QM1to6Ave

I am LIVID about this QM1 proposal BS...correct me if I'm wrong, but my reading tells me that Union Turnpike would only have service from Manhattan until 7 pm all 7 days per week?? Are you kidding me?? The 8:10 QM5 I regularly take is PACKED, and the vast majority of customers get off before 188th street. And don't get me started on the 60-90 minute headways at all times. Meanwhile, the service east of 188th street stays mostly the same in terms of times service span. Why don't they just have those buses also stop on Union Tpke after 7 pm, like they do now? In other words, if they want to split service east vs. west of 188th street, fine, but only do that during peak hours if it means screwing over everyone west of 188th street off peak and on weekends. It seems like they are getting ready to ax half of the EXP B/Os based on the amount of cuts that are coming When is this horror show set to be implemented? I will sure as h*ll be writing in complaints and attending the zoom meetings about this

Interesting, thanks!

Ha! Yeah, I'm quite familiar with that experience When I read that, I assumed they meant that they were also adding in some sort of antenna/signal booster in the tunnels for wifi access in the tunnels. Otherwise, I agree, it's not especially useful to have wifi on the train.

I've had bosses at some companies that insisted on only hiring externally for high-up positions, to get out-of-the-box thinking. In my experience, those people usually flamed out because they didn't adapt to the company culture. I think it's much smarter to have a leadership track internally to bring people up from the beginning so they are ready to lead while also knowing the company culture.

I was just reading that the R211s will have wifi installed; is that correct? THat could be a real game changer to allow for calling over wifi for emergencies, etc. ANd being able to check your email

A repair completed quickly, for once!

Very impressive! Good work! (I always wonder if the B/Os that do those 5 am runs do overnight runs and like to finish their day at like 6:30 am, or if they are very early risers lol)

Could've potentially been a physical/mechanical issue with the train unrelated to the CBTC components, right?

I actually just saw this story on my phone's suggested news stories, and I had a feeling you were going to be quoted in it! Great job, totally agree with your points, and the MTA's line about "needing to do more research" sounds like BS...just make it equivalent price-wise to the 7-day EXP bus pass!

That's even more hilarious, because the ones on 34th Street for the M34 SBS also list the BMs that stop on 34th street. What a bunch of idiots.

Yup, that's exactly what I mean., the SBS countdown clock. That's funny, last time DOT told me it's not their purview LOL. I'll get you some photos, but yeah, I figured those countdown clocks are low on the totem pole.

That's so funny! Meanwhile, I've noticed that all of those freestanding bus clocks on First Ave in the city for the M15 and M15 SBS have all been stuck on the same screen since the clock change. It's so ridiculous because it tricks you into thinking it is accurate until you realize it never changes. Last time I tried to report a broken one, DOT said it was MTA's responsibility and MTA said it was DOT.

HA! Don;t get me wrong, I really like the current MCIs, I just liked the classics because, if I remember correctly, it wasn't quite a high to step onto the bus since it didn't have the luggage compartments (which are such a waste of space). I can't actually remember if they had personal reading lamps like the new MCIs. I also liked the seats they had on the QUeens Surface Classics

The Classics were always my favorite to ride on the PBL EXP lines. I think the ride was better than the current MCIs and Prevosts

Filed two more complaints...this is occurring on every single bus I take, it is insane as the buses are more full than they have been in the last 2 years. So, there is a now a nice paper trail for you to point to when you follow up with MTA and CP management. I'll keep filing...

Will do...it really is crazy when I take a CS or QV bus how shocked I am that the B/Os kneel the bus without having to ask, actually say "you're welcome" when you thank them, and don't look irritated to be around human beings all the time. These CP EXP runs are relatively cushy compared to the rough local routes out there so there's no excuse for nonsense.

Filed another complaint about the QM5 BO this afternoon who blocked a row of seats with his being belongings. I'll keep doing this all week if needed

Absolutely. I will be filing a report for the same BS this morning on the QM1 (a different one from the one I was taking last week), and will reference that you/the advocacy group specifically will be following up with the MTA about this issue lol I haven't had to take a 6th ave bus past 42nd street in a while, so I am not sure about that issue. But when I have gone to 42nd, it has not been an issue Update: I filed the complaint

That's assuming they can get their act together to recruit more advertisers LOL. I miss when they had the individual ads, like the Dr. Zizmor ads. Maybe they can bring that back with cheaper, rotating ads

Thanks! Any specific reason for the upgrade? I only saw upgrades to the advertisement system, and the MTA isn't exactly great at selling ads lol

It's been a little while since I took the so excuse me if I'm behind the times on this...the I caught yesterday had digital ads instead of paper ones, and lots of digital screens, with the Cuomo wrap (and no end seats). Is this a new modification to an R-160 or one of the new R-179 trains?

Absolutely. Today was lower because of the weather, but I anticipate it back up again tomorrow. Today I got a real "lovely" female B/O who refused to kneel the bus even though she stopped in the middle of the street, and had the plastic tableclothes roping off three rows of seats. I am so tired of this. Time for a complaint email.

Today's adventure...took the subway into the city, which was actually not too bad. In the evening, the 8:10 QM5 was PACKED...I was the last one on, and every single row was taken, and 3 people sitting in the back row. The B/O had his bag blocking the front row so I thought to myself "f*** this" and sat down in the row right next to his bag. I'm not taking this nonsense. B/O didn't say a word to me or he would have gotten a mouthful from me. I hope more people do the same so we stop this nonsense.

Afternoon B/O on the QM35...no mask and blocking the front row with her MTA jacket and bag. Sheesh. With the mandates being lifted, a lot of offices must have expanded their openings because these buses have been PACKED the last few days. I'm still not used to so many people on the bus Mon-Thurs.

Couldn't have said it better. Same QM1 BO this morning was blocking one seat (better than blocking 2 like last week, I guess...)