Express Bus Operator

57 minutes ago, BoRi1976 said:

No worries. I guess its not meant for me. But good luck to ya. 

Bori, Inbox me when you have the chance. You are not giving up! When you’re free inbox me.... You’re not going to give up that easy. You’re almost to the next chapter. 

3 hours ago, kc204 said:

Hey all,

I'm very eager to get a list number for this exam and possibly become a bus operator. I have my CDL B & proper endorsements so I am ready!!!

One question, I am a current city employee (NYPD) looking to make this jump when the opportunity arises. Will my city time carry over?

Thank you.

Hi, 

Welcome to the NYC Transit Forum. If you’re applying a civil service title, which this exam is, Your time served from NYPD will carry over. That also applies for Sanitation, FDNY and other civil service agency. Did you apply for this bus operator exam?

33 minutes ago, train1290 said:

So just got back a little while ago, We were in Manhattan driving around central park and the upper east side. And we drove a few times through the traverse underneath central park. I messed up while turning right from central park west onto 86 street. I drifted and turned before I lined up my reference point. We also, did some highway driving. That I did good on so, going forward with tomorrow, I'm going to keep my bus straight and line up my reference point and not turn until I'm at the proper point. I know tomorrow we have to do good along with day 7 to qualify, I just have one question. Will the instructor give us pointers about what to do or its up to us to know what to do what we have been taught? 

Day 6 and 7 are testing days. They will not give you any pointers while you’re trying to be qualified.

Just now, train1290 said:

Just got back from day 4, we did EL pillars today, it went ok. personally, im not a fan of them but i can perform it well. So we also did Parallel parking and strainght back, Everything went well. And no, None of us left it in reverse or drive for that matter. Everyone secured it, (P,N,I). 

Day 5 is going to be in Manhattan right?

Yes, upper Manhattan. Did you correct the drifting?

EL Pillars technique is very important and will be used most of  the times throughout your operating career. When you become shifter qualify you will see why EL pillars are important to know and understand how to maneuver especially when working at areas that has Pillars.

12 minutes ago, train1290 said:

Hi guys, so today I just messed up two times, first time was with the kneeler kneeling it up with the door open, instead i should have closed the door first then kneeled it up first. I only did it one time, that was it, the rest went ok. I corrected myself by scanning my mirrors, calling things out, but I messed up by drifting ( turning ) the wheel before getting to my referance point for the turns. Other than that everything went ok. So tomorrow Is day 4, i looked at the sheet for day 4, it says we are going to practice a mini pre trip to see what we know. What else are we going to learn on Day 4?

Okay, try to correct yourself with the drifting. I know it's a habit you have developed with your car. When you’re off the bus and heading home or this weekend, try practicing turning without drifting.

Day 4 you will be learning EL pillars/pre trips and more turns and servicing bus stops.

3 hours ago, -Galan- said:

I'm out of Gun hill depot for training. I have Rich cerezo as well as a training superintendent Kevin Waite. I was told that there are 81 trainees in my class. 

Wow! I hope you all make it. That would be awesome!

Anybody training out of Flatbush depot? We have 2 training buses assigned for the entire week. This must be a big class.

3 minutes ago, Lawrence St said:

Yes, I'm referring to that exact video.

I'm baffled at if a person falls thats preventable. So if I'm driving a bus and someone randomly falls, my probation gets extended for no reason?

Sadly, I know that dude on the video that's doing the stunts. 

Yes, as long the bus is in motion, they will ruled it preventable. The only way they can't charge you is only if the bus is not moving. 

Being extended will be determined by the Zerega Probationary officers or your depot GST. But usually if it's your first offense you may get away by not getting extended. More like a slap on the wrist and warning. Keep in mind they fully review the cameras on the bus to see what happened and they can see everything you was doing as far operating the bus and the speed og the bus. 

When I first started, on 6th day being on my own, A ConED utility truck was speeding while I was serving a bus stop , But I wasn't able to pull in to the bus stop because there was a tire obstructing the bus stop so I parallel straight along with the tire and let passenger off. The ConED truck ended up taking my driver side mirror and never stop. I panic and the first thing I did was got off the bus and called my union rep for further instruction. "They consider your depot lawyer" I ended up calling it in and started taking pictures of the damage and the obstruction object that made me not come close to the curb.  Long story short, I had to go see the Probation officer at Zerega that week, and Thank god they did not extend me because I did the right thing, plus they had no intention to extend any probies for their first offense.  Keep in mind, not everything will quickly get you extended. 

22 hours ago, Lawrence St said:

So a big thing that I've been told a lot by my B/O friends is "preventable accidents" in bus operations.

But what exactly qualifies as a preventable accident? 

For example, I was sitting in front of Jay St and a bus was making the turn and some dude ran up to the bus as it was still moving, leaped off the bus by doing a kick off of the bus, and ran way. This all happened while the bus was still moving.

Would this be a "non-preventable accident"? 

Are you referring to the video that has spread across the social media of this dude who does these stunts video?.....

Non-Preventable Vs. Preventable....

DOB Safety and training division always lean more toward Preventable unless it's proven that it was non preventable.

What's considered non-preventable - If you're at the bus stop and properly parallel with the curb and a car randomly run the back of the bus or the side of the bus. That was out of your control to prevent that. You're standing at the traffic light and a car loses control and takes your mirrors, or hit head on the front of you bus.

If your bus is in motion, they will rule it Preventable. If your at the bus stop and the bus is angled and you get rear ended, it will be ruled out Preventable. A passenger fells in your bus while in motion, it will be ruled preventable. A Passenger is boarding the bus, and they trip while stepping in the bus, If you did not kneel the bus or properly parallel with the curb, It will be ruled as Preventable.  A vehicle ran a red light as you're entering the intersection, and contact were made, Zerega will ruled it as Preventable. Don't ask me why, but that's how the game is played out. If you notice the non preventable list is shorter compared to preventable....

1 hour ago, Jonny Stoof said:

Yeah I know how to view the list. Which column shows what # has been called??

 

Anyway, I spoke to Emma Rivera and apparently they passed me already because I don’t have my full CDL (NJ).  I was never even notified. But as soon as I’m done getting the CDL I can add myself back to the list. 

What do you mean by "They passed me already because I don't have my full CDL(NJ)"? Do you currently have a CDL permit or no CDL at all? 

26 minutes ago, train1290 said:

Ok, thanks for clearing that up. Now, as far as Line Training is concerned, is there any exams you have to pass or just listen and observe and do as told by the Senior bus operator? 

The line trainer operator is just your instructor for the route. He/She will give you feedback and teach you more about the route and driving tips.

No more testing until your next birthday. Every birthday year, you have to be 19A recertified. Depending which borough you’re in, you have to attend to either Zerega, Spring Creek or ((Jackie Gleason/East NY for Brooklyn Operators)). You watch safety videos, get behind the wheel with a 19A dispatcher, and after take a 15 question 19A CDL DMV written test. It's not hard and no you won’t lose your job if you fail the written test. If you fail, you have to come back the next day to retake the short written exam.

6 minutes ago, train1290 said:

Will we have a set schedule in the beginning during Line training, Like for example, monday to friday: 8am-4pm? Arent we off on saturday and sunday during Line Training?

Your schedule will reflect according to a senior operators  route daily. Normally it's Monday to Friday at different hours, but it's up to the depot's discretion. The first week you will learn routes in an AM Rush hour settings. The following week, you will learn the same routes in a PM rush hour settings just to get a feel of operating in passengers service in different type of settings. Staten Island you have to learn all the routes out there. @SevenEleven can elaborate on the Staten Island line training operation.

After line training Is successfully completed and you and your class graduate , you are place on the Extra List (XL). Everyday except on your RDO you’re covering a run. Some days you may not  get a run but are place on report/standby. Your RDO’s maybe T/W, W/T, or if you’re lucky M/T, Th/Fri.

37 minutes ago, KDGallagher said:

That's good to hear , thanks for ya insight.

Not that it really matters to me, when the time comes I won't be picky, but what are some examples of "high seniority" depots on the TA side? Examples of "low seniority"? I believe I read that Staten Island is where you're able to get better runs earlier in your career. 

Also, lets say I want to move to Rockland County (north of the Bronx) as a TA employee. Is it possible to pick into an OA depot in the Bronx? Would this make it so that I'm stuck there or will I be able to have flexibility?

 

 

A high seniority depot is presumed when majority percentage of operators has 15+ years. Let's say the depot has 600 operators and out of 600, 350 to 400 has 15 plus years under their belt.

As a TA operator, you are allowed to pick within an OA Depot. OA operators are only allowed to pick within The Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn depot. Keep in mind this only happens once a year during the system pick which starts during the fall season “October - December”  

Also, as a TA Operator if you decide to transfer to Queens TA or Staten Island depots, you won’t be able to pick out for the rest of your B/O career unless you get promoted to SLD or Superintendent. 

40 minutes ago, KDGallagher said:

How is the turnover for this position? 

Around how many years into the job are you able to pick from the more desired runs? By year 3? Year 7? Year 15? 

Any of you current B/Os, are there any other civil service jobs you'd leave TA for? For example Firefighter, Suffolk County police, etc 

 

 

Best stable career right now besides Sanitation, FDNY and NYPD. We have some flaws, but hopefully  the union get the right leadership in place to shake up some things.

Picking a desirable run all depends on the depot. Some depots  are considered “High seniority” where you may never see a decent paying run with good rdo’s until you reach 10-15 years. I currently have 5 years on the job, and I can say I’m able to work AM’s instead of PM’s. Right now I can get a SS or SM RDO but I would have to work late PM run in order to get that RDO versus a high seniority operator who can work AM and still get weekends off.

If I had to leave and go someplace else, it would probably be a court officer. But right now I’m already at top pay and have opportunities to move forward up the ladders within the transit system when the time is right.

6 hours ago, SevenEleven said:

You keep your seniority/depot after the first year. Before that, the most they can do is rehire you. My classmate was a rehire and he had to start from scratch with the 10 day. 

😵@10 days all over 

2 minutes ago, train1290 said:

Ok, so where do we go for the weekly covid test? 180 livingston street or do we do that on our own time, ( Off the clock) ?

Nobody knows. It hasn't been effective yet. 

1 minute ago, train1290 said:

If you do resign, do you have to do all over the 10 day training program, medical, and drug test? 

Medical and drug test yes. 10-day training no, but you will have to report to Zerega for 2-3 days for a refresher behind-the-wheel driving. 

8 minutes ago, train1290 said:

Um, well I'm not vaccinated, and I did my medical and final processing this past friday and they gave me a slip that asks if you if you either been vaccinated, or not, or not for religious beliefs. I selected no and when the doctor asked me about it I said if its mandatory ill do it, im not going to due to my religious beliefs. The doctor said that he feels its going to be mandatory in the future. Who knows if theyll require it, but governer cuomo said that starting labor day, you either have to have it or get tested and have a negative result every week. hopefully this answers your question.

31 minutes ago, hh1a said:

Hi everyone

has anyone been told that you must be vaccinated in order to continue the hiring process for this title?

If yes, did they say that you can request an exemption?

Thank You

Starting September, all MTA employees will be required to either be vaccinated or have to take a weekly Covid test. 

22 minutes ago, hh1a said:

Hi,

my friend was a probationary TA Bus Operator who resigned like 7 months ago and would like to be rehired, do you know if she still keeps her seniority?

and will she be able to return to the Depot she picked for her line training?

Thank You

Normally, you can resign and return back within a year and still keep your seniority. Being back at the same depot will be up to management. Now since your friend was still on probation, she will need to contact Zerega for further information. She technically still belong to “Zerega” since she didn't finish probation.

4 minutes ago, KDGallagher said:

Seniority order within a class is determined how? By list number?

Affirmative.......Whoever has the lowest list number within that class will have higher seniority within the class group for the rest of their career unless they get promoted. For instance, I have a lower list number than you, I will pick or do anything when it comes to seniority rank before you do. Within our class it will remain that way until one of us either depart from the graduating class. And this goes for the same way for the entire system. When you come on board, whoever has a month to year(s)on the job will have higher seniority than you.

On 5/23/2019 at 10:57 PM, frankblk said:

Thanks. That question was for a friend. My next is how does one go from b/o to supt without dispatching and I’ve heard it is possible. Is it a who you know kinds of thing...or are there several kinds of material I haven’t gotten any info from any supt idk why it seems like a secret 

Late responding, I apologize for that. To jump position instead of climbing the ladder, You need to have managerial experience from a previous job that is related to buses and etc with an college degree versus you being a supervisor role "Dispatcher". To be honest, They rather promote within the supervisory role because you already know the function of supervisory role. And also it is  who knows who with referral.

But you won't be able to jump straight from B/O into AGS. Its baby step and you need experience first as a Superintendent rank. 

Ranks by ladder:

Supervisor "Dispatcher"

Superintendent  

Asst Gen Supt

Gen Supt

Asst Gen Manager

Gen Manager

Regional Gen Mgr

1 minute ago, LuisB said:

Good morning my 5 years star after the year l failed the 10 days training right?? I failed the training on May 2018

Most likely, or the date you were appointed which was the day you first attended Zerega. But don't lose hope, from the way things are looking, you just never know what the outcome will turn out. Both Department of Buses and Rails are on high demands for new hires. Its to the point, during the epidemic, a lot of probies passed probation without even getting observation rides or without being extended because of days they missed due to illness. So just keep your finger cross. 

On 8/8/2021 at 11:11 AM, LuisB said:

Good morning l have 2 questions first one l was disqualified from MTA P/T B/O on May l want if is true l have to wait 5 years to reapply.my second question l send my pre employee for mabstoa B/O in June 2 and after that l don’t hear anything after that 

Yes, if you were disqualified from training at MTA bus, you won't be eligible for a rehire as a bus operator for the next 5 years. 

On 8/6/2021 at 10:09 PM, Lawrence St said:

Update #2;

Just got another reply back from the exam unit who told me the exam hasn't begun testing yet. So which is it, did it begin or did it not? This is confusing for absolutely no reason. One person in the exam unit says they did, the other says they didn't.

Complaining aside, has anyone here ever been a B/O and go to school at the same time?

When they’re are ready, you will be notified by mail with an admission to when to come to take the BOSS (Bus Operator Selective Survey) exam.

As far as school goes, this is a full-time position that requires a minimum of 40+ hours a week. Schedules are based on routes and run you either pick or random timing if you’re on the extra list. Being a probation operator or less time on the job, your hours most likely will be late schedules. 12pm, 2pm, 3 pm to midnight.

39 minutes ago, train1290 said:

Ok, so the training is only 7 days? I thought it was 10 days?

Training is a total of 6 weeks:

Day 1 - 7 is the first-round qualification. From day 1 to 5 is instruction teaching. Day 6 is Pre-Qualification. You must do good on day 6 to qualify for day 7. On day 7 if you do good, you’re officially qualified from the first initial qualification round and move forward learning other type of buses. If you fail day 6 and/or 7, you will have to go to day 8 and 9 with another Supt instructor at another depot. 

Day 8 is instruction learning

Day 9 is Qualification day. If you pass, you move forward with the others that Qualified on day 7 and learn other type of buses. If you failed day 9, you will get one more chance by going to day 10.

Day 10 is qualification testing but this time back at Zerega with 2 Supt Instructor on the bus determining whether or not you will move forward or get disqualified.

By now all who has been qualified for the job will move forward. Your next training will be on day 14 at the depot you pick or forced to go based on seniority order within your class to learn the routes with a senior operator at the depot you will be working for the next 2/3 weeks until you graduate. Oh by the way it's called “Line Training”. After you successfully complete line training, You will go back to Zerega for graduation and you will receive a certificate and a bus operator badge. Once you receive a badge, you are officially a Probie and will be operating a bus on your own within the depot you line trained out of.  You will be on probation for one year. The probation starts from the day you was appointed which is the day you first attended Zerega.