Bill from Maspeth

On 9/30/2023 at 12:55 AM, Travis Mcnonald said:

Dispite being over 15 years old, I'm surpised none of #3500-3783 ever transferred over to NYCTA like many of BC's Orion V CNGs did (and even MCI D4500CLs).

Because NYCT (MABSTOA) retired theirs long ago.  They didn't need them as they had plenty of NG's.  If they needed buses they would have just transferred fewer to MTA Bus and/or retired fewer.

On 9/30/2023 at 1:06 AM, Missabassie said:

That's a Kawasaki problem recently, the 160s are the same way. Train crew could crank up the volume, but the audio is worse for it (I've experienced this personally). They need better suppliers. Probably same with the FINDs, everything's built on the cheap nowadays it seems. Just the world we live in.....

IMO the problem may get buried under the rug once air conditioning becomes less of a need, then next year the problem may magnify big time when we have lots more R211's on the road.  PA's, when a/c is not working to the max, becomes much more audible.

On 9/11/2023 at 7:37 AM, darkstar8983 said:

Why do the  shuttles relay west of Lexington Av-63 St, instead of just turn around right there? I thought the track just past Lex-63 St was out of service, hence the  only having one track at 57 St/6 Av to turn equipment around and the garbage headways during rush hours.

and if the Broadway crossover to the 63 St shuttle is still open, why isn’t the  shuffle being operated with R46s, so that way the ENY R160s can just stay in ENY

The track is signaled in both directions.  The train makes that move so it can get behind a homeball so the direction of traffic can be changed by the tower.  

R160's are much more dependable than the R46's.  Plus, ENY cars are available because of the M line being shortened.

4 hours ago, BrooklynBus said:

It also makes sense because the MTA sabatoged the B51 when it first began. They never wanted it to succeed and always tried to get rid of it. It was suggested from the community who wanted it to run from Grand Army Plaza to City Hall, but the MTA refused stating there were subways under Flatbush Avenue and insisted it go from only Tilllary St to City Hall. 

They are sabotaging the B39 right now.  One bus on the road, 30 minute SCHEDULED headway which can't be maintained due to always being traffic on the WIllyB and Delancey St.  Scheduled trips are regularly missed.  

18 hours ago, VIP said:

There were talks of salvaging an AA pair for the TA Museum and for “museum runs” so that they can pair them with the R44

R44's and R46's, which look the same, are not compatible.   Right off the bat: brake pipe air.

On 9/4/2023 at 9:20 PM, Calvin said:

In the subway system, they cannot use the entire fleet in service during weekends. There's mostly about 8 R179s running on the Apple but, the other 2 trains (from the total of 10 during weekdays): can be laid up at either Pitkin or at Rockaway Park. 

(10 trains at most weekdays -> Weekend service: 8 trains active).  weekend service calls for 24 trains total in-reference so, at least 2 R211s are active. 

They also layup trains on the middle track between 111 and Liberty Jct. Tower.  At least 2 of them stay in place all weekend.

20 hours ago, VIP said:

More R68/68A’s to be assigned to the  

Which means more R46's on the N/W.

On 9/5/2023 at 2:18 PM, trainfan22 said:

I just seen an NIS R179 come though 71st - Forest Hills on the express track heading towards Jamaica Yard..

School car perhaps?  CBTC testing perhaps?  

Posters: since it is extremely hot outside, logic tells you there are air conditioning failure throughout the boros.  Therefore, loans may be necessary to provide full service.  And tomorrow is the first day of "schools open" schedule".

20 hours ago, Vulturious said:

https://nypost.com/2023/08/27/nyc-subway-motorcyclist-gets-upset-with-riders-who-ask-him-to-move/

 

NTCT's response was a joke by saying that no gasoline powered vehicles are allowed on the system.  So then battery powered bikes are allowed?  They still block the aisles no matter what the power source.  I wonder what line this was on?

On 8/28/2023 at 7:59 AM, Ale188 said:

Now I'm starting to think 1 211A train will hit service every two weeks. I think that's the MTA plan because. on 8/3, the 3rd set hit service and two weeks later, on 8/17, the 4th one hut service. So on Thursday, the 5th set might be in service. I think this is kind of a coincidence.

IIRC, NYC Transit claims that 2 additional R211 trains will hit service each month.

On 8/27/2023 at 10:00 PM, subwaycommuter1983 said:

BRT doesn't work in NYC. More subway lines (including extensions) are needed in the outer boroughs. Light rail can also work in the outer boroughs, especially in the Bronx, which has a lot of transit deserts.

Ordering all option orders of r211's will not only fix the subway car shortage on the B division, but it will potentially allow some lines to be extended and more service can be added on some lines.

4th Avenue needs more weekday local service, which can be achieved by extending either the W, the J or the Z. Also, CPW needs more weekend local service, which can be achieved by running the B during the weekends. Also, QBL needs more weekend local service, which can be achieved by extending the G to Forest Hills. These enhancements can be done once all r211's are in service.

And when the system is officially in the state of good repair; all lines are CBTC; and these big, service altering weekend GO's are finished.

On 8/27/2023 at 8:13 PM, subwaycommuter1983 said:

75 cars is not a lot of cars, so there's no need for another yard in SI, unless the MTA decides to fullfill Gov. Hochul's wish of building a tunnel under the Verrazano Bridge to extend the R train.

IMO the MTA should seriously consider at least building a couple of light rail lines in SI.

SIR and buses don't do justice to Staten Islanders and crossing the Verrazano is ridiculously expensive.

 

Whenever I hear about the "wish list" about extending the R to Staten Island, my selfishness as a (retired) transit employee comes into play.

Can the crews imagine the scheduled running time of a train from Continental to possible Tottenville? First, southbound service reliability would be horrid by the time it got to the new tunnel, and the length of the line would mean only rookies would work it, unless you lived in Staten Island for traveling to work purposes.  And they wouldn't get away with 1 round trip a day either.  Definitely 2, as is the case now.  And don't make me relay at CTL either!

On 8/27/2023 at 3:48 PM, B35 via Church said:

Exactly.... The notion of an uncovered trip has squat to do with whether a passenger has to sit or stand.

I was not refering to an uncovered trip

On 8/27/2023 at 1:58 PM, BrooklynBus said:

I don’t know why you say that. When I think of scheduled runs not covered, I think of waiting 40 minutes for a bus instead of the scheduled 20 minutes, as often happens with the B1. 

Naturally I was referring to scheduled service or breakdown.  Transit is still having trouble covering scheduled service, both on the bus and subway side for 2 reasons: they are not hiring people off the civil service list quick enough; and when the applicant finds out what the job entails, they make a hasty exit during training.  

1 hour ago, Gotham Bus Co. said:

 

Is that with all scheduled service covered? Or are there open runs on both routes?

When I hear comments like this I ask, "Are they complaining that they have to let a bus pass by because they can't fit on it or are they complaining they have to stand".  Just like the subways, you are paying for a ride and not necessarily a seat!

On 8/25/2023 at 11:25 AM, Nitro said:

Oh they do. Clifton Yard can't even house most of the cars for the 44s if they need maintenance anyways and they would not be able to because they have to get their shit trucked to Coney Island for maintenance that Clifton can't even perform like an overhaul. That only causes more issues that the system currently has, Hence this is why the SIR has to deal with car shortages unlike the rest of the New York City Subway because of what the MTA has devolved into and the fact that they can't get their shit together.

SIR having more than one yard to house 75 R211's in the near future would be complete a waste of money.  We do not have that ratio of cars to barns in the other 4 boros do we?  Routine maintenance of the R44's is easily handled at Clifton Shop.  At this point, I doubt if they'll send any R44's to CIYD for major work.  They'll just scrap the car and use the good parts to keep the other cars going.  It would be a complete waste of money to do otherwise.  

P.S. & Edit:  After I wrote the above, I noticed the additional nonsense he posted and that he is now banned.  I just hope he doesn't come back using a new handle.   

12 hours ago, darkstar8983 said:

Maybe it’s just to make sure 207 St knows which cars are legitimately 207 St cars and not ENY cars and not need to focus on remembering that 3050-3145 are ENY R179s, but I would have just preferred full R179s for the  and no R46s (maybe 1-2 R46s switching between the  and  between rush hours)

4 hours ago, MJHmarc said:

I was talking a guess ENY had the same thought since the 160’s that are used for the M are marked off due to CBTC use. 

Where which cars belong to a given yard is in the internal computer system.

1 hour ago, Chris89292 said:

Are we getting one set in service per month or 2?

The GOAL is to get 2 trainsets per month..............but there are no guarantees.

14 hours ago, RedLine said:

It was never delivered last month

When you are responding to someone else's post, please click onto "quote" first, then make your post underneath it so we know what you are referring to.

Thanks so much!

2 hours ago, Trainmaster5 said:

With all the clamor about fleet expansion perhaps someone should explain where the new cars are going to be stored. I’m not familiar with the area leading to 179 st but aren’t some trains laid up on the tracks between stations ? It seems to be an invitation to the perps, IMO. Carry on.

Yes, they are stored underground, lots of them on the Queens IND.  No room in Jamaica Yard.  The story I have is that they can't expand it because the ground can't support the weight of the cars.  The nearby Grand Central Pky. was built on landfill.

1 hour ago, subwaycommuter1983 said:

There needs to be more vigilance in subway yards. It is a huge safety hazard for someone to trespass a subway yard for whatever reason. God forbid someone could very easily trespass a subway yard to put bombs on trains.

The MTA and NYPD need to stop this before it's too late.

This is why there should have never been a merger between the Transit Police Force and NYPD, as the latter does not enter subway tracks with power on, unless of course (as we have seen) a life is on the line.  Even then they don't climb over live third rails.  Please don't kill the messenger here! 

14 hours ago, Chris89292 said:

Great, now these trains will be delayed for another 5 months for wrap repairs 🤦‍♂️ what’s with people tagging trains, can’t they have anything better to do, there should be an FBI investigation and arrest the person for damage of private property and trespassing 

You are clearly exaggerating!  It will not take 5 months to make wrap repairs.  Once the material arrives, repairs will take a few HOURS!

The FBI does deal with damage to private property damage and trespassing.  They have bigger fish to fry.

SHEESH!

On 7/15/2023 at 11:08 AM, Ale188 said:

Yeah, they are. I like the 179s too. All those dumbass kids still thinkin they’re lemons till this day. When I was in NY last month at west 4th I heard a couple kids complaining that they had to ride the 179 cuz they’re lemons. They ain’t lemons anymore. Y’all know why used to be lemons? 68s. Even 46s. But those guys proved that that can be reliable in their time. The 179s also proved that they are very reliable in less than 3 years after they got taken OOS. Tbh, all new techs are good to me. Especially them 188s. (Im not trying to argue with you, I said that I agreed) (Idk why I’m doing this next part but…) If I had to rank all the different rolling stocks in the system in my opinion, it might look like this:

SMEEs: All beautiful on the outside, but haven’t ridden any yet, 9/10

142/As: like the red stripes on all the A-cars, also like how their the first trains that kinda bring paint back to the system, 8/10

143s: Alright, but only serve one or two lines, 7/10

160s: Good god, I’m not talkin about those, 10/10

179s: Great, proved to us that they’re reliable, just like every rolling stock at their time, 10/10

188s: GODLY, 10000/10

211s: Haven’t seen one but they do look good. They do waste a lot of dwell time though, 8/10

Okay, back on topic

Before you posted here and when the R179's got taken out of service following the pull apart at a link bar, I said NYCT and the vendor would get those cars running again and not only that, they would become quite dependable.  I was disagreed with by many.  Well, I was right, but all my detractors have remained silent to this day!  As you say, they are no longer lemons.

I am surprised that you said you haven't ridden any SMEES yet.  There is a misconception that SMEES's are only R10 to R42.  But we still have SMEES: R62/62A/68/68A.  I respectfully disagree with you about the R160.  They are my personal favorite out of all the New Techs.

1 hour ago, mikecintel said:

Yes I know.  I am not happy that they will discontinue my route and make it "rush hour" only which is ridiculous.   I understand your concern but I got this from another group joined that is how I know.  I don't know which routes but we will find out when the MTA posts the final draft which will be coming soon and we have the public engagement I think you should join the meeting and make your voice heard.  On the first public engagement did you voice your concern?

I personally spoke to one of the planners in front of Maspeth Savings Bank when they had an official presentation.  The man listened and took notes.