SoSpectacular

The new building is on a street that has metered parking but I still would not recommend driving there as it is still in the proximity of Fulton Mall/Downtown area

No contract concerning how long you have to stay with the agency, only a matter of getting through the probationary period. Being under TA will allow you to work in Brooklyn, Queens and SI. You can also choose to drive in the OA depots (Manhattan and Bronx). Choosing to work in Queens or SI is a permanent deal UNLESS you are forced to work in either of the two in order to cover certain needs. You are allowed one transfer out.

Politics. That's all it is. Private companies are free to do as they wish, since they manage their own money, but don't get much or any outside funding like a public service would. Once taxpayer dollars get thrown into the mix it's a squabble over what to do with it, how it should be spent and who it should go to.

Keep in mind that almost all (if not all) public transport in New York City was operated by private agencies/corporations that over time, found themselves increasingly unable to continue operations due to funding/money issues and the city slowly gained control of these operations. The MTA was created in the 1950s by the state to consolidate these operations under one umbrella. The Queens companies just managed to survive throughout the decades.

Just a force of habit when parking up somewhere, or when making road reliefs we have them on

The private lines were managed by several companies under the supervision of NYCDOT. They were hit or miss depending on who was handling what. Queens Surface, Triboro Coach, Jamaica Buses and Green Lines were all in Queens, Brooklyn had Command and Manhattan/Bronx had New York Bus Service and Liberty Lines. They were all once separate but most of them were eventually controlled by larger private entities. To be honest, Green Lines, Triboro and Jamaica had some of the most raggedy-looking buses growing up. Queens Surface and Command were pretty good with their maintenance. Never spent much time in Manhattan and Bronx as a kid but NYBS and Liberty Lines' equipment also looked pretty decent to me.

As in, on the street?

We're supposed to have on our 4-way flashers when on the depot grounds. They're also to be used when there is a ramp line for fueling as we have to wait on the street.

Best buses I've driven so far were the LFS. Very smooth. The C40s are a good second.

They weren't fun buses to drive. Drove one at Zerega once, and oh boy I finally got what some more senior operators said about them.

You can also find the official route instructions through the MTA intranet if you have set up your Insight/BSC account.

Speaking of that, the B35 can pull in or out to either end of the line (I hate having to do that on a paddle because the trek down Linden/Caton is a slog unless its late night) so it's very wise to wait until that sign changes. Most guys who are pulling in will make that right at Mother Gaston and go straight to Linden but then there are those who take a quick personal to use the bathroom somewhere and then leave. Then you got those who are late, take the personal and get put in place right after. It can go either way. Sidenote: I also think that short sign for the locals is pretty stupid. They could have had it say KENSINGTON-McDONALD AV or something at least...

Some routes can end at any terminal. Probably was not the next bus on the schedule and that operator was done for the night...

I saw that video and couldn't believe it- how the hell did they even manage that??

"Clean fuel" refers to the fact that the emissions produced by the vehicle are filtered to a very high standard through the use of certain technologies such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). They are pretty much required nowadays because of regulations.

Thought that bus was written off some time ago...

Queens is running reduced weekday schedules (along with the rest of the boroughs EXCEPT Staten Island, they are running on weekday school closed schedules), don't expect to see much limited service, if at all. These schedules are generally used on certain days where schools are closed and ridership is expected to be lower than a typical weekday with no school. The reduced weekday schedules are used on MLK Day, Columbus/Indigenous Peoples' Day, Black Friday, and during the Christmas/winter recess from December 26-31. All other federal holidays get either Sunday or Saturday schedule

When I started the timeslots for the 7 day training were 06:00-14:00, 07:00-15:00 or 10:00-18:00. For line training you are paired with a senior operator who does the specified route you are learning for that day, every day for as many routes the depot you pick into or are assigned has. That also means you will be seeing morning work a lot during line training. I've done runs that started at 3-4 in the morning and have finished as late as 9pm. You can not hold a second job. You fill out a form for a request for outside employment on the first day and they'll automatically reject it. You are also advised not to quit your current job until after you pass the initial training and qualification. Getting through the probation period isn't difficult so long as you apply the principles you learn in training. You will be seeing late work mainly upon graduation but you may see early work here or there.

So long as you get the permit BEFORE final processing you should be good, you're not gonna need it for pre-employment if that's what you mean. If anything they will tell you to come back once you do get it.

Somebody at Transit dropped the ball when it came to background checks...

It also does not help that he put one of the most unqualified people in charge of the DOT. Not a single bit of background in transportation infrastructure. LOL

The previous bus lane idea didn't work out so they're going full-on "f**k cars" and making it two-way for buses only while making everyone else take it westbound. At least it'll be easier for me next time I'm on the B67 to get around it...

Extremely common, especially if the operator has blown their entire meal break. We are still required to take a break either way and be placed accordingly when starting back up. Other times the bus is extremely late and was turned short from the other direction to make service going the other way. Dispatch/road operations may or may not send the next bus out a little early to compensate for the missing bus in the schedule. That's when they'll call us and say "Go Not in Service to [whatever stop/timepoint on the schedule]". Depending on traffic conditions (and how many riders are on board), you may or may not make up the time. Happened to me a few times on the B43 when I got my bus late from another driver who needed to be relieved...

That's part of the reason why there's been a push to return MTA to city control... But it's been so long since the state took over that I don't think it ever will happen.

Like anything that gets proposed in NYC nowadays, I don't expect anything to go as planned when it gets implemented. There is always going to be some form of abuse somewhere, there's is always going to be some f**kery somewhere. It is what it is at this point...