+Young+

On 4/22/2024 at 8:05 PM, 2ride said:

Anybody who becomes a conductor needs to be able to know how to do the job; if someone sucks at the job, they can fire that person.

On 4/22/2024 at 8:28 PM, 2ride said:

Yeah I know. =)

As per the guidelines, if you can please stay on-topic, it would be appreciated. If NOT, disciplinary action will be coming.

Thank you @2ride!!

13 hours ago, Basemac7 said:

Thanks Young. 

You're welcome!!

3 hours ago, Basemac7 said:

Apologies for the silence on my part family. Had to shut-out everything and focus. I qualified on day 10. Day 1-6 was ups and downs. You don't truly know how many bad driving habits you have until you start this training. Day 7 ( first qualifying day, did everything gd and boom: went too far on a turn..had to be backed up. Didn't qualify. Day 8-9 (second qualifying day. Different depot and instructor. Day 8 trolly braked 3 times, got a lot of work to do. Day 9 (qualifying day) I almost completed the course and at a stale green light, thought I could make it and hit the accelerator boom..trolly braked. Fail!!! Day 10 ( final qualifying day) name called, got on bus with 2 instructors.  1 in the front giving directions other in the back yelling (back door and drive this bus). I took my time focusing on everything I had learned; mirrors, calling out overpasses, speed limit and passing cars, merging traffic. When we arrived back at zerega, I was told I qualified. What a relief.

Congrats @Basemac7!! Although you passed the 10-Day Training Session, have you considered looking at the handouts? Were they helpful or not?

In addition, for those who are about to enter the 10-Day Training Session, do you have any pieces of advice to share?

Again, congrats on passing the 10-Day Training Session!!

1 hour ago, Och0a16 said:

...The only slight complain I have about the test is right after the time was up during the memorize portion of the test we had to wait about 5 minutes afterwards before we could start answering those questions. The test proctor took her time collecting the images we had to memorize and then wait until she was given the the queue to hand out the questions so we could start answering them. Wish we could just flip to the questions after the time was up and just put those images aside so the proctor could collect them while we started answering the questions...

26 minutes ago, BDodgers said:

...Only compliant was I wished it was clearer that we would be taking the exam well after 2pm and that everyone had to be waiting outside. Got anxiety seeing people with green letters while I only had a printout of my email letter. Thought I was going to have to get rescheduled for a different day.  

From taking several Bus Operator Examinations, they do the same things. The only difference was that one time it was raining, and they made everyone line up in the hallway and wait in there, which was annoying.

2 hours ago, ummmikey1 said:

Hello all, I’ve had my class A CDL with passenger endorsement for over 10 years. Does this help speed up the hiring process or is it strictly based on your written test score?

It is initially based on your written test score. However, providing you have no disqualifying restrictions, such as "N1" or "N2," what's good is that, once you pass the 10-Day training session, you do NOT have to take the CDL road test, since you already accomplished that in your lifetime. Even if you took the CDL road test under the "old" format which was about an hour in change with the engine compartment closed, what's good is that you do NOT have to take the revised 2 & 1/2 hour CDL road test, which now includes an inspection of the engine compartment.

(If you need a list of the restrictions, check out the bottom of the second page of this PDF document.)

5 minutes ago, Bx6Select1010 said:

Hello, since they mentioned about your SSN, do you need the physical card with you or you tell them the number 

As long as you have your entire Social Security Number memorized for the test documents, such as your official answer sheet, you will be fine.

15 hours ago, ummmikey1 said:

I applied for B/O exam 4615. Any idea how long before they contact you? Also, what are the odds of a new hire getting to work on Staten Island? TIA 

First of all, welcome to the Forums!

Second, as per the guidelines of the Forums, we ask that everyone "post in the relevant forum." Therefore, going forward, if you can please post your questions for B/O Exam 4615 here, it would be truly appreciated.

To answer your question: They will be reaching out to you shortly in regard to an admission letter for your exam. Once that is done, depending on the hiring needs of the agency, and how well you do on the exam, you may not hear back from them for another year or two or three, depending on the circumstances.

Again, welcome to the Forums!!

3 hours ago, MxP42 said:

Hey everyone.

My name is Mike from SI.. 

I took exam 4607 back in November 2023. On March 1st I got a preliminary email about my exam anticipated on beginning the process over the next few months. Does that mean a list was established? All the email said is I passed, but no score or list#. Has anyone else got an email like that, and can say how long after that email they got the call to begin the process???

Thanks 

First of all, welcome to the Forums!

Second, although I did not take Exam 4607 back in November, as of this typing, it is safe to say that the list has not been established. The good news is that, if you check the Active Civil Service List webpage periodically, which you can do by either typing your last name or the exam number into the search box, they update the webpage with your scores and list numbers before they even mail you your official results. In regards to how long it will take to begin the process, it depends on your list number, which is based on how well you did on the examination, and how fast they move through the list, depending on the hiring needs of the agency.

Offhand, as per the bottom of page 6 of the Notice of Examination, if you do not have your Commercial Driver License (CDL), do you have your Commercial Learner Permit (CLP)? If you do not have your Commercial Learner Permit (CLP), have you considered checking out cristcdl.com to help you study for your CLP? Just remember that the multiple choice examinations that you need to take and pass, are General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Passenger Endorsement. I would also recommend reading this PDF document as well.

Good luck! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

23 hours ago, Irving Zismannn said:

Hi! I applied for two bus operator positions on the MTA website. When I check the status of my applications, under the Company column, one application is NYT and the other is MAB.

Can someone please explain the difference between the two? Thanks!

23 hours ago, Kingsbridgeviewer382 said:

You applied for positions at MTA New York City Transit & MTA Bus Company. NYCT are the bus depots in Brooklyn, Queens, & Staten Island. MTA Bus Company is the former private bus operators. I would go to the Transit Employment section of the Transit Forums here: https://www.nyctransitforums.com/forum/19-transit-employment/ People like @+Young+ should give better explanations regarding this.

First of all, thank you for tagging me. Second, @Irving Zismannn, welcome to the Forums!

According to the top right of the first page of this PDF document, MAB actually stands for MaBSTOA and not MTA Bus Company. Anyways, as previously stated, you applied for a Bus Operator position with both MTA New York City Transit and MaBSTOA. You can read more about the history of MaBSTOA here, and you can find a list of the depots that are served by NYC Transit, MaBSTOA and MTA Bus Company here and here. 

It is important to note that, according to this webpage, the exams for NYC Transit are Civil Service, while the exams for MaBSTOA and MTA Bus Company are not Civil Service. The reason why I bring this up is because, if you read the Notice of Examination and the job posting carefully, not only will you get called for MaBSTOA sooner, providing you have your Commercial Driver License (CDL) or your Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) with the proper endorsement, but, sometime within the next month or two, you will have to take a Civil Service Examination for the New York City Transit Bus Operator position. Depending on how well you do on the Civil Service Examination will depend on how quickly you get hired as a Bus Operator for New York City Transit. Obviously, just like with everything else in life, there are "Pros" and "Cons" in regards to the Bus Operator positions for New York City Transit and MaBSTOA, respectively.

Finally, going forward as per the guidelines of the forum, can you please "post in the relevant forum?" The correct forum for Exam 4615 for the Bus Operator position for New York City Transit can be found here, and the correct forum for the Bus Operator position for MaBSTOA can be found here.

Again, welcome to the forums!

13 hours ago, geezy said:

Hi, New to the forum! Apologies if this isn't the right place to ask this: I took exam 4610 on March 11th. Is it too soon to hear back yet? And if it is too soon, when should I expect to hear something?

First of all, welcome to the Forums! Please do not apologize, since, from my perspective, no question is ever a dumb question!

To answer your question, it is definitely too soon to hear back. Providing you utilized your "Candidate's Record of Answers," the proposed answer key will eventually be published on this webpage, in which you can initially find out how you did. Providing you passed the exam with a 70% or better, it takes anywhere from 6 to 12 months, maybe longer, to put together the Civil Service List. Obviously, if you got a 100% on the exam, your name will be towards the top of the list, and if you got a 70% or slightly above, your name will be towards the bottom. Although the agency will mail you your official score and list number, if you're anxious to find out this information as soon as the list is published, I would encourage you to type your last name into the search box of this website. Just keep in mind that, since Exams 4607, 4608 and 4609 were administered before Exam 4610, those lists will be established first before the list for Exam 4610, respectively.

Once the list is published, and you receive your list number, then you will have a better idea of when you will hear back regarding a job offer, depending on how quickly they move through the lists. Just keep in mind that the Civil Service List is normally active for four [4] years. I say "normally" because sometimes, the agency does not hire off of the list as soon as it is published, and sometimes they extend the list by a year or two depending on the circumstances.

Again, welcome to the Forums!

On 4/1/2024 at 2:21 PM, 2ride said:

When did I say it was like retail?

On 4/1/2024 at 3:48 PM, 2ride said:

No need for you to bring up anything about retail. I don’t know where that came from.

22 hours ago, 2ride said:

Ok, let’s be fair… how many retail jobs have you had? You need enough experience to know what you’re talking about.

As per the guidelines of the Forums, if we can please stay "on-topic," it would be truly appreciated. If this conversation continues, regardless of where the word "retail" came from, disciplinary action will be coming, respectively.

Thank you.

On 3/29/2024 at 9:17 AM, cris01 said:

I randomly decided to check it and saw that I had missed the OPA back in Jan31 2023. Is there ANY possibility of reentering my name to be able to take this exam? Or is this now a lost cause?

Any help/advice on this matter is super appreciated!

Thank you!

Have you considered emailing examsunit@nyct.com? That's what I would do...

Good luck and welcome to the Forums!!

This is going to be a master thread/topic for the three [3] NYC Transit (also known as "TA") Civil Service Examinations that will be administered during the following time periods as of this typing:

Exam # 4615 - April 1st to April 30th, 2024

Exam # 4616 - May 1st to May 31st, 2024

Exam # 4617 - June 1st to June 30th, 2024

While the Notice of Examination can be viewed here, which includes information on how to apply online, if you need more information in regards to having a Commercial Driver License (CDL) or a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP), click here. Just note that, unlike the Bus Operator Positions for MTA Bus Company and/or MaBSTOA, you need to have your CDL or CLP by the time of appointment, compared to when you submit your online application for the position.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Happy Posting!!

7 hours ago, Basemac7 said:

Yes I'm familiar and just downloaded it again.  I've been watching the videos throughout this journey also. Once again Young,  your input on these forums are invaluable. Thanks 

You're welcome. Good luck!!

5 hours ago, Basemac7 said:

I want to thank everyone on these forums that gave advice and or words of encouragement along the way. Young,  Dee and anyone else that conversed with me, it's very much appreciated. 

You're more than welcome! In preparation for the 10-Day Training Session out of Zerega, have you started to get familiar with the invaluable handouts? In addition, if you have to take your CDL road test, have you considered looking at the various YouTube videos as well? 

(Just note that, although you will be utilizing the New Flyer buses in lieu of the retired Orion buses, the majority of the material is similar to what you will be doing.)

Good luck!!

1 hour ago, Steve said:

Also, Noted and Thank you Young

You're welcome. Good luck!!

On 3/23/2024 at 1:56 PM, Steve said:

Are Mechanical Pencils acceptable? Or dose it have to be a regular wood pencil? I dont want to bring one and get trouble for it

As long as it is a # 2 pencil, you will be fine. If you remember those "scantrons" or "bubble sheets" when you were in school and/or college, that's what you will be utilizing the pencils for,

1 hour ago, Woonina said:

Is there any way you can send a link as I am trying to find out what topics to revise before taking the conductor and train operator exam .

For the Conductor examination, have you considered looking at the third and the top of the fourth pages of the Notice of Examination, which can be viewed by clicking here? The topics are right there.

Good luck!!

On 3/26/2024 at 7:52 PM, Longislandguy7545 said:

can it be a paper copy of the permit and does it have to be hard copy?

Your paper copy, also known as your "temporary" permit, will "temporarily" suffice until you receive the hard copy in the mail from Albany.

3 hours ago, Basemac7 said:

Not sure, maybe someone else on the thread can confirm that. They will ask to see your permit tho. 

Keep in mind that, for residents of New York State, they will run your abstract as well. Therefore, even if you have your paper copy of the permit, as I previously stated, it will suffice.

On 3/14/2024 at 8:09 AM, Ruddy said:

Thanks for the info. 

so your saying that there will be no possibility of getting hired for other exams that I’ve taken for transit that doesn’t involve bus operator?  

Based on what I have been through, correct. It is unfortunate; however, it is what it is...

7 hours ago, CR4600 said:

I got the letter which says to bring number two pencils. Do they have to be pre sharpened or will they have a pencil sharpener on site? Also it says no phones. Do they hold your phone up front?

First of all, welcome to the Forums!!

Second, they have to be pre sharpened. If you are "lucky," your room monitor might have a pencil sharpener, however I would be on the safe side, respectively.

As far as the phones are concerned, just make sure they are turned off and out of sight between the time you walk into the building and the time you walk out of the building. With the amount of people taking this exam, they will not hold your phone up front.

True story: While taking a multiple-choice examination for the NYC Transit, one time I had my phone powered on, however it was on silent, and, at the same time, my sweatshirt was covering my phone and my phone case on my belt. To make a long story short: It did not go off and nobody said anything to me.

Good luck, and again, welcome to the Forums!! 

On 2/21/2024 at 4:26 PM, SMG610 said:

I received the same appointment text. Brooklyn, early march. Must have a cdl or permit, for an information session. I applied in December i believe.  Do you know what restrictions would be considered disqualifying?

On 2/22/2024 at 12:11 PM, Basemac7 said:

Important: You must have either a valid (non-expired) Class A or Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL) or a valid (non-expired) Class A or B CDL Permit valid in the State of New York with a passenger endorsement and no airbrake or other disqualifying restrictions. Only candidates with the above license/permit will be canvassed and considered for the position. If you meet the qualifications to become a Bus Operator, you may be provided with a pre-employment package and a date to begin your pre-employment process and drug testing

My apologies for being late with the reply, however, if you were to look at the bottom of the second page of this PDF document, some of the "disqualifying" restrictions would be the following:

-L Restriction (meaning you cannot operate a vehicle with air brakes)

-N Restriction (meaning you can only operate a Class C CDL vehicle)

-N1 or N2 Restrictions

-S1 Restriction (click here for more information)

-Z Restriction (meaning you took a road test in a vehicle which has both hydraulic and air brakes)

From looking at the bottom of the second page of the same PDF document, some of the "acceptable" restrictions are:

-A3 Restriction (the folks at the Medical Assessment Center [MAC] take care of your medical)

-B Restriction (stating that you have to wear glasses or contacts)

-E Restriction (all of the Buses have automatic transmissions)

-K Restriction (you're allowed to operate the bus within New York State only)

-M Restriction (This is for those who successfully took a road test in a tractor trailer and a bus, since nobody can legally transport people in a Class A vehicle, with the exception of a tram used for either tour or parking lot purposes.)

Good luck!!

On 3/8/2024 at 3:04 PM, BlackRepublic1804 said:

Can anyone confirm if this is true? Why is the MTA requesting a person with a Class A license to downgrade to a Class B license

I also have a Class A CDL as well. However, as stated in the previous post, not only do you need to have the Passenger Endorsement, but you also need to take the road test in a bus as well. Whether you do this on your own through a driving school or with the MTA is up to you, however, at some point or another, you need to successfully take and pass a second road test in a bus.

Mind I ask: Who specifically from the MTA requested this 'person' with a Class A license to downgrade to a Class B? Was it Human Resources? Was it the folks at 750 Zerega Avenue in the Bronx? Just curious, that's all.

On 3/6/2024 at 1:15 PM, Ruddy said:

Greetings all. I am writing in regards of a few things 

I recently received two emails stating I was considered but not selected for bus operator as per rule 4.7.1 (c). What could this mean. I did in fact get called for both exams but declined the offers as I was already employed with transit as an electrical helper. Then I resigned on 4/23 and a few months after I restored my name on the bus list and was called 2 months later  for drug testing then recently I got a letter stating I was not selected as per rule 4.7.1 (c).

First of all, welcome to the Forums!

Second, to make a long story very short, the Human Resources (HR) Department only offers a one-time employment with the agency throughout your lifetime and that's it.

As another example, in February of 2014, I failed their 10-Day Bus Operator (B/O) Training session. When I got called for another open-competitive position off of another open-competitive civil service list, and I put down the fact that I failed their 10-Day B/O Training session, they also used rule 4.7.1 (c) against me, which is commonly known as the "1-in-3" rule. Finally, after waiting a little over five [5] calendar years to try again for the same title, they also used rule 4.7.1 (c) against me as well, which is the famous "1-in-3" rule.

Sorry to break the bad news. My advice: Just move on with life, that's all.

On 2/23/2024 at 1:47 PM, Longislandguy7545 said:

Hello everyone, I’m new to this forum and having read several threads today, I gained some valuable information. Anyways, i recently applied to take the upcoming mabstoa B/O exam and i was wondering how the job is really like. I know of the few general pros and cons that go along with taking a position as such, but any additional information, preferably from those who have had first hand experience with the job would be greatly appreciated! If all goes well with the exam and I get called for the position, is it an opportunity to pounce on without thinking twice about it? Thanks in advance!

First of all, welcome to the Forums!!

Second, as per the guidelines of the website, we ask members to "post in the relevant forum," which can be found here. Although I briefly went through the hiring process 10 years ago, to make a long story short, probation is hard, however it is definitely worth it, especially since you can move up the ladder to other positions, such as Dispatcher, Superintendent, etc.

Good luck!!

Just to be on the safe side, and until you find a clear answer on this, I would stop immediately. That's just me.