Express Bus Operator

New Over Night route out of Flatbush Depot starting Sunday June 28, 2020.

B99 will start from Nostrand Have/Flatbush ”Junction” to Manhattan W 58th Street. ThIs route is mainly due to the train service being out of service during the COvID CLEANING over night especially the number 2 train. The bus will run like a local B44 route and turn off to Eastern pkwy heading towards Flatbush ave and straight to Manhattan Bridge.

Right now operators out of Flatbush are currently doing line training. Management are considering this route to remain until further notice for a possibility for operators to pick as a new work in the future.

On 5/11/2020 at 8:55 AM, trigger said:

Just to let some of you know. Due to the pandemic in our city class 3:16:2020 and other classes before us that didn't get to continue have been given option to continue as Bus Cleaners or to stay home. I personally choose to help disinfect and clean buses because I am TA and I took an oath to defend our country and state all enemies foreign and domestic and corona virus is definitely considered an enemy. Ill let you guys know when class 3:16:2020 continues with bus operator training. 

 

 

Stay safe and make sure to not let your guard down with this COVID. 

Whats going on folks. Its been a hot minute since I have posted on the nyct forum. Was on quarantined status and now I'm fully back to work.

B41 today had 2 wild cats service where Articulated buses were in service doing passenger pickups from Kings plaza to Downtown Brooklyn and to Bergen Beach. Expect to see articulated buses at certain time of the day when operation expects more rider ships during certain time peak.

2 minutes ago, MHV9218 said:

Lot of interesting new layovers showing up since all the buses are running so hot. I won't name all the spots since I'm not so sure dispatchers are in favor of it, but I'm seeing a few places near the end of the line where B/Os are pulling over and shutting off their engines, then restarting and heading to the terminals.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh keep it on the low low .. lol 

48 minutes ago, NBTA said:

I don't know about you guys, but this backdoor thing has been working, making pick ups not only faster, but even drivers operate faster because of this.

 

 

Except for a few cases where dudes feel like going 5-8 MPH on the Bx36 Limited and M11..

Totally Faster and better! This week has been the best time of my career to work freely and not worry to much about the schedule. I mean its sooooo hard to stay on the time that its to the point we all keep pulling over to try to delay the time because majority of us are way ahead of schedule.....

1 minute ago, trigger said:

Day 7, Passed for class 3-16-2020   Qualified for line training.  Not sure what happens next they gave me instructions for tomorrow but it feels good!!

The last 7 days of training I have been lysoling the bus before we use it!!!!!!! Hope everyone is staying safe out there.

Congrats!!!! If you can please P.M. so i can get a little detail to the roads they took you guys. Once again Congrats and welcome to the family!, Tomorrow most likely you will meet up with others who qualified Day 7 to learn other Buses type. The ones that did not qualify on day 7 will continue with another Supt for training and etc...

On 3/23/2020 at 3:26 AM, Lex said:

Flatbush and Gleason don't play.

I hope Ulmer Park's been trying to keep up, for once...

22 hours ago, Future ENY OP said:

Flatbush & Gleason had them since Saturday. Boarded the B44, B46, B35, and B43. Plus East New York had chains ⛓ on Sunday. Dunno about UP tho. 

LOL we sure don't play.... We even made our own blockage beside the transit chain links.. We took the W/C seat belts strap and  hook it across the other side W/C seat belt clips to form it like an "X" shape or just ran one across the lower level of the chain links just so if any passenger is trying to sneak underneath the chain, they wont be able to fully unless you're flexible. I'll tell you from an operator point, It feels so great to not have anyone boarding the front of the bus and really feel secured. 

I Just want to confirm the rear door boarding process which temporary starts effectively tomorrow March 23, 2020. All local/Limited buses only will allowed passengers to board/un-board through the back door with free of charge. The only passengers that will be allowed to board the front door is ADA passengers or passengers who are unable to board the rear door due to complication where they need the bus to kneel lower. For express buses passengers will still have to load through the front door and pay their fare but will not be allowed to sit at the first 3 front seats. Select Buses Service will do the same as local/limited buses service but will have to continue paying their fare by using the normal paying method and load at the rear doors. It also has been instructed due to the COVID-19 we are not allowed to load not more than 20 passengers "Which will be very hard to maintain". 

As a B41 Operator today we started the rear boarding  a day earlier on the route and had buses either equipped with chain links or used the W/C seat belts to block off the area where passengers were not allowed temporary. As a operator point of view it made my day go a whole lot easier and quicker to maneuver  down the routes. We shall see how will this turn out as the days follows during this crisis. 

Are there any class in session at the moment, if so what day are you guys on and when did the class start?.... Trying to see if that current class will be the last class temporary since the dept of buses is on emergency slow down due to the virus epidemic. 

On 3/7/2020 at 9:22 AM, BOO3 said:

Three months has gone by and there’s still no test results/list  number. How much longer? 

It can take almost a year to even get a notification whether or not you passed or failed the "Selective Survey". While you wait if you don't have a CDL Class B with Passenger Endorsement you should try obtaining it and keep your license and background clean.

Just want to share a thread on the NYCT forum on preparation training video on obtaining your CDL Class B/P DMV road test with the MTA. Follow and view the videos (((HERE)))

On 1/18/2020 at 12:10 AM, BOO3 said:

correction: Does anyone know* if credit check is part of the employment process to being hired? 

No... just background such as criminal, employments.

Any new operator that is about to take the DMV CDL road test soon with the MTA I found a Youtube training channel that was release a year ago by dept of buses. Click (((HERE))) to go to the thread page to view the videos and other information 

The New York City Transit Department of Buses establish  training video that conduct "Department of Motor Vehicle Commercial Driver License" road test preparation. 

You can find more information regarding transit employment related (((HERE)))

MTA Employment Opportunity (((HERE)))

MTA/NYCT Bus Operator Exams threads

Bus Operator Exam 4600 (((HERE)))

Bus Operator Exam 4105  (((HERE)))

Bus Operator Exam 7105   (((HERE)))

Bus Operator Exam 7300 & 9309 (((HERE)))

Bus Operator Exam 7612  (((HERE)))

Bus Operator Exam 9100  (((HERE)))

Bus Operator Exam 9618  (((HERE)))

Bus Operator Exam 9604  (((HERE)))

Bus Operator Exam 0100  (((HERE)))

MTA CDL Training Pre-Trip Videos>>>>>

CDL Pre-Trip 1 -

CDL Pre-Trip 2 -

CDL Pre-Trip 3 -

CDL Pre-Trip 4 -

(As a friendly reminder, if you wish to obtain the "handouts" that are in this particular video - click here.)

CDL Training Video Pre-Trip Parking between cones -

MTA New York City Transit DMV road test training>>>>>> 

CDL Training Video - Driving 1 -

CDL Training Video - Driving 2 -

CDL Training Video - Driving 3 -

1 hour ago, Snorunts said:

You’re right, all I’ve been seeing on the 41 are the SBS units. I haven’t got a ride on one yet.

I live by the 41 and see it everyday, don’t ride it much though. I did ride it recently hoping to get my first ride on an SBS 76xx, unfortunately I ended up getting 7320 instead while what felt like every other B41 was a 2018 XD40...

1 hour ago, trainfan22 said:

I was out and about along Flatbush Ave today and seen nothing but Cuomo wrapped XD40s on the B41! Always wanted to ride a 7600 on the B41 and it looks like finding one on the 41 will be like shooting fish in a barrel. Also have yet to ride a Artic on the B46 SBS SMH lol, looks a little busfan trip on the B41 & B46 is in order for me.

The sbs units will be found only on the B2, B31 and B41 until they are changed into local scheme.  I get them all the time on the B41 and it feels awesome pushing them on Flatbush Ave to downtown bklyn.

14 hours ago, Snorunts said:

In the local scheme, right?

Yes local scheme

17 hours ago, Snorunts said:

I’m 99% sure it will. Buses from various depots are sent to Grand Avenue Depot all the time for repairs, repaints, and inspections.

Yup 7622 just came back to the bush!

13 hours ago, Transbusfan said:

FB 7622 at Grand CMF being wrapped with local scheme and yes the base scheme was SBS....

Will it return back to FB?

Update!

Tonight on the B41 they had one articulated bus in full passenger service to Cadman plaza.

8 minutes ago, Future ENY OP said:

Here are my additional questions @Flatbush SBS Duece   
 

Why would transit bid on a  Flatbush route. Any chance to this would totally mess the Brooklyn Division even further. You don’t want a B49 deadhead from either Ulmer or East New York only to do the same work as Flatbush currently.  If transit was so concerned about the space at FB most of the NG’s should of went to Fresh Pond, and ENY respectively. Instead FP is sitting on OG spares from ENY. 

2). What’s taking so long for the OG’s to retire? Transit priority was only for the Manhattan OG’s to retire and never really cared about Brooklyn. Now, transit is going to have a problem if they don’t fix this at once. Retire the ENY and Fresh Pond OG’s and split the NG’s between both depots and there goes most of the spacing issue for FB. 

 

Remember ENY is currently under construction just so they can start using Articulated buses sooner or later. Maybe that will be the plan to start retiring the left over OG’s at ENY.

The bid was place on the table since the depot was over capacity, but words on the street is that the B49 is in the middle of an possibility it wants to make its way to Ulmer park or a trade for the B3 or B1. But its going to be a tough battle since the union will most likely disapprove the losing or trades. You have to remember by losing a route will cause a big lost of operators remaining at the depot or not enough work flow. The B49 besides the B46 local has the most runs that carries more than 9 - 10 hours shift and some of the top pay operators love these long hour paying work.

Right now Flatbush has manage the space and is currently under control since the Ave N yard has been holding up 27-30 buses at night. But because of the rumor about receiving more articulated buses just to convert the B41 will caused more local buses being pushed out the bush. 

4 hours ago, Calvin said:

It makes sense as I noticed this on the B2/31 on Avenue R, those routes doesn't touch any SBS route except for transfer at Nostrand Av and Kings Plaza. Speaking of Kings Plaza, a sight of XD-60s and XD-40s are all over with the B46 Select and B2 and B41 as the last stop. The XD-40s, I noticed they placed back the regular $2.75 fare reading with some of them having the Select peeled off. 

The B49: Back when the B46 used the SBS 7600s, I spotted one by the Sheepshead Bay train station but only to Avenue S.  I can see how come the 49 doesn't use the 7600s going to Bed-Stuy as the problem is Rogers Av with the SBS B44. 

Exactly! The B44 has SBS running down, The B46 and the B49 also has sbs routes running down the path so to avoid confusion we rather the wrap buses running on local routes that doesn’t have any sbs routes running on the same road. Now with Shuttle work being active lately over the weekend you may see maybe 1 or 2 wrap buses landing on those local route due to whats available at the time in the depot.

3 hours ago, Future ENY OP said:

1) Where are they going to get buses at? At this point it’s either decommissioned some SBS 2017 XD60’s or snatch them from Manhattan. However, one thing is for sure. I smell LFSA’s making a slight return to Brooklyn 
 

2) Ulmer just received 3 buses from KB to add with the Grand Avenue bus at the lot. So that makes 4 buses right now at Ulmer. 
 

3) The bus stops are already modified for artics for the B41. I wonder why now transit is trying to make these changes meanwhile the 41 should of been introduced to artics. I remember vividly back in the day 5383 than at Gun Hill was training at Flatbush those DHF 60’s would of been good for Flatbush.  
At least the good thing is that they are not touching the 7600’s and lets keep it that way! 

The bus stops are not 100% ready especially a few I can name off the top of my head that are local stops. But that wouldn’t stop management from not running these bad boys down the line as soon as possible.

13 minutes ago, Around the Horn said:

My guess is this is just temporary until they figure out how many are being displaced by artics and they they'll get local scheme.

Maybe......... This is transit we are talking about here. They love making last minute changes.

6 hours ago, MysteriousBtrain said:

My question is

 

Is it that much work to just wrap it in local scheme? There is absolutely no need for the 7600s there to stay in SBS duty.

Could be a reason why they’re not wrapping or putting it on local scheme yet.

6 hours ago, Brillant93 said:

My question is where on earth are they going to get these articulated buses from? They already got rid of those old new flyer artics last year so everything else is for sbs use. Converting the B41? Why would they convert it before there were any other procurements for future artics to be delivered? I know they want to cut costs and so on but where on earth are they going to get the equipment for this?  

Well we all know by now they are testing the new XE60’s at Quill, and they are receiving a few more batches. Maybe transit has a few load of orders that are being order for fast delivery or maybe they’ll be taking a few buses out of Manhattan and Bronx.

3 minutes ago, Snorunts said:

I’m wondering how come more local buses haven’t left Flatbush for Fresh Pond and East New York.

If the plan they have in mind to bring more articulated buses in, most likely more local buses will be leaving. Right now we are trying to make sure they don't touch the 7600's.

Just now, Snorunts said:

I believe they also make appearances on the B49.

Not really....If they have its because there were no more buses available to pull out. The depot union and management wanted them on the routes that doesn't have SBS running near by because they were a few confusing incident that took place with a passenger and a operator.

Flatbush fleet and route related:

Recently The Bush received a load of articulated buses due to the SBS46 conversion  and caused a mass over flow at the depot with space issue. The bush had to let a few buses go by returning back to their originated home or to depots that needed buses to retire the OG's. Due to space issue Transit management had place a bid on the table to give up one of FB route and buses to accommodate space at the depot, But the union fought back and came up with a better plan by parking buses at night on the "Streets, Inside the depot, the back of the depot and fully use the Avenue N yard " at night.  The depot also returned some of the hybrids to Fresh Pond, East NY and maybe other depots that needed buses to replace the old OG's. 

Today again, rumors are spreading rapidly that MTA wants to send some more Articulated buses to FB and possibility use them on the B41 as part of their next move in conversion. Right now the B41, B2 and the B31 are the only routes at the bush that are allowed to use the 7600's wrap buses for passenger service which some of you may have notice the B41 has been flooded with the wrap buses in passenger service since the new pick started.

We all Know ENY is currently under construction for Articulated buses space

Ulmer Park also has been thrown in the mix for possibilities Articulated buses service in the future especially for the B1. Currently they have a Grand Avenue Articulated bus park nearby the depot for training purpose.

Will this change take in effect soon?, Will more articulated buses be heading to the bush and be used on the B41?.... Only time will tell but I know one thing for sure, Transit is planning to turn some of Brooklyn's major routes into Articulated buses to cut cost and savings....

1 hour ago, Notransfer said:

I think they have a separate console for each division 

Same building located at East NY depot upstairs. “Old building” Now they moved into the new building across the street from the depot. All console dispatchers work on the same location just each control their division. Soon the radio communication will be all in one.