161 New York

There appears to be some confusion concerning a post where someone stated that a person who is present in the most recent TA Conductor Exam 8094 (scheduled to expire in February 2018) class that may have taken the TA Conductor Exam 6601 which is not established. So far there was one post from one relatively new member making this statement which I would caution is not confirmed. Again, it is only one person and none of us know the situation (No accusations are being made - but just keep in mind and again, nobody but that person and management are aware of the facts and circumstances). I am a TA Bus Operator, I do not plan on switching over as I have successfully cleared probation a few months ago. The hiring process is likely similar to that of bus operator based on prior posts. The Oral Proficiency Assessment (OPA) is just one component of the hiring process (similar to the Bus Operator Selection Survey - BOSS) and as discussed was given to those with preliminary high scores, more likely will be invited based on need. When the list is established and scores are mailed (to everyone regardless if they took the OPA), lets say in Spring 2018, the top scorers will receive an invitation for a drug test and some pre-employment paperwork. Then from 2-90 days, candidates that have cleared the drug test will be invited to the medical portion. After some time clearing medical, or perhaps on the same day, candidates will do final processing/swearing in and be scheduled for their first day. Again, this is the likely scenario for new hires.

I'm sure you know this, but just to be clear, only New York Commercial Driver's Permits are accepted. You must have a Commercial Driver's License CDL for any other state (Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Hawaii, etc.) It should be noted that mtawife was hired for MABSTOA, but had TA operators in her class as well. On another note, I am happy to say that I cleared probation Congrats to everyone else in the 10/31/16 class!

As was previously explained by @checkmatechamp13, Richmond Terrace is the official deadhead route for all three Staten Island depots with local service. So, that would be nice for the s40 and the s44 routes only, but useless for our friends on the s74 and s78 routes AND not the most efficient way to use the resources for the last 2 mile of pickups on Victory Blvd (redundancy 61/62/48 + Limiteds etc). Also, depending on the specific bus operator schedules (internally - called "paddles") - not realistic (being an operator (and speaking personally), I know). Addressing the article/commentaries (again, speaking personally from being a customer for 10+ years): Congestion, distracted motorists and poorly timed traffic control lights are major contributions to bus service delays .

With the BOSS survey, passing/failing the survey did not prevent anyone from getting a list number. My speculation is that they are giving the OPA assessment to the top 2,000 or so folks, likely to keep things manageable for 180 Livingston. Also, for the low scorers, realistically, they have almost no chance at getting hired and for them to spend an additional $25 wouldn't be right. Again, speculating, when they need more candidates, they'll invite another "batch" to take an OPA.

DCAS always has the list and maintains it - the TA just pulls numbers from it, whenever they need people - that is it. TA Candidates only deal with DCAS to remove or reinstate their names.

The OPA is an add-on to the exam process. Similar to TA Buses, we take the initial open competitive exam and then a personality "survey" called the Bus Operator Selection Survey (BOSS). BOSS does not have a grade. Likely, the OPA is similar to the BOSS exam, but since it is new, we need to see how it works out. Again, if the OPA is anything like the BOSS exam and the hiring process is similar to bus operator, the likely process is, we WAIT until the list is established by DCAS, then folks will get called in for a drug test/pre-employment and then medical/final processing.

Your letter instructs you to bring an $87 money order. These are the official instructions. This is evidently a new process, previous hires had this cost deducted in their first paycheck.

Received my OPA letter today, I think I had only one wrong. I am also surprised nobody mentioned this part: My probation as a bus operator should be done and over with in a few weeks. So I think I might pass on this and save the $25 and use of any PTO (paid time off) or inconvenience...

I'm not sure if ATU 1056 has ratified a contract with the TA. I am on Staten Island and a part of ATU 726, we have not yet ratified a contract.The pay difference is minimal $1 or so. The benefits (outside of medical) differ slightly, different providers etc. The pension is exactly the same. Staten Island (CA, CH, MA and YU) and Queens (JA, QV and CS) bus operators are all TA in TA depots.

TA Operators are represented by three unions TWU Local 100 (non-Queens/SI depots), ATU 1056 (Queens) and ATU Local 726 (Staten Island) according to work location. The differences are size & seniority lists as well as slight differences in work rules and pay.

I was in a similar situation. When I got called in March 2016, I could not take the job due to personal obligations. So, in early August 2016, I reinstated. I got re-called in the beginning of October 2016 and got in the 10/31 class. HR may have been working with a set number of candidates they already had. When that batch gets done, HR will then call DCAS and get another batch. Your list number would be towards the top of the new batch that HR will then proceed with. So, you have to be patient and wait. They are hiring. I would suggest trying to get your CDL license ASAP while you wait.

With the shutdown coming soon, I doubt there will be an increase in hiring of conductors, if anything there will likely be an increased demand for bus operators.

You're welcome and good luck!

It is up to four points within three years on a rolling basis (July 14, 2014 - July 17, 2017. You may still have a chance. Bring your abstracts and let them decide. Unless recently changed, they look at the day of violation for example, you received a speeding ticket on Highway 301 in Waldo on July 1, 2014 and were found guilty (date of conviction) with an associated penalty of 4 points on September 8, 2014, then the day of violation was on July 1, 2014. This ticket and the associated points will (should) not count. I believe HR will "translate" out of state violations into NYS violations. - Not sure how this works. Again - let them decide.

I see you are OA. I think that is it. I think you have to wait until the class finishes - but I am not qualified to answer that question. What I do know, and what happens is: Once the transfer request is approved, you'll get sent over and have to ride all the SI local lines. After that, you'll be put into express line training with the probies who graduated. This is done with the union (one to two weeks). You will then pick a SI depot with the union (CA, CH or YU) based on whoever has openings - it seems like Charleston needs the most help at this moment in time. I believe you'll have seniority over the graduating probies regardless of your list number. I was temporarily knocked down a peg by an OA to TA transfer with a list number of 13XX, mine was below 15X (full story: he decided to go back to Manhattan because he loved artic buses so much - or as the story goes ). The next pick is in August for Fall 2017.

Except for the s61/91 - this should continue on Marsh Ave.. I agree with both actually. However, until mall management or DOT reconfigure and widen that specific portion of Ring Road, I think we have to deal with the current configuration. As for the s44/59 to the s55/56, I get off at Sears stop and power walk to the stop on Platinum Ave or if time allows, I've gone 44/59 to the s79-SBS (if nearby) to the s55/56 at ETC.

For anyone interested, please use the search feature as this question has been asked over and over again. You can transfer in between boroughs (Queens, SI, TWU-represented depots) however, you'll likely lose all seniority. From what I understand and for example if you specifically want Jamaica Depot, you are stuck in Jamaica Depot for life. On Staten Island, we have our own division seniority roster and can transfer between the four depots as desired during the system pick. I was not asked for my high school diploma when I went through final processing in October 2016. If anyone was asked for a high school diploma, it was likely an error on their part. However, they could ask for this documentation as part of the background investigation process (e.g., because you listed this on the 21-page Comprehensive Personnel Document CPD). As stated in the Notice of Examination here (PDF), Again, as I noted in a previous post the salary/wages have changed:

Likely, no.

I have earbud headphones in my ears most of the time to avoid annoying people (especially in the subway) - however, I am not always listening to music. Sometimes, the end is not even plugged into my phone but is in the coin pocket!

No, just some documents relating to the formation of the s89.

You are correct, we have to wait until the doors fully close and seal, thus releasing the interlock before the bus can move.

Yep, great catch, I found it on their website. I agree. I found some interesting information about the s89 setup that I will share soon - it has some nuggets (I don't think it was shared here) or if anything it is an interesting read.

They'll likely only be interested in talking with you in person is when you clear the hold. The best thing you can do is get the sleep apnea test done and from what I understand it can be a long process (30+ days minimum). Once you have sufficient results/progress, you can reinstate your name on the list. The list won't expire until January 2020 and has roughly 8,000 candidates on it. So, my advice would be to call them and say you need more time to clear medical. They'll honestly and likely not care about the reasons why and say something like ".. we don't hold jobs for people". But again, there is at least two more years on the list.

I like the orange color they used on the timetable: New Jersey Transit - 316/510 Timetable Issued 06/24/17 (PDF) If you were paying the one way cash rate from Philadelphia to the end it would be about $20.00. However, if you go from WRTC in Camden, it would cost you about $10.00.

With Staten Island, we learn (& drive) ALL the local routes with operators with no less than 3 or 5 years on the job in about four weeks (EXCEPT transfers from other boroughs), express is taught for about two weeks. Express is done a little differently, with a non-revenue bus. All I will say is that it is a new experience for newbies - obviously and that we all have to start somewhere. I believe that x1 trip was the new BO's first day or two on his own. Personally, it took me about two weeks to get all x1 stops committed to memory, I know them all and where my regulars get on/off. Anyways in regards to onboarding new bus operators - The first 10 days or so that a new B/O starts is really a "qualification" period, not necessarily a training. At Zerega we were told specifically that they are not a "school" and while they acknowledge (paraphrasing) that some people who would otherwise be safe and proficient operators would fall through the cracks and not make it because they need more time (beyond the ten days) to prove themselves. Once a B/O qualifies they will go into a four week depot line training programme as students to acclimate themselves to operating in revenue service. They are evaluated by the operator (who volunteers to have students) they work with that day.