Queens bound QM20/QM3/QM2 down 59 street instead of 57th street

[fanrailerz]

Queens-bound buses rerouted in Midtown 

As a result of new traffic regulations prohibiting left turns from eastbound 57 St to 3 Av,Queens-bound QM2, QM3, and QM20 buses will now use 59 St instead of 57 St between 6 Av and the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.

To accommodate this change, the bus stops on 57 St at Madison Av and 57 St at Lexington Av will be moved to 59 St at Madison Av and 59 St at Lexington Av.

There are no changes to the stops or travel path of Manhattan-bound QM2, QM3, and QM20buses, which will remain on 57 St and continue to stop at Madison Av and Lexington Av forDrop-Off only.

 

Source http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/planned_servChanges_QM2QM3QM20.htm

I think that this is better for people who use the Lexington ave 59 street station NQR 456 trains as it reduces walking time.

[The TransitMan]

So Central Park South onto 59th St and then onto the bridge. Yeah...I see some delays especially during the holiday season.

 

Oh and that's the 6th Av buses. I see the QM2 (3rd Av) will remain as is.

[BM5 via Woodhaven]

Yeah, from like November to January, the schedules on the QM's is out the damn window. The area close to Herald, and the area around Rockerfeller is where it's the worse. I really hope that driver who does my particular trip decides to do another route, can't deal with the thought of the guy cutting corners amd just going across the bridge.

[QM1to6Ave]

Yeah, from like November to January, the schedules on the QM's is out the damn window. The area close to Herald, and the area around Rockerfeller is where it's the worse. I really hope that driver who does my particular trip decides to do another route, can't deal with the thought of the guy cutting corners amd just going across the bridge.

 

Those damn Christmas tourists are so bad! The buses are so damn slow avoiding the yokels wearing santa hats and shorts in December...

[FamousNYLover]

I think it will also slow down buses because there are constally carriage drivers cutting in front of traffic, well as making illegal U-turn right in front of oncoming traffic, causing delays on M5, tour buses, QM2, QM3, QM20 buses, RIDE Bus.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Those damn Christmas tourists are so bad! The buses are so damn slow avoiding the yokels wearing santa hats and shorts in December...

I usually try to avoid the BxM2 around that time and stick with the East Side BxM1 and BxM18 (if available).  Having 3rd Avenue express bus access really makes life easier.  It tends to be less busier on 3rd and when there are detours, they usually happen on 5th, 6th or Madison, like this weekend... I didn't even know about them until after the fact, but I was already using the BxM1 so it worked out beautifully. Came back to the city later with the BxM1 but took the BxM2 home and there was definitely something that had occurred earlier, which I totally avoided.

[John from Flushing]

With gps on the buses mta will see buses are late and adjust the buses schedules

[BM5 via Woodhaven]

With gps on the buses mta will see buses are late and adjust the buses schedules

You can only adjust the schedules so much. It isn't even a regular type of late; it is a real late thing. Last holiday season took like 65 minutes from 34/3 to 57/3. That's only because of the crowds, other times it's smoother. I can't wait for this holiday shopping season to begin lol.

Those damn Christmas tourists are so bad! The buses are so damn slow avoiding the yokels wearing santa hats and shorts in December...

Lol, tell me about it. I only ride the bus because I still have a free transfer, and I am guranteed a seat. I really feel for those QM drivers on Saturdays during the holiday season.

 

I kinda wish the MTA could try at diverting the QM's to Madison after a certain time during that season on the weekends (above 42 st). Madison is a much better option than 6 Avenue.

[John from Flushing]

How about a bus lane during the hoilday traffic? Buses only this bus lane wouldn't have cars so buses can speedily travel

[BM5 via Woodhaven]

How about a bus lane during the hoilday traffic? Buses only this bus lane wouldn't have cars so buses can speedily travel

That won't solve anything. The problem os the pedrestrian, in turn which causes congestion to increase gradually. There's also a lot of car travel. Combine that in and you have a disaster.

 

Bus lanes aren't the solution to everything.

[John from Flushing]

I hope the express buses have the proper signs on them because a distracted Q32 bus rider might mistake the express for a local Q32 bus.

[QM1to6Ave]

I usually try to avoid the BxM2 around that time and stick with the East Side BxM1 and BxM18 (if available). Having 3rd Avenue express bus access really makes life easier. It tends to be less busier on 3rd and when there are detours, they usually happen on 5th, 6th or Madison, like this weekend... I didn't even know about them until after the fact, but I was already using the BxM1 so it worked out beautifully. Came back to the city later with the BxM1 but took the BxM2 home and there was definitely something that had occurred earlier, which I totally avoided.

Speaking of the BXM buses, I've had to take a bunch of them over the past two weeks and almost every B/O was nuts about cell phone use. Some told every single passenger "no cell phones" when they boarded, others yelled at people talking quietly on their phones, etc. A lot of them also turned off all the lights on the bus which I don't think they are supposed to do.

 

Is this normal? It's like the B\Os afe super focused on having a pitch dark, silent bus ride. I've almost never seen a CP B\O go crazy like that. Is this a Yonkers\Eastchester culture thing?

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Speaking of the BXM buses, I've had to take a bunch of them over the past two weeks and almost every B/O was nuts about cell phone use. Some told every single passenger "no cell phones" when they boarded, others yelled at people talking quietly on their phones, etc. A lot of them also turned off all the lights on the bus which I don't think they are supposed to do.

 

Is this normal? It's like the B\Os afe super focused on having a pitch dark, silent bus ride. I've almost never seen a CP B\O go crazy like that. Is this a Yonkers\Eastchester culture thing?

It goes back to the Liberty days.  Riverdale express bus riders (myself included) and B/Os can be very cranky about cell phones.  I've personally got on a lady for yacking on her cell phone early in the morning on the BxM1.  The BxM1 is the snobbiest of the Riverdale buses (hoity-toity Upper East Side types), followed by the BxM18 (lots of snobby Downtown regulars, and so it's them against us Midtown folks) and then the BxM2. I was relatively nice compared to what I've seen on BxM1 buses.  There were two ladies that were scolded for yacking on their cell phones (in both cases by other females trying to read the NY Times or simply wanting a quiet ride) and they made it clear that no cell phone was allowed and noted the signs posted throughout the bus. In addition to those signs, passengers and B/O's out of Yonkers certainly enforce it, and passengers WILL remind you as well.  It's rude, obnoxious, selfish behavior.  We want a quiet ride and the B/O wants to be able to focus on driving and not have distractions.

 

A friend of mine who moved up here a few years ago told me that he took the express bus once before switching to Metro-North permanently to get to work and an older lady told him "We don't talk on these buses honey", as he was talking on his cell phone. lol That's another reason I like to avoid those Inwood buses. The Inwood folks are extremely tacky and will have loud conversations (on the phone or with each other) as if they are at home, though this has been less of an issue of late.  You may be able to have a conversation on weekend express buses since there are lots of families, couples and elderly folks traveling together in groups, but even then loud conversations may be looked down upon.

 

Eastchester is very similar.  Both Yonkers and Eastchester are very strict about following rules overall.  As for the lights, they are to be put out after the pick-up portion to allow us to relax.  Standard procedure.  Some B/Os will only have the overhead lights on so as to allow people to relax the entire ride and some don't care for the lights being off and on, as it bothers their eyes. I'm not wild about having the lights out the entire time, but I'll tolerate it provided the overhead lights are on, otherwise I will file a complaint when I get home and it is dealt with.  It's dangerous in some cases from a safety perspective, as you cannot see and I've almost lost some very important things on the express bus due to this.

[John from Flushing]

Mta rules state lights must be on at all times, get up tell the bus operator to turn the lights on.& when I ride nicebus everybody is on the cell phone so loud there is no law againt being on the cell phone on the bus, if I took a express bus I would be on the phone the whole ride. The sign only says no radio playing.

[BM5 via Woodhaven]

I hope the express buses have the proper signs on them because a distracted Q32 bus rider might mistake the express for a local Q32 bus.

How can you not tell the difference between an express bus and the local. Even if your unsure, the signage is there. It's not that hard to know what bus you're taking, and where it's going.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Mta rules state lights must be on at all times, get up tell the bus operator to turn the lights on.& when I ride nicebus everybody is on the cell phone so loud there is no law againt being on the cell phone on the bus, if I took a express bus I would be on the phone the whole ride. The sign only says no radio playing.

It clearly states no cell phones.  You don't ride the express bus, so you clearly don't know what you're talking about.  The B/O is allowed to turn the lights off after the non pick-up segment.

[DaTransitMan4608]

It goes back to the Liberty days. Riverdale express bus riders (myself included) and B/Os can be very cranky about cell phones. I've personally got on a lady for yacking on her cell phone early in the morning on the BxM1. The BxM1 is the snobbiest of the Riverdale buses (hoity-toity Upper East Side types), followed by the BxM18 (lots of snobby Downtown regulars, and so it's them against us Midtown folks) and then the BxM2. I was relatively nice compared to what I've seen on BxM1 buses. There were two ladies that were scolded for yacking on their cell phones (in both cases by other females trying to read the NY Times or simply wanting a quiet ride) and they made it clear that no cell phone was allowed and noted the signs posted throughout the bus. In addition to those signs, passengers and B/O's out of Yonkers certainly enforce it, and passengers WILL remind you as well. It's rude, obnoxious, selfish behavior. We want a quiet ride and the B/O wants to be able to focus on driving and not have distractions.

 

A friend of mine who moved up here a few years ago told me that he took the express bus once before switching to Metro-North permanently to get to work and an older lady told him "We don't talk on these buses honey", as he was talking on his cell phone. lol That's another reason I like to avoid those Inwood buses. The Inwood folks are extremely tacky and will have loud conversations (on the phone or with each other) as if they are at home, though this has been less of an issue of late. You may be able to have a conversation on weekend express buses since there are lots of families, couples and elderly folks traveling together in groups, but even then loud conversations may be looked down upon.

 

Eastchester is very similar. Both Yonkers and Eastchester are very strict about following rules overall. As for the lights, they are to be put out after the pick-up portion to allow us to relax. Standard procedure. Some B/Os will only have the overhead lights on so as to allow people to relax the entire ride and some don't care for the lights being off and on, as it bothers their eyes. I'm not wild about having the lights out the entire time, but I'll tolerate it provided the overhead lights are on, otherwise I will file a complaint when I get home and it is dealt with. It's dangerous in some cases from a safety perspective, as you cannot see and I've almost lost some very important things on the express bus due to this.

It's the same way on NJT. You may not get called out for it, but you definitely will get a few dirty looks or grunts. The drivers are the same way with the lights, however I don't know their stance on cell phones but I don't think they look to favorably upon those who have loud conversations. That's what we have text messaging for.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

It's the same way on NJT. You may not get called out for it, but you definitely will get a few dirty looks or grunts. The drivers are the same way with the lights, however I don't know their stance on cell phones but I don't think they look to favorably upon those who have loud conversations. That's what we have text messaging for.

Exactly. The commutes are long and everyone just wants some peace and quiet.  There are some old timers that will make announcements after the pick-up portion about cell phones and loud talking, especially if they know that there are a few rude ones on the bus that can't stay off of their phone.  Not too many of them on the Riverdale buses thank God and if they do want to talk they'll go and sit in the corner away from everyone and talk at a respectable level.  I play music just about every time I get on the express bus, but I have earbuds that cancel out any outside noise so no one in front of me or anywhere around me hears a thing.  Aside from that when you're paying that much, you really don't want to deal with aggravation like rude people etc.  If I wanted all of that noise I could take the local bus to the subway.  Metro-North has quiet cars too which I use here and there and it's great.  Can have a nice nap without being aggravated.

 

I do understand that sometimes people have to make important phone calls.  It happens to everybody, including myself, but when I have to call a client or call the office, I make it short and sweet, keep my voice at a respectable volume, and get off of the phone quickly.  What I can't tolerate is hearing people laying on the phone because they have a lot of minutes and just BS-ing about nothing. There's this one obnoxious lady who I've given it to before who does this on the BxM1 or BxM2 on weekends, and when I see her, I give her the look and make sure that I sit as far away from her as possible. She made a point the last time to tell me that she was going to the back and I replied yeah I know, as if to say, yeah I'll be sure to stay as far away from you as possible so that I don't have to hear that nonsense. 

 

LOL... This reminds me of this lady when I lived on Staten Island.  She would get on the X30, sit in front of me or near me and almost immediately get on the cell phone talking in Punjabi and somehow her voice always seemed to escalate as the conversation went on.  One time she got the bus going back to Staten Island and become so loud that everyone around her jumped out of their seats to stop her because it was insane. It's like she became beside herself or something.  This one lady goes "MAMM!! MAAMMMM!! EXCUSE ME!!!"  I was cracking up laughing.  It was like an intervention of sorts.  I often wondered if she suffered from tourettes or something because she was just go a mile a minute out of nowhere with non-stop loud talking.

[trainfan22]

How can you not tell the difference between an express bus and the local. Even if your unsure, the signage is there. It's not that hard to know what bus you're taking, and where it's going.

I remember seeing posts saying that tourists got on express buses thinking they was local buses so it isn't that far fetched... Either way if they ask the driver first they would be alright... Also not everyone is a busfan and knows the fleet like the back of they're hand... Not everyone realizes MCI/Prevost = express bus.

 

 

I'm a busfan and even I be unsure of routes sometimes, like when I rode the S48 for the first time it doesn't say Mariners Harbor on the Destination sign on the 3G buses and I thought it was a short turn, it got cleared up and I got to my destination.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

I remember seeing posts saying that tourists got on express buses thinking they was local buses so it isn't that far fetched... Either way if they ask the driver first they would be alright... Also not everyone is a busfan and knows the fleet like the back of they're hand... Not everyone realizes MCI/Prevost = express bus.

 

 

I'm a busfan and even I be unsure of routes sometimes, like when I rode the S48 for the first time it doesn't say Mariners Harbor on the Destination sign on the 3G buses and I thought it was a short turn, it got cleared up and I got to my destination.

Tourists are complete idiots.  The excuse that they're not from here is lame.  I've traveled all over the place, and I have enough commonsense to know how to get my train or bus, be in Europe, Canada or what have you.  Granted I did the speak the languages of the countries that I was in or spoke enough to get by, but still. Meanwhile they go to any bus stop and expect EVERY bus to stop there.  Then again there are New Yorkers that do this too...

[BM5 via Woodhaven]

I remember seeing posts saying that tourists got on express buses thinking they was local buses so it isn't that far fetched... Either way if they ask the driver first they would be alright... Also not everyone is a busfan and knows the fleet like the back of they're hand... Not everyone realizes MCI/Prevost = express bus.

 

 

I'm a busfan and even I be unsure of routes sometimes, like when I rode the S48 for the first time it doesn't say Mariners Harbor on the Destination sign on the 3G buses and I thought it was a short turn, it got cleared up and I got to my destination.

Well that's why they tell you to know before you go, so you know what bus to wait. The example with the S48 is a little different, and I understand what you mean by that. However, a "Q32 Midtown Penn Sta" or "Q32 JacksonHts Northern-81" sign is completely different from say "QM5 Glen Oaks 260 St" or "BxM6 Midtown 23 St".

 

On my recent trip to Washington DC with several people, I guided them around, and telling them the specific bus number, at a stop with different routes. A Loundon county Commuter coach comes by, and they ask me if that's the bus we are taking. Like look at the sign and you tell me.

[IAlam]

It clearly states no cell phones.  You don't ride the express bus, so you clearly don't know what you're talking about.  The B/O is allowed to turn the lights off after the non pick-up segment.

I only see no cell phone signs on older buses tbh unless I'm not looking at the right places but I ride off peak and keep my convos quick so I don't disturb anyone too much. However i do remember that the last time I was on the X1 bus there were a lot of people and they all having loud conversations with each other and on their phones as well as a few kids running around but no one cared. I had a similar case on the QM2 super express where there are a bunch of adults that love being loud but there are more or less friendly with each other. But they hat most of the other B/O's and riders of the QM20 for some reason. Also one time on a Saturday I was with my mom on the X17 bus and she has no inside voice whatsoever, and she was yapping away on her cell without listening to me when I told her to quiet down. No passenger or B/O told her to quiet down, we were even in the front row seat. But like I said I mostly travel off peak idk what it's like in the peak direction.

 

I remember seeing posts saying that tourists got on express buses thinking they was local buses so it isn't that far fetched... Either way if they ask the driver first they would be alright... Also not everyone is a busfan and knows the fleet like the back of they're hand... Not everyone realizes MCI/Prevost = express bus.

 

 

I'm a busfan and even I be unsure of routes sometimes, like when I rode the S48 for the first time it doesn't say Mariners Harbor on the Destination sign on the 3G buses and I thought it was a short turn, it got cleared up and I got to my destination.

I've seen it happen twice but not with tourist. The first time was an old chinese dude who thought the X27 was the B10 er something got off after he realized it wasn't the right bus. The second time two girls tried to use an unlimited metrocard on an X17 @ 57th ST (Which didn't work btw the B/O let them on anyway.) They got off at union SQ and the bus driver had to explain to them that express buses aren't supposed to do that.

[trainfan22]

I only see no cell phone signs on older buses tbh unless I'm not looking at the right places but I ride off peak and keep my convos quick so I don't disturb anyone too much. However i do remember that the last time I was on the X1 bus there were a lot of people and they all having loud conversations with each other and on their phones as well as a few kids running around but no one cared. I had a similar case on the QM2 super express where there are a bunch of adults that love being loud but there are more or less friendly with each other. But they hat most of the other B/O's and riders of the QM20 for some reason. Also one time on a Saturday I was with my mom on the X17 bus and she has no inside voice whatsoever, and she was yapping away on her cell without listening to me when I told her to quiet down. No passenger or B/O told her to quiet down, we were even in the front row seat. But like I said I mostly travel off peak idk what it's like in the peak direction.

 

I've seen it happen twice but not with tourist. The first time was an old chinese dude who thought the X27 was the B10 er something got off after he realized it wasn't the right bus. The second time two girls tried to use an unlimited metrocard on an X17 @ 57th ST (Which didn't work btw the B/O let them on anyway.) They got off at union SQ and the bus driver had to explain to them that express buses aren't supposed to do that.

Ridership wise, the X1 and X17 are basically local bus routes lol, all walks of life ride the X1, X10 and X17, that's why nobody checked her for talking loud on the 1 and 17.

 

 

Reminds me of riding UP MCIs where someone wrote "no talking on cell phones" with a magic marker on the front of the bus in the interior.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Ridership wise, the X1 and X17 are basically local bus routes lol, all walks of life ride the X1, X10 and X17, that's why nobody checked her for talking loud on the 1 and 17.

 

 

Reminds me of riding UP MCIs where someone wrote "no talking on cell phones" with a magic marker on the front of the bus in the interior.

The rush hour X1s X17s and X10s tend to be quiet, but on weekends you can get rowdy crowds since everyone uses them.  Other areas have the subway to bus set up.  I have to admit that I was really expecting the express buses in the Bronx to be really crappy and run down, but to my surprise they aren't.  Once I understood how the Bronx works it all made sense.  Most of the Bronx express buses run through areas AWAY from the subway and they tend to be suburban in nature and away from the ghettos, so you have middle class folks riding (Morris Park, Pelham Bay, Throggs Neck, etc. come to mind).  Then again even lines that go through areas like the BxM4 does doesn't have the ghetto types riding since they can't afford the express bus like that and the folks in Woodlawn wouldn't tolerate express buses being like that.

[FamousNYLover]

I hope the express buses have the proper signs on them because a distracted Q32 bus rider might mistake the express for a local Q32 bus.

Even thought they're same families, MTA Bus and MTA NYCT Buses are different companies.

 

People or tourist wouldn't make mistake because of route numbers.

Tourists makes mistake when they see sign like destination PENN STATION VIA 5th Av on BxM2 when people wait for local bus at 5th Av/80th or 84th St.

 

There are bus lanes on 5th Av already and it doesn't work on Holiday when NYCDOT put temporality "No Turns Sign, which most ignorant drivers ignores.

 

For example, constaly on north-south Main St at Roosevelt Av in Flushing, you could constanly you see ignorant drivers making illegal right/left turn.

 

Only thing people or tourists or people who never rode bus could make mistake on following section on shared path.

 

Manhattan:

M1 and X1

BxM2 and M2

BxM4C (Bee-Line) and M4

QM5 and M5

 

Queens

Q4 and n4

Q6 and n6

Q20A/B and n20