BoRi1976

5 hours ago, MTA Move NY said:

                                                                                                                        Probationary Bus Operator Review

Updated: December 8, 2021

Directive order No. 02..38.03

Subject: Probationary Bus Operator Review "New York City Transit [NYCT] and MTA Bus [MTAB]"

OBJECTIVE

This document is designed to provide guidelines for a systematic method of evaluating and monitoring the performance of bus operators during their probationary period. During their probationary period, all bus operators are evaluated on the following: driving skills, safety record, attendance, interaction with customers (including customer complaints and commendations), cooperation with peers and supervisors, adherence to New York City Transit [NYCT] and MTA Bus (MTAB) rules and policies and overall performance.

MONITORING

All probationary bus operators will have a minimum of two [2] onboard observation rides during their first year of probation. All observation rides will be conducted for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes, or the length of a trip in customer service. Additional observation rides may be conducted. Copies of any additional rides conducted by Division, Depot or Road Operations staff must be forwarded to the Training Center. Bus operators will be removed from customer service if observed committing an unsafe action.

INCIDENTS

The practice of rating incidents, “preventable” or “non-preventable” will not be used for bus operators on probation. However, an evaluation will be made after each incident with respect to the bus operator’s driving ability and adherence to rules.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD AND EXTENSIONS

The probationary period for all bus operators is one [1] year. A Limited Assignment Bus Operator (LABO) who is promoted to full time status will serve a probationary period as mandated by contractual agreement.

Any absences will be added to this period. The probationary period may be extended up to two [2], three [3] month periods for MABSTOA bus operators, or one [1], six [6] month period for NYCT and MTAB bus operators.

Scheduled reviews for all MABSTOA, NYCT and MTAB bus operators will be held at three [3] months, six [6] months, nine [9] months and eleven [11] months from the date of appointment. If the probationary period is extended, additional reviews will take place at the fourteenth (14th) and seventeenth (17th) month, if applicable, from the date of appointment. A probationary employee may be terminated pursuant to this process, or at any time during the probationary period for serious infractions.

PERFORMANCE

If the probationary bus operator’s performance is unsatisfactory, counseling will be provided by the appropriate member of supervision or management. Satisfactory performance will be commended. Cell phone violations will result in termination. Failure to make ADA announcements, observed red light, red light camera and speed camera violations will result in extension of the probationary period and/or possible termination. All counseling statements will be entered in the employee’s Personnel Action File (PAF). All signed forms will also be included in the employee’s depot folder.

 

                                                                                                                                                 RESPONSIBILITIES

DIVISIONS

The General Superintendent, Transportation (GST) or designee, will review all reports submitted on probationary bus operators and commend or counsel them as required. The GST will review the overall record to determine if additional action is required. The GST will also ensure that periodic reviews are conducted as required. The employee’s PAF must be kept current at all times. The GST or designee will also be responsible for preparing recommendations for extensions and/or terminations in concurrence with the Probationary Review Manager (PRM).

TRAINING DIVISION

The PRM will review all incidents, complaints, results of all observation rides and perform analyses to determine patterns among probationary employees and ensure that appropriate action is taken. The PRM will review counseling records to ensure consistency throughout NYCT Department of Buses and MTAB. The PRM will work closely with the depot managers to ensure that probationary actions are acted upon in a timely fashion and that requests for extensions or terminations are submitted to the Safety & Training Officer for concurrence and final approval.

The Training Division will identify the work schedule for probationary employees and schedule observation rides. At the conclusion of an observation ride, the supervisor or manager will identify themselves to the bus operator with their pass and badge. The supervisor or manager will go over the observations with the bus operator, discussing both positive actions taken by the bus operator and recommendations for improvement. The supervisor or manager will also inform the bus operator that a report will be submitted to the GST, including any violation(s) observed for further action if required.

========================================================================================================================================

F. A. Q.:

When does probation start? 

- Day 0: The first day you attend Zerega training facility. 

Who conducts observation rides?

- Supervisors "Dispatchers/19A Dispatchers" and/or Superintendents "Management" 

How would I know I'm getting a observation ride?

- The only time you may know you are getting a observation "Check-ride" is only annually 19A birthday rides which is conducted by a depot 19A Dispatcher"Supervisor", but 95% of the time, you won't know that you are getting a probationary, safety, complaint or random observation ride. The Beakie "Observation Personnel" will  board your bus dress just like a normal civilian and dip their metro cards. Some may board the back door of the bus or ask you for a ride or a transfer. Beakies can board as wheelchairs passenger or board the bus with a cane. Their mission is to ensure that you are doing what you are suppose to be doing.

Will I be notify if an observation ride "Check-ride" were conducted?

- Yes and no. Some beakies may identify themself after the ride has been conducted by approaching you when it's safe and display their transit issue badge "Dispatcher badge or Superintendent Badge" with their transit pass. If you got a bad ride, he/she will tell you what you did and to see the boss "General Superintendent Transportation((GST))" at your depot. Sometimes when you report to the crew dispatcher at your depot, he/she will also notify you that you have to see the boss.

============================================================================================================================================

Advice to all operators, especially when you're still on probation. 

If you are in a situation such as on-board incident, accident. Before you pick up the radio to contact console,

• First breath and think.
• Assess the situation.
• Contact your depot union representative. Their contact number should be saved.*
• Call console but keep your answers short. The transmit call is being recorded and will/or can be used against you.
• Always remember, Some buses are equipped with cameras.
• Take as much information such as, Witness, license plate numbers, Police officer or Fire/EMS badge numbers, and take pictures for your records.

 

Other helpful thread for DOB hiring FAQ

 

Thx brotha. How you doing fam?

1 hour ago, Anu said:

Passed the 7 day training today ! Been sent to Gunhill from tomorrow for line training !. Anyone knows how long I’ll have to stay there ? I already requested Staten Island on the first day . Still waiting for dmv road test too 

Congrats👍

13 hours ago, King spade said:

I'm starting this Sunday 12/5,Very excited for this new journey. I would just follow the dress code on the paper they gave you at the end of final processing. I heard parking is horrible over there but since we starting on a Sunday I believe you'll be okay  Sunday only . I wouldn't drive during the week though, I'm taking the train on Sunday just to play safe .   

Yeah parking at zerega is insane. Luckily it's Sunday so it's not so bad. Just be there about an hour before to get a spot in the front but you should be able to find parking on Zerega or side streets cause the school bus company is closed on Sundays. Good luck to ya.  

9 minutes ago, KDGallagher said:

I don’t know what list number they’re up to. I do know there’s quite a few people from the previous test who are going thru the process now though. A lot of 7612 people 

 

I saw a girl with a list number in the 2000s from this list though. 
 

tomorrow is day 7! Very excited. We all did well today. There was a tricky light that almost caught us up around union square, the countdown for the pedestrians wasn’t on the right hand side, only on the left, we all almost ran the yellow but didn’t. 
 

the tricky part about Manhattan isn’t the car traffic but the bikes and the people. A lot of people in Manhattan view their bike ride as more important than being safe around a bus. They’ll squeeze thru the smallest spaces 

And if a bike is riding in your 4 feet space near your bus, stop the bus until the bike passes you. Better the bike in front of you than on the side of you.

5 minutes ago, KDGallagher said:

I don’t know what list number they’re up to. I do know there’s quite a few people from the previous test who are going thru the process now though. A lot of 7612 people 

 

I saw a girl with a list number in the 2000s from this list though. 
 

tomorrow is day 7! Very excited. We all did well today. There was a tricky light that almost caught us up around union square, the countdown for the pedestrians wasn’t on the right hand side, only on the left, we all almost ran the yellow but didn’t. 
 

the tricky part about Manhattan isn’t the car traffic but the bikes and the people. A lot of people in Manhattan view their bike ride as more important than being safe around a bus. They’ll squeeze thru the smallest spaces 

Yeah Manhattan is crazy with them bike lanes. Just take them turns slow and easy and look at all your mirrors. Good luck tomorrow. Get some good rest and keep us posted. #YouGotThis👍

6 minutes ago, FrontSt said:

@KDGallagher any idea on what list number they are up to mines 32**

But for a general idea, 2 weeks ago someone posted that they where list #1200 and he got called in to livingston.

4 minutes ago, FrontSt said:

@KDGallagher any idea on what list number they are up to mines 32**

I'm sure he'll answer when he sees this. I believe he's doing his training ATM. 

3 minutes ago, King spade said:

Does anyone know what depot is 3296 located?

Sounds like Eastchester depot. But the correct address is 3320 Hutchinson Ave. You should double check that though

Just now, FrontSt said:

Thank you I try to private message people but it doesn’t allow me too it says you’re only allowed to send 0 messages a day 🤣 

Yeah. You get access to PM's after you've been on the forums after 30 days. We all went through that as well. 

1 minute ago, FrontSt said:

Does anybody know what list number they are up to for 9604 ??????

Maybe @KDGallaghercan let you know his list# so you have an idea. Just make sure to leave the last 2 digits hidden. Ex 21**

2 minutes ago, KDGallagher said:

Today was day 5. Highway driving and we were in upper Manhattan, 

 

First day where I had a perfect sheet 

whole class of 4 is doing well so far, instructor is a great one. 
 

At this point, I probably already read the bus book about 3-4 times completely, it’s helpful for sure , I seem to catch new things each time I read it. 
 

@young YouTube channel has been a great help as well 

Yes @+Young+videos were very helpful. I can't thank him enough and all others that chimed in to push me to do this. Glad to hear you're doing well. You got this.

49 minutes ago, KDGallagher said:

Drove a lil day 1, biggest issue was keeping 4 feet of space from the car to my left. I forget this is a big ass bus lol 

That was my biggest problem as well. Now I Hog the road. Who's your supt?

On 11/19/2021 at 4:59 PM, MTA Move NY said:

Lmao!!!!! All the double park vehicles and dollar cabs. 

You are not lying. Makes me wanna take a drive out there and get some carribean food. That place near Utica is LIT🤣

2 hours ago, KDGallagher said:

Sworn in and start class the 21st. 
 

such a long day

Get used to that lol. Congrats👍

6 hours ago, SoSpectacular said:

Ah. Hope you're doing alright, I seem to see the same faces on the B35 as extras cause when people put in their OT slips they always write "NO 35" on them. I had to sort them out once when I was sitting on report one day lol

Thx. Yeah it's kind of exciting on Church Ave. Never a dull moment🤣 

6 hours ago, SoSpectacular said:

Yeah I got a run with Sunday/ Monday off right now

Oh ok. I'm on the Xtra list w Mon/Tues off. I'm a probie

3 minutes ago, SoSpectacular said:

Usually when they call you in for the medical they're going to include the money order since that will most likely be the same day for your final processing should your medical check out. I don't know how it's being done these days but that's how I did it.

I'm on it too this pick. It really was not as bad as it is now when I started over two years back. It's really sharpened my skills driving those artics though LOL

You at Gleason? 

Just now, misslo said:

😄 everyone had different experiences. I had everything from the get go. I only gave them the money order when it’s time for final processing. 

I guess thats Livingston for you🤣 I'd rather deal with rude ass customers on a bus than to deal with all those people they deal with on a daily basis in an office. I would have an attitude too🤣

On 11/11/2021 at 1:14 PM, Flatbush Operator said:

On specific Holiday's the Zerega 19a Supt Safety and Trainer will be off. Although, it would be strange to have a class on  Thanksgiving week, but you will be off, and may have to return back for training that Friday or Saturday.

*The first week or two in January, Zerega 19a Supt will take a break from probies training and head out to depots across the system to train operators that picked into new depots during the system pick that needs certification training on certain bus the depot equipped with. Also "Seniors" operators will be training the snow fighter trucks. Just to clarify, If you picked into a depot that has express routes, they have to come train you to operate the coach bus. The goes for whatever other buses that depot carries that you may not have been certified trained on.

My Guy!!! I've been running on that B35🥵🤣

16 hours ago, KDGallagher said:

I go tomorrow for medical. I f**ked up and went to the Post Office late yesterday and only had a credit card and didn't have enough time to come back with my debit card to get the money order. 

 

Post office near 180 opens at 7am, same time I'm supposed to be there.

 

Question: Does it make more sense to go get the money order first and show up 10-15 minutes late (and possibly be behind a bunch of other people who arrived before me for medical) or to go and do medical and (hopefully) be allowed to go and get a money order for what I assume is the last step in the process (fingerprints)

After I did my medical, they asked me for the money order and I didn't have it. I told them that nowhere on the email they sent me did it say anything about a money order. They processed my fingerprints and asked me to bring the money order the next day. Thankfully I only live 20 mins away. But to answer your question... DON'T be LATE!!! Good Luck👍

1 minute ago, AJD said:

That is correct but the Superintendent who do the training are out of Zerega. 

My supt was out of Jamaica. So not all supt are from zerega. And my supt trained me in Queens Village. They're all over the place. But most of them are off on holidays

2 minutes ago, KDGallagher said:

Are we able to bank holidays at the beginning? 
 

I may be wrong but I thought I read on here you get to bank holidays after 3 months of service. I very well could be wrong though. 

Never heard of the 3 month rule but either way, you bank it and you can use it as long as you ask for it in advance( 30 days before using it) that's the way they do it in my depot.

2 minutes ago, AJD said:

You will be off. Zerega is closed on holidays 

You go to Zerega for Day 0. Days 1-7 are at other depots

1 minute ago, AJD said:

You will be off. Zerega is closed on holidays 

7 day training is not in zerega. It's all random.

9 minutes ago, KDGallagher said:

I’m being considered for the November 21st class. That is a Sunday. 
 

how likely is it that we’ll be off on that Thursday (thanksgiving)?

Congrats. You will be doing the 7 day training with a supt and I don't know if many of them work holidays. I guess its a wait and see game. Even if you have to work it, I'd say get used to that. We get no holidays early in our careers lol. Luckily I don't eat that dry bird🤣 But I believe you will get the option to get paid for working or bank it for an AVA day? Don't quote me. I'm a probie🤣