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DaTransitMan4608

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Posts posted by DaTransitMan4608

    Unplanned Subway Service Changes

    in New York City Subway

    Posted

    MTA Service Status

    Service Change

    Posted: 01/24/2017 6:24PM

    Due to ongoing signal problems at 59 St-Columbus Circle, the following service changes are in effect:

    Both directions, (A) trains are running local from 125 St to Canal St.

    Both directions, (B) and (D) trains are running with delays.

    Both directions, there is no (C) train service between 168 St and Euclid Av.

    As an alternative, customers can use (1), (2) and (3) trains making nearby station stops.

    Allow additional travel time.

    I had to deal with this yesterday. I remember getting down to the (A)(B)(C)(D) platforms and seeing a large crowd, then finding out about the delay. Ended up taking the (1) to PABT, although the morons couldn't stop leaning on the doors and it took like 2-3 minutes to leave each stop.
    0

    MTA Bus Operations: Fleet & Depots

    in New York City Bus

    Posted

    Here we have, is the brand new 2016-2017 Novabus LFSA #5439 on the Bx15 Bus route operating between The Hub (149 St) and Fordham Plaza. This bus will replace all 2002 New Flyer D60HFs and some 2003 New Flyer D60HFs. 91 of these remaining newbies (#5440-5530) will be delivered between October 2017 & March 2018. 5439 is a pilot bus in evaluation. Buses are equipped with USB charging ports and free Wi-Fi. [Vid]

    I was looking for it on BusTime earlier because I was gonna go ride it after the march. Guess I gotta try again this week after class starts.

     

     

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    MTA Bus Operations: Fleet & Depots

    in New York City Bus

    Posted

    1. The ISL-G was the only available CNG engine at the time. New Jersey Transit had the option to wait 4-6 months for the ISX-G, but they were in dire need of buses to the point where some of the old CNGs were being ran illegally, and with others having renewed tanks, but retired early anyway. The ISX12 is a highway engine at 425HP, so it'll outperform a lot of buses, including the ever famous Series 60. However, it'll still break down like any other bus would.

     

    The ISL-G wasn't really causing much problems until the maintenance supervisor & head of maintenance at Howell started doing dumb shit to them. Howell Garage screwed with those engines to the point where they break down often along with changing the transmission patterns to where there's no more 6th gear, but 5 gears, with long 2nd and 3rd gears. They did all of that just to get the engines running hot, since the engines were not getting hot enough.

     

    On top of that, there's dozens of CNGs out of service over stupid things that garage doesn't want to fix.

     

    2. The NABIs weren't cheap at all. NJ Transit overcustomized the hell out of those buses, hence why they're horribly spec'd. One quip about those NABIs is that the build quality is highly rated with its stainless steel frame and the composite body materials(which is not cheap by any means).

     

    The Newark accident had those buses going over 30-40 miles per hour. Any bus, low floor, high floor, cheap, strongly built would get split in half just the same way those NABIs did, because that was a high impact accident(see this, as this is a prime example of a bus being totaled with a strong frame). The front ends of the NABIs fold in because that's their crumple zone, a zone in which reduces the impact on passengers.

     

    3. Rumor has it that they won't get more artics, as they'll buy additional 40fters instead. But nothing has been confirmed. If they do get artics, they'll overspec them like usual, much like the Neoplans and the RTSs(which is why the RTSs got a rather early retirement).

     

    1 & 2: Ah I see now.

    3: I know that's just a rumor right now, but with ridership increasing on the routes that utilize them, I don't see why NJT would opt against getting more artics. I hope they don't shoot themselves in the foot with this like they did with the DesignLine fiasco.

     

     

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    MTA Bus Operations: Fleet & Depots

    in New York City Bus

    Posted

    Yes. Those 2017 (NJ) Transit buses are superb. MCI's totally better in comfort.

    The only thing they shouldn't do (which I think they won't unless they really have to) if they order MCIs is over-spec or incorrectly spec them like NJT has been doing with their buses lately. The new MCI CNGs they got was spec'd with ISL G's, which in turn caused them problems, I'm not sure which specific problems but I'm gonna go with an educated guess that the engine simply wasn't made to handle the long and constant highway environment that the buses are subjected to. Now NJT was smart when they spec'd these newer MCIs (16001-2, 17001+). They put the ISX12 in them, an engine made for the highway. I guess they realized these were gonna be used on the longer routes (137, 196/197, 317, 319, 551/555, 553, 559) and wanted to reduce the breakdown rate.

     

    Now the NABIs are a whole different story. I think had NJT not built the bus so cheap, it would've turned out a lot better. Remember that bus crash in Newark last year? I think the reason that one NABI tore in half was because the frame was cheap (speculating here). I think if you were to put say, two of MTA's O7 NGs (or any other MTA buses that are strong) in that same situation, the damage to the buses MAY be reparable.

     

    From what I'm seeing with NJT's specs on these 2016-17 MCIs, they're getting better at spec'ing buses. Now this could be because they're getting a somewhat steady stream of funding now, and had to penny pinch before the gas tax was approved or they got a whole new spec team. Hopefully when it comes time to replace the Neoplans, they'll spec the XD60s (I have a very strong feeling they're gonna go to New Flyer for the Artic replacements) they won't over-spec it.

     

    Okay now that my somewhat off topic NJT spec speech is done, I'm gonna get back to MTA. If the MTA goes with MCI for this Express Coach order, I know for certain it would be an investment that pays off. They've had MCIs for all these years now and they've held up pretty well. Plus when that new scheme for the Express buses comes out, it's gonna be fire on an MCI.

     

    Have they figured out how this new Select Bus Scheme is gonna look? Or are they just gonna use the new blue and gold scheme on the SBS routes? I feel like it would be confusing for folks on say, the Bx12 if a local and a select pulled up and they were both in the same scheme (come on now, you know they're not gonna read the destination signs).

     

     

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    NJT proposals/ideas thread 2012-2013

    in New Jersey Transit

    Posted

    Lol @ you thinking that it sucks that the #2 loops around Secaucus to get to the RR station & me thinking that what sucks about the #78 is that it loops around Secaucus to end at the UPS facility....

     

    From Newark, the #78 is a route that loses about 1/2 of its riders after serving Harmon Meadow... Most riders are off the bus by time it hits Secaucus Junction (with a meager amount of intra-Secaucus ridership short of that point), then a new riderbase piles on for access to the rest of business industrial/rugged industrial Secaucus.... I don't know the history of the route, but it seems as if it's a result of a merge of two former routes/portions of former routes.... In any case, my gripe is that the #78 is woefully inefficient after serving Harmon Meadow - for starters, it doesn't need to serve Meadowlands Pkwy north of American IMO.... I wouldn't have it stopping at Harmon Cove either, really....

     

    This is what I think the #78 should be doing (point 'B' is where the route loops to double back along Metro Way)...

    From secaucus junction, the AM buses can still feasibly dive back on the turnpike, en route to heading over to JG to do a trip on the #40 & what not)

     

    The #2 routing I have no problems with at all, as it's supposed to be a local route... That 2R is the equivalent of a LTD....

    The variant that serves the mail center I've never managed to catch, so IDK how well that variant is used....

    Getting to/from Secaucus Junction isn't (or doesn't seem to be) too big a priority for riders on the route... It's a far larger priority to/for needing to serve JSQ....

     

    As far as combining the #78 & the #108, that's tough; an industrial commuter merged with a city commuter... Knowing what & how both routes are used, I can't say I agree that should happen.... What I'm thinking with a Union City-Secaucus-Newark route is a 3-4 zone intrastate route.... Can't think of anywhere to terminate such a route on the Union City end though....

    The Bergenline Ave HBLR station could be a good start. Or extend it up to Nunguessers so it can connect with the 163, 165, and 168. 

    0

    MTA Bus Operations: Deliveries, Moves & Transfers

    in New York City Bus

    Posted

    Is West Farms Depot willing to return 2004 D60HF New Flyer #5734 , #5738 , #5739 to Gun Hill Depot.. #5734 still have Gun Hill Depot decal. So #5738 , #5739 are still at West Farms Depot. Only opinion. West Farms Depot should return to 1999 RTS Nova Bus to East New York Depot or Flatbush Depot.

    No, WF needs those artics until this whole XN60 thing is figured out. Routes like the Bx6, Bx15, Bx19, and Bx36 have ridership levels that sticking Novas on every run is not going to help alleviate. I've noticed they've been putting an artic or two on the 36, which is good but I think either KB or GH should help them with that route until they get these new artics.

     

     

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    0

    BUS - Random Thoughts Thread

    in New York City Bus

    Posted · Edited by DaTransitMan4608

    Can Manhattanville have Artics? Also what's with the whole situation between RTS's and Manhattanville depot?

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using NYC Transit Forums mobile app

    I don't know for certain if they can't, but I have a theory as to why they don't have artics currently. The routes they do don't carry as heavily as TA, MJQ, Hale, and the Bronx garage routes, especially at all times. Now if a route like the M104 (just using this one for example) saw a huge spike in ridership similar to say, the Q113/114's, then the TA might shift some there from either Manhattan or the Bronx if the circumstances warrant it. Another reason is the lack of hybrid artics. If you were to send an XD60 to MHV for repairs, the mechanics may not have the necessary tools or experience to repair it.

     

     

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    0

    NJT proposals/ideas thread 2012-2013

    in New Jersey Transit

    Posted

    I'm not sure of the exact routing, but I think something (maybe a branch or reroute of the #108) should serve the Springfield/Belmont area (basically, the center of Newark. The #107 serves Weequahic, and the #108 serves the Ironbound and Downtown areas) 

    That got me thinking a bit last night, what if they extended the 108 to Bloomfield via Park Ave and Grove St? It could follow the 41 onto Park and then the 90 to Branch Brook Park. 

    0

    LIRR And MNRR Random Thoughts Thread

    in MTA Railroads

    Posted

    While we're talking about the MNRR and the LIRR, something that has been happening of late has become an annoyance. Some of these guys checking tickets are not doing their jobs. I flash my pass to the first person and they don't punch the zone I'm going to and put it on my chair, so then the next guy comes yet again asking for my ticket less than five minutes later. The next time it happens I'm not showing my pass and I'm going to file a complaint because they're supposed to be checking the tickets accordingly instead of BSing and chit chatting. I had two workers just standing near me talking endlessly about utter nonsense. I was tempted to move but stayed where I was. Completely inappropriate. I filed a complaint.

    CEXQ-v2UUAEfPHW.jpg

     

     

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    1

    BUS - Random Thoughts Thread

    in New York City Bus

    Posted · Edited by DaTransitMan4608

    To be honest, I think a lot of the problems with the M5, and M7 stem from changing demographics and the appalling traffic along 6th.  The M5 and to some extent the M7 are both used more by tourists than anyone else.  I'm tutoring a kid on the Upper West Side and the family is from BC.  They all use the subway or walk.  The bus is an afterthought unless there are no options, then the M86 may be used.  There are so many transplants moving here and they all gravitate to the subway or they take taxis.  I think they somehow believe that it makes them fit in.  The Upper East Side along Madison & 5th hasn't changed, so there you still have monied folks that will use the local bus over the subway.  It wasn't that long ago that you have more New Yorkers using the M5 and M7.  They still exist but less so.  It's something the (MTA) will need to look at because outside of the lines where people have no choice, they will flock to the subway.  

    That was one thing that irked me when I was dorming last year. I must've been the only student in my dorm that used the bus, I think one other student did but not as regularly as I did. 

     

    That's my main gripe with these transplants that move to New York from other parts of the country. They seem to have this notion that the bus is solely for the poor, or that it's not trendy like the subway (I hope J. Cole's music video that he shot aboard a bus in Queens changes that somewhat, it's called "False Prophetz" if you'd like to check it out. It's a good song.) They don't take the time to realize their multi-modal alternatives when they move here and think that when the subway craps out, uber is a cheaper/more convenient option. As someone who uses Uber frequently down here in the 'burbs, I will tell you first hand, it's not that convenient and frequent usage will blow a hole in your pocket. If I was living in say, the Bronx, I'd learn my alternatives and take advantage of them as I see fit. 

     

    If I was living in the Bronx and needed to get from say, West Farms to 125th and the (2)(5) were running Express and I'm not in a hurry:

     

    Okay, no big deal. I'll just hop the Bx40/42 to Burnside and get the (4) or take the 40/42 to 3rd Ave for the Bx15 or Webster for the 41 and take either to The Hub. I have an unlimited so it won't hit my pockets.  

     

    If a transplant was living in the Bronx and needed to get from say, West Farms to 125th and the (2)(5) were running Express and wasn't in a hurry:

     

    They won't even consider the bus an option. They'll dial up an uber and spend about $10-15 to get down there. They probably had an unlimited as well. 

     

    I watched one of those NowThis-type videos on Facebook that talked about how Uber and Lyft posed a threat to public transit, which would in turn would hurt low-income communities that rely on buses. I'll link it in a little bit. 

     

    EDIT: I couldn't find the video, but in my search for it I came across this article. http://www.forbes.com/sites/tarunwadhwa/2014/11/13/will-lyft-and-ubers-shared-ride-service-put-public-transit-out-of-business/#7c68e0581f58

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