The TransitMan

47 minutes ago, checkmatechamp13 said:

I took a trip on the new system yesterday.

Long story short, they need to enforce the timed connections better. Buses were leaving early (a Greenport-bound S92 left Riverhead almost 15 minutes early), and some of the instructions for the B/Os were unclear (for example, my S12 showed up using a minibus with no signage...at Bay Shore, he interlined with the S7 and ended up swapping out the minibus for a full-size bus with the B/O operating the arriving S12). Also, at Riverhead LIRR, the directions seemed to indicate for buses to make a right onto Railroad Avenue (and terminate by this parking lot here rather than at the old stop by the LIRR station here which had the signage...though an S80 B/O insisted that the parking lot was the correct stop, despite the return directions saying to make a left at the deli, and there is no deli in the other direction). My S62 at first made a right turn onto Railroad Avenue, and then when he was confused about the lack of a bus stop, ended up waiting for the S92 to see what he would do...the S92 made a left, but didn't hold at the LIRR station, which meant that the S62 passenger (who boarded by the commercial area near the Peconic Bay Medical Center who needed that connection ended up having to wait another hour for the next bus...even more of a reason for the S92 to be split...that way there is no confusion about whether or not buses need to hold at that point, since it's the first stop). 

That 311 number only seems to be available during standard office hours (a passenger on the S7 complained that he called 311 and was left on hold for an hour before he gave up).

No semblance of any timed connections at Brentwood. My S7 arrived late due to so many people on the bus having questions...there were only 10-15 people on the bus, but it felt like a lot more with all of the chaos, with everyone going to the front and asking questions and pulling timetables from the holders, etc. I explained some passengers that this was basically the old S41 with some elements of the S45 mixed in, so that helped alleviate some of the confusion). For what it's worth, a friend of mine joined me on the trip and we thought that there was a second stop outside the parking lot, but there wasn't so he ended up missing the S7. I told him to get on the S11 and meet me in Brentwood...it was basically just him and one other person who got on further up the route. Also, we ended up just missing the gates at Brentwood (even though the train had to wait to pick up people at the station) so anybody who needed to make the westbound train was SOL...likewise the eastbound train passed shortly after the northbound bus left, so they managed to screw people in both directions). 

The S5 only had one other passenger who got on somewhere in Smithtown and was seeking the S58 (which was either missing or had left already...for what it's worth, we didn't see it at Brentwood either). At Smith Haven Mall, there were some ambassadors who were helping passengers. They said the main thing they heard was that the timed transfers weren't being held, and they also heard some complaints about some corridors having service eliminated (e.g. Sayville - Ronkonkoma, Kings Park, Udall Road, etc). There were also a lot of S51 buses (apparently, the B/Os were given the wrong code, so the northbound buses were signed up as southbound buses and vice versa). There didn't seem to be much of a semblance of a schedule with the S51...the southbound bus got to Smith Haven at 3:04pm, which is when he was due to arrive at Ronkonkoma...when my S62 left around 3:22pm, there were two S51s that left with us (even though the schedule indicates they should pass around :46).

The only people on my S62 were my friend and myself, two transit fans who got on somewhere in Rocky Point, and then the person who was seeking the Greenport-bound S92 in Riverhead. On the S66, only my friend and myself got on at the LIRR station, two people got on at the County Center (presumably having come off the S92), we skipped SCCC due to the campus being closed, and then we picked up and dropped off a few people throughout the rest of the route into Patchogue. 

At Patchogue, I got on the S2, and oddly enough I was the only one on the bus all the way to Amityville...FWIW we got to Amityville 20 minutes early, so I don't know if anybody missed that interval due to that.

Also, FWIW it was only myself and one other passenger (who got on in Deer Park) who were on the S12 towards Bay Shore. I saw an S12 passing in the other direction around Deer Park and didn't see anybody on it (through the windows anyway). So it seems it'll take a bit of time before the Sunday service catches on. (Not sure where the other person got on the S11, but my guess is it was probably somewhere along Brentwood Road, since that previously had S45 service...as far as I recall, all of the people who got on my S7 were using either former S41 or S45 stops...also FWIW, I don't believe I saw any new stops installed along Candlewood Road, and all of the old stops still have the old schedules...the Riverhead LIRR one even has the S90 schedule still attached). Same on the S5 (Smithtown) and S62 (the person in Riverhead seeking S92 service to Greenport). On the S12, the B/O and passenger seemed to know each other, so probably the passenger found out from the B/O.

There was also a bit of hesitancy in using the timed connections (understandably). At Patchogue, there was a passenger who needed to go to Wyandanch, so I told him to take the S2 to the S12, and he was a bit worried if there was going to be a connecting bus in Bay Shore at that time. I assured him there would be, but he ended up taking the S51 to Ronkonkoma for the LIRR. 

AH! So we must have missed each other. I went to Southampton and arrived around 10:15 via LIRR Montauk Branch. While passing through Babylon, I saw Orion #1070 on the 2 (Patchogue RR via Montauk Hwy)...I knew I wasn't crazy when I read your post about the 2 going to Amityville. Bus #1070 sat in the parking lot like an old S40 and went back east. Meanwhile in Patchogue I saw Orion #1059 on the 2. Have to admit, the new signage looks really good...especially on the Orions. The New Flyers...ABOUT DAMN TIME they put those signs to good use. I mean "S41 NRTHPRT"...really? However, not ALL buses had the new signage. Saw a couple with the old S92 signage and one with "Suffolk County Transit". 

From Southampton, I took the 92 (New Flyer #7005) to Riverhead and I love how they attached a note onto each sign...LOL! By the way, New Flyer #7032 was also on the 92, guess they are putting those buses to good use...former 8A buses (#7031-7033). When we got to the County Center, the driver was asked by someone who had a bike, "do any buses go to Tanger Outlets?" As the driver tried to explain to the customer to get the bus at Riverhead RR, the customer just gave up and remained at the County Center. Again, he has a bike. It's not that far by bike...maybe about 15-20 minutes. By the way, that County Center looked empty compared to when it use to be. As we left the County Center, the 92 doubles back to the traffic circle and no longer uses Center Drive North, which is puzzling because Peconic Av has traffic ALL day and evening. Once I got to Riverhead RR, I saw the "connection", which are WAY back at the other end of the block, near the corner of Railroad Av and Griffing Av. Saw Orion #1021 on the 66 signed Patchogue RR via Mastic Beach. Also I saw what YOU saw with that bus making the right turn off of Griffing Av and onto Railroad Av. Drivers must been confused because the 80 is supposed to be on Roanoke Av in BOTH directions. What this driver did, which I saw was travel along Osborn Av, made the left onto Court St, left onto Griffing Av and then right onto Railroad Av to stand. By the way, NO bus stopped at the bus stop in front of Riverhead RR Station, so look for a NEW bus stop to be placed there. Would not surprise me if they turn that area of Railroad Av into what I saw in Brentwood RR...like I said, we must have missed each other.

Heading back home via the LIRR Greenport/Ronkonkoma Branch, I saw New Flyer #7041 on the 52A at Ronkonkoma station...THAT will be my next adventure. Then I saw New Flyer #7029 on the 11 leaving Brentwood RR (looks like a NEW exit...didn't recognize that before) and while pulling into the station, I saw Orion #1008 on the 7 and Orion #1001 on the 5. Now THAT new terminal at Brentwood RR on the northside,..with NEW bus stop signage I like! That gets the buses out of the traffic on Brentwood Rd. Although at both Brentwood RR AND Riverhead RR, no sign of the 58. Will check that too as you can now get to Riverhead from Brentwood. Oh yeah I saw a New Flyer on the 6 on Wheeler Rd and Orion #1061 layover "Returning to the Yard" at Central Islip.

So it was an interesting day and I will be back out there to rides some of these NEW or updated routes.

3 hours ago, Gotham Bus Co. said:

 

Is there really enough through riding between the South and North Forks to justify keeping the 92 as a single route? Would it run better as two routes?

They have been discussing that for years. However, the ridership does not want a two-seat ride through Riverhead...and now with that traffic concerns on the south fork every morning, that could also be a concern.

On 10/24/2023 at 10:58 PM, checkmatechamp13 said:

A few updates from the page:

Unfortunately, due to a manufacturer vehicle recall, the new East Hampton on-demand zone will not be launching October 29th. Service on the 10B and 10C will continue according to existing schedules at this time. While we do not yet have an exact date for the launch of the new zone, announcements will be made as soon as more information is available. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to launch of new on-demand service soon. Please continue to check back to this website for more information.

Please Note: The 92 will operate on its Winter Schedule, effective October 29, 2023.

Service Note: Effective October 29, 2023, the northbound 92 scheduled to depart Bridgehampton LIRR at 8:00 AM will now depart East Hampton LIRR at 7:30 AM and Sag Harbor Main St at 7:46 AM, with continued service according to the regular schedule from Bridgehampton LIRR at 8:00 AM. The northbound 92 scheduled to depart East Hampton LIRR at 1:20 PM will terminate at Orient NYS 25/Main St at 4:15 PM, and the northbound 92 scheduled to depart Bridgehampton at 2:15 PM will terminate at Orient NYS25/Main St at 4:45 PM

Didn't know that the 92 serves Bridgehampton LIRR directly. The station itself is about 5-10 minutes north of Montauk Hwy and it's a VERY  tight turn-around for the 40 ft bus especially if the turn-around (parking lot) is full.

1 hour ago, Sylveon said:

563 Jackie Gleason to College Point 

Really? That bus was spotted at Jackie Gleason...NYCT Depot? Or do you mean Spring Creek...MTA Bus Depot?

On 10/14/2023 at 8:20 PM, Calvin said:

MTA Bus LFS: 

* 8964-9009 (Baisley Park: 46)

* 9010-9145 (JFK: 136 for now)

* 9146-9245 (100 expected for LGA) and 9246-9271 (26 other units TBD)

 

MTA Bus XD-40: 
9272-9353 (LGA: 40 excepted) + (JFK: 42 expected)

9354-9387 (ECH: upcoming 34 read from the reply yesterday via moderator)  

As of right now (of course subject to change) LaGuardia is expected to get 83 and JFK/Far Rockaway is expected to get 153.

21 hours ago, RSMG106 said:

9355: Delivered to Eastchester. 

This officially starts the delivery of the 2023 Bus Co. XD40s.

A little behind schedule but yes...the end of those NGs will begin.

13 hours ago, LexAveExp5 said:

https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/jamaica-bus-terminal-relocation-delayed/article_bd990e95-0426-5f75-8273-35298efd00be.html

...and no surprise here. 

On 10/6/2023 at 5:49 PM, Mtatransit said:

Some thoughts on the new schedule

SC Clipper: There has to be something wrong with this schedule. There are no return PM trips back to Farmingville

S1: On weekday it looks like there will actually be a service cut. Currently it is every 15 minutes during the peaks, that will be cut to every 30 minutes to make the pulse

S66: I wonder if they really need to go to Riverhead Peconic Center. They could've saved a bus if they didn't go out that way, and force people to transfer at the LIRR station to the S80

That being said, seems like they moved the connections from Riverhead County Center to Riverhead LIRR Station

With the exception of a restroom area, that's a better location compared to the County Center. You have a place to get food, snacks and drinks. There's a library across the street for the restroom but it closes after 5 pm. I think it's a better area.

On 10/6/2023 at 10:26 PM, BM5 via Woodhaven said:

Sounds like they want people to just stay at their workplace and keep working (*shrugs*). Live to work. 

Also, less money spend on running the damn thing in the PM. A win-win for SCT and employers . 

Looking at the S66, it basically goes up to Peconic Bay and then again to Riverhead, then terminating there and laying over. On weekends in particular the layover seems hefty, at 59 minutes. So headed south from the Hospital, you'd have to wait almost another hour? IDK if that's actually how it is or if it was a mistake on their part, but either way, I don't have a problem with the S66 going up there. If anything, it's that ridiculous S80 that needs to kick rocks. You could save a bus that way.

The only thing I can think why the 66 would loop back and "end" at Riverhead LIRR is because there's no layover spot for a termination at Peconic Bay. THey could loop through the parking lot across the street on Roanoke Av BUT that would be wrong...right? 

Also, that 80 route is needed because that John Wesley Village depends on the service IIRC. Maybe by having a "circulator" is a way to make some kind of money...just should have use it for DOWNTOWN purposes instead of relying on the 92. By the way, using Roanoke Av is the first time ANY route has used that part of Roanoke Av...now hopefully people would actually use it. There is a couple of doctor offices and a church on that street.

That S80 bus I would use to operate a modified version of the 10C, because good luck with that microtransit zone out east. The Downtowns/centers of East Hampton and Montauk alone are not as close as they look on a map, especially during the summers.

The REAL test will be the Summer of 2024 for both East Hampton and Montauk Villages.

I still think they dropped the ball with this redesign in many ways, the inconsistency with who and what areas get coverage to me is one of the more infuriating parts. The way they go back on stuff that they promised /initially  mentioned are another. Saturday service was initially supposed to go til 10 PM and now they say 9 PM. On top of that, many routes have their last trips much earlier than that (the S92 is an extreme example of that....SMH). Also, apparently timed connections are not guaranteed with all routes at the timed transfer points, based on the legend info on the timetable map.

The SUMMER schedule for the 92 is going to be interesting. A lot of businesses in Southampton Village, Water Mill and Bridgehampton COULD benefit...especially their employees. Also, I like the hours AND I would definitely use it to travel to Riverhead (from Shinnecock Hills) to catch the LAST LIRR to Ronkonkoma...the 9:42 PM

Speaking about the S92, you would think that given the S58 has its last trips at 10 PM from Riverhead, you would at least try to have S92 buses meet the S58 bus out there in Riverhead, but nope.

That's one of the few bright spots with this plan. Hated having to go through Riverhead every time because if you missed a bus or had to wait it out, you'd be stuck with some of the other characters waiting out there too.

Not to say that they would disappear at all once the transfer point is moved to the LIRR station, but at least you're no longer stuck with them in the middle of nowhere in particular.

The area around the Riverhead LIRR Station is rather interesting in itself.

34 minutes ago, Calvin said:

3508: JFK retired from service.

A cone is placed in the middle of the unit as it’s being removed at this time with the Next Gens from BP that’s close to it, 4625. 

That's one of the few that has the 2004-2005 destination signs similar to 6490-6689. I think #3502 and #3512 are others.

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12 hours ago, Fire Mountain said:

Random thought: So I take the Q27 a lot (I’m actually on one right now as I type this), and I notice how the 27’s stay super frequent, so here’s my question? Who else thinks the 27 should just start running on articulated buses? I always see the 27’s bunched up during the day and not all of the time is it due to traffic.  It would be dope if they have the 27 start doing so once this redesign happens. If it stays in CP (which I hope it doesn’t), it could also help cause the 65s themselves always be crowded along CP Boulevard no matter the time of day 

Would say the same for the 17, but the only time that bus is crowded is between Main St and 188th and 30-40% of the time it be the kids getting out of school…

11 hours ago, xD4nn said:

The Q27 in its current form cannot be articulated because Queens Village Depot doesn't have the space for articulated buses.

...and the fact that it wouldn't fair well at Queensborough Community College bus loop.

6 hours ago, checkmatechamp13 said:

Wikipedia is updated by anyone, usually us transit fans not by the agency itself. But yes, unfortunately it will be a delayed start to the new system.

I'm aware of that. I was just saying in general...and according to customer service at Suffolk Transit, it COULD be the end of October when the new system kicks off.

On 9/23/2023 at 1:05 PM, BM5 via Woodhaven said:

Well we don't know for sure. However if they're scattered across the system on many routes like the 2A/2B, 6A, 7A, 7B, S20, S25, S29, S42, S56, S57, S59, S68 (with even some appearances on routes like the S58), expect their successors to also use them, and some more. Those buses are gonna have to be used somewhere if the routes they're currently used on get cut. 

The lack of communication from SCT's part should be evident that it wasn't gonna happen. They don't have anything up besides the map, which shows many different route paths / deviations than what was on their final plan. 

This would also explain wikipedia not updating their page on Suffolk Transit. Like the MTA bus pages, they displayed the REDESIGN routes for the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn...even Express.  All they did was mention that Suffolk Transit redesign will take place on October 1st. So I agree, something wasn't right with the communication on their website.

On 9/16/2023 at 3:04 AM, kingal11234 said:

Why is there no bus between lower Manhattan and  Red Hook Brooklyn via the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel?

On 9/17/2023 at 5:19 AM, kingal11234 said:

 I don't understand why there would not be a demand for this. It would give Red Hook residents a one seat ride to Lower Manhattan. There riders could travel to lower Manhattan in 15 minutes or less Plus you could have a bus traveling from Park Slope to South Ferry that would run down 9th street to City Hall via the Brooklyn Battery tunnel. The service could begin at Prospect Park West, travel from 9th st  to Hamilton Avenue and there the bus would travel under the BBT and terminate at City Hall. Currently  Red Hook has to rely on the very slow B57 and B61 buses to travel to downtown Brooklyn before they cant transfer to a train.

The demand may not be there because some people would prefer to use the subway (F,G - Smith-9th St and/or 4th-9th St) in that general area. As a conductor, telling people to take a bus instead of a subway...people look at me if I'm insulting them. So therefore the demand may not be there.

However, about a decade ago...maybe a bit longer, there was a proposal to extend the former B71 AND B77 to Lower Manhattan (most likely Whitehall St-South Ferry to connect with the 1, R and W along with other bus routes) via the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. This was when Whitehall St-South Ferry terminal was going through a makeover in anticipation of the M15 +SELECT BUS SERVICE+ ending at a NEW terminal IIFC....and the M15 local staying put.

16 hours ago, Ultimategamer12c said:

7852 from FP is at GH Depot.

9559 from GA is at GH Depot. 

(Possible Loans)

13 hours ago, josephnyy42 said:

Saw both of them on the Bx38 as I was pulling out the depot

12 hours ago, Ultimategamer12c said:

8486 and 8499 from QV to GH Depot.

7 hours ago, josephnyy42 said:

8154 from Charleston is currently at my depot, Gun Hill

33 minutes ago, xD4nn said:

8150 Charleston, 8198 Yukon, 4656-4657 Casey Stengel to Gun Hill

14 minutes ago, RSMG106 said:

8200: Yukon to Gun Hill. 

I would guess that these are ALL loans due to either a shortage OR maintenance on other Gun Hill buses...especially since that #4656-4657 are at Gun Hill.

On 9/11/2023 at 11:38 PM, RSMG106 said:

3667: John F. Kennedy, retired.

Was brought to my attention that this bus is still active as of September 18th. 

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On 9/6/2023 at 10:54 AM, xD4nn said:

Do you know the full allotment?

On 9/6/2023 at 8:30 AM, xD4nn said:

I would assume a 10-10 split of the 20 left over.

As of right now...again subject to change...Kingsbridge  and Charleston (12). Again, that can change. If that holds up for Charleston, I think the S55 and S56 will go quiet. ;-) 

5 hours ago, RSMG106 said:

4965 and 4966 now have Quill stickers. This means that not only will Quill may start testing these buses for revenue service soon, but 4965-4976 may be the assigned numbers for the 12 buses at Quill (Subject to change).

As of right now...of course subject to change...Quill is suppose to receive 10 buses. East New York (14) and Grand Av (16) appear to be the big winners. Again, subject to change.

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5 hours ago, Transit Enthusiast said:

BREAKING NEWS:

 

Starting 9/24/2023, the Bx18A/B, M116, B60, Q4 and S46/96 Limited will become pilot FARE FREE routes. This is expected to last until 3/30/2024.

Your thoughts?

Bx18 A/B...by promoting this route and creating an "A/B" version...doesn't surprise me.

M116...ok?

B60...like I said before, this route has been free for years...especially on the Canarsie side from Rockaway Pkwy to Canarsie.

Q4...so that means Q4, Q5, Q84 and Q85 are free. Very dangerous having a "corridor" route as a free route.

S46/S96...eh

6 hours ago, Novabus 5000 said:

Not true. The MTA posted photos today of it still at UP. 

Is it at the Ulmer Park when you posted it? I ask because the link I posted AND confirmed by Eyewitness News at 11 that same reporter was at Eastchester. I can tell by the car passing by (which was kind of high if it was at Ulmer Park) AND that giant...tall billboard (which was shown during the 11 PM newscast) above the bus itself with other buses. Just saying based on the news report...BUT if I'm wrong, then I'm wrong. No worries.