Express Bus Operator

On 8/4/2021 at 12:46 PM, BreeddekalbL said:

Isnt flatbush also all NFI or do they still have some LFSA

NFI xd40/60, NG and LFSA 

9 minutes ago, train1290 said:

Hi, so what goes on when I report to Zerega? Will I start training on the bus? Driving it, making turns, etc?

More HR Paperwork and 19A related stuff with the Training and Safety superintendent. At the end of the day, they will tell you the depot you have to report to for the 7 days training. Your training starts the next day with an Instructor at the depot you are assigned to for initial training. 

6 hours ago, Andy1 said:

How long do they normaly take to hear from them after the pre-employment form? 1 month 2 months, a year? 

That all depends on how urgent they need to fill in for the position. Normally, the day you’re called in for the Pre-employment process, you will take a drug test screening. After 3 to 90 days, they will call or email you to come in for medical process screening. Remember everything is a demand of vacancy needs. When I first went through the process, I took the initial drug screening test, and 3 days after I was called and emailed for medical and final processing. After medical, etc I was hired to attend the next training class. 

**The hiring process lately has been in high demand. I can ensure you that because for the past weeks and months a lot of operators has or are retiring by the end of the year. Plus there has been a lot of promotions taking place from bus operators turning into Surface Line dispatchers “Supervisor”. A lot of supervisors are either retiring or getting promoted to Superintendents. My depot alone we recently had 10 operators retired and 3 promoted into dispatchers and a few that are waiting till their lists number are up for promotion. There are days some of the routes have missing runs because not enough operators to fill in the missing runs. **

7 hours ago, LuisB said:

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

Yes, you have to wait 5 years from the calendar date last appointed. But you can apply for other agency positions except for bus operator position. 

22 minutes ago, +Young+ said:

During final processing, if you make it that far, they will recommend that you use "vacation" or "time off" or something to that nature. This way, if you happen to fail the 10-Day Training Session, you didn't "burn your bridges" with your current employer.

👆🏽👌🏽

2 hours ago, LuisB said:

Not they don’t said anything to me don’t quit your job before you pass your 10 day’s training 

3 hours ago, Andy1 said:

You and I are in the same waiting boat. I hope they call soon. Question about 10 day training...do they ask you to quit your job before training? 

If you are able to take 2 weeks vacation or leave of absence, it would be helpful. 

1 hour ago, N3Gro said:

I’ve heard this! MaBSTOA or NYCT which I’m on exam 9618 with them. However, the guys I’ve spoken to with MTA Bus say they get a lot of down time which they love. They also stated that eventually all 3 of the different bus companies will all have the same pension and retirement benefits etc. Not sure how true that is but I just want them to call me down Livingston… The wait for MaBSToA has definitely been longer than for MTA Bus. 

Like everyone suggested, TA/OA is the way the go. But you can alway try it out and resign once the other Agency calls you in for employment process. But here's the thing though, If today you go with MTA Bus just to try it out, you have to make sure you qualified the 7-10 day training process or you won't be able to try the other agency for the next 5 years. 

On 7/15/2021 at 9:58 PM, N3Gro said:

Sheeesh... I missed my initial preemployment for MTA BUS Exam 9309 due to a medical procedure I needed to get done. But then was contacted for MaBSToa Exam 0100 and I'm still waiting for a date for my preemployment. My deadline to submit the paperwork was June 15TH.

Go with Mabstoa. You’ll thank me later.

Good morning?

Anyone here currently at Flatbush depot for their 7-10 day training?… I saw students with the Superintendent yesterday morning approximately at 0600’s. 

On 7/6/2021 at 9:33 PM, +Young+ said:

Wow, and they didn't turn you away, since, from my perspective, you can't have anything pending? Interesting.

I'm going to ask @SevenEleven and @Flatbush Operator for their responses then I'll post mine. I'm just speechless by your quote.

On 7/6/2021 at 9:27 PM, Nycatracho said:

And yes i send the pre employment application and yes i put in my 2 pending tickets also 

Pending “Moving Violations” Tickets must be cleared first in order to proceed with hiring process. Find out how many point are the two violations.

Was the red light violation issued by a police officer?

On 7/1/2021 at 6:02 PM, train1290 said:

Whats a beakie?

A beakie is an undercover person which can be either a Dispatcher, 19a Dispatcher or Superintendent giving you a observation ride. They ride your bus to ensure you are operating the bus safely and following the rules. Some rides are random and some are assigned by zerega or depot management. 

5 hours ago, Kriston Lewis said:

I took the B99 from the city after the subways went back to 24 hour service and it was a pretty fast trip. Shame it’s going away, it was better than spending for a Lyft.

We picked up a few others who didn’t want any part of the subway at that hour.

I'm pretty sure you probably took a ride on my bus. I did the B99 almost every week on my days off. 

1 hour ago, Ultimategamer12c said:

Sad to say that 7647 from FB got into a accident on PP Park and has crashed into a building.  Not sure how bad the damage is but yeah. Also the route it was doing was the B49.

I had that bus yesterday on the 41 😞... Lets pray that everyone involved for a speedy recovery, especially the operator. 

Anyone here doing their 7 day training at Flatbush Depot?.... I see students 

On 5/30/2021 at 8:22 PM, Biggington said:

Hello everyone hope all the probies on this list are doing well. I’m about 8.5 months on the job and doing well so far. I have been contacted by the dept of sanitation for an opportunity as a sanitation worker. I am conflicted as to what position would be better for me as I am very happy as a BO currently. I was wondering if @+Young+ or anyone else with a way to contact HR for bus operators could give me the contact information. I could be leaving during my probation and I was wondering if that affects my ability to come back as a bus operator if I decide that the DSNY isn’t for me. Also, if anyone has any experience or knowledge about working for the DSNY I would love to hear what you have to say because I don’t know much about the job compared to being a bus operator. Thanks!

Probationary and Non Probationary Operators are allowed to resign and returned back to their position within (1)one year of calendar. However, if you’re still on probation, you will continue your probationary status requirements from where you left off. Example: You resigned April 1, 2020 and had 6 months to clear probation, On May 25, 2021 you’re reinstated back to your titled position, You probationary status continues where you left off. 
 

Like @+Young+ stated, do some research and decide from there what will be best for YOU. 
 

One of my classmate “which some of us still communicate and hang out” was called for Sanitation recently, and he declined the offer because he is currently top pay with NYCT and we’re in the direction to take the next promotional exam. So with his current circumstance, he declined the offer and stayed with NYCT. Plus the current Transit contract is expiring and soon going to face a new contract which most of the time means more $$$.

On 5/8/2021 at 7:01 AM, hh1a said:

Hi everyone

a friend of mine resigned as a BO for this exam about 6 or 7 months ago and she told me that she could return in under a year.

She was on probation still, would she have to start all over again from the beginning Day 0 Zerega if she came back?

Who should she get in contact with if she plans to return to BO?

 

Thank you everyone

Most likely your friend will have to contact Zerega since they still belong to Zerega. They will not have to redo the training certification process, but instead they will have to attend to Zerega for two days for a refresher behind the wheel on the road with a group of other operators who have been out of work due to Workers Compensation or illness. After the refresher, they will continue their probation period. 

4 hours ago, P560 said:

I was just officially notified to report to training Zerega Sunday the 18th at 7am

Congrats! 

20 minutes ago, SevenEleven said:

 

April 19th is the first class. 3 operators from my depot are in it. So we're at least up to #28 on the list.

I'm excited for them. The two out of my depot were so excited and they feel like they were doing the right move. 

3 minutes ago, hh1a said:

What does graduation mean?

so your saying if I graduate then I could resign bus operator and try for track worker and then come back with in a year if it doesn't work out ?

I don't necessarily need to complete the one year probation?

Speak to your union rep. But I believe its best to finish up probation first just so if you do resign from the B/O position and you don't like Tracks, you may be able to return back within the one year period. 

I know two operators out of my depot has to go to Livingston for processing. So it looks like they will be in the next class.

12 hours ago, XcelsiorBoii4888 said:

Some bus drivers are so by the books (and by books that are so poorly written and not written with common sense). For drivers that USE common sense, one should note stay on time during the pickup section, and once you drop off all of your passengers the route is completed. DUH! Thank god there are still drivers out there that are smart and do their jobs correctly. I really wish I could tip them because they really use common sense which is extremely important when driving a bus in NYC. It's unfair how some of these drivers go above and beyond for passengers, but they get the same pay as the money hungry ignorant ones that only care about themselves.

 

I've learned over the years that this is a job that you can literally SUCK at, and you'll still get praised just because you did the BARE MINIMUM. Something needs to be done. 

12 hours ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

Most of the drivers out here are great. I suspect some have been burned though, and so they figure they have to go by the books. Technically, that is what the  wants... They want drivers adhering to the schedules the entire time (even in the drop-off segment, though they usually don't always radio drivers to do that). It really depends on dispatch, and if you get a guy who wants to be a hard ass. I have met some of the dispatchers on Staten Island either at  meetings or other events, and most are pretty cool and try hard to provide good service.

The only thing that I know that the union is still supporting on Staten Island is the passenger limit, despite the  not having one. Some drivers are deciding not to pick up past a certain amount of passengers to avoid overcrowding, so some people are pissed because they are being left behind. Other than that, if there's an issue with crackdowns on drivers to adhere to their paddles during the drop-off segment on Staten Island, that is news to me. What I can tell you is some trips are being held back because the schedules are so poorly written that the guys have wayyy too much time for the pick-up segment. We tried to get them revised before the next pick, but no dice. Supposedly, the  doesn't want to change the runtimes for now with everything going on, but we'll keep at it if it remains a big problem. We went directly to the top for that and I heard from my contact about it a few days later.

11 hours ago, paulrivera said:

 

That must be a new policy. Every time I’d take an express bus (haven’t taken one so far this year) once the pickup segments were done the buses I was on (evenly divided between Yonkers and Eastchester routes) didn’t sit at the drop off stops, didn’t way it for green lights to turn red, and went within 5mph of the speed limit (45-50 on the highway, 20-25 off the highway)

8 hours ago, XcelsiorBoii4888 said:

I literally I don't get how hard it is to adhere to the paddles for the pick up section, and when you past the last pick-up stop, literally go ahead and finish your trip safely and efficiently for all, if no more passengers are getting on (by route design) what are they waiting for? With how cheap the MTA is idk why they aren't allowing drivers to turn around AFTER they drop off the last passengers (you'd save mileage AND gas), AND buses will be able to return to the depot FASTER so the next drivers can pick up a bus. And it's funny because passengers kept looking up over the seats as to why we were driving so slow, just to see nothing in front of us. It's always the Meredith drivers too (SIM15), which is very weird because they only drive express. Yukon drivers are hands down the best drivers on the island, and I purposely take their routes when possible because I know 90% of their drivers move their buses (only reason why I took the SIM15 is because the SIM1 was behind AND had 23 people on board). To see the SIM1 then pass us on the bridge, and arrive in Manhattan while we were only going over the hill down to the tunnel is what really pissed me off.  

 

Don't states have a minimum highway speed? Why are drivers allowed to drive so slow on highways? 20-25mph is NOT safe. And idk why the HOV lane is 35mph when the damnn tunnel is 45!! That narrow counter-flow HLC tunnel is 45mph, but a wider and private HOV lane is 10mph slower...NYCDOT logic🥴. 

I know it's a pain on the ass when bus operators slows down or wait at a certain stop for a long period. But we are instructed to never be ahead of schedule or at least be on time or late. Every bus in service are being tracked by dispatchers on post, command center and micro-manage by a road operation superintendents.  When a bus is ahead of schedule, it looks bad on the operator because the first thing that comes in play is the operator is speeding and not operating the bus safely. Another key to remember is, how would we feel if an airline always took off before it's assigned schedule?.

The last thing the operator needs is getting a violation for being ahead of schedule and that write-up will stay on their file for the next 5 years and will prevent them from getting promoted to a higher position like a dispatcher or superintendent. Also the operator will be getting undercover rides to see why they are always ahead of schedule. Keep in mind, the bus schedules changes according to the previous operators that manage that run. If that run is always ahead of time, they will reduce bus service usage. The later the bus, the more they can make changes.  So reporting the operator to transit about the bus is driving too slow will be thrown out the minute he/she is called in the office with a union representative. The Safety and Training division overrule these types of reporting when it comes to safety and DMV rules and regulations.

1 hour ago, dman1455 said:

That same super who had the class last week out of Flatbush, same guy this time also keeps taking them around Ulmer Park 🤣🤣

He probably use to operate out of UP. Sometimes they love going to areas where they’re familiar with the routes out of the depot they use to operate out of. 

I see some students at my depot. 

1 hour ago, Lawrence St said:

I understand, what I have the most difficulty with is my tailswing when pulling out of a lane or a bus stop, like if I'm along a 2 lane street and there's a double parked car in front of me, once I start turning i cant see my back wheel or what its going to hit. 

Oh okay. When I clear today I will PM you some pictures of what you can use as a reference. What I notice that the superintendent doesn't show you the full structure technique how to maneuver these articulated buses which I plan to teach someday in the future if I ever joined the safety and training division at zerega. 

11 hours ago, Lawrence St said:

Does anyone know if there's any training material online for driving the 60 footers? 

If the depot you pick or is sent to has articulated buses, they will train you for 30 minutes on that bus. Overall, you gain more techniques with the articulated buses the more you operate them especially learning how to squeeze and maneuver through tight weird spaces or between double park cars on both side of a traffic street. For example, if you’re familiar with the Brooklyn bus Route SBS46, B35, and B38 uses articulated buses and the traffic on that route is a hot mess with double park vehicles and trucks that you have to maneuver through a 2-way single lane traffic. It takes operating experience to go up and down that route without being involved on a accident. 

56 minutes ago, Yarg said:

Congratulations i heard there are some people who have to go to gun hill today as well. Is there line training there too.

Day 8 and 9 students that didn't qualify on day 6 and 7.

12 hours ago, imtheogre said:

Yay , qualified on Day 7 , line training tomorrow . There was a lot to learn , and at times overwhelming not “getting it right” .. but no one is perfect . The camaraderie displayed and shared with me made me want this even more , I’m very happy .. and thanks to everyone who posted valuable info in regards to this position and process. 

Congratulations, and you’re not doing line training until you pick or placed into a depot. The students that qualified on day 7 will meet up at Jamaica depot to learn other types of buses. Students who didn't qualify on day 7, will get a second chance by going to days 8 and 9.