WonderBread

Hi, I'm a Bronx express bus rider and I have a laundry list of complaints. Not all of my complaints are sorely the MTA's fault. I will say that when it was run by New York Bus Service, the majority of problems we now have did NOT happen. I live 11 miles from my home to work. On average it takes me about 90 minutes to commute 1 way (during the summer my commute time is cut in half). The traffic is absurd and nothing is done about it. A bus lane or HOV lane on the Bruckner would be ideal. Enforcing the bus lanes along Second Avenue, Fifth Avenue and 125th Street must be done. The police try to enforce the bus lane rules on Madison Avenue but that creates a problem when they pull drivers over...and then block the bus lane. There are mornings when the bus doesn't show up. I have called the depot (no shame in my game) only to be told to call 511. I don't want to call 511. Where is the effing bus? The next bus isn't for another 17 minutes (this is at 7am, not 9am). Buses break down and they're dirty, including graffiti. I understand that drivers don't want to get into confrontations with riders but there has to be some sort of enforcement on the bus. Loud music, loud cell phone conversations, eating - seriously people, the bus isn't your effing kitchen nor is it a diner, that egg sandwich smells like rotten fart, people hogging up numerous seats even when the bus is crowded, people getting on the bus with large packages, baby carriages and luggage as they take up numerous seats which they don't pay for. Can someone verify the rules of riding the express bus with children? Every morning we have anywhere from 1-4 parents and their children riding the bus. Usually it's just one child, but I have seen some parents board with as many as 4 children. The problem is that they only pay for 1 seat. All the kids get their own seats and I have watched passengers stand while a non-paying child is taking up a seat. I thought the rule said something to the effect of under 2 they ride for free provided they sit on a parents lap. That tells me that over 2 they must pay for the seat. It's a problem, and it's becoming an even bigger problem. It's not fair to those of us who are paying for a seat. I understand that standing is allowed on the bus but no one wants to stand for 90 minutes in a very tight aisle. The MTA needs to come up with a way to count empty seats. Some drivers used to use a clicker counter. I've had drivers tell me there are no more seats only for me to board anyway (because I saw the empty seats from the sidewalk) and count at least 10 empty seats. Not fair to passengers left waiting for another bus and this is usually after already waiting 20+ minutes. The evening wait for buses is ridiculous. I realize this is almost entirely due to the never ending traffic issues. But there have been nights I have waited close to 1 hour for a bus to show up and it wasn't due to the weather, UN General and POTUS showing up. Again, bus lane/HOV lane on the Bruckner and along the streets I mentioned above. And I flat out refuse to ride the subway in the Bronx because I have zero patience with the ghettotards riding the 5.