Bosco

Speaking of which, while it's a ways from now and the priority (obviously) is just to get the R179s in service, is there a timeline for when they will get CBTC? Perhaps after the shutdown? Not to invalidate your point (there needs to be as much uniformity as possible; this was a problem for bus depots as well), but those 60' SMEEs shared many parts and could run together if need be. It is only with the NTTs that there are so many drastic changes between car types, even ones that were built at the same time. The R179s are far more different from the R160s than the R32s are from the R42s (mechanically/electrically speaking), which further demonstrates the need for uniformity. Even if a yard like Jamaica were to get the 5-car sets, that would mean entirely new spare parts and maintenance procedures for a yard that's already overwhelmed. Unfortunately, the 5-car R179s will be an oddball fleet for most of their lives, as there is no one line that can handle with just 12 trains and they are incompatible with the rest of the fleet. It sucks, but there's nothing the MTA can do.

There are photos on Facebook though of one of the R179s going to the car wash. Not sure about numbers though.

Do you go to Transit Tech? Have major MTA people paid visits to there in the past?

In either case, I hate to say it but it is ultimately up to the riders to pay attention. The same (perhaps more so) goes for the subway. If it's a last-minute change or whatever, fine. But for regular trains, people should know where they're getting off and plan accordingly. Fortunately, the M9s will have indicators letting people know which car they're in (Car XX of XX).

The Hudson Line regularly has trains where only half the train is open to passengers. I'm not sure why they do this as it is incredibly inefficient.

IIMN, all 2011 buses and up (plus the 1200s) were planned to get the new scheme sooner or later. I don't know if this is still the case. I agree with everything here. The only thing I don't like about the RTS are the lifts. Otherwise, they're good buses for their age and for the most part ride fairly well. I live mostly near Ulmer routes and they take pride in maintaining their RTSs (especially the ZFs). Not sure if it's preference of maintenance or the fact that the newer buses just aren't aging as well (case in point: 1200s LFSAs), but the XD40s ride horribly. So newer isn't always better, either. Politics does play a role in fleet assignments (for the subway as well), but that only goes so far. If that was the primary driving factor in fleet assignments, the and would never have swapped fleets. The only time I can think of when politics may have played a role was the back before it got R160s, except Coney Island got them anyway because of the power issues in the Rockaways (which have since been resolved). Back to the topic of new fleets, I do have a question. Has the MTA considered getting CNG express buses for the BC depots (Spring Creek, College Point)? I know NJT just got new CNG MCIs, and it would make sense for uniformity and to be more "green."

They already maintain LFSAs for the B44 SBS. I believe so since they're the last BC depot to have a group of RTSs (not scattered like LGA or JFK), and the Hybrids don't belong there. Does this mean the buses be shifted around for uniformity? (Instead of having the odd numbers at Tuskegee and the even numbers at Casey Stengel?)

Include the R142s as well. They are aging better than the R142A displays, but not by much. I'm hoping they do it sooner than later as part of SMS. Also, if the R142As are so great (and I can understand), be thankful they're off the . I was referring to the spike the converted R188s had in 2016. And it seems those mechanical upgrades are on almost all of the rest of the R142As, especially the door motors (which are one of the weakest links on the new trains).

This whole thing. The MDBF converted R188 sets spiked around 2016, after more of the sets came in and got much-needed maintenance. The R142As, meanwhile, had one of the worst MBDFs of any fleet, worse even than many SMEE fleets. Those so concerned about the fleet on the should be more concerned with maintenance, which is a much bigger factor on service reliability and fleet availability. Remember that one set on the that had God knows what issue and was sidelined for a few months? That's a train that should've been in service and wasn't because of shoddy maintenance (if there was any). As far as the converted sets looking beat up, with any luck, the upgrades they've been giving some of the trains (including older ones) will come to the R188s. Several R62As on the now have LED lighting, and there is at least one set of R142s with the new lighting and floor mats. That should help not make the C-car stand out the way it does.

They actually had numerous teething issues, along with the R142s. Granted, they weren't AS bad (and didn't need that extensive reworking back in 2006-2007), but by no means was the arrival smooth. And while I liked R142As on the as much as the next guy, besides needing them for Flushing, Westchester treats their fleet like garbage anyway. The R62As that came from Corona were actually fine, it's just that time has taken its toll especially being maintained under a different roof. The will be fine and it will be the same in about 10-15 years, when the replacements for the R62/As arrive. Until then, sit tight, and fan the if you MUST see the R142As... They no longer have an excuse not to. It was very shortsighted (although I kinda understand why from a fleet perspective)--unfortunately it won't be for a few picks if they decide to restore some service. Another idea I had (since the R142As are better from a capacity standpoints with their wider doors and clearer announcements)--why not maintain all R142As out of Mosholu, but have a few sets with maps reserved for rush-hour service? They were doing put-ins before the cuts came about, and certainly the will have those few trains to spare (unless the R142s they're bumping out are to increase service). Calvin already answered, but I'd like to add that the is one of the few lines with a decent (for MTA standards) spare factor. Speaking of which, I know the lone R62 set (containing the Union Square consist) recently got maps, but are there plans to put that set back on the ?

Wasn't there an R127/R134 at Corona Yard too? It is still possible that it can be used for garbage and/or work service though, just wondering.

Nope, even the R42s will go out to another line (although which line is speculation ATM). There's a reason all the four-car sets are being delivered first--the priority is to get ENY to be 100% NTT before the shutdown so as to improve running times (although the time gain is negligible unless they remove the timers). Still, having newer trains will still help out the and .

End of the year? Absolutely not. Before the Canarsie shutdown? Possible at the current rate, but let's remain "cautiously optimistic." Don't want to jinx anything else. Either that set was built with some of the old specs or is especially a lemon (one of the converted R188 sets actually took awhile to enter service IIRC). Still, it's weird that we haven't heard anything about that set, especially with 3050-3057 now in service.

Perhaps on the subway maps, which are going to be digital anyway. That would be very useful actually.

I would suggest doing that for the new displays on the R160s instead. Plus, even though the FIND screens are bigger on the R179s, they're still pretty small to display service status.

That makes sense so as not to screw over Park Slope/Carroll Gardens. Since it's relatively low, however, will it be listed on the maps? There are many other rush hour variants even along the lettered lines ( to 168 St, to 179 St) that are not on the full map but in the schedule.

Plus, with the second option, there could be 1612 cars, which means (assuming they start with 3330 as the R179s could likely end with 3326) it could run up to the mid-high 4900s. It actually works out nicely.

Yes, but it's entirely possible that 3010-3014 will go to Bombardier for the same mods as 3015-3019. Not really a huge issue (relatively speaking) since the full 10-car train won't be in service for at least a few months and the priority is to get ENY to be 100% NTT as soon as possible.

3015-3019 was sent up to Bombardier for modifications a few weeks ago. As DJ Hammers explained, it's not necessarily a bad thing in itself; the mods are being done there because the MTA does not have the resources to do them. The mods are necessary to bring them up to spec so they can enter service.

Just waiting on 3070-3077 and there will be some continuity. It's also a good sign that one of the first sets delivered is finally in service. Just an FYI, it's likely that 3010-3014 could go back to Bombardier for the same mods as 3015-3019 in the near future.

Fair enough, but it's just the idea that once again, even as things get scaled back, the costs still go higher than projected. These projects need to get done but there needs to be at least some accountability. ESA just went up another billion.

The shuttle overhaul is a question of when, not if. The ADA improvements were approved last week which include reconfiguring the shuttle platforms. I would imagine at that point 24 cars would be assigned to the (4 6-car trains, 2 for service, 2 spares).

Yup. The only connection between the Flushing Line and the rest of the system is a diamond crossover just east of Queensboro Plaza, a remnant from the days when the BMT and IRT shared Astoria and Flushing. If the gives the back the few 2200s and 2400s it has, would that mean the 1800s at 240 St would go back to the ? Have to say, it's kinda weird having that split between 240 and Westchester.

It also looks like 125 St will suffer the same fate as 72 St, and there doesn't look like anything will be built toward the Bronx except for bellmouths. Even as the project gets scaled back, the cost continues to go up. What is the MTA thinking? Where are the people holding these contractors accountable? Oh, that's right, union corruption is not a priority for our Emperor.

That's the only way an R62A could run along the line at this point. Have you been following the R179 situation?