161 New York

Justdre88, if it is convenient to you, I suggest going to the DMV in Midtown at 31st Street between 8th and 9th. They are very efficient. I came in three different days and each time, I was in and out in 15-20 minutes. Definitely read from the NYS CDL booklet, Sections 2, 3 (General Knowledge), Section 4 (Passenger Endorsement), Section 5 (Air Brakes), everything there can be used on the examinations. Most people take all three examinations all on the same day; however, I took the exams in the following order: Air Brakes (Day 1/ $10), then General Knowledge CDL (Day 2/$10) and Passenger Endorsement (Day 3 $5). I may have paid $10-$15 more, but I did not want to stress. On Day 3, when I completed everything, I filled out the paperwork and paid $12.50 for the permit. If you are planning to drive for MTA (meaning you won't use a CDL for employment prior to being called), on the form MV-44, which they will give you once you pass everything, you can select 'Excepted Interstate' with an A3 restriction (per several B/O's here, this is acceptable). ************************************************** Also, if you think you should have received a letter for the BOSS, but did not:

/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ MHGQ04, Did you receive a letter to take the BOSS on August 9? Nobody from 4600 has received a score. By receiving an invitation to take BOSS, you can safely say you received a passing score on the written exam. Then we all await the list and score notifications.

I'm kinda concerned about this too. I am from Staten Island and if I am not able to pick right away into any of the Staten Island or Manhattan depots or Ulmer Park (Brooklyn South), it will definitely be a learning experience! Thanks hockeyplayer9 for the information. Is your BOSS letter for May 09 instead? Please do let us know if it is indeed August. I guess since you are "in", you don't have to worry about it either way.

Please see below, YoungNYCSubwayFan has provided an excellent example on what to expect: [Thread: the Oct. 4 exam for test 4600 what is that about?] Should you have additional questions, please ask them in this thread. - Thanks

Really? I have only seen it once where someone got on the express bus and did not pay. It was back in 2011 and I was on the 21:00 x1 bus to Manhattan and I can't remember if he/she said anything, but the B/O put on the interior lights and looked in his center mirror and I knew that he was looking for the person who did not pay. Otherwise, the x17, x19, x22 and x23/x24, I have never seen any outright fare evasion. Due to my bad luck with MetroCards, I dipped a card, much to the dismay of an x17 driver ten times until it finally read because I did not want to outright not pay. Atlantic Express and now-Academy strictly enforced fare collection. In fact I had an incident on the x23 the first day of transportation service after Hurricane Sandy. Atlantic Express was enforcing the fares despite the suspending them. Thinking the fare was suspended, I didn't want to activate my 7Day Xbus Metrocard on a non-Monday (this was a Wednesday) so I scrambled through some coins which I usually carry and I got yelled at ( in a rather unprofessional manner) because i was short a dime. I told the B/O i'll pay the dime the next day, but I found a grime-encrusted one deep in my work-bag and paid on my way out.

Wouldn't know, I took BOSS in October too. That's weird. I'll keep an eye on my mailbox.

So far there appears to be two sessions for BOSS on May 09 2015 at Midwood HS, 10:00 and 13:00. Correct me if I was wrong, were there three sessions for BOSS on Oct 04 2014 08:30, 11:00 and 13:30 at James Madison HS? I'm just trying to make guess of how many people are on this list (which I think will be ~14,350) based on an equation of school enrollment (capacity), number of exam sessions and making a guess of the no-shows (10%) and people who screwed up on the exam (5%). I like playing with numbers

See some posts starting at #838 in the [Thread: Bus Operator (OA) Exam No. 3101 is out] by our fellow NYCTF contributors, DueceDrives and hockeyplayer9, who have shared excellent information on what our first year would be like. Stay motivated and positive everyone!

I'm guessing that we may see a list in late May or even June! However, candidates may be get called in July. Keep in mind that there are less than 800 candidates, not including those who have not reinstated their names on 2613 list. However, of those 800 interested or eligible for appointment to the position may vary considerably. My theory is that activity in the 2613 thread is due to HR scheduling candidates for classes 'x' number of classes in advance, hopefully for the benefit of those candidates wanting to gracefully exit their current positions. You'll hear take a 'leave of absence', which is not applicable in all situations. In my previous professional job, for example at a large Fortune 500 company, even if your leave of absence (you'll have to provide reasons why you are seeking this) was approved by the VP of your business unit, any employment during your LOA results in termination. Keep a close eye on that thread for an idea on the status.

For those who have not yet taken the BOSS exam. NYC Transit Bus Operator, Exam No. 4600 - BOSS (NEW) Candidates who were not originally scheduled to take the Bus Operator Selection Survey (BOSS) for this exam in October 2014 will be scheduled to take it on May 9, 2015. Such candidates should receive their admission letter by April 30, 2015. If you do not receive an admission letter by May 5, 2015, you must come to the MTA Exam Information Center located in the Lobby of 180 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 between the hours of 9 AM – 3 PM, Mondays through Fridays. http://web.mta.info/nyct/hr/exams_updates.htm Good Luck! This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wikinews_Breaking_News.png

I took the ferry back this evening. Usually the SI-buses go through the HLC Tunnel, never the Holland Tunnel. The traffic to get into the Holland Tunnel is not worth it. If the Gowanus is clear (which it is usually) you'll be at the VNB before you hit the NJ Turnpike Eastern Spur, then you'll crawl on the Bayonne Bridge. Plus all the SI-buses (until ~18:30) take the center tube and avoid the Northern tube even when there is a backup (you can see before turning on Dyer, that the 41st Street Entrance is clear.

Thanks. I'm still not clear. Does this mean that document will include CDL B + D ? or do I have to maintain two documents? Sorry if my question was unclear.

Most agreed teegrid67. I had posted in the 2613 thread since it got real quiet over there to see where everyone was at (specifically those after 2800->3600's and nobody has heard anything from HR. I think we'll hear something soon, it depends on those who reinstate as well as those at the end who are interested or not in the position. Personally, i'm terrified of the BOSS exam results, its something like that gets me, though I am confident in nearly all my responses - one answer seems to bother me (and I worry about the existence of "knock-out" questions). I also theorize that since BOSS is a subscription based examination, meaning that the MTA has to pay a private company for each candidate who takes the exam, they could have halved the candidates who took the BOSS exam for accounting and bookkeeping purposes. Essentially, the HR department was looking to come at budget or under budget for their fiscal year, which ended March 31, 2015 and begins April 1. So if this is true, then the remaining candidates will get scheduled soon. Below are some insights from SubwayGuy a NYCT Train Operator regarding retirements and staffing changes from [Thread: Train Operator Exam 8098 DCAS notice of result letter arrived] on Post# 4633, I encourage everyone to read the preceding posts in that conversation for it's full context. Just some advice: - If you have resolved court issues (criminal/traffic) in New Jersey, it is taking me about a week to get the certified copies from the municipal courts through the mail. - I am starting CDL training soon and was informed that the earliest CDL road tests on Staten Island are being held in June, so if anyone is going that route, my advice is to start soon. - An A3 restriction (municipal operation) and medical certification exempt is OK for lessons, just check with the provider. Question: When you get the CDL license is it a separate license or document? OR does it include general D + CDL B P (airbrakes). OR by holding a CDL license, is it assumed you can drive regular passenger autos in addition to a bus (or an vehicle in the CDL class)? I keep forgetting to ask. - Thanks!

What time was this? This appears to be an s79-SBS out of Yukon. I was in Bay Ridge about 3pm . Also, thank you for reminding me. From the Eltingville Transit Center, I made it to 34th and 6th Avenue on the s79-SBS -> -> before the SIR/Ferry/ combination or x17 did (it was at 23rd, I walked south when I saw it FYI- the x17 left ETC not too long after I left - and I recognized the B/O who does that run) !! I left ETC at 2:30pm and arrived at 34th Street at a little before 4pm.

I saw 6124 at the Eltingville Transit Center today! The bright yellow Gun Hill Road depot sticker caught my attention when it rolled up. Unfortunately, there was no destination on the destination sign, but my suspicions is that it was an s74. All I have is a very grainy cell phone picture but I definitely saw it!

Thanks Olegkha!

Question: I have prior traffic tickets from New Jersey for incidents that occurred over 5 years ago but within ten, I want to get the dispositions at the courthouse. However, does HR require these documents to be "certified" or are plain copies without the stamps acceptable? Certified copies are $10-15 a piece versus 50 cents per page for the disposition, so that could become "expensive". Question: Do they want dispositions of parking tickets? I have a few from NYC. I also have one in New Jersey they are processed through the municipal court and everything is paid. I also have a parking ticket in Canada which was thrown out. Thanks!

Thanks YoungNYCSubwayFan and hockeyplayer9 for the advice! I want to at a minimum go for a few lessons just to see how I handle a large vehicle. From what I have been reading, most NYCTF B/O forumers have commented on making the transition from the driver's seat behind the front axle to one being forward the front axle as something that one had to get used to. Since most driving schools do not have coach buses to train on, I might try either a low cab-forward box or a recreational vehicle. As for interpersonal issues, I will do my part, remain humble and do the "know my role" but remain respectful and fair. For self-preservation purposes, I'm going to approach it as I do with nearly everything "if it is meant to be, it will be", then move on whatever the outcome.

Thanks!

No worries Young. I'm watching both 3101 & 2613 very closely. What I think has everyone, including myself a bit anxious is that HR had said that "... per the Notice of Examination, this may be up to nine months from when you took the test". Personally, whether my list number is 425, 1975 or 5840 having that number would provide some comfort. Anyways, using the time to my advantage, I have received my CDL permit, have all motor vehicle/ traffic court records ready, lists of employment and working on some preventative health care (mainly diet). Hopefully, I can squeeze in a few CDL lessons soon.

I have a feeling they are catching up with the folks who reinstated their names judging by the activity in the 2613 thread OR the hiring needs of the Department of Buses has slowed. We'll know if someone posts to the thread or the April DCAS update. According to Gucio84, in Thread: Bus Operator (OA) Exam No. 3101 is out here is the process for the vision portion of the medical exam: We cannot answer definitively if it is an automatic disqualifier, this will be ultimately determined by the TA's physicians, but it does not look good. See: See Thread: Color blind MTA bus driver fights to get back behind wheel and [link to www.nydailynews.com] .

The member, riello, with list number 318X has not completed a drug test yet, so they're not quite there at the moment. It could be a safe bet that they aren't in (or have just entered) the 3000's. The 2613 forum has been very quiet except for those who reinstated. But they are definitely less than 1000 candidates away from completion. I would recommend those who self-scored 100 or got one wrong on the exam to think about getting their CDL permits done.

I ran the numbers and the s89/HBLR option vs the x17A/PATH option. The s89/HBLR combination option is ALOT cheaper: The savings is $140 per month or $1680 / year. Honestly, I didn't know the spread was that much. (As you can tell I enjoy playing around with numbers). Table - Monthly s89 and Alternative Cost Comparisons Sources: The agencies as of 23 March 2015. A direct express bus to downtown Jersey City waterfront would be nice. However, AM rush hour traffic is horrendous and there are no dedicated lanes. I still disagree, again, you'll be over serving Richmond Avenue. The west shore light rail is just an idea that gets tossed around (mainly for political points), i'm not sure any comprehensive study has been completed for that idea. Personally I don't think it is needed, you can read my thoughts on this post (also you can see my additional thoughts on the s89 there). Midday (and weekend) service would be nice, but I think NJT should provide that service, especially if the service economically benefits New Jersey. The Port Authority and NJT should conduct surveys. I've expressed my ideas/proposals in previous posts regarding off-peak service. Running the s89 middays is probably cost-prohibitive (tolls, fuel, B/O pay, maintenance) for probable meager interstate off-peak ridership as well as the redundancy on Richmond Ave. Prior to the s89 there were a few private companies that provided express-bus-type service between the South Shore of Staten Island and the Jersey City/Hoboken waterfront. Those ventures failed for whatever reason. The s89 is a bit of a success story for the MTA and was a way for Staten Island politicians to say they did something, it was kind of a win-win situation for everyone. The s59 extension is not really a good idea due to it's length, unless the route starts at the 8th Street HBLR and it short turns at Hylan Blvd and Richmond Ave. Again, my previous post in the SIR section outlines some of the thoughts I have with connecting Staten Island to New Jersey.

Depending on where your place of employment is, the hour and traffic conditions, you could make it on the x17A (which follows the s89 along RIchmond Ave to the SI Expressway) to WTC PATH and downtown Jersey City quicker. Once the HOV lanes are ready, it might be worth it especially in the winter or poor weather conditions. As noted above there is a lot of walking up/down stairs and personally find the HBLR to be slow/crowded and you're probably standing during rush hour.

The s89 serves the HBLR, not everyone wants HBLR. The majority of folks on the shuttle, which starts at the foot of the bridge are coming from the Boulevard, most likely the 10. Prior to demolition of the sidewalk, I encountered a number of folks who were not runners/joggers. The s89 is fine as it is, you would be over-serving Richmond Avenue (s59/s44). I have been saying that NJT should expand either the 10 or the 81 to Richmond/Forest (s44/s59 and s48). The 81 seems like the best bet since it directly services both the 8th Street HBLR and makes it all the way to Grove and to Exchange Place. The 10 goes to Journal Square. We would have to see through surveys where it is needed. Speaking of the s89, I would not be surprised if upon completion ~2017 of the Raise the Roadway project which involves raising the Bayonne Bridge that the Bayonne terminal of the route, presently at the 34th Street HBLR would be relocated to the 8th Street HBLR terminal. This would save the MTA money and time and shorten the commute for passengers as this eliminates the NJ-440 portion of the route (and a number of traffic lights) and alot of walking between the tracks and bus stop. The 8th Street station does support a bus stop, but has a tight left turn exit. However, Bayonne residents, might not like the idea of increased traffic and could object.