Moody

I would just go the next business day. I wouldn't wait. A few years ago, I had medical as well. Went 3 times and held 2 times for sleep apnea related issues. And then missed the class. Had to put myself back on the list. And then cleared everything. And then covid hit and was delayed another year. And then had to put myself back on the list again lol. I'm a bus operator. I would do it again. Like I said...I would just go the next business day. Tell them please I don't want to be held back any longer. Be professional. They helped me a lot.

And bus operators too lol. Answer key is out. I got a 95. I don't know how to calculate the seniority points. It wasn't a bad test. Interesting thing is the proposed answer keys came out pretty fast. Does that mean we will get an established list quick ? And eventually appointments dates quick ?

I guess you gotta time it. There are Xpress busses that go through jersey. So if you're in the Bronx one day. You can take the subway to midtown. Transfer to an Xpress bus to Staten Island. They go through jersey to Staten Island. Now getting to the Bronx early in the morning. That's something I gotta study lol.

Oh wow. Thats good to know. Thank you. I might just do like half car half mass transit. In the beginning I'll go with my car.

I think I'm going to meet the traffic in the middle. Ferry from Staten Island to NYC and go from there. Trying to even out the playing field. We can ride express busses too. Thank you for your input.

I'm a bus operator right now in Staten Island. I'm taking the promotional test tomorrow. I'm just wondering logistics. In school car. Are you reporting anywhere around the system every day ? Or every other day ? I'm trying to get a grasp on how an average few days would be. Do they tell us in advance what places we are going to be ? Glady appreciate the feed back.

I'm still debating wether I should go to NJ transit lol. I work in Staten island. I don't know or I don't know how transit in NJ is in South NJ like in Trenton/ Lawrenceville.

That's a good copy sir. I appreciate it. I do live closer to Brooklyn. I like Staten island but gas and toll money is very high.

That's ok. To be honest peg numbers under 5 years not going to matter much. You can make money and time. I'd rather work Saturday and Sundays.

Good afternoon everyone. If you're were worked in Brooklyn under TA bus operator and switched to Staten island but now you would like to go back to Brooklyn possibly in the future. Is it possible? Not sure if possible I searched for answers but cant find. Please advise.

They need bus operators. There's a big shortage of bus operators. All you ever needed to begin with is a cdl permit. Once you pass the 7 day training they will help you get the cdl license. And there are many people who only have cdl permits because it's expensive and it's what it is. But any way for me personally going through cdl training with the mta helped me even more because I maneuvered that bus in different ways and I got sooo much help from the zerega superintendents there. Now not everyone in training is from the same exam. It's mixed. Some are TA, some are OA and mabstoa. So don't be surprised if day 0 at zerega you have people from other exams in the same room. But remember when you pick depot's, not everyone is privileged to pick the depot of their choice after you pass 7 day. To everyone on their way, just listen to what zerega says and pass your probation. If you are not sure of something then ask. If you're still not sure, ask again. There's no such thing as a bad question.

I got yelled that for doing the right thing during training. Especially because I only had a cdl permit. Does that make sense ? Hell yeah it does. Every morning I got to training early. So I can have my coffee and relax a bit. But as soon as he saw me, he made me work. A Example of a morning for me during training: Let's go you're going to be doing this on your own soon. Set up your mirrors. Pretrip the bus I'm going check them (And they will check your mirror set up) And then he would make me practice for cdl air brake and pretrip license. And I'd have to do it over and over until I got it right. But this is what made me do. They mold you. And you're fresh. You see the, 7 day training is to see if you should be privileged to go to the next step. Can you handle a bus with 40 people on it ? Can the MTA trust you with their bus ? Why should they ? Prove it. The superintendents don't fail anyone. You fail yourself. I've seen people with 15 years yellow bus experience fail. It's going to happen. You heard it before and I'll go back to day 3 when they say "progress not perfection" Those superintendents work hard for you. Follow exactly what they say. And by day 2 or 3 you should automatically know how to set up your mirrors. Every time you enter a different bus the mirrors will never ever ever ever be the same set up. Because some people are taller or shorter than others. Sometimes I get excited to see other people's mirror set up just to see if their set up is like mine. Not a single bus driver including my class mates have the same set up as mine. Not because they're wrong. It's because of how I sit in the seat and my height. Your superintendents will help you how to customize the mirrors so that it's zerega approved and so that you're comfortable with it.

I'd like to add as well a couple things. If you don't feel confident in passing a double park car or vehicle then don't do it. Just because you see another bus operator pass around a double parked vehicle doesn't mean you should go around it. In a situation where a double parked vehicle is involved you have to understand you are never wrong when your gut tells you that you don't have clearance. So when you approach it you honk to make yourself known and you sit there. Don't move. If they are telling you come on you can pass or if they try guiding you don't even respond just watch them. They'll give up and move because they think oh this guys an idiot. That's good. Let them think you're an idiot because you made them move. The only guides we follow are, another bus operator, nypd, fdny. And that's it. I never ever ever will be allow myself to be guided by any other individual. If they refuse to move, you call console. And you sit there. Remember we don't get medals to get the end of the line. We sit in any kind of situation. And we get paid for it. Eventually if the cops come they might ask you or they'll know that you can't make it and not say anything. They will not doubt you. And they will not pressure you to move. Another thing with the lights in general. For example. The light is green. And it's been green for a while. The red hands are counting down. In any kind of bus once the count down reaches 7,6,5, you should totally be stopped. The reason we stop early because yellow lights in the MTA is a red light to us. The front part of a bus can make the light but the middle and back side is going to hit the yellow and red. Don't fight back against traffic. Be absolutely passive. Except it.

Excellent. Thank goodness. I appreciate the help guys. I just want to hit my 50 hrs in 5 days and I'm happy. After probation will climb up that ladder. Can't wait to see the Staten island runs.

That's fantastic. I sometimes can't believe how much this job molded me to work this many hours and anything less feels ackward. I love working. Best feeling for me is turning in the trip sheet and going home after a successful run

As a probbie I want to get paid all my overtime. That's just me. Later on when I'm able to set aside more money after probation I'll set my overtime to OTO. Also at my depot if you don't use any AVAs then after 8 earned AVAs they will pay you all of them at once. That's pretty cool. Also if for example there's a holiday next week. And you don't want that AVA, you can opt to get paid that AVA for that pay period rather than waiting 8 AVAs to get paid. I didn't know that.

I average around 49 hours. Usually 55. That's what I like. Thank you so muchm

All probbies hit over 40 without working their rdos. But is it the same with staten Island? Thats my question.

Hi everyone. I work at NYC mta. Bus Operator. I work roughly 50 hrs a week. Is it the same with NJ transit? I live in south jersey. Was wondering if anyone its worth it. I saw some reviews about being on the extra board( we call it extra list) and something about combos. I don't mind the work or hours unless its work under 45 hrs a week. Otherwise ill just go to staten Island. Please advise.

What is working in staten island like ? I understand you first line train on all the depots and train on the MCI busses. But are the hours more than 40 when you're on the xtra list? I like big runs or alot of hours. Is that available too (without touching your RDOs) ? I'm considering going to staten island because it cuts my commute time. But if their hours are short ill just stay where im at. I love my depot.

When you are in line training at any depot. You will be assigned a mentor/veteran approved bus operator that will train you on that line. He or she will explain not just the route but explain detailed things that are involved in that route. Like for example, trees that are close to bus stops, branches, pot holes, sometimes bus stops curve so when you pull in, the bus rocks and sways and can hit something. They will mention these kind of situations A good mentor will instruct you on how to protect your right side. Make sure you adjust your mirrors the way zerega taught you. On the right side you have 1 mirror that needs to be showing from the right tire/ to the turn signal with some street. The convex needs to show slightly higher but enough that you can see a biker coming next to you. Do not mess with your mirrors in any way. It has to be the way zerega taught you or whoever instructor you had explained.(which they are all the same way) Now while you are line training you might have crazy hours because your attached to a veteran. Thats normal. After line training you'll be on your own. And you might not see those crazy hours again. Which is fine don't worry. Every probie does at least 41 hrs. I did 51 hours the last 2 weeks. Some times 56 hours. That is because I wait on the fuel lines 2 or 3 times a week for 30 min or more. The longest I waited was an hour and a half. These things happen. Its part of the job. We get paid for this. Alot of people before they join the mta say to themselves jeez I want to work 6 days or they say well I need the money I need longer runs. (A run is the assignment you are doing that day, hours vary depending on the assignment). You will change your mind once your on your own. Trust me, when your day off is tomorrow you're not going to want to work your RDO. You're going to take that day off. Besides earning it. Its risking yourself to get into an incident. One of the first things they check if god forbid you get into an accident is WHAT IS YOUR RDOS? They ask NAME AND PASS your RDOs. They want to know if you're rested. Now depending on what depot you're in. You might be able to do over time work like cleaning or disinfecting but that depends. Now there is shifting work available. A shifter parks the buses after they are fueled. Most veterans do it. But you as a probbie won't be doing it unless you are shifter qualified. Which means the depot superintendent rides with you and sees if you can park busses. Not all depots are the same. You have to be good at this. As a matter of fact I don't recommend shifting as a probbie. Try something else if available. And like I said before you're not going to want to work your RDOs. You should be having 41 hrs or more by your 5th day. Sometimes I do close to 50 hrs a week and no fuel line. No complaints here. This job is amazing. Yes you will be working sometimes 1 to 2 am in the morning. But eventually you get used to it. And then as new people get hired, you slowly get start leaving earlier and earlier, especially after a pick. Now all depots have a pick every 3 months or so. If you have a chance to pick a line or a route and its consistent it might a good idea to pick it because its less chance to get into an accident. Ill explain why. When your on the xtra list. You're doing something different each day. You have your days off and when you have work, you will be reporting different times. Usually a probbie will be reporting between 12:30pm to 4:45pm and you'll get your minimum 8hrs. Its usually more than 8 hours don't worry. Now for me from the start it was too late to pick because I came in late and there probably wouldn't be anything anyway. Which is normal for a probbie. So I was on the xtra list. Which gave me experience on the routes so I can choose something next pick. You will learn which routes are better for you. You'll have a favorite route, least favorite route, and tolerate routes. If you are able to pick a line or a route you're familiar with and could at least tolerate it, then pick it. Because you have less chance to get into an incident or accident. Remember you want to pass probation. But remember, you will be doing this for about 3 months. Not everyone likes doing the same thing getting out the same time. When I finally was able to pick, not only did I hate that line that was available, I hated those hours. So I chose the xtra list. Because I can make more money on the xtra list. Don't make the system work you. You make the system work for you. I love the xtra list. 3 other probbies same class as me chose the xtra list. Because now we are getting earlier and earlier runs. Remember a run is the assignment. The line is bus route. The other probbies who picked routes are staying 4 or 5 hours longer at work. While they are pulling in to the depot to have a swing/ lunch, ill be going home hahahha. You see ?. I mean yah, I might be reporting at 4:30 am in the morning but im leaving 3pm while they reported at 2pm. So eventually you'll start to develop what works for you. You want consistency or something different. Some veterans have been in my depot for 20 plus years and have done the same routes. Never touched other routes in years and don't remember other routes. Some veterans choose something consistent and later on go on the xtra list for 3 months to make more money and its fun. I get excited waiting to see what assignment I'm going to get. Anyways. I haven't spoke in a while on the forums. Its good to give some feedback.

I live in brooklyn, and drove to staten island to renew my permit. I don't think theres any issue.

THANK YOU Good luck to you guys.

Alright, we good now lol. I go tomorrow for medical. God willing ill pass that Ill see you guys sunday I already did finger printing and the 21 page booklet in march. So im ready to go. Not nervous at all. Im excited.

Nice. If they call me today to come in tomorrow I might have a shot.