Kriston Lewis

The only way you could really reduce the number of stops for people further out is to split up the service. Create a new peak service, let's call it the BM7 (3+4, get it) and run it between Avenue J & Ocean Avenue and Downtown/Midtown following the current 3/4 alignment. The BM1-4 could then run non-stop to Manhattan after their solo segments. This way, you don't lose the ridership from northern points.

Yes. The free transfer walkway and elevator shafts are being constructed now. There will be a new walkway above the Canarsie Line that links to the IRT. The existing out of system overpass will not be modified.

I haven’t had a chance to get over to Culver or Fulton this weekend. Anyone have notes on ridership? Seems like Twitter is a flutter with the to Stillwell Avenue. I do remember when I lived on Fulton Street, the was very popular and carried people on both ends of Jay Street, though I guess since it’s staying on Eighth Avenue that’s moot.

The DOB (Department of Buildings, not Buses) ordered the building vacated. There might be a danger of the building collapsing partially (or worse) if the bus is moved. If you remember a guy aggressively flagging you down at 34th Street last Wednesday, then that was me.

I took the B99 from the city after the subways went back to 24 hour service and it was a pretty fast trip. Shame it’s going away, it was better than spending for a Lyft. We picked up a few others who didn’t want any part of the subway at that hour.

Do you mean the ones (51xx-52xx) with the TwinVision signs? I loved those! Too bad they always broke.

Here’s our answer.

No decisions yet...

The stop list for the Q98 and the B98 are at the end of this press release from the governor’s office.

In the Command days this was advertised to the public, anyone can take a bus between Downtown and Midtown on a local fare. That obviously stopped after the takeover. In most cases, I’ve seen B/O refuse those who want to take the BMs this way in this day and age. But, you can still transfer between them heading southbound so long as you explain your situation and ask the operator nicely. After the Staten Island redesign, those customers were refused by operators after they were told that they can transfer to the uptown BM expresses and vice versa.

That is correct, it is the IND Second Avenue Line according to emergency exit signage. I think the radio change happens at Lexington Av-63 St.

So it looks at if there are extra B68 trips running between Neptune Av/Brighton Beach station and what I assume is the Ditmas Av station on the weekends to replace train service. I have counted at least four buses make the right from Cortelyou Road onto CIA. Either that or I’ve had too many drinks.

Seems they're going to keep that going on the new site. I hope eventually they'll do something similar to the CTA where there's a detailed page or info for each stop. Like where to find a staffed token booth for example.

The MTA has been updating the list of stops for each line that they have on their website.

There are new programs. The B103 northbound now reads “CADMAN PLAZA” instead of “TILLARY ST” and the B1 apparently lost “via 86 ST”.

Not bad for a line they launched with pretty much no promotion or notice.

A BM3 just rolled by on the way to Manhattan, service is actually running.

Sounds like local recycle.

Read that last paragraph.

New timetables for the B91/92, M14, the and the have been uploaded to the MTA site, but for some reason the and timetables haven’t been updated.

The reason I suggested going via the East Village is that it keeps all the current stops in Downtown and Midtown. Uptown buses would follow the M15 from Pearl Street up to 23rd Street and then the old route to 57th Street. Downtown, follow the the M15 from 23rd Street to Pearl Street. Rush hours, the current Downtown Loop buses would be extended to Madison Square Park and the midtown super expresses would continue to use the FDR Drive directly to and from 23rd Street. Sending them via Church Street/Broadway is good too.

I’ve thought about that too. Seasonal BxM8 off peak service to City Island would also be a hit. In the past, Command allowed travel between Midtown and Downtown at a reduced fare in order to fill seats. That practice ended with the MTA takeover. Problems with express service have nothing to do with closed-door service or different equipment. Other cities with express service have similar setups. The issue is that the buses may not be useful outside rush hours which make them empty, unproductive and expensive to run. They might be good for going to work, but what about weekend shopping? Museum visits? Dining? Bars? Nightlife? Beaches? The Bronx expresses get it right in this department and they carry because of this. They’re popular because you can take them to work, but also to a museum, the park, bars, the zoo and almost everything else mentioned above. The opposite end of this are the BMs. I love taking them, but even I can admit it can be better. Peak ridership is strong, but apart from some Fifth Avenue shopping, there isn’t much of a reason to take them off peak. There’s a small but dedicated core ridership who take them because they do not want to or cannot take the subway. Maybe running off-peak service through the East Village along First and Second Avenues instead of the FDR Drive would entice people to use the service for non work trips. Plus, it would be a new market for express bus service. Heck, follow the X27/28 via Sixth Avenue and you’d still hit NYU, Union Square and nightlife activity. Case in point, whenever the is suspended, everyone and their mother in Flatbush and Midwood mobs the express bus. The hoards of young professionals moving in are up for paying more to get around. They’re willing to take the bus if it goes where they want it to conveniently. Solve that and ridership will go up.

I’m on the BM3 heading into the city. We just left Ocean Parkway and it looks like rush hour on this bus, we’re 85% full. I take it everyone else is avoiding the Q shuttle.

I watched some leaked footage and found that: *There are wayside signals along the railroad tracks. *The transit agency is called Los Santos Transit, and the agency's tagline is "Catch The Arrow". No idea what joke Rockstar is making there. *Buses have actual passengers, I've yet to confirm if you can use them as a passenger. *And yes, you will love the train sounds. *There is at least one closed light rail station (Pillbox North). Perhaps. A fare was charged whenever you took the Liberty City Subway.

I would expect them to knock off the remaining R46s on the and . I don't see either the or getting anything new. We're likely getting R46s, then R68s (R211s sent to the ( and ). If we do get R160s, it's because they're headed for the scrap heap.