.
Bentley
I live in that area. The neighborhood is coming back! They have houses put up years ago. They are putting up new houses right this minute as we speak. Please do not say that the neighborhood is not safe. This is New York we are talking about. NOWHERE IS SAFE. Thank you very much.
I am sorry about that... Please accept my appology.
Apology accepted. I do not want to seem like a bad guy here. I just moved into area myself almost a year ago. My family have one of those new houses. There are a lot more houses on the way and neighborhood will be different. I had same thoughts about ENY when we first moved out there. I used to go all out of my way to take the L instead of the 3 or 4 late nights because it is closer and I felt that something was going to happen to me. But since then, I have gotten used to the neighborhood. I understand your reasoning.
I live in that area. The neighborhood is coming back! They have houses put up years ago. They are putting up new houses right this minute as we speak. Please do not say that the neighborhood is not safe. This is New York we are talking about. NOWHERE IS SAFE. Thank you very much. And if you don't believe me, take a ride on the 3 or L train or hop on the B14, B15, B20, or B83 and see for yourself.
Also PS if you forgot to read what I said, it will make the area more safer.. You have to realize that I meant it will bring more intention to improve this area I appologize on my wording. I will be careful next time.
I can't remember a time when the N4-Jamaica/Freeport (via Merrick Road) bus ever ran 24 hours a day. Does anyone know if Bee Line ever had 24 hour service pre-1974 on this particular bus routes? I find it baffling that N6 is the only route in the system running 24 hours a day. I have seen pretty active (ridership wise) trips at midnight and 1am trips. Imagine if LIBus extended the service instead of a gap of 4 hours.
Cheers,
MIKE
I can't remember a time when the N4-Jamaica/Freeport (via Merrick Road) bus ever ran 24 hours a day. Does anyone know if Bee Line ever had 24 hour service pre-1974 on this particular bus route? I find it baffling that N6 is the only route in the system running 24 hours a day. I have seen moderate ridership levels on the midnight and 1am trips. Imagine if LIBus extended the service with owl service instead of the current "4 hour gap in service".
sorry for the poor grammer.
Cheers,
MIKE
My daughter got caught in this evening end of service when she took the N16 to night school at Nassau Community College & service ended just before she got out of class. The N15 runs a little later but there was no way to hook up with it.
It seems that the N16 ends when the Malls close ...
Mr t__:^)
The N16, to my suprise, does not run any later and there's no Sunday service on this route either. It's been this way for at least 15 years since. As for the N15, I believe this bus runs to midnight on most portions of the route. I have ridden this route very very late at night and it is well patronized even during those hours.
Cheers,
MIKE
I know that Academy Bus Lines (based in New Jersey) runs some express bus routes from Staten Island to New York City (or they used to about 2 years ago) but is there any local bus service between NJ and Staten Island? Gee- what about those workers who live in Staten Island and work in New Jersey (Perth Amboy, Elizabeth, Bayonne, etc) who want to use transit instead of their cars? I just can't recall any local bus service between NJ and S.I.- does anyone know for sure?
Cheers,
MIKE
NYCT does not operate any interstate service. If there's any service between SI and NJ, I'm sure it would probably be operated by NJT or one of the NJ private companies. Atlantic Express also operate between SI and Manhattan via New Jersey. I know a B/O who has worked at both Atlantic Express and Academy and he once told me that they are not allowed to operate their commuter runs (SI to Manhattan and vice-versa) via Battery Tunnel/Brooklyn/Verrazano.
Red and Tan Lines operates rush-hour service between Jersey City, Bayonne and Staten Island. Check out their website at www.redandtan.com.
*This service is operated by the Hudson County division, not the Rockland County division.
Thank you Vartan. I will contact red & tan lines for more information.
Cheers,
MIKE
I have the schedule. It is an express bus route, not a local.
AST, is there a way you can transcribe it to the web or perhaps may I request a copy direct from you via regular mail or even as an attachment via e-mail? Please let me know either way...
Cheers,
MIKE
e-mail: gallant7@mailexcite.com
The schedule is available on the Red and Tan website.
The schedule is available on the Red and Tan website.
-Hank
FDNY,
When will you get the new readings? How do you get these new readings? Is there a website that other people can look on to see?
I will be getting these anyday now
I get this info from someone ,,on the job,,at the FDNY
I can not give names or Tele Numbers out of respect for this person---
If you need help,I will help anyone
I am thinking of starting a WEB PAGE
Looking forward to seeig the new M20,,pending Board Review
Does anybody have a Manhattan Bus Map from 1980?
I probably do and will look for it in my collection. I can e-mail my answer to you next time.
Cheers,
MIKE
Many many years ago, I used to go up to Jewel Avenue in Queens and ride a shuttle bus called the Q65A which connected up with Q65 in Jamaica (or just north) and Queens Blvd. It was a 10 minute (or less) ride from end to end. The ridership was very very poor back in the early to mid 1980s and I figured Queens (or was it Steinway back then) Transit would have shut it down. I have not been to that section of Queens in years so I have no idea if the route is still around or not. Anyone know for sure?
Cheers,
MIKE
Yes
From 164 and Jewel to Queens Blv
Queens Surface Transit
Do you need the Routings or Signs
FDNY- ooops, I posted my last message before reading yours. I see that the Q65A is still around. Sorry for the mistake.
Yes, please post the signs- though, I imagine there are really only two destination readings. It was a very very short route.
Cheers,
MIKE
Q65A Jewel Av
Queens Bl--Forest Hills
Q65A Jewel Av
164 St---Kew G Hills
Q65A jewel Av
76 Rd==JHS 168
Q65A Jewel Av
Kissena Bl--Kew G Hills
Q65A Jewel Av Local
From Jewel and 164 St
via Jewel Av,69 Rd,108 St,last stop at 70 Rd
Ret via Queens Blvd,jewel Av,Parsons Blv,71 Av,164 St
Oh, yeah...I remember now, there was a "limited-stop" Q65A bus for some reason. This was around 1979 or 1980. Thanks for the destination sign info, FDNY.
Cheers,
MIKE
Q65A Jewel Av
Queens Bl--Forest Hills
Q65A Jewel Av
164 St---Kew G Hills
Q65A jewel Av
76 Rd==JHS 168
Q65A Jewel Av
Kissena Bl--Kew G Hills
Q65A Jewel Av Local
From Jewel and 164 St
via Jewel Av,69 Rd,108 St,last stop at 70 Rd
Ret via Queens Blvd,jewel Av,Parsons Blv,71 Av,164
St
The Q65A is a relatively short route, but there is no way it could ever be discontinued due to lack of ridership. There are long, long lines at the Queens Boulevard terminus at any time from people coming from the subway and the Forest Hills shopping/nightlife district- rush hours, weekends, evenings, name it. There are many garden apartment developments and housing projects along Jewel Avenue/Harry Van Arsdale Avenue (Georgetown Mews, Pomonok, Electchester) as well as a burgeoning Orthodox Jewish community. There are also huge crowds at each inbound stop at all hours, not just the morning.
You may have been under the impression that it was discontinued due to the profusion of illegal "dollar cabs" congregating around the corner from its stand on Queens Boulevard between 70th Road and 108th Street. Happily, since the elimination of two-fare zones, these hazardous AND aggressive opportunists have pretty much disappeared
from the Q65A corridor.
Unfortunately, the station wagon-and-van set still mobs you at Supthin-Archer and Jamaica Center. I'm sure they prevail in other boroughs as well- we all remember the recent fatal accident near Kings Plaza.
Howard, I did not hear about the recent fatal accident near Kings Plaza. Do you have any details?
As for Jamaica Center, why in the world are those jitney vans still around collecting passengers since there isn't a double-fare between subway and bus modes? This does not make sense unless it's very late at night when most southeast Queens NYCTransit buses run hourly or when the Jamaica Bus Lines stop running for a while after 1am. Then the jitneys could come handy on a cold snowy winters night, not that I advocate their existence at all.
Cheers,
MIKE
Some time in January, on a Saturday afternoon, a "dollar van" heading north on Flatbush Avenue loaded with shoppers from Kings Plaza collided with a car turning east (left) on Avenue N. A female college student in the van and an elderly man in the car were killed. Even though the van technically had the right of way, this rejuvenated the issue of unlicensed, uninsured vehicles taking business away from the buses.
These vans still seem popular in Brooklyn, particularly for trips that involve just one bus with no transfer to another bus or a subway.
A passenger still would have to pay $1.50 on a bus versus a dollar on a van. The continuous overcrowding on the B35, B41 and other routes does nothing to put these vans out of business, either.
As related to me by a friend... a local politician was at Flatbush Depot with a news crew addressing the problem of the fuel leak under the depot a couple weeks after the van accident when several B/Os got on him about the dollar van problem and what he was going to do about that. Needless to say this coward ran to his car and would not get out till the B/Os left. Then he and the news crew were thrown off the property.
Priorities, priorities.
There is a really short route run by Queens Surface i think called the Q69 which a shuttle from the LIC LIRR station to the ferry at Hunters Point. It looks to be only 5 or 6 blocks. And its free.
That is correct ...
Mr t__:^)
I nominate NYCDOT carrier Queens Transit route Q65A on Jewel Avenue in Queens as the shortest bus route in New York City. Of course, this route is probably merged with something else or totally discontinued today but it did run back in the early 1980s. I believe the schedule clocked the ride a total of 9 whopping minutes each way. Unfortunately, I don't have any of those old Q65A schedules to prove it to you guys- but this route did exist despite low ridership numbers.
Cheers,
MIKE
The Q65A is short, but I think the BX13 (old BX37)Ogden Ave may be close or shorter even though it does take longer to make the trip.
What about the B2 bus in Brooklyn?
how about the 31 42 or even 74?
I agree with you on that too. B2, B23, B31, B74, and B77 in Brooklyn all are very short.
How about the B39 WillyB route?
You are correct sir.
I forgot about that one (probably because I always lived in MabSTOA territory), but the B39 has to be the shortest route in NYC.
BTW, I think that the B39 should be a MABSTOA route or 126st depot route.Brooklyn division,especially Fresh Pond doesn't deserve it.
The Shortest Bus Route is in Coney Island, Brooklyn. It is the B74 that run from Stillwell Av. Subway Station, on Mermaid Av., up West 37th St., acoss Bayview Av., down West 33rd St, and back on Mermaid Av. to the only end at the Stillwell Av. Subway Station. The longest time to do this trip during the week is 24min, and the weekend is 17min. I know this because I use to drive it out of Ulmer Park Depot every Saturdays up till mid January 1999. And now I Drive it sometimes during the week.
By looking at the maps - no other route seems to be shorter than the B39. Remember, practically all of the route is on the WillyB.
{BTW, I think that the B39 should be a MABSTOA route or 126st depot route}
You have a point. Hudson depot seems to closer than any other depot.
It should be Crosstown! That would be the closest.
For a long time the M22 was 126th, even though it was nowhere near it. They finally moved it to Hudson Pier.
That was because the M22 was considered a TA route and there was no flip-flopping of routes between TA & MABSTOA. That is now a thing of the past.
Yes, I remember that. At the same time the M27 (also out of 126th street) should have come out of 54th street.
How the B39 currently works on the midnite is this: in order for NYCT get the most productivity out of their drivers, there is technically no bus assigned. The incoming Q54 and B46 drivers with bus run across the bridge as a B39 and upon their return to the Plaza, they resume their respective route. For this reason, the Brooklyn Division should remain in control of this route, coupled to the fact that the rest room and drivers' relief point for the B39 is at the Plaza as well.
I didn't know that - I think it's an excellent idea.
Used to be the 44B Malba Shuttle. 14 Av-Parsons (Same term. as the 76)to 3 Av. Never knew why they bothered.
How about the B36 SeaGate shuttle??
How about the old S103s...the Great Kills Park Shuttle that ran for a whole one mile from Hylan Blvd./GK Park Road to the beach house.
Chip
Mike, Do you have an old Q65A schedule?
Joe, I think I still have an old Q65A schedule (as well as an old Q65) - I'm not positive, but I think they used to come in a timetable booklet which showed basically frequencies and first trip/last trip info- also time duration of travel). Unfortunately, many of my old old old stuff is boxed away and I need to track it down. I also have an old Jamaica Bus Lines timetable sheet for routes Q111 and Q113 which actually showed all Jamaica and Rosedale or Far Rockaway departures. Unfortunately, these schedule sheets did not show intermediate (midroute) times which the Queens/Steinway Transit schedules did. When using Jamaica Bus Lines timetables, you had to use your watch to determine how long it took to get to your destination. Interestingly, many people do (did) not know that Jamaica Bus Lines does not have 24 hour service for it's route (Q111 comes close with a 105 minute break in service out of Rosedale, unless something has changed in recent years- but I doubt this).
Mike, Could you mail me an old Q111 and Q113 timetable?
Q22A Bayswater to Far Rockaway via Mott Av
is probably the shortest
Steve
FDNY
What about Queens Surface route Q 69 Hunter's Point as the shortest.
Regards,Larry
The 65A is very much alive. Runs to about 2 am i think.
My vote would have to be for the s60, which makes a loop to the Petrides Ed. Complex and then up Grymes Hill, and within 5 miles of its terminal.
-Hank
Hank,
You remember the S103s that bus in the summer that went from Hylan Blvd to the National Gateway Area on Staten Island??
Do they still have that in the summer (S78s??) I mean you had to use your transfer up on it to to get to the beach. Now that was the shortest NYCTA bus run charging FULL FARE in history if you ask me.
I remember it, they eliminated it when they changed the route numbers out here. No too stangely for the city, I would suppose, is that some of the routes that changed numbers before the majority did (Those routes that were altered were changed before everything else) still show the old routes on the guide-a-rides.
-Hank
Perhaps the bus that runs for Rockaway Parkway to the Canarsie Pier is the shortest.
Has anyone mentioned the S60? It used to be a shuttle...S6S I believe before all the transit lines on Staten Island changed their numbers in the '80's.
It is a continuous loop from Victory Blvd./Clove Road, to two colleges and back to Victory Blvd./Clove Road.
And since we're on the subject of the B39, which just runs over from the Williamsburg Bus Plaza, over the Bridge and a few blocks down Delancy, I wonder why it terminates at Allen Street? Is Delancy Street on the Lower East Side the ONLY place in Manhattan where Brooklyn bus riders want to go? At least it should terminate at Bowery so it can serve some of Chinatown...and its passengers could connect with the M103 bus and the 4,5 & 6 Subway lines. Currently it only connects with the M9, M14A & M15...and the F subway.
Reggie
That is a valid point in itself.
They should extend it now especially since the bridge is closing! Perhaps to City Hall.
Does anybody have a Queens Bus Map from 1980?
I am requesting an updated viewing for M14 Westbound,,
Do they reflect the Chelsea Piers or the W18 Extension
Hi!
No they do not tell you anything about chelsea piers on this line. I live at the near end of the 14c/d part. The signs read:
M14 West St.
Crosstown
via ave C or
via ave d.
I hope this helps.
Peace
DaShawn
The WEST ST portion of the sign is incorporating the recent extension to West St and W18
This is what I needed,thankyou
Steve
Glad I could help!
DaShawn
If they really wanted this to serve Chelsea Piers and at the same time not get customers killed in the process of crossing the West Side Highway, they would just extend it to 23rd Street into the loop where the M23 turns around. I'd rather backtrack on foot then be run over.
I could not agree with you more. We on the Lower East Side have complained about this and I was told by a friend of mine that drives the M14 and lives in my complex that they are thinking about changing the route back to the way it was before. The route should have gone to the main entrance at 23rd street from the beginning, and that was what everyone though when got notice of the extention.
Peace
DaShawn
sorry, what i meant to say was have the B35 run down new lots ave towards vansiclen avenue at the 3 subway station sorry about the confusion let me know what you think.
The reason why the b35 should get a weekday extention to vansiclen is ease the conjestion on the 15 route. it seems that since the b10 became the 15 with trips to jfk, it has gotten moreand more crowded every year. also the nieghborhood ithat it would run in seems to be building allot of homes in this area meanig more people needing to get somewhere. With the 35 running at vansiclen it could help reriders out with having them get off to wait for another bus to get to the church avenue shopping areas. it would be benificial for rides and good business for the mta. this is just my opinion and i could be wrong let me know what you think
You are right about that. I live in that area. They have been new homes and there are still building new homes in that area. The ENY neighborhood is definitely growing and will be a more popular neighborhood. Just give it a couple years. I had mentioned this on an earlier post.
on SubTalk we have been discussing subways in movies. Are there any movies with buses in the movie.
In Fort Apache, The Bronx. They were using a 1977 Flxible. I believe it was 9164. This Flxible (53102-8-1) was one five (9160-9164) 8-cylinder models received by MaBSTOA's Coliseum depot. They even had the "New York City Transit Authority" decals on the side whereas every other MaBSTOA bus had "Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority" decals. They were originally at COL and later they went to WF. These 8-cylinder buses seem to disappear well before the rest of their sisters in that group (9000-9309). I know that a few others (I'm guessing 9150's) had the 8-cylinder engines also, but they were part of that group that were SI express buses.
Wayne
I never knew the TA/Mabstoa had 8 cylinder buses, other than the MC-8's and GM 4108(?)'s they had running in Staten Island exp. service in the mid-80's. (MSBA's flxibles were, though). I also heard that the express Grumman's were also. I wasn't paying attention to that stuff back then.
The 6 cylinder sound I associated with local buses, and the 8 cylinder sound I associated with over-the-road coaches. Then, in the mid-80's, I went to school down in Norfolk, and all their local buses were 8 cylinder (Rohr Flxibles, Grummans, and even 35 ft. RTS's), and I also began running across 6 cylinder MC-9's on Greyhound. It was like a total reversal. It was years later when a Greyhound driver explained to me the two different engine types.
Does anybody remember "48 Hrs." w/ Eddie Murphy & Nick Nolte. There were some great shots of San Francisco's LRV's in the subway. Also that great ride in a fishbowl GMC stolen by the bad guy, with Nolte & Eddie chasing them in a Caddy convertible.
Also, how about "Metro" again with Eddie Murphy and that great cable car scene. How about it, transit fans!
Chuck(I love mass transit) Greene
A Bronx Tale w/ Robt DeNiro driving a Bx12 old look out to City Island.
Moscow on the Hudson-Robin Williams riding an M15.
Armageddon-An RTS getting asteroided.
Superman II-A bad mock up of a NYC bus "killing" Superman.
Others, I am sure.
>Superman II-A bad mock up of a NYC bus "killing" Superman.
I remember that. Imagine an Eagle with wings and a "new look" style rear window roof AC! Was this supposed to be a mockup, or is it something that ran in Britain or somewhere?
Some of Greyhounds early MC-9's did have the 8V-71 engine, but most got the 6V-92 engine. In fact all of Greyhounds 102A3's and most of the MC12's have the 6V-92 engine. Some of the latest MC-12's have what may be a series 60. It doesn't sound quite like a series 60 - My understanding is the series 50 (4-cylinder) is for transit buses and series 60 goes into the intercity coaches. Greyhounds 102D3 (and 102DL3's out west) have the series 60 6-cylinder engine.
Wayne
Wayne, or anybody
Just out of curosity, what engines did the rest of the Flxible New Looks have. What were the exact names of the engine?
They were 6V-71 (non-turbo) Detroit Diesel. As I said, thought all TA city style buses were 6 cylinder, but I guess I just missed these 8 cylinder models. They were used in many other cities, including LI & NJ, though.
The vast majority of NYCTA buses did use 6-cylinder engines. However there were a couple exceptions. With the 1977 Flxibles (9000-9309) - MaBSTOA's 9160-9164 definitely had 8V-71 (8-cylinder) engines - like MSBA and NJT Flxibles from the same era. I believe that some of the 9155-9159 which were SI express buses also had the 8V-71 engines also. I was pretty young then but, I do remember seeing and hearing 9158 and it did have an 8-cylinder engine.
Next: 1980 Grumman Flxible 870 - Again these had 6V-71 engines, but there were a few SI expresses (I believe they were 555-564) with 8V-71 engines. Other differences with this small group were that they were 96 inches wide and had padded seats.
During the early to mid 1980's that TA acquired to suburban fishbowls from MSBA that had 8V-71 engies also. They were numbered in the 01100 series. I don't know why they had the leading 0 in the fleet number.
Wayne
I forgot the 01100 series. These, along with the over the road coches are the only ones I've seen.
I got out my old UTC rosters, and I had kept them going back to 6-21-91 (I had recycled the ones before that :-(
9164 was as ENY, 9162 & 3 were at "Fresh Pond & Crosstown Reserve" (they probably had just come out of service), and 9155 & 6 were at Yukon. This is all TA territory, and I never heard any 8 cylinders. I remember riding the orange padded seats in SI (are these the expresses you mentioned?), but they weren't 8 cyl. Could it have been a test, and they replaced them with 6 cyl?
Yes, they are. When I emntioned the SI expresses, I was pretty much guessing about 9155-9157, 9159. I had seen 9158 once and I'm pretty sure I heard an 8-cylinder, but I could be wrong. Now the MaBSTOA (9160-9164) I'm very sure about. I rode them many times - and always wished they all had 8-cylinder engines. The can't remember the last time I saw them, but it was probably in the late 80's. I remember well when they were delivered to Coliseum depot. I was only twelve, but I was quite fascinated with buses, and I knew right away that these were "special". I guess it may have been a test, but I always thought that the decision to send them to Coliseum was a last minute decision, because the had "New York City Transit Authority" decals on their sides. I wish I had a photo of one of them.
With the Grumman 870's they were some express buses that (I believe the were in the low 400's) that had high-backed seats, and other than that they were like the other 870's - 102 inches wide and 6-cylinder engines.
Does UTC have any rosters dating to the early 1980's?
Wayne
13 of NYCT's Grummans were 40'x96" express buses. They had been ordered for Avenue B & East Broadway, but by the time they were delivered that company's routes had been absorbed into MaBSTOA. Those may be the ones you remember.
David
I never knew exactly why they were ordered in that configuration, especially with padded seats. I'm pretty sure they had w/c lifts also.
I don't know how far back his rosters go. I started getting them in the early 90's. I think someone said that you would have to go to someone else to get that far back.
We're also forgetting about 3000, and 8 cylinder GM fishbowl the TA ordered fot the police. It is stored at Crosstown, now. I have never seen this one.
I know this is a stupid question, or something. If both the New Look Flxible and GMC have mostly 6V-71 engines, how come the GMC engine sounds differently than the Flxible, or vice-versa? By the way, I grew up in Staten Island back in the 1980s and know quite a bit on New York City busses. I just need to fit all the pieces of the puzzle together. I also need a list (if you don't mind) of the different engines that the NYC RTS's have and what fleet they belong too. Apparantly, there is no bus fleet list that I could find on the internet that would answer my questions. It seemed that the 1000 RTS series had two different types of engines. Thanks for your time. Oh, if some busses are powered by 8V-71 engines, how come they sound like unrefined automotive four cylinder engines?
I too noticed that the Flxibles and GM's sounded different in acceleration. The newer Flxibles sound closer to the older 6v-71 RTS's, actually, while most of the GM engines sound like they are working harder to get the same amount of acceleration.(some of them, esp the 50xx on SI exp, sounded like the Flxibles) I was told it was the transmission, and this makes sense. The tail pipe being on top or below may also make it sound slightly different from the outside.
I also noticed that 8 cylinder bus/fire truck/some oil and other truck engines sound like 4 cylinder car/motorcycle engines. 6 cylinder cars sound faintly like certain 6 cylinder bus engines. I don't know what exactly gives engines their distinct sound, but I too always wondered myself
With cars ths sounds between 4/6/8 cylinder engines tend to be consistent, but it doesn'y seem to be that way with the big diesels. For instance the Cummins M11 6-cylinder sound nothing like the 6V-71 or 6V-92. NYCTA has never had a Flxible with a 6V-92. But I agree that the Flxibles and GM's with the same engine has always sounded different. Here's another one: The first 3 Classics in the New York Bus Service fleet (1600-1602) are actually GM Classic while all other in NYC are MCI CLassics. They all have 6V-92 engines, but those 3 GM's sound different from the MCI's.
You can have say: An RTS, Flxible Metro, Orion V, MCI - MC-9 or 96A2/3, 102A2/3, Eagle 20, GMC Classic, MCI Classic, Gillig Phantom and let's through in a fire truck. All of these can be found in NYC with 6V-92 engines and they each sound different.
Wayne
The I also didn't get to mention the Peabody garbage trucks (NYC sanitiation). The 4 and newer 6 cylinder sound strikingly like the 4 and 6 cylinder Orions, just a little louder. (The older Peabody trucks sounded like a fishbowl, only turbo, and was even louder.)
But like I said, things like transmission are probably what makes similar engines on similar vehicles sound different.
As for the different sounds - My guess is that it could very well be the exhaust. I know this is very true with cars.
NYCTA RTS's have used 4 different engines - 3 from Detroit Diesel and 1 from Cummins.
1981 GM RTS - 6V-71 Except 1298-1317 (SI Express) and 2281-2300 (MaBSTOA local) had the 6V-92
1982 GM RTS - 6V-92
1983 GM RTS - 6V-71
1984 GM RTS - 6V-92
All NYCT RTS from 1985 to 1993 had 6V-92
1993 TMC RTS 8566-67 have the Series 60
1994 to Present Nova RTS - Series 60
1996 Nova RTS 9140-9149 - Cummins M11
The Series 50 is a 4-cylinder engine. I believe the 6V-92 is out of production.
FYI-Series 60 is a 6-cylinder version of the Series 50 that's used in intercity coaches.
Hope this helps...
Wayne
I think you mean the Series 60 is the 4 cylinder engine. Or maybe both. It seems like everything coming out now--city, intercity, garbage and fire trucks, is universally 4 cylinder.
Oh, the only exception around here are the rebuilds, (7000 RTS's), which are still getting new 6V-92's (so they must still be in production).
This I heard may be because for some reason, 4 cylinder engines require the exhaust pipe to be on top (you can tell if it's 4cyl right away!), and it would have been too much trouble to retrofit the body for this, so they stuck with 6 cylinder. I have no idea why this would be so, though.
Regarding Detroit Diesel engines:
The Series 60 is a SIX cylinder engine.
The Sereis 50 is a FOUR cylinder engine.
The Series 60 is what is used in intercity buses. It will NOT fit in a transit bus due to the short distance of the rear end of the bus to the differential. It also will not fit sideways in a transit bus,
there would then be no room for the radiator (or you could put in the radiator and leave out the transmission!)
The Series 60 also will NOT fit into an MC-9 or MC-12 MCI intercity coach due to axle spacing. A sheriff agency in California bought two MC-12 jail buses and had to opt for the Series 50 because the Series 60 will NOT fit.
I believe the size of the Series 60 is also responsible for the Prevost H3-40 becoming the H3-41 (41 feet).
But haven't the intercity's switched over to m4 cyl. as well? They sound like it.
New Intercity buses (in general) now have either the Series 60 or the Cummins M11. I know Greyhounds' newest MC-12's have some other engine. It may be the Series 50 or ISC.
Thank you Wayne and Eric for giving me the information that I needed. By the way, I would like to rename this topic Bus Engines for anyone who would like to discuss about bus engines further.
The following movies all have some scenes with New York City buses...
Married To The Mob... RTS... the driver was a real TA driver/actor
Moonstruck... RTS drives by
Bronx Tale... De Niro as a driver for Surface Transit and MaBSTOA
Out Of Towners... Jack Lemmon gets on a fishbowl with bat wings
Prisoner Of Second Avenue... Jack Lemmon and fishbowls
Barefoot In The Park... Robert Redford gets off a fishbowl
Sunday In New York... Jane Fonda and Rod Taylor meet in what appears to be an ex-Fifth Avenue Coach fishbowl in MaBSTOA colors.
No Way To Treat A Lady... Lee Remick on a fishbowl
Miracle In The Rain... Van Johnson on a Fifth Avenue old look
Wrong Man... Henry Fonda at 74 St & Roosevelt. First an R-1/9 subway then Fifth Avenue route 15 in the background.
Come To The Stable.. in the backgroubd Fifth Avenue double deckers and old looks. Including some Macks on 49 & 50 St. Crosstown service.
Going In Style... George Burns on board a Triboro Coach fishbowl
Two thumbs up for each scene!
My favorite? Young Lions, they use a Santa Monica (Cal.) TDH3714 as a New York City bus!!
In Shaft you see alot of winged fishowls without A/C's.
"Armageddon" used a LACMTA (California) RTS repainted to NYCTA colors.
You may also see a GM fishbowl numbered 3907 show up in NYCTA colors; it is actually a former Riverside Transit Agency (CA) TDH5304 (#162)which started out life in Washington, DC with WMATA (I don'tknow what their number was....)
"Quick Change" (with Bill Murray, etc.) had a Flxible newlook, painted NYCTA 7300-series, but the interior was definitely NOT NYCTA! I would suspect, from the advertising cards in the bus, that it really was a NJ Transit unit.
There's another major flaw that stares you right in the face -- the Q9 is not a TA route -- it is a Green Bus route!
And for a real old-timer: The Clock (1944), starring Judy Garland and Robert Walker, has a long opening scene on a 5th Ave, Coach open top double decker, with many background shots of Queen Mary DDs passing in the opposite direction. While the scene looks as if the bus is really travelling along 5th Avenue, it is probably a studio shot with a movie backdrop.
Does anyone know why in approximately 1995 Queens surface removed the side destination signs (the roll curtains) from their 1984-85 RTS's and 1988-89 MCI"S?? By doing this, and leaving only the front of the bus with the destination sign showing is a major inconvience and makes people waste time having to go to the front of the bus to see where it's going.
There was a problem with their operation, DOT said they weren't required, so they were deactivated.
Disclaimer: I don't work for the TA or DOT & am speaking for myself.
Mr t__:^)
Queens Surface #275 has me puzzled. I see it daily on the Q67 with the same driver. They probably run it there because it has a defective rear route sign and if it runs near other QS routes it would confuse passengers. I am waiting for it to be repaired someday. The rear route sign reads "AR". I say "Repair Me".
Hey Bill, here are a few more buses that are just like bus #275:
#278 GAR
#291 QBX1 (usually on QBX1)
#294 QBX1 (usually on QBX1)
#303 QM1A
#305 q102
#330 Q25 (Strripped of shrink-rapped ad!)
#344 Q65A
#384 Q66
BUSMAN316
Does anybody have a Bronx Bus Map from 1977?
Does anybody have an old (1989-90) B47 timetable?
Why are they scrapping many of the 3600 series? 3200, 3300, 3400 and 3500 are older than the 3600 and most of them are still on the road.
The 3200s and 3300s are from the same order (1983). The 3400s and 3600s are from the same order (1984).
Busman, I know I would appreciate it (and I don't think I'm the only one) if you would post your queries in one or two postings at a time, instead of asking about one particular vehicle per posting as you (and at least one other poster) have been doing. That way, those of us who read every posting can get through them quicker. We'll still answer your questions if we can.
Much appreciated!
David
lets not forget 1981 buses 1384 2260 1603 1316 and 1700-1800 which they have the nerve to put on staten island exress routes. the first four are castleton locals. no brains at transit management as usual,
That is crazy! I can't believe the lack of common sense at the Dept of Buses. I really hope that they have put through an option order for additional MCI's because it looks and sounds like you need them very badly!
Peace!
DaShawn
is back in service on the Q32 with the ugly paintjob.
Where is this bus? I don't see it on the roster!
is now known as the Q46. See the sign at 164 St and Union Tpke.
Something I noticed over the years about the NJT Grumman 870's (former NYCTA buses). On the ones that were given a GOH, I notice, particularly in hot weather when the A/C is not on, a moderate sickly oder in the bus. It is not a pleasant smell, but not repulsive either -- does anybody know what this is?
Also, Academy operates a few RTS buses along Bergenline Avenue (#22 line), that appear to be early 80's models (they have white interior window frames, but they are not slope-backs). Are there any plans to replace these buses any time soon? I'd like to ride them before they're gone.
BTW - What's the status of NJT's RTS order? When can we expect to see these start to hit the streets?
Thanks in advance.
The A/C smell comes from NOT changing the intake filter. If that was done more often, you wouldn't get as bad of a smell. I would presume that due to the high humidity in the NY City area, the smell is worse.
Is this a mildew smell you all are takling about? I went down to Jacksonville, FL one summer on a very hot and humid day, and it was pretty bad on the Grummans. I did smell this faintly, on a TA RTS, once.
Here is a really stupid situation.
Both the B69 and B75 stop at the corner of Prospect Park West and 9th St, and both travel the same route to the end of their run in Windsor Terrace. So someone waiting at that corner could get on either, whichever comes first. And that is important because the B75 runs infrequently, and the B69 runs very infrequently -- every 20 minutes in the evening rush hour.
But the B69 stops on the Prospect Park West side of the corner, and the B75 stops on the 9th St side. The B69 side has a shelter and a guide-a-ride with a schedule, but the B75 side does not.
Last night it was pouring. I waited with my four and six year olds under the shelter on Prospect Park West for, say, 12 minutes, when we saw a B75 pull up on 9th St. We raced for the corner, only to have the B75 pull out swing around the corner. We raced back for the B69 bus stop, with me waving my Metrocard. The bus stopped in the middle of the street, and we got on. Next time wait on the other side of the corner, said the bus driver -- the B69 stops here, not the B75.
What on earth are they thinking? Is there a problem with the B75 rounding the corner and then stopping? The B69 and B75 share every other bus stop on 8th Avenue and Prospect Park West from 19th St to 9th St, where they diverge. Why not this one? Aside from the loss of parking, the idea that the driver was put out by our failure to wait in the rain is absurd.
There are a few stops like that on Staten Island (Nelson Ave and Hylan Blvd, ferinstance) where the s54 stops on one corner, and the s78 and s79 stop around the corner. My understanding of it is that the bus makes a wide turn, and to pull into a stop after making a left turn would block traffic completely in such a situation. To make a right turn, and this may be unique to narrow intersections, the bus would be crossing 2 lanes of traffic, and then have to swing 2 lanes to the right to make the stop.
-Hank (Gee, this would be easier to explain if I could draw)
The situation you describe (tight turn) is not relevant here. The B75 comes up 9th Street, which is four lanes wide, and turns right onto Prospect Park West, which is three lanes and one-way. When the bus rounds the turn, there is no oncoming traffic to avoid. In fact, because 9th St dead ends, it is lightly traveled.
The only reason the turn is tight is because the bus is at the curb before making it. If there were parked cars at the curb, and the bus was one lane out, it would be an easy turn -- especially if there were no parking the final 10-15 feet on 9th St.
Nope, it's just dumb. Probably the TA had a general rule and just applied it. The B75 stop should move around the corner.
Would anyone know where to obtain 1950's era maps of Surface Transit and Fifth Av Coach Routes?
Regards,Larry
DO U THIK TA GIVS NEW OPS A FARE SHAKE?
82's on Kings Highway were bunched up again Wednesday night heading to Gravesend.
I know they cops are working on the double parking problem. There have been huge sweeps with tow trucks and tix blitz but the 82's still come right on top of each other's tail lights then 20 minutes without sight of one bus.
Anyone interested in operations of Greyhound?
NYCTA Y DO U GUY'S NOT EXCEPT OUR PASS
If you work for one of the private bus companies,your pass is technically not accepted on N.Y.C.T.A. buses and subways(M.A.B.S.T.O.A.)buses as well.Some drivers will take it though.Most don't take it because there could be a no-good spy on board.Therefore they will insist you dip your pass into the machine.Token clerks always insist on swiping the pass to enter the system.Since your pass isn't the regular Metrocard pass,the pass won't go into the machine.
I'm curious about everything. Last I heard Greyhound was broke, and so was it's competitor, Trailways. What ever happened? Who owns Greyhound now?
Laidlaw bought Greyhound last fall and greyhound and trailways merged a few years back
Deregulation did not help the intercity bus industry. In the old days 50's -70's the poor routes were subsidised by better routes to form a nice system. The PSC's looked at the system not individual routes. Under deregulation the dogs were gone and so was the "system" All that remained were the better routes but with no connections or feeders they did not work that well either.
Laidlaw started as a garbage hauler and then began buying up mom and pop yellow school bus companies.
They have large holding in the transportation industry now.
Laidlaw is also the owner of American Medical Response - the largest ambulance service in North America. If anyone looks at Laidlaw stock - they're down to a third of their value two years ago.
Chip
Anyonehear about the bus-truck accident this morning on the Verrazano? According to the NY1 website a truck struck a stopped bus on the span.
please.....
I will be posting this on Monday or Tuesday
Hopefully I will have the later readings for 1999 shortly
Steve
Q12 Little Neck
Glenwood St
via NOrthern
Q12 FLushing
Main st Sta
via northern
Q12 F Lewis Bl
Q13 Ft Totten
Q13 FLushing
Main st Sta
Q13 F Lewis Bl
____________________________________________________
q31 Bayside
27 Av
F Lewis Bl
Q31 Jamaica
LIRR Sta
Sutphon Bl
Q31 Northen Bl
Bell Bl
Q31 Jamaica
Archer Av
Merrick Bl
Q31 47 av
F Lewis B;
Q31 Hillside Av
Q31 H Hrding Exy
___________________________________________________
Q36 Floral Pk
257 St
W36 Jamaica
165 st Term
Q36 Sprngfld Bl
Jmaica Av
Q36 179 st
Q36 Spngfld Bl
Jamaica Av
E and w for Jamiaca Av Signs)
_____________________________________________________Q54 Jamaica
171 st
Q54 Wiilamsburg
Bridge Plz
Q54 Jamaica
Vn Wyck Exy
Q54 Frsh Pnd Rd(EB)
Q54 Frsh Pnd Rd (wb)
Q54 Metro Av Sta
In Superman 1 & 2 Gull Wing Buses Can Be Seen In the Street
In Quick Change With Bill Murray The cast is seen boarding a "Q9"
Bus towards Jfk Airport.
The bus appears to me to be an NJ Transit bus....the interior is definitely NOT NYCTA (it's gold and tan....) and there are a few advertising cards in the interior for NJ Transit if you look close.
On SUbTalk we have had tons of posts on the loss of the rail fan window. I'd like to post on the loss of the "bus fan" window. On their long distance road bus fleet, trailways had the upper windshield so from the fron right seat you'd see the road and sky instead of wall. Greyhound I noticed has removed this feature. ANy comments?
>On SUbTalk we have had tons of posts on the loss of the rail fan >window. I'd like to post on the loss of the "bus fan" window. On >their long distance road bus fleet,
>trailways had the upper windshield so from the fron right seat you'd >see the road and sky instead of wall. Greyhound I noticed has removed >this feature. ANy comments?
The ones that were missing the bus fan window were built like that. In 1988-90 when those Eagles were built, there were two models. the ones without the windoe did not come with the aluminum wheels while the ones with the window did.
On the current model (102D3) The windshield is high enough to be considered a bus fan window. Also MCI buses from 102C3 to the present 102D series have the destination sign in the drivers' portion of the windshield instead of the top center (102A3) or right side windshield (MC-9, 12).
Does anybody have a 1960's Manhattan Bus Map?
Does anybody have a Brooklyn Bus Map from 1974?
I would like to know if you have future express bus readings except for the X13,21,22,23 & 24. If so, can you e-mail me five readings. Also, are you expecting to get the new bus reading list by May 1999.
Thanks,
Michael
I HAVE POSTED THESE READINGS PREVIOUSLY ,YOU CAN LOOK THEM UP IN THIS SECTION FOR THE LAST 3 WEEKS OR SO
I AM IN THE PROCESS OF WAITING RIGHT NOW FOR THE NEW MATERIAL
I was wondering when is the museum going to run its next fan trip. I haven't seen anything in the Schedule. Does the bus need work?
Does anybody know about the B77S?
Does anyone out there know if one may do the following on one "ride"? Take the B24 or any bus to the B-39, dip, then return to the B-24 or the same bus route that one originally dipped afterwards?
[can you ... Take the B24 or any bus to the B-39, dip, then return to the B-24 or the same bus route that one originally dipped afterwards]
There are extensive "tables" in the bus fare box to "read" where you are boarding from in order to permit/deny a "transfer". Basically you are allowed to go N or S then E or W, but not N & S or E & W. Another way to look at it is to say you can continue going away from where you started but not reverse.
Now this was the "value" MetroCard routine. With the "unlimited" MC the restriction is just 18 minutes, so you CAN go in reverse if you buy the right card.
Mr t__:^)
Thurston, I was under the impression that direction did not restrict, except for the three or four specified corridors in the brochure. Please clarify
"Value" MetroCards & paper/mag "Transfers" have built in restrictions, as opposed to "unlimited" MetroCards that come in Month, Week, Day & One-Ride flavors.
When we test a box we can record four fares before the farebox complains. If we spit out a Transfer it won't go back in unless we change the route, i. e. "Wrong Bus". And that MetroCard will start giving up those Transfers on that different route.
As I said before, the design was to allow the customer to continue his/her trip away from the starting point vs. going shopping then back ... you can't go home .... sorry couldn't resist :-)
Hope this makes thing s a little clearer.
P.S. If you use up the "Transfer" on the bus, just ask for a paper/mag on your way off & keep on riding all the way to Greenport or Montauk.
Well let me add that LI bus will charge you a little something for the Transfer ...
Mr t__:^)
The restrictions on the pay-pre-ride MetroCard do not allow a transfer to the same route in the opposite direction. There are also limits to transfering between certain routes on Madison and Fifth Ave buses (can't transfer between any southbound and any northbound bus) on the Grand Concouse (ie, no transfer from Bx1 southbound and Bx2 northbound) and the Bx40 and Bx42. Of course, if the rout has 2 banches, like a Y, and you need to take a bus south down onearm, and then transfer to a northbound bus to go up the other arm, I don't know what the situation would be.
-Hank
Now that the Unlimited MetroCards are in widespread use, I don't know why the TA doesn't take out all those restrictions on Transfers. It makes the system much more complicaterd then it needs to be !
But then who am I, but just a public servant in at a small operator.
Mr t__:^)
My personal experience is that Metrocard Gold pay-per-trip is very liberal despite its intended restrictions. Other than not returning on the same route, or a few specified returns on related routes detailed in an earlier response, the "transfer" can be used anywhere within the time limit (2 hours plus). Usually, the "return" restriction can be avoided by returning on a different route that might force you to walk a block or two, or taking the subway back.
It's the best deal for occasional user of the system, like me. You put some money on it, can go to the Sea Port with the family (up to four), and have about a year (on the card), then another year to turn it in and get the remaining money moved to another card.
It's also CHEEPER for folks that only ride twice a day, i.e. 7 day unlimited card is 17 vs. 15 value card which includes 11 rides.
Mr t__:^)
HANK, that would be a no go,You have to pay again, or wait the 18.
Not for nothing, but I saw the inside of bus #7028 and I think that it has the new vandal-resistant seats on them.
BUSMAN316
If I'm not mistaking, TMC CNG'S #G2050-G2073 have the Cummins M-11 engine in them. I was on MTA bus #9149 this past week and I heard the similarity in the engine.
BUSMAN316
I can't say, but I thought that they simply had the CNG version of the DD 6V-92 or even the DD Series 50 engine. I agree with you that the Cummins M11 quite different, but then again so does the Series 50 & 60.
I think 9140-9149 have those horrible sounding Cummins M-11s in them. I hope for the sake of tranquility, they dont put those out on the FP hawks.
Yes, 9140-9149 does have the Cummins engine. I don't think they sound good at all, but I've gotten used to them on some of the WMATA Flxibles.
They do. I live about 2 blocks away from where the B57 & Q58 meet. Many times when I get home during the midnite hours it may be time for a bus. I can assure you those bad boys break the still of the night!
Are there any 6000 buses going to Casey Stengel?
According to information from the Urban Transit Club, the 6000's are going to Mother Clara Hale, Amsterdam, Castleton and Yukon. The ten low-floor Orion's (6350-6359) are going to Manhattanville, with 6350-54 already there.
6120-6141
I'm still wondering why they brought 5 Castleton express coaches over in the last couple of weeks. (168-172) That makes about 20 coaches with only one express line.
I doubt they would put these out on the school-heavy routes (16,27,28,44,76) but who knows
Casey Stengel uses express buses quite often on the Q74 and of course the X32.
Also, there sporadically used on the Q32. I've seen buses 102, 104 and 105 used there on run 319 and run 011.
BUSMAN316
Does anyone know why the new Orion buses used by Queens Surface come in 2 paint schemes (full orange band and orange band in front only) and those used by Triborough Coach come in 3 paint schemes (red band with black window trim; red and white only; all-white)? There must be some explanation for this lack of uniformity!
Basically, Triboro Coach and Queens Surface just want to get these new buses on the road. Green Lines took a year and a half before they painted all of their Orions (5501-5544). I think it's a money thing. But look at what the MTA is doing. They're giving these buses an ugly paintjob and months later they're either in the storage yard or the scrap yard. I'm sorry, but that's the dumbest thing the MTA has done, waist all that money on paint. And white paint is a dull color for a bus, it doesn't look right. I like the black paint much better.
BUSMAN316
They use white (and so do most other transit agencies) for a good reason-to give the impression of good service. White implies clenliness, and one of the bus sterotypes is that they are dirty. Of course, don't wash the bus, and white does it absolutely no good. As for the painting, it's a fact of maintainence. The pait will cover up the dings and marks of daily service, and again, fresh paint just gives a cleaner overal image. The white trim on the formerly black door areas, I think, is a bit much. And unless you do a thorough inspection, there's no way one can tell if a bus is ready for the scrap heap or not. And if you're storing it, short of shink-wrapping the bus in plastic, a fresh paint job is the best thing for it, especially since they're stored outdoors.
-Hank
[Does anyone know why the new Orion buses used by Queens Surface come in 2 paint schemes (full orange band and orange band in front only)]
The first group came painted from the factory, subsequently they are comming in white only. When they were comming in bunches, the first thing we do was paint the number, then the front piece, then the rest.
Now we're playing catch up, i.e. finishing up.
So, you guys that record different looking buses assume they'll look all the same some time soon ...
Mr t__:^)
Buses 500-507, 509-511, and 513 are painted black on the sides and back. The rest are going to be painted but the sides and back will be white. Another example: Green Orions 5501-5502 are painted black. 5503-5544 are painted white. I think the companies are just getting lazy to paint these buses black. It's much better than that dull white that's out there now.
BUSMAN316
Here are a few MTA buses that have shrink-rapped ads:
8812, 8241, 8252, 8259, 3598, 3465-3468, 3470-3472, 3479-3482, 3650
I think that there's a minor error in the Bus Roster web page. #3400-3899 ARE currently being replaced and there's no indication that they are. Let's face it: there are being taken off the road, and going into storage and scrap yards.
BUSMAN316
BUSES 8942, 8959, 8960 and 8969 have received the white paintjob on the sides. It looks COMPLETELY PATHETIC! MTA, do me a favor: go back to the black paint! Who agrees with me? Email me with your comments!
BUSMAN316
I totally agree with 125%. The only buses that seem to have kept their true identity are the 7500's from mid-west bus. We have to do something about this! I feel that our money should be spent on something more constructive than ugly paintjobs.
Peace
DaShawn
Some 7000's were in E.N.Y by the paintshop recently with paintjobs.One of them was 7047.
The 7000's were rebuilt by 207th Street and E.N.Y. shops and were given the white paint job and that's one way you can tell the difference between the 7000's and 7500's and who rebuilt them.
Peace
DaShawn
The 7000s didn't have the paintjob originally.That's why I made my original post.
Are you sure? Because back in 1996 or 97 I saw 7001 when it was in Gun Hill Bus depot on the Bx12 and it had the now "New" paint job.
Peace
DaShawn
This question protains to NYCTA buses. There is a sign above the driver that flashes ADULT when a person pays full fare. There is also
light for SPCL, PASS and BYPAS. What is this sign and what does it mean? What does SPCL and BYPAS stand for? Anyone saw this sign?
[ADULT ... also SPCL, PASS and BYPAS ...]
Adult vs. Senior/Disabled/Student/Employee
SPCL for Special
BYPAS for Bypass Mode, i.e. the Coin Mech don't work ... the driver can put the farebox in this MODE so the coins go in but you won't see a green light or hear the beep (fare paid).
The MetroCard device doesn't have such a mode, so when it don't work we don't get your money.
Mr t__:^)
Its a way for "undercover" riders to make sure that operators are registering fares properly and that everyone is paying. Of course with so many metrocards now its not as important as when fares were payed only with coins.
9160 and 9174 have new paintjobs.There is no number on the roof of 9160.Also,the tailpipes on both of them were painted.
If they painted the exhaust pipe, that's a potential fire hazard.
-Hank
A lot of buses are potentially in trouble.I noticed E.N.Y depot 8600s with the same problem,along with Westside depot 8600s.
4742 was towed out of Fresh Pond depot early on Monday by a T.A tow truck.Destination unknown.Possibly Crosstown.
while driving my mci on the gowanus today on 3rd ave i believe i spotted a new flyer low floor cng. has anyone else seen these buses.
LI Bus has a bunch of diesel versions along with some Phantoms.
Mr t__:^)
I guess it would be one of the CNG New Flyers (D40LF) that supposed to go to Jackie Gleason (700-899). I don't know too much about the Brooklyn bus division, but I think the B37 operates along 3rd Ave and it's a Jackie Gleason route.
If this was a diesel bus the model is D40LF (D=Diesel, 40 footer, low floor), but I wonder if New Flyer has a different model number for CNG buses.
Wayne
its called a C40LF
The number series for these buses is supposed to be 800-959. According to the on-line roster, 801 is in-service out of Jackie Gleason Depot, the only NYCT CNG depot. Perhaps when they build the new depot on Staten Island, which is looking more and more like a possibility with each complaint about buses stored on the street at Yukon, it will be equipped for CNG fueling.
-Hank
The latest UTC Roster indicates that New Flyer Low Floor CNG 801 has arrived at Gleason. I assume 800 and 802-959 will follow. I don't think LI Bus has any New Flyer buses at all - just mostly Orions, with some old Gilligs
You are right. 801 has been delivered for testing and is a model C-40LF. New Flyer uses C for CNG, L for LNG, D for Diesel of course and H for the Hydrogen fuel cell bus being tested with the Ballard fuel cell system. I think these buses will be powered by the Detroit Diesel Series 50G engine. According to the MTA Insiders Guide we are supposed to be getting Diesel powered Low-Floors. Does anybody have any further info?
Thanks & Peace
DaShawn
I suspect the diesel low-floor buses you refer to are the 10 Orion 6's (6350-6359). The first 5 (6350-6354) are already in service at Manhattanville.
No, these buses are not diesel they are Hybrid-Electic low floors, these buses I am talking about are traditional Diesel powered buses just in the low-floor configuraton.
Peace
DaShawn
according to nyct 55 new flyer low floor cng buses will be delivered to gleason in 99 with 105 more in 2000.
A NovaBus low floor model is on a one year test at NYCT. It is currently at ENY depot and will travel to one depot in each borough. Series 40 engine equipped.
With regard to the Nova Low-Floor bus: Do you know what fleet number it will have?
This must be the 999 someone on nyc.transit saw.
It is numbered 999 and is being operated out of ENY depot.
Thank you for the information! I was wondering when the TA was going to get the Nova LFS for testing, because according to reports and posts NovaBus had no units for testing. These buses I think will workout better than the D-40LF's because the Nova has not steps in the back to access the rear as does the D-40LF.
Peace
DaShawn
Hi everyone,
I work for the Los Angeles MTA and we are nearing the end of one of our big CNG purchases. I have a question for you guys who work for or know about the CNG fleet you have. Have you notice any holes in the rear of your buses? or near the rear? We have some holes in our CNG Neoplan fleet due to the fuel itself. Do people in the neighborhood complain about the noise of CNG when it is fueling?
Thank you,
Charles Powell
Service Attendant
Los Angeles MTA
We have RTS cng's and an electric compressors for the fueling station.
and are not very loud. An engine driven compressor may be louder but it should not be that loud. Who built your fueling stations??
I do now know about holes in the back but the fuel tanks have the pressure reliefe valves connedted to a manifold like the main fuel manifold that vents to the rear and top of the bus on the left side.
LI Bus has a bunch of diesel New Flyer's. They use them on the "JFK Flyer" run.
Mr t__:^)
Are those the 700 series buses that look like they're from a school bus manufacturer? Although I rarely get to see the JFK Flyer, when I have in recent months I usually see a 700 series bus or, more often, a van (I believe in the 3000 series, although it might also be 2000). What are the numbers of the New Flyer's?
Our resident bus expert said to me, off-line, that they're Thomas not New Flyer. The next time I'm behind one I'll have to look closer.
Mr t__:^)
I have seen some of the Thomas buses at LI Bus, but I didn't know they had alot of them. I think they are basically school buses.
They look like a school bus ... have a little door on the side way up high, maybe for parachuting out in an emergancy :-) ... but they're painted in regular LI Bus colors & have seen them on regular routes.
Mr t__:^)
Jackson Tennessee has a large fleet of Thomas buses and they do look school buses. They dont look that sturdy.
And Roosevelt Island had them too, until replaced by Low floor flyers. (They're probably still sitting behind the motorgate at the garage.
Long Island bus does not have any new flyers, they are ThomasBuilt buses.
As with any bus purchase, two test buses are built. One for a 30 day in-service test and the second stays at the plant as a model for the new purchase. The chassis assemblies are being built as we speak, with the body assemblies to begin mid-april (tentative). It is also expected that the new order of articulated buses will also begin on the production line at the same time.
so when would be the projected beginning of delivery as these buse were ordered quite awhile ago?
The CNG's are expected to roll in by mid-may and finish by the end of august. (3 a day is the anticipated delivery rate) The articulated buses should begin around the same time and last into mid-2000. (1 a day is the anticipated delivery rate)
will nyct get the entire 160 this year? they had said in the leader they would receive 55 buses this year.
NYCT New Flyer D40LF delivery:
55 in 1999
135 in 2000
Total: 190 (not 160 as the UTC roster states)
David
thanks for the info. do you know how many articulated will be received this year and to what depots they will go?
I am not sure if this is the bus you spotted, but on Thursday, March 4, 1999, I actually rode a "low floor" bus. It was manufactured by Orion, the bus number was 6351. I caught it running on the southbound M2 Madison Avenue Limited at the intersection of 50 St and Madison Ave. This was approximately 5:30 pm. The bus actually has thick, dark blue velour padded seats. Behind the rear door of the bus, there are two pairs of seats that face each other (ie. LIRR, MetroNorth, NJTransit railroad style). On the driver's side of the bus, at the rear, just past the rear doors, there are no seats. Instead, there is a big wall that, at first glance, would make you assume it was a bathroom, but it definately was not. The paint job on this bus was different from the other Orions owned by the MTA. This paint scheme, while having the same blue stripe, the window area was treated like the first 2 Orions on the Green Bus Lines (all black).
MARTA in Atlanta has some low floor models but in an interesting twist after the rea door you climb 2-3 steps for the rest of the bus. I think they are new flyers (but if not, I'm sorry)
No, it was definately an Orion. The Orion nameplate was located under the windshield.
MARTA in Atlanta has some low floor models but in an interesting twist after the rear door you climb 2-3 steps for the rest of the bus. I think they are new flyers (but if not, I'm sorry)
You're correct - MARTA does have New Flyer loow floor buses. I think theirs are CNG.
The Port Authority has been operating New Flyer (Diesel - D40LF) at JFK, LGA and EWR since the early 90's. Roosevelt Island also have a few.
I don't know if it's still here, but WMATA was testing a New Flyer low floor articulated bus. I guess it would be a D60LF.
Wayne
I've ridden that thing a few times over the last two or three months on the M1/2/3/4. It's definitely got some kinks which need working out. The seating configuration leaves little room for standees, and the strange gaps in seating (over the wheels) reduce capacity even more.
It is also a very uncomfortable ride while you are standing. (short stops -- I had attributed it originally to the driver, but now think that it has something to do with the low floor)
I haven't ridden it in a few weeks (the ride is so uncomfortable that I'll let it pass by and take another), but if I remember correctly, one interesting feature is that there is a back window.
That back room a driver told me was the electrical equipment.
Just a nitpick, Madison Ave runs northbound, not southbound. Southbound Madison Ave buses run on 5th Ave.
-Hank :)
You're right. I meant to say 50th Street and Fifth Avenue.
Last I heard the natural gas buses broke down more often than diesels. Is that still true?
I also heard the same. I also understand that the quality of the Natural Gas that you get from the supplier has alot to do with it. NJ Transit had this problem with their CNG Flxible Metro's. They were all powered by Cummins L10G engines and they were always out of service. Then NJ Transit found out that the CNG they were getting from PSE&G was of poor quality and also that the Cummins engines were troble pleagued. So then NJT replaced the L10's with Detroit Series 60G's and from what I understand they are running much better, and also PSE&G has denied the fact that anything is wrong with their CNG.
This was on Channel 9 news last year. From what I have read LNG buses actually do better performance wise than CNG's. Just some thoughts.
Peace
DaShawn
We had some initial trouble getting them started in the AM and now there's a problem with a fitting on the tank, but these things are fixable, so I wouldn't agree with Larry that the CNG are a bigger problem for Maint. then diesels. But then our fleet is still brand new ...
Mr t__:^)
About 1/3 of our fleet is CNG Most of the problems that we have are electronics not the engines themselves. The old diesels were the most reliable because everything was mechanical and it was proven technology.
The computer reports say maintenance parts and labor costs are nearly identical for the CNG and Electronic Diesels.
The CNG's have much better heat in the winter but need attention on the cooling system to operate well in warm weather. Cummins is trying to help us NOVA is not admitting there is a problem
I also heard the same. I also understand that the quality of the Natural Gas that you get from the supplier has alot to do with it. NJ Transit had this problem with their CNG Flxible Metro's. They were all powered by Cummins L10G engines and they were always out of service. Then NJ Transit found out that the CNG they were getting from PSE&G was of poor quality and also that the Cummins engines were trouble pleagued. So then NJT replaced the L10's with Detroit Series 60G's and from what I understand they are running much better, and also PSE&G has denied the fact that anything is wrong with their CNG.
This was on Channel 9 news last year. From what I have read LNG buses actually do better performance wise than CNG's. Just some thoughts.
Peace
DaShawn
Well I'd think diesel is more reliable and a better performer. Here in Nassau county most of the LI Bus fleet is Orion CNG. I don't care for the engines used, they are more sluggish and noisier than the regular diesel Orions. I rode on the NYCT Orions from Casey Stengal yesterday and they were so much better than the CNG buses we have. Much better pick-up, engine power,etc. Also the CNG buses seem to act like they are going to stall just before you stop. The swaying is annoying too, because of the tanks on the top.
I think a few of the older series LI Buses from 657-663 and 100-128 may use Detroit diesel engines because they sound different, they seem more powerful. What do the Orions from Casey Stengal depot use? Cummins or Detroit diesels? What about the RTS's. In general though, diesel buses seem to perform better than CNG's. LI Bus has some diesel Orions out of the smaller Rockville centre depot, I've been on them and they run great too.
But most of our Orion CNG buses are very sluggish and stall out alot, they also have many rear door problems (doors do not open).
I've seen Orion CNG's on express Queens surface runs and at their depot by LGA, how is their experience with them?
But like I said, buses 657-663 for LI Bus and some of the early 100 series, do not sound like Cummins but detroit diesel. I like the 657-666
series LI buses, these CNG buses are still labeled MSBA and are wider, also some of them have upholstered seats. But most of the other Orion CNG's suck, even the brand new ones in the 270s and 280s aren't that good. I already saw #284 broken down twice and in tow!
John
While waiting on the x10 to get back to Staten Island today, I saw what were, at least to me, a few unusual sights.
First, Orion LF 6352 on the M5. A very strange bird indeed. For one, it has a rear window, unusual on a modern transit bus. The roof looks as if it could hold CNG tanks without a hump. It's wearing 'Clean Air Bus' signs; but there is no indication of what the clean-air fuel is. It didn't smell like CNG exhaust, and was extremely quiet idling at the stop, and under accelleration, it sounded more like a small Japanese car. And most unusual for a TA bus, the 'Orion' moniker is in its proper place on the front of the bus.
Second, and I wish I had my camera for this one, a GM new look, numbered 4683, and in the old green TA scheme, with what LOOKED like movie equipment installed inside, and about 10 people in the rear of the bus only, and dark curtains on the forward side windows. No front destination sign, but there was a small placard by the front dor that said (maybe, the bus was moving past me) 'No Passengers'
And third, and least unusual, Orion 6012 on the M1.
-Hank
Orion 6352 is a hybrid diesel-electric bus. A small diesel engine (Detroit Diesel Series 30 or 40 -- I forget which) drives an electrical generator that powers the bus.
The old bus is quite interesting. I think we all know that today 4683 is a 1987 TMC RTS-06, but 4683 in the past was a 1970 MaBSTOA Flxible (111C-D51???). Did you notice if this bus had an A/C unit. The closest GM fishbowls to that number were MaBSTOA's T6H-5309A's (4800-4919), but they were delivered in the two-tone blue paint scheme.
Wayne
It had the small rump on the tail roof. Definately a fishbowl, the glass is unmistakeable. And the number may be off by some similar looking digits, as I only got a quick look as it passed me.
-Hank
I think that they're going to start using the coaches on the local lines. Why? Becuase bus #171 was on the Q48 at 6:00 yersterday heading to La Guardia Airport. The other lines that I knew with coaches in use were the X51, of course, the Q32 and the Q74
And if I'm not mistaking at 1 time I saw bus #195 on the X51 (195 has regular blue seats, that was unusual!)
BUSMAN316
Express buses on local routes has been going on for years. Some regulars in the past were 100st - used them on the M86 (then M18).
KB used them on the Bx10 (now BX7) and the discontinued BX24.
The reverse - local buses on express routes - I've seen numerous times over the years, especially from SI. When the 1993 Orion V's were first delievered - I saw them (local buses) on the X51 many times.
Between the axle cracks on the Blitz rebuilds and 1981-84 RTS in x-bus service on SI, the coaches were moved to the local routes, while the local buses were used on the x-bus routes until the new Orions were delivered and the local RTS were converted to coach seats.
-Hank
it's a last resort to put a hard seater on an express, but they'd rather make service than lose the trip.
As they were slowly getting rid of the 1700s coaches out of Casey, I remember one old timer always pulled out 1737. I think at one time they had 1734 to 1749.
Also buses 1706-1733, 1516-1536, 1562-1571 and 2282 used to operate out of Stengel
Buses 330, 360 and 385 were stripped of their shrink-rapped ads. I guess they don't have much use for them anymore. There used to be so many of those buses with the shrink-rapped ads. Now the only buses that are left w/ these ads are some of the 900 express coaches, buses 42, 195, 197-202, 208 (back), 294 (back), 341, 351, 353, 379, 384 (back) and 387. Is there any update about bus #334, is it going to return to service or not?
BUSMAN316
Wraps ... when the adv runs out, they take them off. Guess TDI isn't selling as many adv ... maybe the novelity has worn off.
334 ... still listed as a bus under repair. Since it's a TMC from '93 someone must have decided its worth fixing.
Mr t__:^)
Boy are these companies getting lazy or what? This morning, I saw buses 3049 and 3060 with no red strips anywhere, just the number, the logo in the front and the company. Yet I have to say that about Queens and Green too! I already got into the white paintjobs (YUCK UGLY AND BORING!) Thanks for your reponses. Please feel free to send me your opinions on anything you want if you have any! Thanx!
BUSMAN316
Triborough sending those all-white buses out on the streets before at least a partial painting or striping leads to loss of company identity, in my mind. I guess the commuters who get those buses are just happy to be on new, clean equipment. Because white is part of almost all transit operators' paint schemes, it's hard to denounce it. Used properly with other colors, white can be attractive. Jamaica Buses is the only operator in the NYC metropolitan area that I can think of that does NOT have white in its scheme. I think the Jamaica Buses scheme is very attractive.
The customer only wants to see a bus arrive at his/her stop on time. They don't care much about the paint job, but will complain like hell if the farebox beats them out of 1.50.
FYI - Yesterday I had a case of the box said it took 3.00 vs. 1.50. We had the s/n of the MC & tracked it. The record showed the box displayed 3.00 taken, but only 1.50 came off the card. And when my guys tested the box it worked just fine. Maybe the customer was Rod Serling ?
Mr t__:^)
There are several painted Triboros. The unpainted ones have the numbers in two different type faces. Once painted, all of the numbers are in the same, unreadable italic as the late model RTS's.
When we shared space with SubTalk one ongoing topic was the city's bat wing buses.
Here are the fleet numbers, models, divisions, and comments for these buses...
3472... TDH 5303... MaBSTOA... first with wings & standee windows
5516-5525... TDH 5303... MaBSTOA... wings placed over standee windows
6701-6900... TDH 5303... MaBSTOA...
8001-8202... TDH 5303... NYCTA... wings and a/c
8301-8780... TDH 5303... MaBSTOA... wings and a/c
8829-8878... T6H 5305A...NYCTA... wings and a/c
7753... 53102-6-1...MaBSTOA... only Flxible with wings and a/c
631... 53102-6-1...MaBSTOA... only Grumman with wings
Note that the city had the largest fleet of TDH 5303s.
8001-8202 and 8301-8780 also came with a roof-top mounted blister for two-way radio and a white painted roof! During winter an aluminum sheet was placed over the a/c condenser grill.
7753 also had an advertising card rack over the a/c condenser grill.
as hank mentioned in a previous post nyct is taking delivery of 350 orions. mother hale is getting the first batch followed by amsterdam castleton and yukon. 5 will be hybrids for manhattanville.
Casey Stengel will also get some buses from this order (I believe 22 are earmarked for STENG). Also the hybrids are seperate from the 350.
according to bus roster these buses were to go to hale amsterdam castleton and yukon. do you have any further info on changes?
I'll see if i can dig up the numbers for you, but stengel is scheduled for a small amount (22 ??).
Stengel will get 6120 to 6141 (22 buses). They will give up 22: 400, 401, 404,425, 452 to 456 (11 buses to Amsterdam). And 11 more to Castleton: 505 to 515.
Yep, I'm finally starting to see them out on the road. Was in Times Square just tonight, and saw an Orion approaching with the LED signs. It was 6008, on the M7 (Mother Clara Hale) and looked inside and it also had the carpet seats and the new wall mounted lighing--all the amenities of the new RTS's!
So then I waited for awhile, and caught 6005 and rode it to Union Sq, and not too long after was 6015.
Can someone please assist me,,I need a listing of Carriers ,,Local Transit,operating in the Hudson and Essex (newark) County areas
Carrier and Route Numbers
Thank you
Steve
ONE Bus Company -- #12 Elizabeth, #24 Orange-Newark-Elizabeth, #44 Tremont (operates routes for NJ Transit).
South Orange Avenue IBOA -- #31
Lafayette & Greenville (Jersey City) -- #5, 6 and #16 (Journal Square-Newport Center Mall-Hoboken)
Montgomery & Westside (Jersey City -- not sure of routes)
Bergen Avenue IBOA (Jersey City -- not sure of routes)
A & C Bus (Jersey City -- not sure of routes)
Red & Tan Lines -- #99, #99S, and Jersey City-Staten Island route (forgot route number)
Academy Tours -- #22 Hillside (Hoboken to Fort Lee)
TCT Transit (NJT Contract) -- #88, #123, #125.
These are the ones I can think of off-hand.
Lafayette & Greenville's main route is unnumbered - runs from Jersey City-Bayonne border north to Newport Center Mall or Exchange Place. The 5/6 and 16 are minor routes with less frequent service. I believe there may also be a route 31 from the same Bayonne-Jersey City border north to Journal Square.
Montgomery & Westside's main route runs along the streets in the name, from the south-western part of Jersey City north to Newport Center Mall or Exchange Place.
Thank you
This past Wednesday around the area of 42nd and Madison Ave, I spotted a NEW bus on the M2 bus route. It was like the Orions with it's rectangular box look. Also this bus was definitely smaller than current fleet of RTS's. I took only a glimpse of it since it speeded up Madison Ave. In my opinion from an outside look of course, I did not like this bus at all because of it's size. This bus I hope might be only for testing purpose and not the MTA's newest fleet.
-GarfieldA
You spotted one of the Orion VI Low floor buses.
I know everyone at one time or another must have taken note of the light clusters next to the destination sign on Westchester County/Bee-Line MCI coaches. The colored lights, on each side, are colored red, white, blue, green, and orange. Just what the $#@&*( are they for?
-Hank
[I know everyone at one time or another must have taken note of the light clusters next to the destination sign on Westchester County/Bee-Line MCI coaches. The colored lights, on each side, are colored red, white, blue, green, and orange. Just what the $#@&*( are they for?]
They're marker lights, which are supposed to identify the route the bus is on from a distance.
David
The only route I've ever seen them on is the BxM4C. Do they use them on other routes?
-Hank
No, they are Bee-Line (Westchester County and not NYC-DOT) buses and they can only be used on Westchester-Manhattan routes. There is also a BXM4D that serves Tarrytown. I've only seen it during rush hours. They're five different colors which means that many different combinations are possible. Maybe they were planning ahead like the TA did with the extra Letters and numbers on their signs.
When you think about it - the Bee-Line expresses route numbers are sort of misleading. The BXM prefix implies that it's a Bronx-Manhattan service while they are Westchester-Manhattan routes. Of course they pass through The Bronx, but there are no stops between McLean Ave-Cnetral Park Ave, Yonkers and 98th Street, Manhattan.
Wayne
The BxM4D does not exist anymore! They discontinued this route due to low ridership back in the early 90's. But you are right it should be the WMX4 or something like that.
Peace
DaShawn
M106 E. Harlem
FDR Drive
Crosstown
M106 5 Ave
M106 West End Av
Crosstown
You omitted a few
Steve
FDNY
5 Av
__
Bway
____
Riverside Dr
_____
5 AV (WB)
I HAVE ALL THE LIST OF SIGN FROM WEST SIDE DEPOT AND IM MISSING SOME PAPER. I KNOW THEY HAVE THOSE SIGN BUT THEY DON'T USED IT ALSO RIVERSIDE DR??????
X90 YORKVILLE VIA YORK-92 ST
X90 DOWNTOWN VIA TRADE CTR
X92 YORKVILLE VIA YORK-92 ST
X92 DOWNTOWN VIA WATER-BROAD
M16 WATERSIDE VIA 34 ST
M16 1 AV
M16 5 AV
M16 P A TERM VIA 34 ST
M27 U N - 1 AV VIA 50 ST
M27 2 AV VIA 50 ST
M27 P A TERMINAL VIA 49 ST
M27 BROADWAY VIA 49 ST
M30 YORK-72 ST
M30 W MIDTOWN VIA 8 AVE-57 ST
M34 1 AV
" CROSSTOWN
M34 5 AV
M34 7 AV
M34 F D R DR
" CROSSTOWN
Hi; you seem to be knowledgeable about West Side Depot. Perhaps you can answer a curiosity of mine:When West Side opened a week ahead of time (3/22/98), which bus#'s were used to operate the M-34 & M-42?Were they from Hudson, or elsewhere? Also, where did the operators come from?Thanks for your help. Gerry Josephs
That right Gerry M34 & M42 came from Hudson depot. Went to West Side Depot when they open 3/22/98.
I have them all
Steve
FDNY
Hi, friend; you misunderstand. What I need are the bus numbers (8222,etc.) that were sent to WS (one week earlier than it was oficially opened) to operate these two routes on a test basis. I also need to know where the operators were from. Thanks.
I have a Johnson/Keene K-25 farebox, ex-NYCTA.
I can dump the coins into the counting mechanism and they are counted.
However, the mechanism will not stop its counting cycle!
Can anyone help?
Thanks.
If you can't get help locally, try the mfg:
GFI 751 Pratt Blvd Elk Grove Village IL 60007 708-593-8855
There are also a number of operators who still have THAT box. I think Harrom (LI to Atl City) is one of them.
Yesterday I saw Stengel bus #173 have the following destination sign:
Q32 74 ST
Jackson Heights
I never saw this before, I thought it was weird! All of the buses go to 81 Street and Northern Blvd. Why only to 74 Street?
BUSMAN316
This is a Short Turn Trip
Short sign because the bus was late. If the time it takes is 8 minutes to 82 street and the bus is 16 minutes late, since going to/from 82 street from 74 street is 16 minutes, turning him short here puts him back on time................................till he hits that bridge again.
I gave that operator that short sign because there were protests at 42St and 2 Av. and all of my Q32's were running very late. I also gave 46St. short signs and sent several dark all the way to Jackson Heights to make service back to the city.
Was almost tempted to send some through the Midtown tunnel like the old days but its a no no now.
M79 EAST END AV
" CROSSTOWN
M79 5 AV
M79 RIVERSIDE DR
" CROSSTOWN
M86 YORK - 92 ST
" CROSSTOWN
M86 MADISON AV
M86 YORKVILLE
" EAST END AV
M86 5 AV
M96 1 AV
" CROSSTOWN
M96 MADISON AV
M96 WEST END AV
" CROSSTOWN
M96 5 AV
M98 LIMITED
G W BRIDGE
VIA 3 AV
M98 LIMITED
WASHGTN HTS
193 ST
VIA 3 AV
M98 LIMITED
E MIDTOWN
34 ST
VIA LEX AV
M98 LIMITED
MIDTOWN
LEX-42 ST
M102 HARLEM
147 ST
VIA 3 AV
M102 96 ST
M102 125 ST
M102 72 ST
M102 149 ST VIA 3 AV
M102 EAST VILL
6 ST VIA LEX AV
M102 100 ST VIA LEX AV
M102 24 ST VIA 3 AV
M102 42 ST VIA LEX AV
M102 LEX AV - 16 ST
Was the next victim of the MTA'S ugly white paintjobs. Also, there's no MTA New York City Bus written in the back and the number is in the new style. Before the paintjob, the back number was in old NYCT style. I like this style so much better than the boring new style used now. #4334 is the only 4300 series bus with the old NYCT style number. #4332 is white on the right side and black on the left side.
Within the next few days, I'll be naming a few buses that still have the NYCT style becuase I know that people out there enjoy looking at this style rather than the old white trash on these buses now.
BUSMAN316
Mother Hale M1, M2, M7, M60, Bx33
Kingbridge Bx1,Bx2, Bx3, Bx7, Bx9, Bx10, Bx18, Bx20, Bx41, Bx55, M100
Walnut Bx4, Bx5, Bx6, Bx11, Bx13, Bx15, Bx17, Bx19, Bx21, Bx27, Bx32, Bx35, Bx36
Gun Hill Bx8, Bx12, Bx14, Bx16, Bx22, Bx26, Bx28, Bx29, Bx30, Bx31, Bx34, Bx39, Bx40, Bx42
Any bus techs in here? I have a question about the control panel on the RTS. The is a button that has been removed. It is labeled
"Touch-Bar Bypass". What is this button for? Anyone know? Is it also
on the Onrions?
The touch bar bypass allows an operator to open the back doors fully, as to let someone with packages to enter from the rear, or to make it easier for an elderly person to get out without having to push the doors open. THe rear doors will not close till the button is turned off even after the main door control is put on close. I do not believe that Orions have this button.
The touch-bar bypass switch on the RTS's that I drive (out here in California) only opens the door. It is a momentary-contact toggle, and releases once the coach operator pushes it. The rear doors on our RTS's also stay open until the operator sets the door control handle back to the all-closed position.
<<
Any bus techs in here? I have a question about the control panel on the RTS. The is a button that has been removed. It is labeled
"Touch-Bar Bypass". What is this button for? Anyone know? Is it also
on the Onrions?>>
The touch bar bypass in the off position (where it should stay) permits the use of the tape on the rear door for the passenger to open the door fully when exiting. In the 'on' position it permits the doors to open automatically when the controller is in the rear door open position. (RTS 06 operators manual page 5-4 and 8-6)
For example, i saw on the news today, they were loading those subway shuttles on the F/G through both the rear and front doors.
What bus were you on that the button was removed?? This is a very safety related item. Let me guess...............the RTS mockup at the transit museum?
Isn't that exactly what I posted Mike M?
I didnt know the original posting had your response until i read it later
Sorry
While driving from NJ to Boston last night, I saw TA Nova bus #5121 headed south along I-84 just south of Brewster. I assume it was on its delivery run to the TA. Does this mean that the wheelchair lift problems that I understand occurred with the Nova's in the high 5000's have been solved?
What wheelchair problems with the high 5000s? The issues reported on in the NY Post only applied to 9350-9699 (the first half of the order)
The UTC Roster of a week or two back indicated that some of the Novas around 5075 were at Manhattanville, but had been returned to the vendor due to wheelcheer lift problems. The current roster indicates that these buses are now in Gun Hill. If there was a problem, it must have been resolved.
Where are buses #4082 and 4415? They are not located on the bus roster web page.
BUSMAN316
4082 is at FP.Must be an error.
There are many buses that have the old # scheme. This list is a few buses that are either reasiding in Queens now or they used to be in Queens:
Front, Back and Sides: Front Only: Front and Sides Only:
1755* 230 259
1763-1764 404 3926
1773* 4090-4092 4076-4077
1834* 4096 4098
2663* 4212
3641
3646
3900
3903
3906
3908
3921
3923
3932
3936
3945
3964-3966
3976-3977
3979
3982-3983
4071
4074
4088
4099-4103
4108-4109
4201
4207-4208
Back Only: Front and Back Only: 3974
294
3947*
4334
4574
4590
*Have the ugly white paintjobs w/ the old number scheme.
These are just a few. 3000, 3400, 3500, 3700 and 3800 aren't in Queens but they do have this type of number scheme. My advice is better enjoy looking at these buses this way now becuase in the future, the MTA is going to do 1 of 2 things:
1. Paint them over with the new # scheme OR
2. Store/scrap these buses
I'll have to say this though, the ONLY white paintjobs that I approve of by the MTA is at Casey Stengel Depot. Opinions? Email me!
BUSMAN316
I apologize for the sloppy way that the old # scheme page came out. I programmed it, spaced it out and it came out sloppy. Again, for the INCONVENIENCERS out there, I'm sorry!
BUSMAN316
There are/were only 3 buses that I knew of that had this:
1 was Mike's favorite, 4212, the others were 4425 and 4469
4425 I think has the ugly white, I'm not sure about 4469, I haven't seen that bus in a long time. Are there any more like this? Email me and let me know because I like the buses like this. The newer it looks, the worse it looks. Agree?
BUSMAN316
was bus #4336. Had the ugly white!
BUSMAN316
I have the MaBSTOA NYCTA Bus Roster in my hand. I see that Novas 5075-5103, 5109-5110, 5114-5116, and 5118 are located at GunHill Depot In the Bronx. I heard that buses 5095-5119 were supposed to be delivered to Jamaica Depot (MTA) in Queens. Is that true? If it is, then why are these buses at GunHill Depot?
BUSMAN316
An earlier roster indicated that 5096 was in Jamaica, but had been returned to Vendor due to wheelchair lift problems (similar to the situation for some of the 5070 and 5080's which were originally delivered to Manhattanville). Why they all wound up in Gun Hill, I don't know.
According to the UTC roster in december of 1998, Manhattanville was supposed to get 5100 series buses along with Hudson Pier and Westside, and GunHill was supposed to get the 5070 and 80's to about 5100. I have to check to get the exact #'s for you.
Peace
DaShawn
Each depot will still get the same total number of buses, but there was a flip-flop in the sequence on who gets the buses next. Gun Hill is getting theirs next because 5075 to 5124 has a different transmission and all those will be in the same depot.
gun hill is the delivery point for new buses along with penske(atlantic deseil) in lodi nj. from there they are picked up by bus drivers from the depots to which they are assigned.
Is no longer in service. It's in storage at Hudson Pier.
BUSMAN316
Can you post something more substantial than a bus number, and where it is; or a bus number and a question about where it is?
-Hank
Hank, #3631 is in 2 places at once? I was looking on the bus roster page and it said that it was in storage at Hudson and in service at Westside depot. Where is it at? Hudson or Westside?
BUSMAN316
#3631 is in West Side Depot and used to be in 100st Depot. My father drove that bus because he work at West Side Depot.
I drove 3631 out of Amsterdam also. Its a great bus and I am surprised its been taken out of service.
To Busman, if you must post questions about buses, can you do it all in one posting like 5 or 6 buses so that we dont have to go one by one ?
Hey Fernando do you work at 100st Depot before they close in 1998?? Well my father work there for 15 years before he went to West Side Depot on 3/22/98.
I think the date may have been 3 29 98. But anyway what run does your father work now? Im a dispatcher now and maybe your father works one of my lines. I have 42St and 12 Av Monday nights and 6St and 3 Av Saturday and Sunday nights.
He work on M79 in the morning and run # 15.
MUCH better! I don't know how it can be in two places at once; however, the roter page is being updated on an almost daily basis. The guy doing it is probably going section by section as time permits.
-Hank
To Mr. Mabstoa: Who decides when shuttle bus service is to be run. Does the subway department contact Bus or is there a special office for emergency that can tell bus to get out extra service?
My complimenst for such quick roll out on the Bergen fire Shuttles.
I think those buses in Carlton storage facility should be pulled out for shuttle service.
[I think those buses in Carlton storage facility should be pulled out for shuttle service.]
And who's supposed to pull these buses out all at/around the same time to run such an emergency shuttle? It's not like it's practical to have a group of Bus Operators standing around the depots waiting for an emergency.
David
Its a multi department job which probably starts with some Subway's department requesting the buses and then a Bus department scheduling and planning going to the Road Control office of the borough. At this point its decided which depots get the work which is usually divid up to several depots to ensure enough operators can fill the work and buses equally be taken from the respective depots.
On some shuttles I worked, like 96St and Broadway to 149 St and the Grand Concourse, there were buses from every Mabstoa depot including 126 St depot.
The work is always overtime and is usually very easy to fill since you always have operators that enjoy the money!
Its a different story for planned subway construction however. Like the Lenox invert work or Willamsburg bridge project these shuttles are actually scheduled and have picks so that work will be picked and these runs are usually not overtime or may be X's which is overtime that is picked.
If you have the March 1999 NYCT Agenda, please post the information on Bustalk.
I appreciate it.
Sincerely,
MIchael
Bus #3302 has ugly "Stop Requested" sign (e.g. GM Blitz, old Flxible). Do you have information about it?
So does 3294.
so does QV bus #8357.
It was probably taken for use as a spare from a Blitz that was scrapped. And now, it's seeing use. Ugly or not, 'it do the job', to quaote a book.
-Hank
Minus well relace these buses too. The Novas and Orions are taking over the road from them.
in todays staten isl. advance a yukon mechanic accuses nyct of sending out buses with worn brake pads while the local 726 pres. dismisses the allegations. does anyone have any further info on this problem?
The Orion CNGs were having a problem in this area, mainly due to the extra 6,000 lbs on top. This also related to policy to limit standees. Since LI Bus & maint. at the several "private" depots knew about the problem we checked the brakes more frequenly. I haven't heard of any buses on LI or Queens that went out unsafe.
Disclaimer: This is a personal vs. OFFICIAL responce
Mr t__:^)
I would like to know what depots the Orions are going to, what seriel numbers will transfer from one depot to another & what seriel numbers will be at what depots. Please post on bustalk.
Sincerely,
Michael
I don't know about serial numbers, but the new Orion bus assignment is as follows: 6000-6065 Mother Clara Hale. That is 66 buses, their total fleet is 143. That depot will eventually be all Orion. The balance will probably be reassigned from Staten Island, but no official word yet. Amsterdam will get 6066-6119 (54 buses). Their total fleet is 118 buses. That depot will eventually be all Orion as well. They will get 11 used Orions from Casey Stengel. Again, figure the balance to be reassigned from Staten Island as well. Next batch is 6120-6141 (22 buses) for Casey Stengel. In exchange, they will give up their remaining 400's (11 buses) to Amsterdam and 505 to 515 (another 11) will go to Castleton (perhaps temporarily). 6142 to 6255 (114 buses) will go to Castleton. Their present total local fleet is 135. They already have 64 local Orions (233-250 & 459-504) and have 11 more coming from Casey Stengel (505-515). That is why I figure 54 used Orions will eventually be reassigned to Amsterdam/Mother Clara Hale so they can be all Orion. Last, but not least, Yukon who already has a total of 115 local buses will get another another 94 (6256-6349). Of those local buses, they already have the following Orion locals: (251-253) and 631-680) a total of 53. Again, I figure the excess (32) will be reassigned to Amsterdam/Mother Clara Hale. I think my arithmetic is correct on this. Under this reassignment, more Orions would be needed to make those 2 MABSTOA depots all Orion, then again, the fleet size of depots vary from time to time & in time Amsterdam is supposed to close whenever Coliseum & 100 St. are rebuilt.
Due to the new Orions (6000-6349) coming in, the following RTS will have new homes. 4357 to 4359, 4408 to 4414 and 4416 to 4424 (19 buses) from Mother Clara Hale to East New York. 4753 to 4792 (40 buses) from Amsterdam to Flatbush. 8315 to 8339 (25 buses) from Castleton to Ulmer Park. A few RTS' from 1996 will be reassigned between MABSTOA depots due to new RTS' coming in. More reassignments to come. RTS' from 1982 & 1983 will be gone soon, while 1984's 1985's and just a few 1986's await scrap/sale/storage/reassignment to other depots. With new RTS' & Orions coming in, the first Gleason Low floor Flyer CNG on the road, and Artics coming in sometime this year, there will be a huge turnover of old buses this year.
What exactly are Artics? I saw a posting here stating the Artics are coming to NYCTA soon
Gonzo
Artics are articulated buses, which bend in the middle. Naturally, they can carry more people than a regular 40 foot transit bus. I believe most articulateds are 55 or 60 feet long. NYC already has artics at both Bronx garages. The next batch is going to Flatbush. These are all New Flyer standard floor artics.
What depot are the new MCI buses from? When I visited New York last September I saw a couple of them near World Trade Center.
The MCI buses operate out of both Staten Island Depots: Castleton and Yukon.
BUSMAN316
ITEMs
Proposed service revision
b41 B44 B46 Sunday Limited Stop Service
Implentation May 1999
B41 Northbound 12 Noon to 8 Pm
Southbound 1 PM to 9 PM
B46 Northbound 10 AM to 8 PM
Southbound 11 AN to 9 PM
B44 Northbound 9 AM to 7 PM
Southbound 10AM to 8 PM
__________________________________________________
SPRING BUS SCHEDULES REVISIONS
M5, M8,M10,M14AD,M16;34,,M23,M35,M42,M79,M86
BX6, 9 ,12,13,15,19,21,22,28,31,36,,40/42,
B4,6,8,16,35,36,41,42,44,46,61,74,
Q4,5,12,17,30,31,44,46,59,84,85,88,
S40/90 ,42,46/96,,48/98,52,74,
X1-9,10-11,12,14,15,16,17/19,18,20,27,28,63,64,68,90.92
__________________________________________________
S53 NORTHERN TERMINAL MODIFICATION IN BAY RIDGE TO BE PERMANENT EFFECTIVE MARCH 99
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
B15 AND Q3
expand late night service to JFK Airport ,,1 hr later
Effective June 1999
__________________________________________________
Q20 extension
Q44 Limited and Briarwood reroute
Implement Q44 limited Stop service on Weekdays from 6 AM to 10 PM ,Saturdays 7 AM to 10 PM,and Sundays 8 AM to 10 PM in Queens
Revise Q44 Routing to Utilize Main St and Queens Blvd,bet GCP and Hillside Av _Briarwood Reroute
Establish Q20A to Serivice 20 Av in College Point
.bet Parsons and Colllege Pt Blv,M-F bet 6 AM to 10 Saturdays bet 7 AM and 10 PM ,,Sundays bet 8 AM to 10 PM,,
Establish 20B ,follow current Q20 ,,Weekdays bet 5 AM and 11 PM
Discussion of Q44 Extemsion to Fordham Plaza via Bronx Park South,E 182 St,E184 St,3 Av,,---not to be implemented due to cost
__________________________________________________
Bx5 and Bx31 Span of Service Revision
implementation July 1999
BX31 weekday SB service 515 Starting (AM).Weekends SB to start at 6 AM ,,Northbound Service to start 6AM on Sunday
BX5 SB Trips starting at 6 AM ,
NB Trips starting at 6 AM
<>
I have been wondering why they didnt think of this many years ago. 150 Street is too damn steep. The first flake of snow and the diversion is on (usually on Parsons). This reroute will better serve some commercial areas on Queens Blvd and also provide direct service to Archbishop Molloy HS (where now the students walk down to GCP and Main St) and the Van Wyck Blvd-Briarwood 'F' station, eliminate 150 Street hill, a s/b left turn off Hillside onto Sutphin, a n/b left turm from Hillside onto 150 St, and making what amounts to a 'u-turn' via the e/b GCP service rd onto Parsons then onto GCP service rd w/b.
And the College Point thing with the 20 is also a great idea. That shopping area opened as the 20 was detoured on 20th Av due to construction, the ridership probably sparked some talk of making some service alterations.
B15 service to JFK should run every 20 minutes instead of every half-hour.
Jamaica Depot (MTA) were supposed to get Nova's 5095-5119.
Hudson Pier were supposed to receive buses 5235-5249 and these buses to Hudson Pier is the last of the Nova delivery.
BUSMAN316
was painted
Wasn't that bus at or was at Stengel?
I was analyzing a Brooklyn Bus map yesterday, I was thinking maybe the B14 can be extended across the Conduits through Sutter Av to the Rockaway Blvd station? Just a wild thought. I know everybody been talking about the Grand Army Plaza extension. So tell me what you think?
actually, that is not at all a bad idea. My sugesstion was to just extend it to the mail facility with the 13, 15 and 20 routes. also I wanted to have the 13 run to starrett city via flatlands instead of just terminating at spring creek. But i never thought about that station.
It just dawned upon me also. Im sure that if the B14 were to go to the Rockaway Blvd station, it would greatly improve this bus route. The B14 already transfer with the B13,15, and 20 so I figured send it to Queens where it can terminate at a subway station, connects to 5 other different bus routes, and bring people to a nice little shopping area and movie theater. Maybe the TA should look into this. I know that it already terminate at a busy subway station but I think extending it to Queens at a little shopping strip would bring more riders.
FDNY:
Do you have new bus readings for March? Especially for Brooklyn. I been away for a week so I missed some stuff...
Hi
Have not received the new materials,,just posted the new agenda stuff
Steve
Go here for a 1978 roster for TA/OA:
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/9036/NYCTA78.html
I got some questions about the 1978 roster.
How come there were no 1961 GM New Looks on the roster? I thought these busses ran to 1980. The Busfest page on this site said that a 1961 GM was in service until 1980. Maybe I'm imagining this.
Aren't many 9000 series Flxible New Looks 1977 models? They listed them as 1976.
Yes, I agree I'm pretty sure the Flxible 9000's were 1977 models also. Also, in this order MABSTOA's 9160-9164 had 8-cylinder engines which makes their model numbers 53102-8-1.
Wayne
I love Flxible 9000s series because is very smooth bused and my father drove these buses too while working at 100st Depot.
I have to agree also that those 1977 Flxible's were the greatest. 9000 to 93 i can't remember were powered by Detroit Diesel 6L-71V8's. They were smooth! So were some of those GM new looks that got rebuilt in to the 5500 series like 5554 which was placed on the M14 on it's last days had the same engine like the 9000's. Those were the days!
Peace
DaShawn
I didn't like those 3 speed transmissions though, I always like the old powerglide 2 speed models better
I was fond of those 2 speeds also, but on the TDH-5301, 5303 it would upshift rather early and by time the bus reached 35-40 MPH is was nearly out of breath. I also like the three speed trannys also.
Wayne
I remember that a few of the buses were STILL green in the year
1978. Whatever happened to the buses with the ad signs
I see that there are 9000's are out of ENY and the 7500 are out Ulmer Park(even though I saw 7510 on the B41 last week). Do anybody have the current up to date bus assignments in Brooklyn? A future assignment would be gladly appreciated also.....
<<(even though I saw 7510 on the B41 last week).
7000,7500-7510 at Flatbush.
Go to the Urban Transit Club Website. http://hometown.aol.com/glenn6398/utc.html Click onto the roster.
Thanks for the website addy.
Briefly, 7500-7510 are in Flatbush; 7511-7534 are in Ulmer Park (transferred from ENY).
I say give up 7500-7510 to Ulmer Park also!!!!!
I work out of Ulmer Park I We got East New York's Buses 7511-7534. We got these after we lose new 4900's series Novas. East New York got our 4900's and there 5000's series Novas. We Also go some of East New York's 4000's Series.
Why not, all the junk seems to go to Ulmer Park.
If were going to send junk to Ulmer Park,lets send 9140-9149,9569-9600,9602-9605
Bentley:
Did you stop giving out your Brooklyn Bus Suggestions? I was interested in what you had to say about these bus routes?
I have not been feeling too well lately, so I have not been doing too much talking. And sine I was not getting any responses I stopped temporarily. I will resume back from where I left off.
Bentley:
Did you stop giving out your Brooklyn Bus Suggestions? I was interested in what you had to say about these bus routes.
Does anyone know where to find NYCTA bus models from any year, especially 1960's and 70's buses
The 1978 roster post lists all NYCTA/MABSTOA models that were manufactured in the 1960's and 70's.
Wayne
Corgi makes some very nice die cast models of buses but they are a bit pricey
They are available at model shops If the store does not have them ask if they have a Corgi catalog or they may have a web site.
The detail on the old look buses is accurate down to the air intake over the destination sign for the "Thermomatic Heating" on some models and others that did not are plain. All of the models I have seen are of the 40' buses.
I was on Myrtle Avenue a couple days last week and I noticed that there were a lot of people at the bus stops in Ft. Greene area waiting for the B54. Then all of a sudden, three buses came. The first two skipped about two or three stops, while the third bus picked up the slack. B54 where are you? Myrtle Ave. El where are you?
Limited Service, where are you, Dollar vans, where are you. This is really a forsaken part of town, transit wise. They think no one lives over here. (Thank goodness we will get the weekend A express, though)
I heard 4212 wasn't available. It was on the Q58.If it was there, the service would've been much better that day.
A few days ago, someone inquired about 4082. It is now back on the road. I saw it Tuesday evening 3-16 on the B54 run 17.
I recently rode LI Bus for the first time in years, and started on a fairly new Orion CNG (#283) on the N24 out of Jamaica. I was impressed with the automated stop announcements right before each stop - they were very accurate. Does anyone know how this system works? (I suspect it is automated and not triggered by the driver.) Also, does the system exist on all the CNG Orions (beginning with #100) or only on the newer ones? I later rode some LI Bus diesels out of Rockville Centre and they did not have any announcements.
I believe LI Bus has it on all of their new Orions, those being those CNG buses. WMATA also has this feature on their new Orions (Diesel). I'm pretty sure it's automatic - and I suspect that it's linked to the destination sign and the odometer. WMATA buses also have a display at the front that show the stop.
Wayne
Thanks. I believe the LI Bus I was on also had the next stop displayed up front. However they do it, the accuracy of it was amazing. I'll have to find some time to come out to LI to ride some more of those CNG Orions. The $4 day pass might come in handy then!
You are correct, the system (made by Clever Devices) is mileage based. The bus operator programs it at the beginning of the first revenue trip and almost works automatically. It does need to be reprogrammed if the route has a detour in it. It's pretty neat. Check out there web site www.cleverdevices.com
where is the Fresh Pond depot located?
I think it is near the Fresh Pond Rd. station on the "M" line. I believe it is in Queens.
Hi, there; F.P. is located in Queens, actually (Bklyn Div), at 66-99 Fresh Pond Road, in Ridgewood. It is beneath the M train Station at F.P.One may also access by B-13, B-20,Q-58 and others. Please check w/ Bill from Maspeth.
You got it right. While you're in the area, take a ride to Metropolitan Ave. on the M line so you can see the new maintance facility next to the train storage yard.
Yeah, check out all those new Novas needing repair. HA HA HA HA!!!
Hey Mike, I agree with you 110 percent. The older the bus, the better it runs. It seems that these new Novas are breaking down more and more.
BUSMAN316
Thank you BUSMAN316.
This is about Queens Surface Corp. though. The TMC's are a bunch of bombs! My friend on the Q66 with 0131 run said that he went through 4 buses in 1 night, all were TMC's. I also saw bus #290 getting towed, up Northern Blvd. And New Orion buses #700-702 broke down, all were on the QM1A. NEW? BETTER? MY FOOT! TMC's and ORIONS are COMPLETELY PATHETIC! Save the GMC RTS!
BUSMAN316
ps The new orions the depots are getting in now look ugly. When I look at those buses, I feel like I'm at an airport. Stengel, keep the 400's and 505-515 where they are!
Where is 3403? Did it ever come to Flatbush with the rest of the 3400's years back?
buses 360, 379 and 388 were stripped of their shrink-rapped ads. Speaking of shrink-rapped ads, (this is weird) I saw Triboro Coach bus #790 (MCI) with Godzilla shrink-rap from May 20, 1998. I think it's time for that ad to go! It's been on that bus for almost a year now.
BUSMAN316
At our depot we have some we have some "public service" wraps that have been on for a long time.
I suspect the problem with the Godzilla shrink-rap from May 20, 1998 is a glitch in the KISS system (Keep It Simple Stupid), i.e. we use the same bus over & over, so when a adv expires, it gets replaced.
Mr t__:^)
Buses 360, 379 and 388 are TMC's that operate out of Queens Surafce. I apologize any inconveniences.
BUSMAN316
It's had to tell who is "operating" the bus when the whole think is covered by an adv. ... however if the driver smiles when you enter, it's probally one of the "privates" ... he he he :-)
Mr t__:^)
Is it true that all buses in the year 2000 have to be CNG? I heard that it's going to be a law January 1.
BUSMAN316
I've not heard of any dead line like that. For the "privates" I don't think NYC-DOT is going to buy anything but CNG, so SOMEDAY we'll be without diesels, i.e. they could buy somethink else but CNG.
Mr t__:^)
I rode bus #7028 on the Q46 line to Sprngfld Bl. (run #020). Anyway, this bus has the vandal-resistant seats on them and a strange-looking floor, it's not like thr regular floor with lines, it's flat. Bus #7029 also has this type of floor.
BUSMAN316
Slowly but surely, these buses are getting the paintjobs that everybody here hates: UGLY WHITE! We have to stop the MTA in waisting thier money on disgusting looking paintjobs. #4335 was the next victim. That bus runs SO SLOW though. It takes forever for that bus to pick up speed. And save bus #4334's back #. There's nothing wrong with the number, it's not falling off, if you're doing the paintjob, keep it up. I hate the new style used now. YUCK!
1 more thing about this series. Bus #4328 has the 2 numbered in a strange way in the back. At 1 time, there was no # in the back. Well, the number that was stolen, I think, resides on a fence on Kissena Blvd and 60 Ave in Flushing. I saw it after the Q17 turned the corner from the Horace Harding Expwy. It's 3-5 feet past the bus stop on the right.
I saw a rarity this evening: an actual handicapped person using a rear lift that actually worked. But I have a beef, and here it is.
With this gentleman getting on, service was delayed, and the way things work buses that get behind get further behind. By the time the bus got to our stop, another bus was directly behind it despite the 10 minute headway, and we had been waiting a long time.
So the bus with the handicapped gentleman pulls in -- and the other second bus speeds by without stopping. We are left to wait an additional five minutes or so at the curb while the wheelchair lift is operated.
Why didn't that second bus stop to pick us up and save us a few mintues? Did the driver have to go to the bathroom or something?
"We are left to wait an additional five minutes or so at the curb while the wheelchair lift is operated".
that sounds about right. The cycle time for the lift to deploy, load the passenger and tie the wheelchair down is about 6 minutes. If two handicapped people got on a thirty minute bus ride it would add 12 minutes to the ride! I was in Memphis, TN lately and they have low floor buses. I wonder if wheelchair loading is any faster?
I know it seems like a long time and TA need a better way of handleing this but try to picture yourself in tha persons shoes. My mom id cripled. I have to help her when she when't to manhattan. She have trouble walking up and down steps. Maybe the TA should buy vans specally for handicapped people
I don't mind picking up the passenger in a wheelchair. I just wish the 2nd bus pick us up instead of whizzing by.
my new e-mail and ISP will be :
subwaybuff@earthlink.net
Changed my mind. sticking with mindspring. Cancel this message
With Queens Surface recently receiving about 82 new CNG Orions and Triborough Coach receiving at least 50 of the same, I wonder which buses are being retired by those companies. It appears that the CNG Orions are being used on the express routes, but I think the Classics are probably too new to be retired yet (1988-89). Will the mid-1980's RTS's disappear?
I think the MCI Classics will be around for a few more years. I thought I saw somethine about QSC GM RTS 04 series being retired, and probably the same for the other privates. Of course, Thurston can shed much more light on this than I.
Wayne
QSC GMC RTS 04 Series (buses 24-42, buses 193-204 and 205-243) are set to be returned to Bridgewater once the new CNG local buses (number series not yet determined) arrive. These new local CNG's will have the hard seats. I'm not sure about Triboro Coach though.
That's just about right ... there are some -06 RTS between 43 and 54, some of which were retired (44 & 45).
From 24 to 243 it depends more on the condition of the bus then the number, e.g 24 & 25 are still out there every day.
So, you guys will just have to keep your eyes open, pencils sharp, and your clip boards ready ;-)
P.S. Of the CNG series 500 to 581, 18 won't be delivered for a while, and they're not in numerical order :-( ... can any of you tell me the numbers ? Winner gets a 50 cent tour of the depot, ties broken by postmark of your e-mail :-o
Mr t__:^)
You mean the buses not currently in the yard now? Here they are:
516-523, 525-531, 533, and 564-567
BUSMAN316
Sorry that's not correct ... close, but no cigar :-(
Mr t__:^)
Who's been spelling "TRIBORO" Triborough?
I plead guilty!
Hey, everybody makes mistakes, nobody is perfect. Just wanted to correct you because some people may get mad or confused.
BUSMAN316
It's Triboro Coach Corp. vs. Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Auth. And a very nice place to work too, almost as nice as here.
Mr t__:^)
193-204 were not 04 models. QSC's 04 models were not second hand buses,
The Bridgeport buses that queens surface has were slopebacks when first built. There were two systems that were available to modify the air conditioning on the slopebacks. Queens surface ran buses which had both types.
The Bee Line RTS's that Queens Surface had was equiped with one version which did not match up with the sides of the bus revealing the slopeback. The other was the most common modification which resembled all buses made from the RTS-04 and beyond. The only real difference is a tiny vent on the side behind the last passenger window which is in the shape of a triangle.
The Bee Line/Liberty #177 thru 192 that we leased from them for a while were true Slope Backs. They all went back North, under their own power, by 12/31.
A few of the former Bridgeports can still be seen on our routes, AND can be chartered for trips in NYC ... plug ... plug ;-)
Mr t__:^)
I heard from an operator on the Q60 about the so-called law on CNG buses on the road. Green Lines has to rebuild their depot before they receive any CNG buses and they won't receive their delivery until 2001. The smokers have to stay...for now! The smokier the better!
BUSMAN316
I want to know a couple of things about Bronx buses:
Bx8: How come it does not run often? A route that long you would
think that it would at least every 10-12 minutes during the
midday.
Bx35: This is one of two bus routes I ever traveled on in the Bronx.
How come it does not run to Whitlock Ave station? It is so
close. On the old subway maps with individual routes, it was
posted as one of the routes that connect to the 6 at Whitlock.
Bx36: How come there is no limited service?
Bx39: How come it does not run the whole White Plains Rd route?
Bx41: How come it does not run at all times? It looks like an
important route.
Bx42: How come it is not used as a limited service along E.Tremont?
Anybody give me your thoughts and comments.....
BX8 - Today's BX8 is actually a combination of the old BX8 and BX23. Both of these routes while necessary never did have large numbers of riders.
The BX35 terminates about two blocks from Whitlock Ave station. I don't see any point in extending it, plus it then have to go several blocks to turn around.
The BX36, BX40/42 I really don't know.
The BX41, has always had service nearby that operates 24 hrs.
Just some of my thoughts.
Wayne
What about the Bx39 running the whole White Plains Rd route?
I'm guessing they figure the BX41 is enough. The BX39 used to be the BX28 and it operated between Gun Hill Rd and West Farms Sq and it's never been a very busy route. It appears that it does carry more people now and I'd think it probably would be good for it to continue north on WPR. I'm sure the BX41 riders would like this also.
So the Bx28 now is sort of different from the old Bx28?
I'm sorry - I should've exlained myself better.
In the early 1980's many Bronx routes were renumbered. Prior to the renumbering the present day BX39 was the BX28. At that time the BX28 operated between Gun Hill-WPR and West Farms Square. It operated along WPR to Morris Pk Ave to E. Tremont Ave to West Farms Square. Later it was rerouted to it's present day route. Here are the other Bronx bus route renumberings that occured in the early 80's. When the TA did this they said it was to reduce confusion, but I don't see how it did that. I prefered the old numbers.
OLD NEW
BX3 BX17 Also extended from 138th St-Jackson to 132nd-Walnut
BX4 BX34
BX6 BX30 Extended from Corsa Ave to Co-op City
BX9 BX31
BX10 BX7 A new BX10 started bet 206/Bainbridge & 263/Riverdale
BX13 BX22
BX15 BX28
BX17 BX26
BX20 BX9
BX22 BX14
BX25 BX32
BX26 BX21
BX28 BX39
BX29 BX15
BX30 BX19 BX30 & BX31 merged to form BX19 Between Botanical
BX31 BX19 and 145th St-Broadway, Manhattan
BX34 BX6
BX37 BX13
BX38 BX3
BX42 BX4
Hope this helps...
Wayne
Thanks alot!!!!!!!
What are allt the routes that the MTA has used and exist in Brooklyn. What happend to them and what are they now if they changed?
Do anybody know of any website where there are pictures of new buses?
Try www.transit-rider.com
I am looking for new Transit Authority buses. MTA
So why didn't you say 'Where can I find pictures of new NYCTA buses?'
You can't just say 'Transit Authority' or 'MTA' because there are several municipalities that use those names and acronyms. Unless you've made mention of the location before, you need to clarify the acronym.
As for finding new NYCT Bus pictures on the internet, try doing a search from infoseek or Yahoo. I'm sure that if any are ever posted to this site, an announcement will make its way here.
-Hank
Today i was driving to pick up some part of my car, than i saw #3514 on Bx22 from Gun Hill Depot. I got home to look up in the Bus Rosters and it not on the list from Gun Hill Depot. I found the #3514 was at Zerega Storage Yard.
I hope it had Bronx style rear numbers on it.
Anybody know what road trucks/tow trucks are assigned to what depots?
I know the road trucks are in the 200 series.
Trolley Talk Issue #240 has a full page adv for several Trackless Trolleys from this area ... Chicago, Boston, "Boston & Providence".
The adv talks about very small runs, so I would assume they are very high priced, but if interested send me a private e-mail & I'll give you the specifics.
I like trackless buses/trolleys & wish Branford would give the two they have a higher priority on restoration. I once asked about the possibly of putting them on trucks so they could run on the line, the answer went something like ... don't wait for pigs to fly, it was much more polite, but I got the point.
Mr t__:^)
I saw this bus yesterday on the Q32. Today, I check the bus roster web page and it has this bus under 126 Street Depot in Manhattan. Which is which, Hudson or 126? It's time for a
depot is it truly at? I think it's time for a Bus roster web page update.
BUSMAN316
He does a good job with the roster. Sure there are some mistakes, but it is better than having nothing at all. Daily, there are bus moves, and lots of them. It may take some time to update it.
The roster does have a few mistakes, but his information is the most acurate we have! Reguarding 8514, this bus was originally at Hudson with alot of the other 84 and 8500's that were delivered to us origianlly and then transfered to 126th street. I would not be supprised if 8514 is now back at hudson along with 8500-8517.
Peace
DaShawn
The TA does make bus tracking rather difficult. The 8400-8567 group and 9750-9249 group were sent to the depots quite scattered-many depots not receiving them in sequencial order-something which may never be corrected.
What really surprises me is the other day while booking buses at Penn Station on saw 4117 on the M-4's out of Manhattanville. What surprises me is that I drove 4117 out of Amsterdam, brought it to Hudson in the summer of 97 and now out of all places its at Manhattanville. Or last summer when Manhattanville had 4160 and then several days later I saw it at Hudson.
4117 also used to be at 100st at one point also, I believe.
Would it surprise anyone (esp. Bill) that 4117 has its roots in Fresh Ponde?
I remember those 4100's in Fresh Pond. The numbers originally were 4071 to around 4151. Then it went back to 4149. Then MABSTOA a couple of years ago got 4113 to 4149. That 1985 group is a good model. Even today, while having high mileage, surviving not so good FP maintance, and having their suspensions destroyed when assigned to the B57 most notably, many run quite well for their age. Within the next 9 months or so, the bad ones, particularly the 4200 rejects from KB (sorry mike), will begin to be transfered to RTS heaven.
My favorite bus I ever drove as I have posted before were the 4100 series. I have not driven any 9600's in service but I have driven them to move and I hate them. They're really crappy buses.
Bus #8514 is indeed (back) in Hudson as of 3/15/99, or sooner.
I just wanted to jump in and say that I also think that he does a good job with the roster. With a fleet this large a few inaccuracies here and there are to be expected. Since I was a child I had been rather good at tracking MaBSTOA and many NYCTA buses in my head, but it gets tough. I think the roster (which is updated quite often) is a great reference tool for us BusTalkers.
Wayne
Brooklynites get you clip boards ready. I've heard that Command will get the next bunch of Orion V CNGS. I guess the TA got all they're going to get for a while.
After that Queens Surface is slated to get it's last 18 of the 500 thru 581 order. And after us Triboro is next. That should keep you guys busy thru early June ;-)
Mr t__:^)
Green Lines and Jamaica Buses won't get their CNG'S in till 2001. They have to reconstruct their whole depot first.
BUSMAN316
Are some of the "newer" buses that Triboro and Queens Surface retire likely to find their way to Green Bus Lines. Some of Green's buses are aging fast, and I wonder if they will make it to 2001. I've seen a bunch in the 1001-101? batch. If memory serves me, these were originally slant-back RTS's, which must date them back to the late 1970's. Have they been rebuilt in recent years? They look pretty decent from the outside.
I would also like to know why did the NYCDOT allow Green Lines to keep the bulk of the rejected Washington Orions in their fleet on local routes. These buses will end up being vandalized while they could be put to better use being dispersed to all the NYCDOT companies to replace some of the RTS's with the hard seats in express service.
I don't know how the WMATA Orion V's were designated for assignment, but can only guess that Green Bus Line was in need of additional and replacement buses more than the others. It was known at that time that Triboro and Queens Surface would be getting the CNG Orions. Jamaica Buses' fleet seems in pretty good shape - even the Grumman Flxibles they still have. With the new CNG Orions, Triboro and Queens Surface should not have to use too many hard seat transit buses on express routes any more.
P.S. I rode on a Green Bus 5500 series recently, and they do seem to be keeping the interiors in better shape than I would have guessed.
I think Green Orions 5501-5544 came from a rejected order by Queens Surface because they wanted the wheelchair lift in the back and not the front. Queens Surface only has 6 Orions in service #700-705. Back to talking about Green Lines: All buses except 1010 have new red seats on them and are painted with the new GL scheme. They are keeping them in service for a while because they are not receiving any CNG'S till 2001. They have to raise the roof in their main depot meaning most of their buses will be going to Rockaway Depot while the construction will be taking place. When the CNG'S arrive, bye-bye All GMC RTS! Source: Q60 Operators!
BUSMAN316
First you have to get rid of everything in the building that makes a spark. At QSC the new bldg wasn't designed for CNG, so a lot of retro work had to be done before it was opened. Second, Green also OWNS their building, so you get the back & forth about who pays for what.
At this depot, the Liberty loans & a few new diesels Orions bridged the gap until the CNGs came in.
Don't forget about Command, they have a CNG station, so that's why they're getting more of them too.
Will the old RTS be passed down, probally.
Mr t__:^)
Command has been running CNG Orions for at least 2 months. Triboro for one month.
Command has been running CNG Orion V's for more than 2 months, actually the got the original CNG powered Orions back in the 80's as an experiment. One had underfloor tanks and the other had roof mounted tanks. 4901 if i'm not mistaken and correct me if I am wrong on this has been in service for a while like the MTA this was a test bus to see what works and what does not before the rest of the fleet it built. I remember seeing this bus in 1998 before any of the other privates got their new CNG Orion V's.
Peace
DaShawn
The two buses Command tested were 901 and 902 which were later sent to Varsity. When Command recieved the TMC RTS CNG buses they started using the numbers 4903-4931. The new Orion CNGS are 4932-4950. I have also seen 4975 and 4961 which have Orange destination signs instead of the green ones. Does anyone know anything about these new destination signs?
If i remeber correctly bus #4932 from Command was the prototype bus for the Orion CNGs. It has luggage racks and reading lights in it. The rest of the buses ordered by the DOT do not have luggage racks and reading lights. I also remeber seeing bus 4932 being run on Queens Surface routes in Manhattan. Queens Surface put it's Orange decal in the front of the bus while the rest of the bus still had Command's green and yellow color scheme. As for the new Orange destination signs I think they are easier to read from far away.
I don't remember that. We had a little hybrid for a while. It was at the TA and several of the "privates". We used the Con Ed filling station on College Point Blvd to fill it up.
Mr t__:^)
The first batch that was ordered by NYC-DOT was sprinkled around amoung QSC, Triboro, Command & NYBS. The latter was only sched to get four.
Mr t__:^)
You said 18 more, right? Well here are some of the numbers I haven't seen yet and see if I'm right:
517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 525, 526, 527, 528, 530, 531, 533,
563, 564, 565, 566, and 567
That's 18! Email me with the results. Thanks!
BUSMAN316
We have a winner, no more entries please :-)
Our next contest will offer a all expense paid trip to Jamaica (Queens) he he he
Mr t__:^)
I've heard that the Q20 is going to run 24/7 and have a branches on the route. In other words, Q20A and Q20B, which makes no sense. Have it like Q46, They don't have a Q46A, Q46B or Q46C, do they? WELL, if it avoids confusion, then that's ok.
BUSMAN316
got painted white.
buses 26, 30, 31, 35, 37, 44-46, 49, 196, 199, 202, 208-209, 211, 214, 227-230, 235, 249, and 255.
I see the same buses everyday. These few I haven't seen since last year. Am I right? Email me the results. Thanks!
BUSMAN316
When will that bus return to the road?
BUSMAN316
I want to thank all of you kind folks who have written about how my German friends can get from New York City to Newburgh via a transpotation system. Ya'all are right they are flying into JKF---sorry I said the wrong airport originally! Will that change any of ya'all's suggestions?????
Sincerely, Lisa
Today i was coming from blockbusted and I saw Orions #6064 on Bx21. How many new buses series 6000s at Mother Hale Depot? I look up and i don't see 6064 on the list.
On the March 18th version of the roster, which has not yet been posted on the Web, Mother Clara Hale has 6000, 6002-6005, 6007-6023, 6064. Amsterdam has 6066-6067.
Mother Hale Just started to get the new 6000's Series Orions. Other depots to get them are Amsterdam, Casteton and Yukon. These depots are becoming all Orions to help with repairs. The RTS's that are in these depots are being moved to other depots that need buses.
Casey Stengel is supposed to get new Orions also: 6120-6141
With my yougest pushing five, and having saved up a few years, I am considering a once (or twice) in a lifetime trip to Disney. Needless to say, I'd rather not rent a car.
According to Disney's website, the only hotels accessible to the parks by monorail go for $300 per night. Not my style. They claim their other hotels are "easily accessible by bus," but offer no details.
What are the bus routes? What are the headways? Do you get a seat? How long a ride, usually? And thoughts from the experienced are welcome.
It's been a couple of years since I've been there, but I have stayed at some of the less expensive Disney hotels in the past. The bus service is generally pretty good, and you'll sit more often than stand, although standing once in a while may be necessary at crowded times. Because the entire Disney World complex is so spread out, some of the bus trips will take a pretty long time. My own advice is to rent a car any way, so you feel free to leave the Disney complex when you want. Because of competition, Orlando has some of the best car rental rates in the country. If memory serves me, all Disney buses are RTS's.
Disney also has MCI's (102-D3). I agree about renting a car - it is pretty reasonable. The downside is - those parking lots are huge, and expensive. I went in the summer and I had to start the car, turn on the A/C full blast and then get in two minutes later.
Their bus system is pretty good, although it could be better (frequencies are anywhere between 15-30 minutes). Crowds depend on the season -- I guess the buses have about the same crowd as any Manhattan bus on a given midday or weekend.
There are generally two bus divisions -- the Disney Village (renamed Downtown Disney) buses, which are purple and green, and operate between the resorts in Downtown Disney and the parks (you can only ride these buses if you stay in a D'town Disney hotel).
The "public" buses are called Disney Transport (the older ones roughly resemble Queens Surface buses, with an orange stripe).
You should feel right at home though -- all they run are RTS buses, along with a few MCI 102D3's for the Disney park hotel guests.
Next thing you know, you'll start to see CNG Orion V's show up ;-)
You mean to tell me when I go on vacation to Disney this year (wife's health permitting), I'm not going to get a break from the RTS? I'm sick already! Too bad Mickey Mouse and Co. don't have fishbowls!
Well, I live down south in here in Miami and go up to Disney quite often and i usually stay in their hotels. You might get a break from the RTS's as they have the MCI's and an about 3-4 of an odd type of bus called a Superbus, can't miss it, looks like a tractor trailer , you sit in the trailer and the driver keeps an eye on you with CCTV in the cab and trailer, pretty cool! Bus service is pretty frequent and the longest rides are about 30-35 minutes long, but that was when i picked a bad way to go to Magic kingdom. They always tell you that the buses are only for "resort guests only" but the drivers dont check and no one cares. I drive up there and i leave my car at the hotel since the transport system is pretty reliable. I once spent a day riding all their buses and boats and monorails and i think i rode every route ( about 40). The big bus interchange ponits are all the big theme parks, The Transportation & Ticket Center (they call it the TTC) and the Downtown Disney shopping area which has 3 huge bus stops. On extremely busy days they charter MCI buses from Mears in addition to their buses ( Christmas, new Years, other very busy times). I tend not to like the MCI's because with all the crud you've been carrying around all day and when full with people carrying the same, it gets very small and hot and crowded. The paint on the buses is a huge disney logo with "Transport" emblazoned in one foot tall letters above the front wheel in purple and yellow. The few remanining un-refurbished buses have the brown stripe running under the windows. As soon as you enter the property there are Disney Transport RTS's darting all over with occasional MCI's and SuperBuses. The MCI's are usually used for special groups and some RTS's have instead of the Dot-Matrix board just "CHARTER" on the front with a small version of the symbol. When you check in at a Disney Resort hotel ask for a Transportation Guide, it has a chart on the back with Destinaions that shows you the quickest way to your destination, even if it involves connections.
Good luck on your trip and have FUN !!
Justin
Oh i forgot if you bring your car the resorts they all have 9-car trams running along in the huge lots and for Magic Kingdom you need to take a ferry to actually get to the gate, the Disney bus drives you straight up to the lines!
I stayed at a Village hotel in the summer of 97. The predeominant bus type is RTS, with a couple MCIs. They are a pretty nice purple and green. I also believe these are operated by contract by Comet Transportation, a local charter company.
The red and orange Disney buses are run by Disney.
You may wait 15 minutes for the bus to go the parks in the morning, but its more frequent and crowded coming back in the evenings at closing time. The trip may take 15-20 minutes.
Nothing us NY'ers cant handle.
Larry, a humble suggestion would be to rent just enough of a car to enable keeping all luggage in the trunk, and to rent it from a place like Alamo or Dollar. A little off the beaten path, but cheaper. I think all these companies have web sites, and most of them have deals for week-long stays, etc.
I have heard the All-Star resorts at Disney are pretty fun, and they are among the most reasonable. The "Port Orleans" resort is also nice, and costing below the others, with bus service right outside the front gate. Rides do last about 15 minutes or so. The best idea is to take advantage of the early park openings they have for Disney Hotel guests. Run around until just after lunch, and then come back to the hotel and chill around the pool. Go to a different park in the evening. (Get their park-hopper passes--worth it.)
Make your dinner reservations now-Places like the Coral Reef and Alfredo's at Epcot fill up early. We got our crew up early one morning to go to Epcot. Parked in the front row of the lot and just walked over to the main gate. Even a little shade...A show like "Honey, I shrunk the Audience" fills up later, but you can walk right in if you are there when the park opens.
I have done Disney more than a few times, so feel free to e-mail me with any questions.
Regards,
Charles Fiori
Feel free to e-mail me with any questions about WDW also. I've been twice there this year already.
Justin
Anybody know where #3403 is?
I heard that bus didn't last too long. It started out at Gleason (1984 model). I heard it was destroyed by fire early in its' life.
With much fanfare Memphis had rebuilt 10 first generation gm goldfish bowl buses into what they called :"showboat buses" They looked like a showboat with the "smokestack in the back (which was double decked and a paddle wheel on the side(did not turn of course).
before leaving Memphis in 1994 I noticed they were removed from the road. Anyone know why and what became of these buses
Where on the web can I locate the NYC Bus Rosters? Thanks for the info.
I believe the web address is: http://hometown.aol.com/glenn6398/nycbusroster.html
I spoke to my father that he work for West Side Depot and I ask him will they going to get articulated buses to West Side Depot? Well he told me that West Side Depot going to get 40 Articulated buses but he didn't know what line they going to put.
I spoke to my father that he work for West Side Depot and I ask him will they going to get articulated buses to West Side Depot? Well he told me that West Side Depot going to get 40 Articulated buses but he didn't know what line they going to put. Any one know about this? Just post on bustalk. Thank you
I had heard that most, if not all, of the current order for 260 artics is going to Flatbush. Perhaps some of the latter part of that order, or some of the 140 on option, will go elsewhere, like West Side. I recollect when the TA first planned to get artics, they were supposed to be for the M15 route, but that 126th Street could not handle artics. Can anyone confirm?
The ability of a depot to operate Articulated buses is directly related to that depot's maintainece section having an artic bus lift. AFAIK, Yukon, KB, ENY, and probably Westside, because it's new, have them. I'm sure someone here has the proper knowledge.
-Hank
A maintainer who I knew from the last pick told me the Artic lifts were removed from Westside. He did not know however where they went after that.
I noticed that at Bway Jct there is 2 Q24 bus sops in 1. What I mean is that at the same bus stop, it says Q24 to Jamaica and Q24 to Bushwick. These destination signs are right under each other. I know the Q24 to Bushwick stops across the street from where the bus stop sign is placed. Can anyone help me out on this one?
They run Short Turns and some put ins from the ENY ,,,was this on Van Sideren or Fulton St (Jewel Sq)
This was on Van Sinderen. In front of the subway entrance.
If you mean on those fancy 18' plastic bus stop signs, don't worry. They're screwed up. Don't get me started.
-Hank
When I was going to high school in the very early 1960's, I used to take the Q39 from Ridgewood to Queens Plaza. Every once in a while the bus would be very old (at that time) and I remember one of the drivers telling me once that not only was it old, but also used gasoline, as opposed to diesel fuel. Does anyone know anything about these buses?
Why is #8353 from Ulmer Park Depot?
Because that's where they needed the bus for service.
-Hank
According to the UTC bus roster, Brooklyn is supposed to get a bunch of 8300's shifted over from Manhattan by the arrival of new 6000's Orions. So there will probably be more coming.
Do you have information about Grumman Flxible #236? It is now in the East New York Bus Depot.
According to the latest UTC Roster, it is in East New York. I believe this was the only one of the 850+ delivered to the TA and MABSTOA back around 1980 that was retained after David Gunn decided to return all the Grummans back to the manufacurer. Most of the others were rebuilt and wound up in New Jersey, Cincinnati or Springfield, MA. Almost all of the New Jersey ones are still running, although they are due to be replaced very soon by Nova RTS's.
Does anybody have information about Flxible #7340? It is now in the Castleton Bus Depot.
According to the latest UTC Roster, it is at Castleton.
Joe,
If you have questions about NYCT's museum bus fleet (and it appears that you do since you also asked about Grumman 236), why don't you go to the Museum Bus section of nyctsubway.org? It's got an illustrated history of the museum fleet! If you still have questions after reading that information, I'm sure the BusTalkers here would be happy to answer them if they can.
David
What happened to 4742?
4742 was destroyed by fire. It is now at Herkimer Storage awaiting disposition.
i believe - for the 207th time, - it was destroyed by fire.
In one scene there was an Orion-proper colors, meeting an Command Bus Line RTS coming from a perpendicular direction. The problem? it was suppose dto be Manhattan! (And Command only tuns the B100 in Brooklyn!)
Command runs Express service in Manhattan, so it's always a possibility.
-Hank
Why are 8440, 8442, 8445-8446, 8451-8452 and 8454 not from the Flatbush Depot?
Hi; these buses were shanghied during the shortage at 126 in 1994.For some reason, they were never sent to FLA.
Your questions about non-sequencial numerical assignments can be answered in one posting: the TA has to "meet service requirements." This means sometimes buses are assigned according to need in order to prevent shortages. It costs money, which the TA would rather not spend, to transfer buses just for the sake of keeping them in numerical sequence. I would rather see them in numerical order, but the TA isn't about to spend money just to keep the bus fans happy! If you feel I didn't answer your question properly (I am an hourly worker in the subways but I have been around long enough to understand the TA thinking about things), write a letter with your REAL NAME and address to the TA Surface division. Address it to 370 Jay St. or 130 Livingston St. and you will get a response from them.
Why is 4685 and 4689 not from the Jackie Gleason Depot?
Because both buses are scrapped. One burnt up and the other was in an accident while both were assigned to Ulmer Park.
Hello all Busfans,
I put up two new pages of stuff yesterday:
Bus Photo Album III: Joe Testagrose Collection: Photos from Joe's extensive collection. More will be added as I get them from him (10 a day for the past few days, w/ more to come).
Brooklyn Trackless Trolleys: We already had some info on the Brooklyn trolley coach operations but it was hidden elsewhere on the site. It's now part of our Bus pages where it belongs, with a whole load of photos of Trackless trolleys in operation.
Enjoy!
Dave
OK, so what kind of bus is this? Never seen one like it before, looks kinda like what an early model of the Classic would be..
-Hank
That looks like an AM Gerneral. Steinway Transit had them, perhaps their "parent" Queens Transit had them also before the Steinway facility closed. They were major disappointments. They lasted a very, very short amount of time there. They spent more time being pulled by the tow truck than moving on their own power. And when that wasn't going on, they were on the lifts in the maintance shop. Probably the worstl bus ever built.
Typo. Should read " AM General."
I have been informed that the worst ever buses are Gilligs. Is this a correction, or are they equals?
-Hank
Gillig is still making buses, but AM General is long departed from the business. That doesn't necessarily answer which are worse, but someone must like Gilligs. The LI Bus Gilligs appear to be in pretty decent shape for the oldest running buses in the fleet. I've been told you can see brand new low-floor Gilligs at Hertz at JFK airport.
The name Gillig has always made me think of a horse with no balls, and Phantom ... what a combination.
Mr t__:^)
In Montgomery County, MD the Ride-On system has lot's of 30 and 35 foot Gilligs. I don't like them at all - and many times I'll pass up one for any WMATA bus or the occasional Ride-On Orion.
Wayne
Hmmm, a horse with no balls....
Well, that DOES seem to sum up the Gillig buses very well! I drive the pieces of crap for a living, and basically all they are, are school buses with back doors and transit seats. Everything in them will rattle, shake, sqeuak -- RIGHT FROM THE FACTORY!! The steering in them sucks, it is VERY stiff, and seems prone to locking up at critical moments (of course, my left shoulder had a surgery after the second time this happened....found out that in California, Workers' Compensation pays better than working for a living!)
And the suspension on Gilligs......WHOA! There's the horse being mentioned.
And when a Gillig sees a hill.....there's the ball-less horse. Gilligs have NO balls when it comes to hills (they're VERY heavy, usually weigh in around 27,500 pounds!)
Yeah, those Gilligs have got to be the worst transit bus ever made. They are still in business aren't they?
Here at LI Bus we still have some Gilligs, I wish they would get rid of them already. Whenever I get one the shaking and rolling is far from Phantom. Those Gillig buses should be sold to a movie company, to blow up!
Hopefully Gillig Phantoms will be just that shortly, Phantoms that can no longer show their face!
Gilligs are nothing but piles of JUNK!
John
I just rode a fairly new Gillig on Transport of Rockland (Rockland County, New York) earlier today. From a passenger's standpoint, it rode quite nicely, although it probably was no more than 1 or 2 years old. TOR recently had 35 and 40 foot Gillig's (with no rear door) replace the previous RTS and Orion I buses in the fleet. As for LI Bus, how long have the Gillig's been running there? I suspect it's at least 10 years. I believe Suffolk County also has plenty of Gilligs, although they may not be as old as those with LI Bus.
Go on down to Newark NJ so you can have the privilage at NIMCOs bus division to watch them get crushed and shredded at Doreymos Av. its loads of fun to watch Washington Metro, Septa and NYCTA cohabitate in the same parking lot as they are loaded to the conveyer belt.
I said the worst just from the standpoint of longevity. I heard gilligs, which MSBA has, run horribly and I have rode on a couple of Neoplans in Philly which are lousy too. The problem today is: nobody can make a good city bus.
Yes, I remember seeing the AM Generals operating out of Queens Transit. They did seem like rattletraps.
With regards to all those 2000-series fishbowl shots, there was one under the el at Roosevelt, waiting to turn into the garage. It is the only one with a black/white sign. Anyone know where I can get one of those signs?
Thanks,
Charles
Hey Hank how do you do that with the picture come out? Just post in this bustalk. I been trying to do that but didn't come out. Well just post in bustalk. Thank you
Hey Hank I haven't got your answer yet for week now? So how do you do that with the picture of bus came out? Just post in this bustalk. I been trying to do that but didn't come out. Well just post in bustalk.
I don't understand your question, what picture? I only put some HTML code in my message to provide a link to the photo.
-Hank
Ok Hank Im going to show this how do you do this??
-Hank
I just press (This) with underline and came out with picture of the bus.
That's an html link, works just like a web page link. There's some info on using html in the help section.
-Hank
Does anyone know if there will be shuttle bus service fr Marcy Ave. to the "L" once the shutdown begins? Please answer ASAP...
From what I heard : NO. It is anticipated the L would be crowded enough without having to pick up large amounts of people off the buses at Bedford Ave. Even if they did, even with the heavy traffic on the WillyB, those people would be halfway (at least) across the bridge on the B39 by the time they arrived at Bedford. And, most people who are on the J/M/Z at Marcy are destined for lower Manhattan anyway.
Bill, not every B-39 or J/M/Z passenger is destined for lower Manhattan; witness the uptown "F" platform at Delancey St.
Why did the TA stop the Grumann buses? I was little when I used to see them operate on the B14. I really like those buses. I remember riding on a couple of them in Charlotte. Bring back the Grumann
I'm assuming you're referring to the Grumman Flxible 870. I was very fond of these and was sorry to see them go.
The Grumman 870's had defective engine cradles (A Frames). Many buses developed cracks in their A-frames and one (I believe it was a Grumman assigned to Flushing) fell to the ground. The cracks showed up in Grummans from other agencies too. I believe NYCTA was the first to pull them from service and SCRTD removed their 230 buses shortly after. Grumman retrofitted over 2600 buses. All buses returned to service at their respective agencies, but NYCTA (in it's infinite wisdom) decided that the buses were lemons and took them out of service for good. Grumman bought them back and refurbished them. NJ Transit bought most of them (about 620, I think). Some also went to Queen City Metro in Cincinnati.
Many of those "Lemons" are still operating at NJ Transit today.
Wayne
I think the response is correct. My recollection is that when the TA started receiving the rebuilt buses back, one of them caught fire. That was the "last straw" that David Gunn was looking for to get rid of them. The City subsequently sued Grumman and either won a money judgment or settled favorably out of court. In addition to New Jersey and Cincinnati, a few of the ex-TA Grummans went to Springfield, Mass.
I don't know if the TA actually won money from Grumman. When it started I know that the TA said the buses were not fit for service and of course Grumman denied that. I could be wrong, but my understanding was that Grumman settled with the TA and bought the buses. I do remember that fire. I think it was an Ulmer Park express bus on 57th Street.
Also, I read in Bus Word that the UMTA wanted the buses back on the streets or the TA to reimburse them. I still believe the TA was wrong. We know that it was Grumman's at first, but the buses were fixed. The TA never could explain why the NYC-DOT (and MSBA)companies operated theirs' for years later. Jamaica Buses still have a few operating today.
There were to types of major repairs done to the 870. First of which was the replacement of a welded a-frame with a bolted one. The welded one kept developing cracks. The welding had made it weaker. The second one which made the difference and why the buses could be run in other areas outside of NYC was that most agencies who had the Grumman 870 ended up strengthing the frames themselves. NJTransit when they were to receive their 1981 Grummans refused delivery unless Grumman strengthed the frames. as a result, delivery was held up for six months. These buses were 3 to 4 times stronger than the NYCTA buses. MSBA strengthened their buses inhouse. The TA never had their buses strenthrened even after the Flxible Metro (the corrected production model) was being manufactured.
By this time, Grumman sold the design and plant to the General Automotive Corporation which marketed the bus operations under the Flxible name. They were still doing band-aid repairs on the TA buses, but since there was no major structural work done, the buses were still falling apart. So Gunn instead of making Grumman stregthen the bus up to the standards that NJtransit had, he instead ordered the buses off the streets.
The TA then sold their buses back to Flxible, where they were strengthened and resold to NJtransit and other cities.
The ones run by Jamaica Buses are run only in rush hours on easy routes because they never had their frames strengthened. They will never be assigned to express routes because of this reason.
The TA ordered new Flx's in the early 90s, but the company that built them has since gone under.
My understanding of the entire FLX Lemon incident was that the TA sued Grumman to force them to take the buses back, and refund the city for the cost, just as was done for the cracked trucks on the R46 from Pullman. The TA, in both cases, recieved favorable settlements, and in the case of Pullman, put them out of business. Personally, I think the city should have rejected the entire fleet as soon as they found more than 1% had problems. You certainly wouldn't want to keep a car that had to be repaired by a manufacturers representative more than once in 4 years, would you?
Hey, it's the Lemon Law.
-Hank
Commercial vehicles don't apply to the Lemon law, however the TA has proven they are more than capable of buying lemons.
I usually see them at Water and Wall Sts.
Get your last pics of those at NJT. They are buying over 700 Nova RTS buses to replace them starting soon this year.
I was just wondering if NY BUS SERVICE and LIBERTY LINES are supposed to get any new buses in the near future. I know that Command sent 10 MCIs to New York Bus Service a few months ago which were completely overhauled. New York Bus Service still uses some GMC Fishbowls which leads me to believe they maintain there buses well. Anyone with any info please let me know. Thanks!
NY Bus Serv was sched to get 4 new Orion V CNGs. Liberty also gets new equip. via the county of Westchester.
Mr t__:^)
Yeas, but that Westchester County-purcahsed equipment can't be used for service that operates solely within the City of New York. NYCDOT buses for Liberty Lines gets their livery, but Westchester County buses get the Bee-Line treatment.
-Hank
The four Orion's scheduled for delivery to NYBS will be diesel buses ... not CNG.
Will they have the same type of seats as the rest of the DOT express Orions or will they have seats similiar to the NYCT Express Orions? Does NY BUS Service have a choice to the seating style or do they just have to take what the DOT gives them?
I'm not suprised that NYBS overhauled the buses. For as long as I can remember NYBS have been in extremely good condition. The fishbowls are GM of Canada buses with 8-cylinder engines (#1481-1505) and they are used during peak hours.
Sometime around 1982 the Daily News interviewed the Pres, Edward Arragoni (hope I'm spelling his name correctly), the article was in the Bronx section of the Daily News and I still have it. At the time Mr. A stated that he wants all of his bues to last 25 years. He had a 1959-61 Fishbowl and a (then) new GM/Canada Fishbowl parked side by side. As with all of NYBS buses the older bus was in such good condition that the reporter found it hard to believe that he was looking at (what appeared to him to be two identical busesa) a 1 year old bus and a 20 year old bus.
The grounds are an almost perfect layout - I say almost because it's out door storage. The all of the buses have assigned parking spaces and (believe it or not) they're in order by fleet number.
1985 NYBS became the first operator in NYC to get the Classic. At the time GM of Canada still built the Classic. There are 3 of these GM/Canada Classics in NYBS' fleet (#1600-1602)
The condition and appearance of NYBS buses are very impressive, especially considering they're stored outdoors.
NYBS also has lots of school buses and mobile classroom that are equally impressive.
Libery Lines buses are also very well kept.
Wayne
Thanks for the info Wayne and Thurston. Just in case you are interested the buses that they overhauled from Command were renumbered 1690-1699. They look brand new!
For a little more info & a few nice photos (one incl LI Sound & a bunch of buses all parked in a row) try NY Bus Serv Web Site:
http://www.nybus.com
And for travel questions e-mail Queens Surface @ info@qsbus.com ... Web site MAY be comming soon ... plug ... plug
Mr t__:^)
When you say a bus caught on fire do you mean electrical or deliberately set?
Could be anything. FD makes the determination. As a rule of thumb, I suppose you can say a bus that is not running and burns would be vandal-related; while a bus in service, like when Orion 125 went up on the V-Z, could be anything from electrical to a fuel leak. Only an investigation can tell you the truth. Most new buses seem to have a fire detection/suppression system factory installed.
-Hank
was @ Woodhaven yesterday for training. What depot does that bus operate out of? Is it only used for training or regular service too?
BUSMAN316
It is from Ulmer Park Depot in Brooklyn
They can repaint buses 2802 and 2804 but they can't paint buses 3049 and 3060? I can't figure this out!
BUSMAN316
And they should need to paint any of these buses because? You know, a little detail goes a long way. Why do 2802 and 2804 need to be painted, while, judging by your wording, 3049 and 3060 did not?
-Hank
Why? Two reasons:
1. No more room for them and
2. Because most of these buses are S L O W!
Appearance wise, they are in good shape. But apparantly to the MTA they are not. I was on a few of these buses, prestorage and prescrap:
Here are a few that I was on:
3600-3603, 3608, 3630, 3659-3663, 3666-3668, and 3674-3675
Hey, some of you people out there are saying who cares if you were on these buses. But if you see these buses later on in the storage and scrap yards, you can say to yourself, hey I rode that bus before, why would they get rid of that bus, it ran good, or thank God that they got rid of that bus, it ran so S L O W and has been banged around.
This is the reason why I do this. Here's an example of what I just said:
#3667- That bus ran so S L O W!
#3600- That bus ran fast, why is it in storage?
BUSMAN316
Probably because their frames are not in good enough condition to continue in current service. I agree with you that alot of them look good and some of them run fast, but alot of times these buses frames are not what they used to be, so some are put in storage for possible rebuild or the ones that are not worth rebuild are scapped.
Peace
DaShawn
I actually thought that whole group (3400 to 3799) was a good one. But they are now old: 15 years old. Time to say so long to them. I thought the slow ones as a group were the 1983's: 3000 to 3325. I have no regrets seeing them go. Another slow group are the 1990 model: 8000 to 8396. The above comments IMHO. As for criteria of old buses what gets scrapped before the others: Breakdowns on the road, frequency of visits to the "pits" for running repairs, total lifetime mileage, and others.
3294-3317 WERE EXCELLENT!
Friday afternoon while waiting for the Q60 towards Manhattan, I realized something. They do these "ugly" paintjobs for 1 reason: to keep the buses' appearance to be clean. I saw 2 buses 1 behind the other, a before and after. The before was bus #3976, with the old Surface logo, old number scheme, black along the sides and windows and rusted yellow appearance near the ad. The after bus was bus #4336, with the new MTA logo and number scheme, white along the sides and window and the entire body of the bus, including the ad area. Not a spot was to be seen on that bus. Which do you choose, before or after? Email me with your comments.
BUSMAN316
The repaints look ugly, plain and simple, especially the
half-white cowls on the rears of old RTSs.
Now that Jamaica Depot (MTA) is not receiving buses 5095-5119, what are they going to be receiving and when? When is Stengel expecting buses 6120-6141 to arrive? I'd like to see what they look like.
BUSMAN316
A recent UTC Roster indicates that Jamaica will be getting 5145-5169
They look like 100+
Any private lines such as CTC, QSC OR GL expecting any low floor bus delivery or is it only for the MTA?
BUSMAN316
I know it says heavily damaged, but is that bus worth to be repaired or is it going to be scrapped?
BUSMAN316
It's going to be scrapped.
Why! To me that makes no sense and is a waste of money!
Doesn't the TA have insurance that pays and covers for things like this?
Peace
DaShawn
I'm only stating what I was told.I don't like the bus,so I don't care what they do with it.The damage was very extensive.
I would be extremely suprised if it were scrapped. Yes, the damage is extensive. Yes, I personally saw the bus last week in the depot and the only place where damage is is on the drivers side. It can certainly be repaired. There was absolutely no mechanical damage in the engine.
What do you think! If you paid $275,000 for a bus and it was damaged would you get it repaired or would you scrap it? The TA is going to repair it because they just bought it and alot of the components on the bus are still under warranty like the engine and transmission and alot of other things. Now if this bus were alot older like the bus from Fresh Pond that was really damaged badly then you could say scrap it because it had an active service life of about 12 years or a little less compared to a couple of months like 9601.
Peace
DaShawn
What do you think! If you paid $275,000 for a bus and it was damaged would you get it repaired or would you scrap it? The TA is going to repair it because they just bought it and alot of the components on the bus are still under warranty like the engine and transmission and alot of other things. Now if this bus were alot older like the bus from Fresh Pond that was really damaged badly then you could say scrap it because it had an active service life of about 12 years or a little less compared to a couple of months like 9601.
Peace
DaShawn
Heavily damaged by what? And what says it was heavily damaged?
-Hank
I seriously doubt a new bus will be scrapped. When a brand new New Flyer Artic was heavily damaged in an accident it was almost scrapped because of heavy front end damage. However TA fixed the bus through extensive research of model plans etc. I cant see why a RTS could not be repaired since its all we've had since 1981.
Unless there is heavy frame damage, there's no reason why you can't repair it.
-Hank
I believe they repaired 8346 which was the run-away bus down Fifth Avenue when the b/o had a mystery seizure or some other illness. I think this bus hit a corner of a building at 27th and 5th head on. It still shows in servcie at MCH, I remember it was on the out of service list for some time thereafter.
Just to show it' a good possibility that 9601 will be fixed.
Here down in Miami i've been seeing the brand new NABI 40' ft low-floor buses that have been just delivered to the MDTA. They are coming in our new paint which is blue,purple and yellow which is much more interesting than the old green and blue stripes! These are in addition to the recent deliveries of NABI 40'ft standard floors, and the Flxibles, and American Ikarus 60' arcticulateds, all the buses will gradually be repainted. You can see both paint schemes on the NABI USA website at WWW.NABIUSA.COM go to the "picture gallery"
Justin
Thanks for the Miami info. I was down in South Florida a few weeks back and must have just missed them. I did see a few repainted buses. I also saw some Gillig Low-Floors in service with Hertz at Ft. Lauderdale airport. (I'm told Hertz also has them at JFK.) I also saw some Gillig Low-Floors at the Palm Tran garage in West Palm Beach (9900, 9901 and 9907), but I don't think they were in service yet.
I go to college in Miami and I too have seen the NABI low floors. I have seen just a few in revenue service before I left for New York last week, These busses are 40 feet by 102 inches and are powered by the ever popular Detroit Series 50 four cylinder diesel engine. Justin, I have a question for you. Do you work for the Miami-Dade TA? If you do, that would be cool. I need somebody on this board that would talk to me about the Miami-Dade transit system. I have questions about the bus fleet. I had to rely on an outdated bus roster that I got from the internet. Thanks!
I sure would like to hear some input about these NABI low-floors.
The agency where I drive (Orange County, California) has 132 of them on order for delivery sometime very soon (along with 20 New Flyer D60HF's.
Since I do not work at a transit agency, I do not know everything about them. The bus has a lowered apperance and the top half cowling on the back of the bus is slightly different than the high-floor NABI busses. The rear two side windows are smaller than the rest of the windows. The interior is two stepped and the rear of the bus has a higher floor to make room for the engine and transmission. The aluminum wheels are noticeably smaller than the regular transit busses. The front enterance door is wide and it allows for handicapped people to enter the bus easier. My hypothesis is that the busses will have a rougher ride due to the modifications in the suspension system (there is less room underneath due to the lowered floor) and the smaller wheels. Miami-Dade has them in the 9800 series and I do not know how much they will get, at least initially. I hope that information helps.
From photographs I have seen, they appear to be configured exactly as the New Flyer D40LF's that we got in 1998. Our earlier order in 1995 had the rear door one window position forward.
Yes, these low-floor buses do ride slightly harder than their high-floor counterparts, as the suspension is in a smaller space with the lowered body. Plus, they have independent suspension on the front axles; GM had this on the 01 through 04 series RTS-II's, but when the 06 series went into production, they went back to the straight axle for better riding quality.
Steve, I got a few questions. Just for curiousity, what engines will the Orange County NABIs and New Flyers get? Also, how big and wide are they and will they come with aluminum wheels?
Is it true that if a driver of a new MCI BUS gets into an accident that the MTA takes away his privilege to operate an MCI BUS and that the driver has to go back for training in order to operate an MCI again?
No, he is tied to the back of an MCI bus and dragged along Hylan Blvd.
Ralph Kramden wrote "No, he is tied to the back of an MCI bus and dragged along Hylan Blvd."
The reason I asked the question in the first place was because a driver from Yukon had an accident with an MCI which was not his fault and now he doesnt drive MCIs anymore. I thought it was a good question. Its not like every driver has to get retrained when they have an accident. My response to Ralph Kramden is he should consider being a comedian.
I would guess they get some refresher training. Those MCIs are a beast, from what I hear. That 5 extra feet in length and the extra height apparently makes a big difference in the control and handling.
-Hank
Id like to think of myself as a comedian so let me state for the record that I had the pleasure of personally knowing all of Ralph Kramden's buses. Thank you.
I know of an employee of one of the local bus companies who has a photo of HIMSELF in it, right next to one of Ralph in it, no it's not me ... never drove a bus :-(
Mr t__:^)
There was a bus accidents at 102st and 3 ave on 3/23. One of the bus came from West Side Depot and the back of the bus is heavy damage. My father know one of the driver who were driving the bus on M102 was not hurt. He didn't tell me the number of the bus. So any one know about the accident and number??? Just post in bustalk. Thank you
I know one of the buses was 7555 from West Side Depot. It was on the News that evening and now the Police Department is being looked at because it was one of the off duty officers who was parked at a bus stop that caused the accident.
Peace
DaShawn
I like Road Control's new approach at recognition as seen at the the accident no 3rd Avenue: the snazzy jackets with "NYCT" and "DOB" on the back, kinda of like what the NYPD wears when they make busts only they appear to be warmer and not the cheap nylon like PD.
Seeking photos and/or slides (not computer printed) of former Fifth Avenue and Surface Transit buses in MaBSTOA colors from the early 1960s. Also ex-NYCTA TDH 4510s that were transferred to MaBSTOA. As well as early MaBSTOA fishbowls specially with bat wings.
Can anyone help?
If you visit the following newsgroup:
alt.binaries.pictures.vehicles
....there is someone by the name of Joe Testagrose who takes a bunch of effort to post buses from NYCTA/MABSTOA frequently. I think he did all the older MABSTOA stuff a few months back, perhaps someone can help you frind wherever they might be archived (like on someone's hard drive....)
If you visit the following newsgroup:
alt.binaries.pictures.vehicles
....there is someone by the name of Joe Testagrose who takes a bunch of effort to post buses from NYCTA/MABSTOA frequently. I think he did all the older MABSTOA stuff a few months back, perhaps someone can help you frind wherever they might be archived (like on someone's hard drive....)
Looking for them..... Anybody help me on a website.
I think the New Flyer Bus (LF) that I saw
was #801, but in any case such a bus was on the
B68 last week.
Low Floor New Flyer #801 is now at Gleason, and the remaining 159 aren't coming for another month or two, so #801 is what was evidently on the B68. I've heard the windows are already badly scratched.
[Low Floor New Flyer #801 is now at Gleason, and the remaining 159 aren't coming for another month or two, so #801 is what was evidently on the B68. I've heard the windows are already badly scratched.]
Another 189 buses, not 159 (for a total of 190). And only 55 are due this year, with the other 135 due next year.
David
Thanks for your corrections. However, according to the UTC Roster, the New-Flyer Low Floor CNG order is for 160 buses, not 190. They will be numbered 800-959, and all will be assigned to Gleason.
I have talked to Glenn Rowe, webmaster of the UTC website, several times about correcting this information. For the last time: it's 190 buses.
David
Try this, there are a few pics of the new MCI buses
http://www.mindspring.com/~jeffnjosh/buses.html
Why don't post 9600 series RTSs have Aluminum Wheels?
The white rims look so ugly.
A friend of mine at Hudson told me that they are having a problem with he aluminum wheels. They seem to not be able to keep the appropriate air pressure. I do agree with you, the white wheels are not attractive.
Peace
DaShawn
P.S.
The new Orion V's have white wheels also.
A maintainer informed me that the alluminum wheels with time expand and contract so much due to temperature extremes that the rims bond to the wheel and are extremelt difficult to remove for maintainence. Thus the switch back to steel./
and yet aluminum wheels have been around for 20 year. look at Hertz rent-a -car
With the exception of B 100 Brooklyn is all NYCT. How did Command get Route 100?(I know there is some non-TA spillover from Queens)
Can I get the site where there is a list of the bus rosters for each depot?
http://hometown.aol.com/glenn6398/nycbusroster.html
-Hank
Thanks. I was on 3005. It seemed like a very good bus. I hate to see it go. What happened to 3022,3043,and 8409?
I am looking for old copies of the Russell Official Bus Guide,especially from around the late '70s-early '80s...does anyone know where these MIGHT be found???? Thanks......
These 2 buses should go to QV becuase they have 8352, and 8355-8396, it'll fill in the gap.
BUSMAN316
I found at least 1 web site with the new articulated buses.
www.newflyer.com
They have a seperate page for D40 and D60.
Is the D60 articulated coming to Flatbush depot? I hope so!!!!
www.newflyer.com/hifloor/D60
I am not sure about this. I will go back on return later.
Most, if not all, of the current order for 260 low floor New Flyer articulateds is supposed to be going to Flatbush.
[Most, if not all, of the current order for 260 low floor New Flyer articulateds is supposed to be going to Flatbush.]
Bzzzzzt!!! Wrong answer, no matter what Bus Operators at Flatbush may be telling you. The order is for 400 New Flyer D60 artics (260 plus an option for 140, which has been taken). Although plans can always change, NOT ONE of these buses is destined for Flatbush. The Bronx hasn't gotten all of the artics it's going to get, and then comes Manhattan.
David
Oh, yeah -- one more thing:
The New Flyer D60 is not a low-floor bus. Ride one in the Bronx and you'll see. New Flyer makes a D60LF, but that's not what NYCT purchased.
David
I saw a New Flyer D60LF being test by WMATA a couple of months ago. Currently their artics are NABI's and a bunch of MAN's that are probably due to be replaced soon. You never can tell with WMATA as I still see a few GM fishbowls.
Wayne
I still think that Flatbush is going to get them.....
Hey B14Mike how do you know they going to get those Articulated buses at Flatbush Depots??? Do you work for MTA??? Well I can find out for you that which Depot going to get Articulated Buses and all i know that West Side Depot going to get 40 Articulated Buses , some of depots in Manhattan will get Articulated Buses too. One last question when the New 100st Depot open in 2001 and are they going to get Articulated Buses????????
I have very good sources!!!
I doubt that all 400 of these new D60's will go to Flatbush. I know that they are saying with the delivery that the B41, B44 and B46 will become all articulated. And also like someone posted earlier The Bronx and Manhattan has to get their units in first anyway.
Peace
Dashawn
It is www.newflyer.com/hifloor/d60/html. Enjoy!!!!! I will look for more on Orion buses.....
I rode on Orions (diesel) on Queens bus routes the other day and had a few comments. The bus engines are quite noisy, and idle rough.
I like the RTS buses better, and I also think the CNG Orions we have at LI Bus are better too. The CNG Orions are quieter than the diesels.
Also on the diesel Orions, well some of them, had this burning smell.
What kind of experiences with the Orions in Queens at Casey Stengal have the operators and other riders have had?
Personally I think that the mainly RTS depots like Fresh Pond and Queens Village are starting to exceed the quality of Casey Stengal depot, because Casey Stengal has all Orions, and the Orions are harder to stand on and fill up quicker than RTS buses.
I really prefer RTS buses over the Orions.
John
Actually, I prefer almost any other bus over the RTS. Casey Stengel buses have 3 different engines. Which did you ride. As for CNG buses , I don't even like the sight of them, but I guess I'll have to deal with them like everone else. I'm sure happy that WMATA doesn't have any CNG buses and lots of Flxible Metros.
Wayne
Is WMATA still running their Fishbowls and Flxible New Looks?
The Orion buses they were supposed to get wound up in the New York area, so I assume that many of the old buses are still in regular service.
The WMATA Orion order was for 262 buses which have been in service for about 1 year. WMATA rejected only 50 of them which went to NYC-DOT (44 to Green Bus Lines and 6 to Queens Surface).
WMATA had planned to retire all of the GM and Flxible new looks in 1998, but my guess is that they needed to retain some of them since they rejected the 50 Orions. The Flxible new looks are going (or gone) away very quickly. I still see some GM fishbowls, but they are getting very scarce. I've only seen one in the last week and I used to see them every weekday during rush hours.
Wayne
I am curious as to why WMATA accepted 212 Orions but rejected 50. Do you know?
I've been very curious about that too. I really don't know. I've ridden their Orions and one of the "rejects" at GBL. At first I thought it may have been a $$$ thing, as WMATA doesn't have much money laying around.
Wayne
Aside from ride characteristics, the Orions are cheaply finished.
I often ride the County buses, and the fit-and-finish of these buses
is inferior to that of the RTS. This is my biggest complaint regarding the Orions. Regarding noise the diesel RTS are quite loud, probably more so than Orion diesels!
About three weeks ago, I saw a New Orleans-bound Orion here in Binghamton, NY. I go to school here and would like to know what other Orions pass through this area, so that I can take pictures.
If you are not far from Oriskany, NY then you will see alot of Orion's because their plant is up there. Alot of these buses that come from this plant are for U.S. properties. So depending on who has an order coming from Orion you will see some from orders bound for any where.
Peace
DaShawn
They come straight down Interstate 88 from Oriskany in the Utica area.
I reveived a collector's publication recently that adv American Buses by Donald F. Wood, 160 pages. Anybody ever seen it or know of it ?
Don't want Dave to get mad at me, so please sent me a private e-mail in reply, thanks.
Mr t__:^)
FDNY:
Do you have new readings?
Not yet,,I am working on the NJ Transit Bus Route Descriptions and the private Carrier Route Descriptions,,Do you need any of them
No I do not thanks anyway...
How about renaming the B41,44, and 46 limiteds like what they do in Staten Island? I would rename them like this:
B41=B21
B44=B34
B46=B47
If there is a B49 limited, I would rename it B29.
Comments and thoughts please:
That makes sense. Maybe the B41 should be the B91, B44/B94 and B46/B96, because the 90 series is used on Staten Island and It could work in Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx. Manhattan is a little different because we have some routes that still use 3 digits unless the rename the M101 Limited the M901.
Just a thought
Peace
DaShawn
This idea can work for the B41 & B46 but the B44 impossible because of the way it is formatted. It would become more confusing to "unsure" passengers. I'm still trying to figure out why they have a system like that in Staten Island..
That is true, then maybe we should use something like the B44L or B44x to help distingush regular routes from limited ones.
Peace
DaShawn
Like the large 'LIMITED' on the destination sign, and the purple and orange placard aren't enough to tell you it's a limited bus?
-Hank
Well sometimes some of these buses DO NOT have these orange placard signs. If you see B41 and B21 at Church Av. Then you know that the B21 is a limited bus. Unfortunately, I have witnessed people jump on buses without knowing that it is a limited bus. This will be able to help those people.
No it won't, because they've already proven they either can't or don't read the destination signs.
-Hank
Sometimes people don't remember to read the signs because they just see the Bus. I agree with the renumbering beacuse that way people can really understand which bus is limited and which is not. Another thing is that some "LIMITEDS" do not run on sundays and some people who are not from that area are waiting for buses that are nor running. And another thing if that was the case then why did they give the SI Limited their own numbers, are people on staten Island to lazy to read a Large "LIMITED" sign on their buses?
Peace
DaShawn
That is what I want to know. How come it could work in Staten Island but not in Brooklyn? If they are going to expand limited service to Sundays, then it is fair to say that the limited service should have their route number. Thanks DaShawn for backing me up.....
The separate numbers on the SI Limiteds is part of the way the routes were set up out here in the late 80s. The renumbered EVERY route, as part of a plan to make the service easier to use. Personally, I find it pointless. They had some serious problems when they did the wholesale renumbering on one weekend, as there were delays in getting the Mylar signs for the Fishbowls and Flxibles, and many buses ran with with small placards with a number and destination or hand-made signs with just a route number. When more routes were added, they stuck with the system. Additionally, the limited routes, in most cases, have separate loading areas at the ferry terminal, and their non-limited counterparts run a different service pattern; they eith run 1/2 the route, like the 62/92; don't run, like the 61/91; or run in only one direction, like the 40/90 and 46/96.
Every situation is different.
-Hank
No Problem! Because to me it just seems to make things more easy for the people who use the system. We must understand that some people who are in this city are new to using public transportation and it should be as simple as posible to use.
Peace
DaShawn
Its official!!! I looked on the MTA website and there will be Sunday Limited Stop Service on the B41,44, and 46 buses. So maybe the limited stop service can have their own route number....
www.mta.nyc.ny.us
On Staten Island, they renumbered all the routes to fit specific patterns. I suppose it was an experiment. All north shore buses are s40 series, all south shore buses are s70 series, Victory Blvd corridor buses are s60 series, and cross-island buses are s50 series. Generally, buses in the s50 series don't go to the ferry (exceptions being the s51 and s52) S90 series buses are limiteds. The only reason I can come up with for the s90 series being used for limiteds, rather than just using the 'LIMITED' sign on the bus, is the limited routes load at different locations at the Ferry.
BTW, SI now has limited service on the following routes:
s61/91 (SI Ferry/SI Mall via Victory) (when 91 runs, 61 does not)
s62/92 (SI Ferry/Travis via Victory Blvd) (when s92 runs, s62 operates as a short turn to Jewett Ave, Clove Rd, or from Clove Rd to CSI)
s44/94 (SI Ferry/SI Mall via Post Av and Morningstar Rd) (44 short turns at Port Richmond Ave when 94 runs)
s46/96 (SI Ferry/Mariners Harbor or West Shore Plaza via Castleton Ave) (96 Westbound only; 46 short turns at Port Richmond Ave when 96 runs)
s40/90 (SI Ferry/Howland Hook via Richmond Terrace) (90 Westbound only)
s48/98 (SI Ferry/Mariners Harbor via Forest Ave) (48 short turns at Richmond Ave when 98 runs)
-Hank
Now that makes sense and please pardon my previous post as we were writing them at about the same time. Your post explains alot to why the Limited on Staten Island are numbered in the 90 series. But in Brooklyn I have noticed with the B44 for instance when the Limited is running the B44 Local sometimes runs to the same terminal as the limited or it will terminate at Avenue X? or some place before sheapsphead bay and coming the other way one bus goes all they way to bridge and 2 or 3 others behind that one or before it only go to flushing ave. At least Staten Island has it together.
Peace
DaShawn
When the B44 Limited operates, most of the time the Limited trips will operate end-to-end (Knapp Street to Bridge Plaza or vice versa), while the Local trips will operate between Avenue U and Flushing Avenue. When school is open, the Avenue U trips are extended to Avenue X for much of the AM rush because Sheepshead Bay HS is at Avenue X.
David
Thank You! Now I understand!
Peace
DaShawn
The new delivery is finally arriving into Jamaica Depot (MTA). I rode on bus #5146 yesterday on the Q17. It just arrived yesterday with bus #5149. These buses (a probable delivery of 25) will replace the slow 3900 series. Speaking of 3900 series bus #3930 is supposedly at QV. I saw it on the Q46 run 026 this morning with M10 on the back computer. Also there was 1 other strangie: #3933 was on the Q75 a while back before BusTalk started.
1 more thing about Jamaica Depot: #8951 is in ugly white.
BUSMAN316
I understand that 5145-5153 are now in at Jamaica.
According to the new roster i got today, theres a couple of 3200s out of captivity from Hale at QV. And one or two at JAM from KB i think.
There are 2 buses that have been transfered from Jamaica Depot to QV. These buses are 3930 and 3933. 3933 has the QV logo on, but I'm not sure about 3930.
BUSMAN316
I am requesting your assistance in obtaining this
info ,,Can anyone assist me
1---Lafeyette And Greenville
2---Westside and Montgomery
3-==Academy
4===Bergen Av
5 Broadway
6-- Red Apple Transit
These are the Carriers I need
thank you
Steve
Lafayette & Greenville (5 routes):
Local, between JC-Bayonne line and Exchange Place;
Express, same as above but bypasses Lafayette area (rush hours only);
3, between JC-Bayonne line and Journal Square;
5/6, between Journal Square and Hoboken via Newport Mall;
16, between Journal Square and Newport Mall via area south of Square.
Montgomery/West Side (5 routes):
via those two streets between southwestern JC & Exchange Place;
same as above but branches @ Grove St PATH station to Newport Mall;
440 Shopper, between Journal Square and Route 440 in southwestern JC to Hudson Mall and shopping centers;
Journal Square, between there and southwestern JC;
Marion, Lafayette area and Journal Square via route roughly parallel to and south of future light rail tracks (rush hours only).
Academy: ?
Bergen Avenue: single route on that street between Journal Square and JC-Bayonne line.
Broadway: on that street in Bayonne for its entire length.
Red Apple: between Hoboken PATH/railroad station and Manhattan.
If you're not aware of Carefree (1 route), Central Avenue (3 routes), Hudson (3 routes in partnership with NJ Transit) or Trans Hudson Express/Coach USA (4 or 5 routes) advise and I'll post.
Academy has one route the 22 which runs from Hoboken/Path and Fort Lee that runs via Bergenline Avenue if I'm mistaken and please correct me if I'm wrong.
Peace
DaShawn
Thank you ,,I am looking for complete street by street route Descriptions
Steve
Lafayette & Greenville - terminal is one block west of the south end of Ocean Av, at Merritt St and Av C. Express, Local and 3 operate to a few blocks north of where Ocean Av changes name to Grand St. Express stays on Grand St. Local goes east on Communipaw Av and north on Pacific Av, then meets up again with the Express. 3 uses a one-way pair for a block--northbound Ivy Pl, southbound Summit Av. Summit Av is two way north of that point and used by the 3 to and from Journal Sq. The Express-Local pair go north from Grand St on Grove St to Columbus Dr, where the PATH station is. After a block eastbound on Columbus Dr, it's south on Marin Blvd to Montgomery St and east to the Exchange Pl PATH station (there are some minor revisions on a periodic basis immediately west of Exchange Pl due to the light rail construction). The 16 is a former Public Service trolley route LG obtained. Goes south from Journal Sq on Bergen, Fairmount and Monticello Avs, then east on Communipaw Av eventually duplicating the Local route. It breaks away from the two at Jersey Av, two blocks west of where they head north. At Newark Av the 16 continues east to Columbus Dr, then duplicates the pair again.
(More tomorrow)
Would you want to help FDNY with a Project
Steve
FDNY 914 668 9218
Can anyone describe the operations of the "Bergenline" jitney vans? What the hell is that all about? How come it is not operated by a unified transit agency? Where all does it go? I see them along Nwk Ave. all the time...
I lived in Jersey City for a year, but had a hard time figuring out the precise route (assuming there is one). As best as I could tell, they come south on Bergenline Avenue, and pretty much follow the #84 NJ Transit Route over to Journal Square. But from Journal Square, they then proceed back along the #84 and #86 route to Grove Street PATH Station, and then swing over to Newport Center Mall, where they turn around on the side near JC Penney.
Steve, can you E-Mail me what information you're seeking? I can't read your E-Mail address because my ISP's status bar covers that information over.
(Aside to Julie Turner - I'm glad there are women interested in public transportation).
I have all of them ,now ,,Do you need any particular
Route
I have about 200 plus Routes Availble
Steve
Do you have where each one is assigned? If so, please contact me by e_mail.
Here are a couple of Brooklyn bus Questions:
1. How come the B65 switched to Fulton Mall and the B71 took over its current route? Will the B65 come out of ENY like its cousin, B45?
2. I was looking on a bus roster and it said that the B39 come out of Flatbush at midnight hours. How come it does not come out of FP during these times?
More questions to come later........
<<2. I was looking on a bus roster and it said that the B39 come out of Flatbush at midnight hours. How come it does not come out of FP during these times? >>
The 39 runs in conjunction with the hawks on the 46 (i know that one) and if memory serves right the 44 also. I think its just a way of not giving a b/o an easy and monotonous run. It would put me to sleep.
It's the B46 and the Q54, not the B44.
In answer to the other question, the B65/B71 switch actually restored service to the way it had been before World War II, when a "temporary" service change was put into effect due to the war!
David
In response to ther query about the B-39 Midnites, I believe they save a hawk by operating it this wAY.
How come they waited so long to swap the B65 and B71? Does the destination sign on the B46 says Lower East Side-Delancey Street?
One Ommision left out of my last posting regarding
the Agenda
The Q20A and Q20B will be extended to Jamaica via
the Q44 Routing ,,from 5 AM to 11 PM
This includes the New Rerouting of the Q44 via Main
St,,Queens Blvd and Hillside Av to Sutphin Blvd
Also take Note,,the Q44 Proposal to Fordham Plaza
via E182 E184 and 3 Av is Not going Past the
Planning Stages
Steve
I think that the best option to make that Q20 route work is this. Q20 to Hillside Ave/ Parsons Blvd Station - Original Q20 route or Q20A and make the Q44 limited only and run to Bronx PK or Q20B. What do you think?
<>
The 20 A or B is supposed to pick up the local service along main Street and the 44 will be limited, So in other words there will not be a 44 local and limited while the 20 is working.
The Q44 combined with the Q20A (or in other words the Parson Blvd bus) can be local service and the Bronx bound busses are limited. There will be Additional Q20 service that goes along the Q20B and the original Q20, (I'm also tring to avoiid routes that have letters in them.) I hope this clears things up.
This Q20, Q20A and Q20B along with the Q44 LIMITED is going to confuse the heck out of all these people. Have 1 Q20 go to 1 place, Second Q20 go to the second and if possible a third. Q46 goes to 3 different destinations, right? Well, what is the point of all of these 20 20A and 20B? I'm totally lost in this situation. Somebody please help me!
BUSMAN316
Q20A via 20 Ave
Q20B via 14 Av (old Q20)
All will go to Jamaica Q44 Terminal when the Q44LTD runs ,,,aprox 5 to 11PM
This is it
Steve
Okay it makes sense, sorry about the mistake but still would it be easy to transfer from the Q20 to Q44 and vise versa?
Does anyone have the radio frequencies for Queens Transit, Green, etc?
Mr. Mime if there is a Radio Shack store near you, you can ask for the book Police Calls and Beyond Police Calls Volume 1. In that book are frequencies for the Buses in the MTA and private bus companies like Queens Transit, Green etc.
I have one at home and this book is updated every year.
Charlie Muller of Bedford Park Blvd.
I have taken some research and study a couple of routes that either people suggested or I thought of and here is what I think:
The B33 theory:
B12: extend to Park Circle via Parkside Ave to cover the South portion of the park and transfer to the B68
B68: rush hour service along Prospect Ave to 3Ave. For transfers to the B37, B63, B67, B69, N & R trains.
____________________________________________________________________
The B14 to Rockaway Blvd....
The B15 should take that suggestion because it goes to JFK Airport already. WHat should also be done is allow the B15 to stop at the Aquesuct (A) Station (Bed - Stuy) and Cross Bay Blvd (both directions) to provide service on the Q11, Q21, Q41. Allow the Postal Faculty bound to run via Conduit to Rockaway Blvd.
______________________________________________________________________
From the first update does anybody have comments or suggestions?
Next:
B35 & B83: Extend the B35 to Starett City via New Lots Ave and the B83 south of New Lots.
B61 & B77: Extend the B61 to Park Slope via the B77 route.
B63: Extend to the B57 terminal at Fulton Mall or extend to Fulton Landing via Clinton Ave & Court Sts.
B69: extend to Shore Rd via Ft. Hamilton Pkwy and 65 St. or to Boro Pk - 62 St Sta (B M N) via Ft. Hamilton Pkwy and New Utercht Ave.
B37 (If the B63 is horrible) to Fulton Landing via Cadman Plz
B39 & B24 [& B51]: (A crazy idea!!) combined the B39 with the B24 to Greenpoint from West of Bway to Bedford and The reamining of Greenpoint bound B24. (There is even a better way at Grand St. but have not completly figure it out yet.) Extend the B39 west of Delancy to Bowery. [South of Bowery to City Hall circle and take the route of the B51.The buses coming from Manhattan Br to Manhattan same as the B51 and will circle and continue to Delancy and resume route.]
The combination with the B51 are in Brackets to sepetrate from the original idea. Suggestions. Comments.
My Suggestions......Now!!!!
B1: Combination with B64 and run the length of 86 St
B4: Extend up 2 blocks to Ave.X
B6: Limited Service on weekday rush hours.
B12: Limited Service
B13: Terminate in Starret City
B14: Extend both ends, east to GAP and westbound to Rockaway Blvd (A) station.
B15: JFK bound buses run every 20 minutes instead of thirty.
B16: Extend along Empire Blvd up Troy Av to Utica Ave (3,4) station.
B18: Extend to Williamsburg Bridge Plaza
B23: Extend across Beverley Rd to Kings Hwy or further...
B24: Get back on this one
B35: Extend to New Lots (3) station
B36: Everybody knows about this one
B39: Extend further along Delancey Street and extend in Brooklyn to Graham Av
B40: Combination with B78
B41: Rename limited service B21
B44: " " " " " " B34
B45: Take over B40 route from Ralph Av to Bway Jct.
B46: Rename limited service B47
B48: Extend to CI Avenue via Parkside Ave.
B49: Limited Service B29
B54: Combination with Q55, Run more buses or have limited service.
B64: See B1
B65: I have to come back on this one.
B68: Limited service. Possible Combination with B69
B69: See B68
B71: Extend it to Utica Av (3,4) station.
B78: See B40
B100: Run out of Flatbush Depot.
Q24: Extend two blocks east to Malcolm X Blvd and Lafayette Ave.
Comments and suggestions
B1: Agree
B4:Extend to Avenue U
B6:Same hours as the B41
B12: I wish but needs more planning
B13:If via Flatlands then of course!!
B14:I am not sure about Rockaway Blvd Sta but I do agree on the extencion Grand Army
B15: I say 15 minutes plus my earlier sugestion
B16: It is too crowded at Utica Avenue probably terminate at Troy Ave.
B18: combine with the B39, if that happends.
B23: At least we had the same thought.
B24: lost cause
B35:my idea to Starett City is better.
B36: we all do know
B39: combine with B18 and in Manhattan to Bowery.
B40: we know that one already
B41,B44,B46, B49: I am not going wiht that special limited series system.
B45: like I said with the B40 we know that one for sure
B48: I like the B12 better, but why not both.....
B54: Agree
B68: Rush hours only. I am not sure about combininig wiht the B69.
B71: Agree
B100: yes and I will get back on that.
Q24: Dekalb and Malcolm X Blvd.
Any suggestions.....Comments...... Iam sorry that some are not making sense but I am working on something for the next topic on Bus talk.
I was thinking that the B16 could travel down Empire to Troy turn on Montgomery turn on Utica and come back around..... If you got any more ideas let me know........
Why the B35 to Starrett City?
Too me I think that there is no point to the B83 unless you either just give the route to the B20 since it is run also by the ENY depot or extend the B35 further than L subwayand extend it further East.
I did say extend B35 to the New Lots station. Not to the station.
Again my mistake. I was wondering why The L train station also you are right about the B14 extension. It sounds like a good idea.
i would like to now why are the B33,B22,B5,B62,B10 ARE NOT IN BACK IN
ROUTES ANYMORE
Here are your reasons:
B5=Combined with B50 to form B82
B10=Renumbered B15 and extended to JFK. Not to be confused with the Q10
B22=Renumbered Q24 and to extended to 171St-Jamaica Av. It was then cut back to 168St-Archer Av.
B33=Discontinued service. Low ridership.
B62=Combined with B47 to form B43
In the NY Post Thursday March 26, page 20 and the NY Daily News Thursday March 26, page 33, is an article about Bus Service that is on the road to nowhere fast.
After the good people of the Bus Talk Post read the article your thoughts are most welcome.
Charlie Muller of Bedford Park Blvd.
P.S. I am new to Bus Talk Post, i am usually on the Subway Talk Post side of Subway Org., since i use the subway more then the Bus.
Daily News:Bus Service Driven Down
Post:Evidently the article is not in
the online edition.
[an article about Bus Service that is on the road to nowhere fast.]
1. It talks about bunching & gaps, i.e. headways. That relates to supvr in the field & equip. failures/staff shortages. At this depot we don't have enough drivers for the extra buses that arrived recently, BUT a new bunch of rookies are in training, meanwhile to the senior guys are enjoying some OT. Their familys should have nice vacations this summer :-)
2. Ridership up 2M per day, that's a lot of extra folks. All the companies in the system are adding runs as equip. & staff permits, at the TA the article says they added 4,000 runs ... that seems a little high.
Mr t__:^)
I don't think the TA can take all the blame. Traffic, particularly in Manhattan, is so bad most times that someone driving their car is lucky if they can get to their destination on time 60% of the time. And the suggestion about additional bus lanes is lame. There is rarely enforcement on the existing bus lanes, making them worthless most of the time, with the possible exception of the double bus lane on Madison Avenue. More buses can be added, but unless there's some solution to the traffic problem, the additional buses will be late also. (Of course, if more people ride the bus and subway, traffic should get better.)
The special lanes on the LIE, as it approaches the toll, helps our Express buses make schedule. It's a nice ride too, I did it once.
Mr t__:^)
And the exclusive bus lane in the morning rush hours on I-495 headed to the Lincoln Tunnel is a blessing for so many NJ commuters to the city. But, except for Madison Avenue, my experience is that the exclusive bus lanes on most New York City streets are usually not clear for buses to use. It suggests lax or no enforcement.
You know that M10 is the worse line in NYCTA?? Well My father drove those line and he hate it because he alway late or suck in the traffic and never be on time. I think M10 is #1 worse line and second is M104 maybe third is M15.
Well, now they're having a public hearing to discuss splitting the route into M-10 (lower) and M-20 (upper)
What about having the 63 penitrate the center of downtown and terminate at Court and Livingston Sts and straighten out the 45 and make it go straight down Atlantic Ave to Colunbia Street.
It sounds good to me.
I do not know. The B63 will be an exact mirror image of the B37. There could be some better modifications?
I was here in New York for my vacation. I noticed on the rosters and the streets the new MCI coaches. What is the purpose of those big rolling yachts? I'm sure any RTS with a modified suspension setup will handle the NYC express routes just fine. Also, by not ordering MCIs, the agency will save money. Since the MCIs have an extra five feet and extra height, these monsters have got to be impossible to drive. The one thing that I really hate about them is that they need extra room. I really found that out driving in Staten Island. The way the streets are built and with the lane spacing, it is not practical to drive an MCI, especially in Manhattan. Yet, the agency orders them anyway. I'm willing to bet that the MCI drivers get paid twice of what the regular drivers get paid. By the way, how much do the regular transit driver get in pay? In Miami-Dade, there is an article that a senior driver with plenty of overtime can get over $90,000 yearly! That is more than many doctors salaries I bet.
The purpose of these buses is to provide more seats. The NOVA RTS buses only have 39 seats. The back door takes away from having more seats. The MCIs have 57 seats and are wheelchair accessable. How can you compare an RTS Bus with an MCI anyway? THE MCIs are state of the art equipment. Ask any driver who has already driven one. They turn easier because the rear wheels turn with the bus. They are also much more powerful and comfortable. They dont huff and puff when they are trying to make it over the bridge. There is only one thing wrong with the MCIs and that is that the fare box makes it hard to board the bus. I hope they buy more which is highly likely to happen since Castleton and Yukon will eventually only house MCIs and Orions.
The MCI coaches are the finest express bus equipment that the NYCT has ever purchased. They are very comfortable for the longer commutes that Staten Islanders have. The only compaints are minor - the tight space around the fare box, the standee problem that requires nearly all standees to de-board and reboard if one standee is exiting, and the drivers' problem with correctly setting the climate control. The RTS express buses were dogs from day one, they were underpowered, uncomfortable with poor air conditioning, cheap vinyl low-back seats, and often had the faint odor of diesel fumes. On many summer days the drivers would have to shut down the RTS air-conditioning to gain enough power to make it across the Verrazano. Supposedly the NYCT has an option to purchase more MCIs, which would be a wise decision on their part.
If they dont exercise their option for 100 more we might be riding on the new Orions with the cloth seats or at least til more MCIs or other coaches are delivered. I have been on one new Orion in Manhattan and they are very nice. They have all the new features of the new Nova RTS(e.g. new interior lights, new bell sound, black paint instead of white over the rear door and above the windshield inside of the bus) Plus the bus seemed to be very fast the few times the driver had the chance to go fast. The RTS buses are on their way out of Staten Island. (what a relief) With that in mind SI will have one of the youngest fleets so Staten Islanders shouldnt have much to complain about their buses for a few years. The only thing missing from the MCI Buses are wings. j.k.!
From what I was told there are not standees allowed on the new MCI's.
Are they not following this rule anymore?
Peace
DaShawn
There is no rule stating that standees are not permitted on MCIs or on any other buses. NYCT's goal is to schedule for a full seated load on expresses during rush hours; in fact, the guidelines for MCIs allow for slightly less than a full seated load. However, occasionally standees will be found on an express trip, whether it's served by an MCI or an older express bus. If it happens often enough, the passenger counts will show it and NYCT will correct the situation in the next "pick."
David
Thank You, But I undertand that the MTA has to have standees on their buses regardless of them being express or local but I read here on bus talk that this rule only applied to the MCI's and not anyother bus type.
Peace
DaShawn
was stripped of shrink-rapped ad.
When the Shrink Raped Ad's are removed it seems like these buses are repainted or something. Is that actually what happens?
Peace
DaShawn
It less costly (maint) to re-wrap a bus, because if the wrap comes & stays off for some reason, then you'll have to do painting/cosmetic work.
Mr t__:^)
If the paint scrapes the original paint scheme, then the bus gets painted over. EX: #221 had a bad experience. They stripped the shrink-rapped ad off this bus and all that remained was the tape that was used to hold the ad up. Now, the bus (back only) is all white with the ad in the back. #348 now has a new ad on the sides and back.
This bus had an ad, then it didn't now it has one again.
BUSMAN316
We try to wrap and rewrap the same buses because of the damage to the paint beneath the ad. Our vendor tries to coordinate ad "contracts" to have them dovetail. They are required to pay me to repaint a damaged paint job if necessary so they sure prefer to rewrap it. By the way, when we had several buses that had been damaged by repeated wraps that were to be removed from service in just a few months, we "wrapped" the damaged portions in white ... it looked just as good as a paint job from more than five feet away and saved the need for painting.
Peter from QSC
The same buses are getting wrapped, 348, 356 and 360. 356 and 360 have TLC shrink-rap. 348 I forgot and 341, there's a correction: it's shrink-rap is for apple computers. What shrink-rap does 351 have?
More shrink-rap to come, huh?
BUSMAN316
Thank You for the information and also let me take this time out to say that you and your staff do a great job at painting your buses. From the 300 series TMC RTS's to the 900 series MCI Classics, these buses look wonderful.
Peace
DaShawn
DaShawn, Thanks for the kind words :-) I have printed off a copy of
your post which I will give to our VP Maint. I'm sure it will bring a
smile to his face in a otherwise stressfull day.
Regards, Thurston
P.S. I tryed to send this as a private message, but AOL said it couldn't find your mail box ????
Thank You so much Thurston, that means alot to me and you can send me E-mail now and look foward to hearing from you!
Peace
DaShawn
Today i was on my way to work and i saw RTS #3552 on Bx12 run local. I was suprise that why RTS #3552 running on Bx12?? Does the Gun Hill Depot don't have enough Articulated buses? I know Bx12 run only Articulated buses not RTS. That the first time i saw RTS running on Bx12 also i found out that RTS #3552 was on Gun Hill Storage.
It probably was there because no Artics were available. Gun Hill has only 37 artics.
Wayne
what is the web site address for the UTC page by Glenn Rowe?
The address is: http://hometown.aol.com/glenn6398/nycbusroster.html
The B14 should go to the Rockaway Blvd station. The B15 would have reverse its direction on Fountain, turn on Sutter, makes it way to the train station, and then find its way to the aiport. Other reasons:
B14 is a less popular route than the B15, this would improve the route.
B14 transfers with the B15 already, and do not need to transfer a second time. B14 is within walking distance of the B15 so there is really no need for a second transfer. B14 also have a transfer to the B20. (As mentioned in my earlier post.)
Sorry I do not agree with you........:(
My mistake, I interpret the Rockaway Blvd cincept wrong at first. I was thinking of Rockaway Blvd in Queens next to Cargo Yard where the Q7 passes by. I do think it is the best decission but since I mension the Q7, that whole are is made up of Green Bus Line Bus routes and again it is already crowded especially with the Q11. i wish the Mta owned these private buses, I know what I can do about most of these routes. But answer me this Question: Should the the B15 stop (JFK buses) at Cross Bay, I think it is a very good idea what do yout think.
I meant the Rockaway Blvd station. That way it can terminate at a nice shopping district and transfer to 5 new buses. It also provide another way to get to Jamaica via Q112 or Q41.
I thnik so if it going to help people to get where they are going, sure why not?
Hello I am new to the bus talk side of this web site. I have a question what does Atlantic Desiel in Lodi, NJ do for the TA? Is this for work the TA can't handle or what?
No, Atlantic Diesel aka Penseke Power does all of the Warranty work on the Detroit Diesel Power plants and Allison Transmissions as well as the HVAC units on the 1996 RTS's and other buses that have Carrier HVAC units. All new buses delivered that have a Detroit Diesel engine are delivered their first for inspection then they picked up by TA employees mainly operators to be accepted and brought in to the depots here in the city. They may do a little more so if anyone knows what else or can correct me on some info please do. But that is basically what Atlantic Diesel in Lodi, NJ does.
Peace
DaShawn
Thank you Mr. "D-Digital" for that info on Atlantic Diesel. Thats the beauty of these sites your always learning something new.
There is one also in Bohemia L.I.
Where are buses held prior to delivery to the TA. Some people say "Penske", some Piscataway, and some say Doremus Ave. (Newark). Are different buses held in different places? Is the RTS' final assembly point in Schenectady, and how much work comprises final assembly?
Doremus Av is where the buses are "disassembled" before they are loaded onto a barge for smelt.
What parts are saved from buses to be scrapped other than expected seats, farebox.
The farebox comes out before it leaves the depot for the last time.
Thanks for the quick response. Are there other parts that can be saved or is it not cost effective to save other parts?
I remember seeing a old 1600 once at Amsterdam that was parked and in effect retired awaiting a tow out of the depot. By the time it was hauled off it was missing an assortment of head, tail and signal lights. The radio, farebox and drivers seat also were removed. Several windows were missing and other parts from the engine were removed that could be reused on a temporary basis. Side destination sign and batteries were also hijacked. Part of the front door was missing and of course the ever needed mirrors which are in a constant state of replacement!
Probably a 1600 that was used for scrap & spare parts. How long ago was this? Maybe it's on the roster under scrap.
BUSMAN316
It depends ...
If it's still in running condition, then the radio & farebox come out then you sell a whole bus.
If it's junk, usually not the case, you might remove the engine, transmission, etc.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are my own & not my employeer
Mr t__:^)
I forgot to mention that Doremus Av is in Newark, NJ although they have a few other junkyards that might dismantle bus frames. At Nimcos in the "IRONBOUND" N.J. they cut the engine/transmission assemblies from the bus then send them down the street to a rebuilder for use in trucks and other vehicles. After the shells are relieved of their freon they are crushed then shredded for recycling. Last I was there they had some 870 Grummans with TA 3200s ,Septa Rts as well as some Washington Flx and fishbowls. Their outfit can recycle at least 50-100 buses per week with at least 200 on their lots.
do they give tours of this place?
They are probably mafia so I wouldn't take the chance but you can get a good view during business hours from the front gate though. Because of the stepped up enforcement of the freon removal ask if you even think of taking pictures.
MCI has recently introduced its new "Rennaissance" coach which is supposedly an updated version of the standard MCI type coach. Although I have seen very few of these buses, I was wondering if NYCT would consider purchasing these buses for express routes.
These buses seem to be designed more for the Charter Coach industry because of the way they are configured. These Rennaissance coaches are beautiful but I could not see them being used as commuter buses. The MCI D series which is what we have now is a tried and true model with 1000's of them in service from commuter lines to charter lines to greyhound. But who knows maybe one day we might see one of them on the x1 one day.
Peace
DaShawn
Short Line in NJ has about 4 of the MCI Renaissance Coaches. Although I believe they use them mainly for charter service, they can be found in regular route service from time to time, particularly during the rush hours. I suspect they probably perform similar to the standard MCI Coaches.
You are right and GrayLine has some of them also, but if NYC Transit did charter service or Atlantic City service then I could see them getting these buses
Peace
DaShawn
If I was to improve service with existing routes in Green line Busses this what I will do.
1) Have A Guide - A - Ride. It can help passengers that are lost or who are not used to the private bus system also it should include an updated schedule similar to the MTA. Only the Q10 has some version of a Guide - A - Ride.
2) the routes. Green Lines have some short or long waited service this is what I have suggested:
Q6: run every 10 minutes to Farmers/ROckaway Blvd. 15 - 20 to JFK (During Midday and weekends)
Q7: every 10 minutes to Sutphin/Rockaway Blvd. Every 20 to Airport.
Q8: service every 10 minutes
Q9/Q9A: Extend to 150 Ave/130 St. (Q10 rush hour branch [Q10 via Rockaway]) Eliminate the Q9A and let the alternative Q9 serve that route all day or rush hours every 20 minutes. Q9 original route every 10 minutes.
Q10/ Q10A Eliminate the rush hour service via Rockaway (see Q9). Rename the Q10A to the Q10 limited runing during rush hours via Van Wyck in AM only (Airport bound) and via Lefferts with stops (PM Airport bound. AM & PM Kew Gardens bound).
Q11: Limited service between Metropolitan Ave - Liberty stops at: Metro, Myrtle, Jamaica, 101 Ave and Liberty. Local to Howard Bch running every 10 minutes and Hamilton Bch every 15 minutes. (see Q21)
Q21: combine with Q11 (Liberty Ave bound) or Q11 limited running every 10 minutes. (see Q41)
Q22/Q22A extend West to Fort Tilden/Breeze Pt. Combined with Q22A serving rush hours every 30 minutes.
Q35: extend to Far Rockaway via Beach Channel Dr. or B116 St and Rockaway Bch Blvd (Q22 route)
Q40: combine with Q60 (see Q60)
Q60: Limited service terminating at the Q40 south bound terminal.
Local service terminating at South Jamaica
Comments or suggstions: Please write I know it this affects most bus talk members.
I take the Q60 everyday from 48 Street and Queens Blvd to Kew Gardens Rd. There used to be 3-4-5-6 even 7 buses 1 behind the other. Now, 1 every 5 minutes. It has been a hastle so far. All the buses are full and they have to keep a distance of 5 minutes apart or else the inspector stops the bus for a certain amount of time. Staurdays and Sundays is a HASTLE on this line. Too many people out here. My suggestion: A summer weekday schedule every Saturday. Sunday is understandable, a slower schedule must be in effect, but Saturday, DO NOT TAKE THE Q60! My suggestion: Take the E,F,G or R trains. A smoother, comfortable and roomier ride awaits you.
BUSMAN316
They need to transfer it to the TA, and have both Limited service, AND artic's.
From Queens Center to Continental Ave (Q60), almost every stop except for about 3 is a main stop. It can be suggested, but I don't think LIMITED will work out. More service will have to do for now.
BUSMAN316
I guess it would be needed between Queens Plaza and Grand Av. It's in that stretch Queensbound that the bunching occurs. Maybe also beyond Continental as well.
If I was to improved service along the Green Lines this is what I will do:
1) place Guide - A - Ride, currently they only have one on the Q10, but it is outdated.
2) service is too short or needs more buses to run some routes
3) Destination signs, I will talk about that later.
Here are my suggestions.
Q6: needs service every 10 minutes to Farmers Bl/ Rockaway Blvd. 15 - 20 minutes to JFK (Midday and weekends)
Q7: needs service every 10 minutes to Sutphin Bl/ Rockaway Bl. 20 minutes to JFK
Q8: needs service every 10 minutes
Q9 & Q9A: Extend to 150 Ave/ 130 St. (Q10 via Rockaway branch for those who want to know where this idea originated) Eliminate the Q9A and let the Q9 run that route every 20 minutes during weekdays or rush hours and Q9 original route will run every 10 minutes.
Q10 & Q10A: Eliminate Rockaway Branch route (see Q9). Rename the Q10A as the Q10 limited running only on rush hours every 10 minutes. It willl run via Van Wyck or Lefferts on AM Rush (I have not decided if it ahould run along the Van Wyck.) and via Lefferts on PM Rush.
Q11: Limited service between Metro Ave - Liberty/ Rockaway Blvd. Stops at Metro, Myrtle, Jamaica, 101 Ave, and Liberty. Howard Bch buses run every 10 minutes and Hamilton Bch every 15 minutes. Limited service replaces Liberty Ave buses. (see Q21)
Q21: Either service run every 10 minutes or combine with Q11 limited or Liberty Ave buses running every 10 minutes or see Q41.
Q22 & Q22A: Extend westbound to Fort Tilden/ Breezy Pt. Combine with Q22A running every 30 minutes rush hours only.
Q35: extend eastward to Far Rockaway via Beach Channel Dr. or B 118 St and Rockaway Bch Blvd (like the Q22)
Q37: extend Southeasr to Springfield Blvd/ Conduit Blvd via Conduit Blvd.
Q40/ Q60: Limited service combined with Q40 terminating at the Q40 southbound terminal. Local service to current Q60 terminal.
Q41: Discontinue the Q21 and extend the Q41 to B 116 St via the Q21 route.
Comments or suggestions write back......
<>
Too long. Thats the point of the M100/Bx24 posts. Limited or local you're not really making up that much time.
I'm confused. Can you restate that? I'm not sure that if you are talking about Green Lines or Bx24 and M100.
What I was trying to say was that your idea of putting the Q40 and Q60 together was a bad idea since we all know that long lines are bad for on time performance. I was citing the M100 as the example.
The Q60 needs more buses since GL is not putting anymore. If they can at least let the Q40 go as far as Union Tpke Station then that can at least ease things.
Every morning, I take the Q60 from 48 Street and Queens Blvd to Kew Gardens Rd. I'll tell you something: service has turned lousy! Why?
Because people had to open thier BIG MOUTHS! Buses were coming every 5 minutes or so. Some would catch up to each other. Sometimes there were 2, 3 and even 4 buses 1 behind the other. People had to complain that too many buses were coming. Now service stinks. 1 BUS every 5-10 minutes is too much time. All the buses are crowded and on top of that, inspectors stop the bus even if it has a full load. I'd really liked the Q60 the way IT USED TO BE! Stupid people complain if there are no buses and they complain if they are buses. Can't they make up their mind? Opinions? Post it here on BT or email me! Thanks!
BUSMAN316
Ps Wonder why Green Lines stopped shrink-wrapping their buses? They did it for a while, and now not 1 bus is wrapped.
2 Suggestions one combine the Q35 and the Q22 Just have half teh service ternimate at Rockaway Park Beach 166th street. The second is not related ti Green Line. It's also in Queens but is has to do with Combining A TA line with a triboro line The Q32 and 33.
You are little bit ahead of what my plans are for MTA and Private buses. But that idea was in my head too. Wait when I show my proposals for Private/ MTA suggestions..
To Be Continued
Bentley.......
Also that was where I got the idea of the Q35 to Far Rockaway from, it was either combine with the Q22 (& Q22A because that route is really nothing) or extend the route via a different street.
In the NY post Sunday March 28, page 22, at the bottom of the page is an article about the TA will ''crack'' down on broken buses.
After the good people of BusTalk read the article your thoughts are most welcome.
Charlie Muller of Bedford Park Blvd.
http://www.geocities.com/~buslist/
-Hank
They still do not have the B20 coming out ENY. How come?
Maybe you should mail him a correction. Fan sites are only as good as the data available and that guy has a LOT of bus data! Help him out by sending him info-- don't post here that he's wrong and wonder why.
-Dave
Does anybody know where 8346 is? It had an accident on 10/2/97.
Why is the TA scraping off the numbers of the RTS buses that are held for O/S or scrap? They didn't do that to the Blitz and earlier RTS fleets.
1. #4338 painted white.
2. #1742 it's time for that bus to get scrapped or something. 2 seats are missing and the step behind the white line sign is missing.
#1740-1741 and 1819 are better buses.
3. #3904 This bus is scrapped in College Point storage yard.
4. #3807 Is this bus actually in service or is it stored?
BUSMAN316
Some Orions are parked overnight with the stored RTS's that are stored in College Point Storage Yard.
The number is not being placed on the roof of the bus. Why?
BUSMAN316
What happened to this bus that it landed up in the scrap yard?
Do these buses have coach seats, cloth-padded seats or hard seats?
BUSMAN316
#7038-7049 have coach seats
When a driver lowers a bus it sometime would not come all the way up.
This happens on the Orions a lot. The driver then does something
which is similar to shutting down the engine. The A/C and lights go off but the engine remanins on. This usually solves the problem.
What does the driver do. They don't shut down the engine. I seem to me that they would quickly move the master switch into the shutdown position the moves it back to the run position.
Any bus techs?
<>
You are correct that the switch goes to the off position then quickly back to the 'run/lights' position. In effect the engine is shutting down, but since the switch is turned back on so quickly the engine never stops before its turned on again.
The new electronic equipment is nice but quirky. A quick reset is often all that is needed. Door controlers are a similar problem.
Why do they name this route that, when it basically run only in the Bronx and only 30 (and even more) to Flushing. I often wait so long for a bus to Flushing that I even ran out of ideas to figure out how to get to Flushing from Co op City - any suggestions to why that is and any alternative routes cna I take.
I understand how you feel. I've ridden the QBX1 for years and there is a lot more service within the Bronx than there is between Flushing and The Bronx. Remember, there are lots of people in Co-Op City. The Pelham Bay Park station is the closest subway station, and the QBX1 is the only route that operates from Pelham Bay and serve all of Co-Op City. On the flip side there are usually not nearly as many people riding between Flushing and Pelham Bay - which is why Co-Op City - Pelham Bay buses out number Co-Op City - Flushing Buses by about 3 to 1.
Wayne
Take the to the train. I know it will be a long ride but thats the best I can do. I am not familiar with the Bronx that much but if theres any buses run from Co-Op City and transfer to the Q44 then there's your second alternative.
The "scheduled" headway on this line is a new coach every half hour.
BTW, we use to have to put a bus with a bike rack on a particular run, we never had very many of them, because ONE guy would show up with his bike.
Mr t__:^)
Q44 to the Bx5 at Bruckner Blvd gets you to Pelham Bay Station. If you have an unlimited card you can hop a Bx12 to get you to the other side of the highway.
If you are using an unlimited ride MetroCard or don't mind paying two fares. You can take the QBX1 (or BX12, BX29 if you're near Bay Plaza) to Pelham Bay, then take the #6 train to 177th Street-Parkchester, then take the Q44 bus. I don't think you'd save much (if any) time, but it is an alternate, especially if you know that you've just missed an QBX1 to Flushing.
Wayne
I guess this is one more example of when a private bus company runs a line the non-peak service is about half of what it would be on an MTA line. I don't know why the people of Queens who have so many private lines haven't revolted yet.
Not counting its service between Jamaica and Flushing, is the Q44 any more important than the QBx1? I'd assume the same number of people want to go from Flushing to Parkchester as want to go from Flushing to Pelham Bay. So why is Q44 24/7? Why does the QBx1 only run every hour on nights and weekends...with no overnight service and no Sunday evening service? Why do I get the feeling if a driver has the sniffles, you might wait two hours for a QBx1?
I might add that the Q44 stops every few blocks in the Bronx. The QBx1 makes only limited stops between Pelham Bay and the Whitestone Bridge...at least that's how it looks when I see so many bus stop signs only say "Bx 5." Maybe for a bus that runs so infrequently, it shouldn't compete with the Bx5 for local riders. But again, if that were an MTA bus, I'm sure it would stop more frequently in the Bronx.
Reggie
There are plans to extend the Q44 to Fordom Plaza and add limited service on Weekday and Saturday.
The March and April Agenda highlighted the following items
The Q44 to Fordham Plaza Extension has been dropped
Q44 route to be changed via Hillside ,Queens Blvd and Main Street
This will be a simultaneous change with the new Q20A and Q20B
Steve
FDNY
The QBx1 between Pelham Bay Station and Main Street-Flushing does not carry many people at all. The bus is rarely crowded. However, between Pelham Bay Station and Co-op City there are loads of people using the QBx1 and service on that segment of the route is more frequent. I usually tell my friends in Queens that every time the see one QBx1 bus in Flushing, there are at least 2 more in the Bronx operating between Co-op City and Pelham Bay Station. I'm sure our fellow BusTalker, Thurston can expand on this.
The Q44 does seem to have sufficient patronage to justify 24 hour service.
Wayne
You guys have figured out our magic ... Yes some of the QBX-1 "Runs" go round & round in the Bronx when they get there, others go from Main Street to Co-Op City. Rush hours the schedule is about 15 min, most other times it's 1/2 hour, but does stretch to 1 hour very early or very late in the day.
If you need to know exact schedule times or you lost something on our bus (we have a large collection of bras, NO they're brand new :-)
- E-mail info@qsbus.com or
- call (718) 445-3100
Mr t__:^)
I know that the Metrocard can work in all five boroughs and Nassau County. I would like to plan an expedition using the bus that will allow me to go through all six areas without me touching each area twice. The route must at least go Halfway through the area whether iit is Crosstown or Up/down town. (except Manhattan it can not be Crosstown to go the next borough unless I go Up or Downtown through at least at Midtown or upper West side.
Thanks
Bentley
I was up in Flushing this morning. I saw some weird things.
1. Q17 last stop from Jamaica is usually in front of the Wiz. It turned the corner onto Roosevelt Ave.
2. Q27 1st stop to pickup is usually on Roosevelt Ave toward Prince St. It picked up in front of Burger King where the Q17 ususally picks up.
3. Q44 usually picks up in Southbound direction in front Coconuts. It picked up in front of Duane Reade on Roosevelt Ave.
Are any of these changes something I don't know about or is it just for the morning rush? EMAIL me w/ answers.
BUSMAN316
All for the new #7 train entrances.
Im not sure about Q17.
Q26 turns right on Roosevelt now like 12s and 15s. Stand is just behind 12 stand near Stern's.
Q27 stand is old 44/17 southbound stand.
Q44 southbound as you said picks up near Duand Reade.
Northbound unchanged.
THis is supposed to encourage use of the new entrances with escalators in front of the now closed Caldor.
Thanks Mike for settling the confusion but 1 question looms over me: Is this is all day or just mornings?
BUSMAN316
24/7
Hi; according to the tables released today, there is no supplemental "J" Shuttle bus service to the "L" train. Too bad. I anticipate a tremendous crush on the B39&B39W, without this service.
Since Jamaica has been receiving buses 5145-5169, QV has been getting rejected 3900s. Here are a few that were received and have the QV logo already on:
3913, 3930 and 3933
More will probably come.
BUSMAN316
Eye saw 197 in the yard the other day in prison stripes ... not realy it's wraped for Foot Locker ;-)
Mr t__:^)
Not really, but it has some food advertised. It looks good, it says mmmmm on the back. What ad does bus 351 have?
BUSMAN316
I think 341 is HBO and 351 is Apple Computers.
The B17 stops by my house and I have noticed that there is a little false information given out about what trains run at Utica ave.station .It was no big deal until someone from out of town asked me if they could catch the 2 or 5 at Utica because that was posted as well.How can i let the dot find out or just get it corected?
I was looking at an old trolly map and from what I saw was what we would see as the B5 and 7 routes were conncected with each other. I was wondering ther years of service for the 5,7, nd 50. Also why didn't the Ta think of joining the 5 and 7 together?
THE B-5 AND B- 7 WERE NEVER COMBINED. THE TA DID CONSIDER A CONSOLIADATION BUT NEVER DID. THE B 5 WAS STARTED IN 1931 AND THE B 7 WAS STARTED IN 1930. THE B50 WAS STARTED IN 1974 AS THE STARRET CITY SHUTTLE AND REDESIGNATED B-50 IN 1978
Is there a publication available that gives start up dates (either in their early stages or present forms) for NYCT bus routes. Particularly Queens??
1. I was looking at a Bronx bus map yesterday and wanted to know how come there are weird service patterns for the Bx26 to Paul Av-205St?
2.Combining the Bx5 and Bx6 buses? Have alternate buses serve Hunts Point.
That is all for now.....
BX26 - I'm not sure of the patterns that you're referring to, but I can tell you that there have been slight re-routings in the area. Part of it is because the Bedford Pk Blvd bridge (over Concourse yard) closed to vehicular traffic a few years ago.
The BX5 & BX6 may be a candidate fir combining routes, but the BX6 is a typical crosstown route - It's pretty busy and operates 24 hours. The BX5 on the other hand has very light patronage. I'm thinking that It may actually be a waste because more buses would be needed to maintain the BX6 current intervals between buses and the BX5 portion just does not require many buses. So this new route would probably run very light for half the route. It probably would be good to have a combined route and have alternate (or some) buses serve the BX5 portion.
Wayne
Look on the back of a Bronx bus map. Look at the Bx26 schedule pattern. It is the first one.
Questions about the B29:
1. Where did this bus go?
2. Was it a replica of the B24?
3. When was it discontinued? Reason?
I was looking at forgotten-ny.com. The guy found an old guide a ride of B24/29 buses stapled to a pole.
ATT B-14 MIKE. THE B-29 WAS MERGED WITH THE B-24 IN 1958 AND REDESIGNATED THE B-24/29 FOR BOTH THE MAIN ROUTE AND THE B-29 SHUTTLE.IT WAS REDESGINATED IN 1974 TO THE B-24 WITH THE SHUTTLE BECOMING ROUTE B-30. THE B-30 WAS DISCONTINUED IN 1995.
Dude! Watch the caps!
-Hank
Here is a hint, when did the MTA formed the B82 & B43? That is when the B30 was discontinued. I remember because it was when the MTA was cutting services.
THE B-29 ROUTE AND ITS SHUTTLE WERE MERGED IN 1958 WITH THE B-24 AND REDESIGNATED ROUTE B-24/29. IN 1974 THE B-24/29 WAS REDESGINATED THE B-24 AND THE SHUTTLE B-30. THE B-30 WAS DISCONTINUED IN 1995
I think that the B30 was discontinued earlier than that... I could be wrong.
I believe 1994 or 1995.
If the MTA says it wants to make the buses more visible by painting almost everything except the windows white i have a better idea. Why dont they make the blue stripe on the bus reflective?
Now that makes sense! Similar to the Bee-Line in Westchester county.
Peace
DaShawn
Now - that's an excellent idea. Now how do we get this idea to someone who's in the position to make it happen.
Wayne
I am not sure that NYCT's blue stripes are decals or paint. The reflective decals are VERY expensive. At Queens Surface, our "bullets" which contain our "Operator: Queens Surface Corp." are reflective. 3M, who has been trying to produce a cheaper reflective product, has a new product that has a different adhesive than the stripe decals. The stripe decals cannot be removed without damaging the paint. The new product... which is going to be tried shortly on some of my buses ... will allow advertisements to utilize reflective colors (and the ad can be removed without damaging the bus). I'll update the list in a few months after we get and evaluate the new product.
I can't say for sure, but I think NYCT's blue stripe paint. It defintely sounds like a better idea. I personally don't think the extra white paint makes much of a difference. However, it's quite effective in making the bus look ridiculous. WMATA also has the reflectorized stripes on their buses.
Wayne
So you guys think that my idea can fly? It just makes sense so much sense to reflectorize the blue stripe. At school the campus shuttles driven by students including me have reflectorized letters on them and believe me it cant be that expensive because they are very stingy with their money at shuttle operations. Someone here need to tell someone who can put this plan to action soon