james1498

I meant may 18 for the sickout question

Has anyone heard anything about a possible sickout? Yesterday may 17 many routes many runs were a no show and my driver said many drivers called out sick.

It looks like they didn't coordinate/re-time schedules for shared routes So the 47 is being eliminated and the 48/49 remains, but they should have adjusted the 48/49 to account for the loss of the 47. I guess that would be too much to ask. I'm not saying increase, but they need to do a whole new schedule to account for that loss. Example being. The first 47 to Hempstead is at Front St Merrick at 542, the next 47 comes at 612. The first 48-49 run comes to Hempstead comes stops at Front/Merrick at 621. So riders on the 47/48/49 lose their first two AM buses.

Does anyone know how much N6 Service was lost with the April cuts...like how many buses per hour?

They could add back the N6 Limited, keep the Express and split the trips between the two and keep the Local. That would help balance the heavy loads in Elmont (they are closer so they could use the Limited/Local) and people in Queens who can't get on at 169th/179th. As someone else said, the issue with the Limited before is that for those passengers to/from Hempstead is that the trip would often take over an hour. I am not sure how NICE timed the Express routes, but they are way, way too short considering the traffic in Queens and Elmont. Many of those passengers are then using the terminal to connect to another bus. The idea behind the Express is a good one, it will take time to find the right balance, it has not even been one month. I have noticed heavier loads on the Express so there is demand, but probably not enough for there to be one local for every express. The N6x has been a nightmare this week, between bunching, buses not showing up on time...drivers and customers are very aggravated. Lots of breakdowns (so say the drivers)/issues on Hempstead Tpke. Late departures from Hempstead, no buses home from Queens...schedules don't seemt to matter much anymore. I waited 35 minutes for an express bus yesterday.

I don't think they need to bring back all Limited stops, I am not seeing super light expresses like the first week but of course the locals are overloaded. Maybe add another stop in Nassau but continue to skip the former 2 Limited stops in Queens. The Limited during rush hour would sometimes take close to an hour to Hempstead depending on traffic and the driver's skills. I don't think they need to scrap the Express. As NICE is a for profit organization I would assume their goal is to increase ridership, which sadly means more local buses for the captive Elmont riders as they try to get people from the LIRR (primarily at Hempstead) to use the Express. I am a former LIRR rider who likes the Express but I am not sure how many *converts* NICE can get. I am assuming that beancounters have presented this option to the powers that be at NICE. The Express combined with NYC subway saves a lot of money and now timewise is about equal although the comfort of the LIRR will always trump the bus. It is $10 peak from Hempstead to Penn on the LIRR now and the N6 Express to the F (select few E) trains at 179th into Manhattan gets you there for $2.25. Monthly metrocard is $104 and monthly combined LIRR/Metrocard is around $330 from Hempstead.

Starting tomorrow, the n6x will pick up passengers at 169th st. They are distributing flyers but no update on the website. I actually like the 179th st pickup as its separate from the n6 local stop whereas 169th st doesn't have as much space but I assume NICE is hoping more people who use to pick up the Limited at 169th get on the express there. As of now I don't think they should eliminate the n6x.. there is certainly demand but perhaps some express buses need to be converted to locals I am noticing some expresses have built up ridership but folks are not going to get on a local and then transfer to an express at 179th....this isn't like transferring from an express train to the local train across the platform. Elmont riders are frustrated but they are closest to the city so they can take a local, the problem I have heard is that during AM peak some locals are so packed that the former Limited Elmont riders cannot get on, and then an express passes them by. Plus I am seeing so many new drivers, some of whom are clueless, what happened?

They need to communicate the stops to the n6 drivers better or the driver needs to listen. Some keep insisting that Fulton/Terrace is not a stop westbound and Hilton isn't a stop eastbound...today the driver skipped Fulton and riders at the stop attempted to flag the bus and people on the bus told the driver he is supposed to stop. A few riders got on at Meacham today westbound. Had a few standees on the express this morning for the first time.