+Young+

For those who did not notice, all of the memorabilia that was posted between 9/10/2009 and 3/20/2013 has disappeared. Myself, along with Harry and probably others on this site are disappointed. With that said, I re-posted my memorabilia on 4/6/2013 (post #254), which I am still willing to exchange, if interested. However, I recently came across some more memorabilia, which does NOT belong to me: (source: http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/6922/photogbg.jpg) If someone can do me a huge favor and elaborate on what all of these keys are for I would appreciate it. I personally know the second key from the top is an old IRT key which is still used on the redbirds and the Lo-Vs (in addition to possibly some Rider Cars as well). The bottom curved key is currently used to gain access to all of the cabs on today's subway cars which are running (A & B Division). The key underneath that is primarily used by conductors to open and close the doors at the stations. Thanks in advance!

I understand where you are coming from. With that said, type into Google "Bus Operator Exam, Learning Express." This is the book that I highly recommend, even though it does cost $200.00. What I did, to save money, was simply borrowed the book from Queens Library, made index cards with all of the information, and then returned it within the 3-weeks for someone else to use.

This exam is for NYC Transit Bus Operator (http://www.mta.info/nyct/hr/archives/pdf/4600.pdf). That means that you are able to drive in any 5 boros. MaBSTOA are allowed to drive in Manhattan and The Bronx, since MaBSTOA stands for "Manhattan and the Bronx Surface..." Therefore, there will probably be questions on landmarks within the 5 boros of New York City.

You're welcome.

As far as I know, there will be a prep class on November 16th in Ozone Park, N.Y. Send an email to mtanycexamclass@gmail.com for more information. As much as I want to be there, unfortunately I can't, since the BOSS exam for MaBSTOA falls on the same day.

You're welcome.

Not always...I remember for exam 2613, they asked what pair of bridges connect Queens and The Bronx, and if you did not know the difference between the Throgs Neck Bridge vs. the George Washington Bridge or the Cross Bay Bridge or the Marine Bridge, you would have had a very hard time...and this question was without a map.

Okay, so I sent them an email and this is what they sent me: Good afternoon Mr. **********, Thank you for contacting the MTA NYCT Exams Unit. We do apologize for any errors or confusion made on the website, it is being addressed. Under 2013 Examination Schedule, there are three [3] different exams bolded. They are: - MTA Bus, Bus Operator – Exam number 2301 - MaBSTOA, Bus Operator – Exam number 3101 - NYCT, Bus Operator – Exam number 4600 The exam you applied for is NYCT - Bus Operator, Exam number 4600. This exam will be administered on December 14, 2013 and will be a multiple choice test. Your score on this test will be used to determine your place on an eligible list. The Bus Operator Selection Survey (BOSS) is the second part to this exam which would not occur until sometime next year. Even though this exam is scheduled for December 14th, you should check back the website around October 2013 in case, any changes were made with the test date. Thank you Exams Unit Therefore, on December 14th, a Bus Operator Knowledge Exam will be given and the BOSS exam, which is the second step, will not be given until sometime in 2014.

From past NYC Transit Bus Operator exams, my educated guess is that a knowledge exam will be administered before a "BOSS" exam. The reason why is because right above this, it says "You will be given a multiple-choice test. Your score on this test will be used to determine your place on an eligible list. You must achieve a score of at least 70 to pass this test." Therefore, I believe the site is incorrect. If you look closely, there are several other errors with this page as well. Example: On the very top, in bold blue, it says "Exam No. 3101", meanwhile the first sentence below that says Bus Operator Exam No. 4600. I, myself, am going to send an email to examsunit@nyct.com to clarify this issue. Perhaps some of us can also do that as well...

Yeah I did get confused...sorry about that. Anyways, when I took exam 2613, there were 80 questions...I am personally predicting the same amount of questions at 1.25 points each. Since I am a committed platelet donor (http://nybloodcenter.org/media/filer_public/2013/06/04/nybc_platelet_info_flyer_web_13.pdf for more information) I have completed over 110 (yes, one hundred and ten) donations with the NY Blood Center. Each time before I donate, providing I remember, I usually sprinkle some cinnamon on my food and in my yogurt. As a result, when they take my blood pressure, it is usually 120/80 or lower. Refer to http://voices.yahoo.com/does-cinnamon-reduce-high-blood-pressure-7982336.html for more information, or just do a search for blood pressure and cinnamon. As a result, a day or two before you are called down to 180 Livingston Street, I would recommend you sprinkle cinnamon on all of your meals. This should help, at least temporarily.

The course will probably be on November 9th since the exam is on November 16th. As far as blood pressure is concerned, have you ever tried cinnamon? From donating blood several times, IMHO, this does help to lower the blood pressure. I do not know how much lower, but it definitely helps.

Why after 3pm? Is that how it just is... Also, not to be mean, however if you do work for the TA as a Bus Operator, how come you do not have a badge, like RTS4Life does?

If that is still is the case, then what I would suggest is to click on the "Help and Support" forum on the top, and post a message there. One of the administrators from the site will then help you...

You're welcome. Glad to help any time I can.

@Driver11...I learned all of this stuff several ways. One of the ways is through my father, who worked for NYC Transit for 39 years (1966 to 2005). Another way is just by reading stuff online, like this site. As far as driver schedules, start time, hours, breaks, etc., I would refer to http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/26877-questions-about-nyct-busmta-bus-training/. From quickly looking at this, I saw some information on page 3 from Bus Operators. As far as drivers being attacked - it does happen. I just read an article from the TWU (Transport Workers Union) about this, in addition to Transit Transit News doing an episode about this in the past as well. Just need to be careful - that's all. If you look at , this should help in the event something happens. @Membrr...I think the church will give another class or lesson for the exam, probably on December 7th (one week before the exam). There will be information on this site about it, just like http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/36428-track-worker-exam-no-3600/page-2 (post #17) and http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/34980-bus-operator-exam-2613-questions/page-8 (post #78). If you want more information, email mtanycexamclass@gmail.com. As far as how to PM, underneath your profile name (top right of the page) will be an envelope. Click on it, that will show you your inbox. Click on "Compose New" and you are good to go...

Insider terms: OA = MaBSTOA (Manhattan and The Bronx Surface Transit Operating Agency) BC = MTA Bus Company (refer to post #75) MTA = Metropolitan Transportation Agency (father of NYC Transit (bus and subway), Metro-North, Long Island Railroad, Capital Construction, etc.) TA = Transit Authority (aka NYC Transit). In response to post #74, once you take exam 4600, pass it and then get hired, it could be for any boro or depot located in the 5 boros of NYC. Chances are that the company will send you to one in which there is a need of bus operators, in which the neighborhoods are not that great (e.g. Brooklyn or The Bronx). There are better boros and depots, and you will have a choice once you get enough seniority with the company. As far as the best exam prep book, if you look at post # 21 for this topic (page 3), I have suggested what I think is the best prep book, even though it is expensive ($200.00). Like they say, "what you pay for is what you get", right? In response to post #76, the fact that there is an exam about the job does imply Civil Service. If you look at http://www.mta.info/nyct/hr/archives/pdf/3101.pdf, you will see that there is only a BOSS (Bus Operator Selection Survey) exam, which does not guarantee civil service. If you look at this thread and other Bus Operator threads, you will read that several people, who work for MTA Bus Company or MaBSTOA, want to get into NYC Transit, since there are better benefits. Next, as stated above in the insider terms, there are three companies, NYC Transit, MaBSTOA and MTA Bus Company. As stated in post #75, MTA Bus Company was formed to take over the private bus lines. Refer to http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/32152-is-it-a-really-big-difference-between-mabstoa-and-ta-bus-operators/ for the differences and similarities between MaBSTOA and NYC Transit. Even though this is over a year old, it helps. In my opinion, I would say that exam 4600 is the better of the three. However, if you prefer the express buses, then you would have to work for the MTA Bus Company, which runs those buses. Refer to http://www.ttmg.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=MTA_Regional_Bus_Destination_Sign_Codes for more information.

From what I have read and understand, here is the difference: First of all, there are three different bus companies under the MTA. MTA Bus Company was formed after taking over the private bus lines a while ago, such as Green Bus Lines, Jamaica Bus Lines, Triboro Coach, etc. MaBSTOA, in conjunction with NYC Transit, only operates in Manhattan and The Bronx. NYC Transit operates in all 5 boroughs of NYC. The difference between the three tests is that for MaBSTOA and MTA Bus Company, you do not take a civil service exam. In lieu, when the application period is over, you will be sent a random #, in which you will take a BOSS exam. This exam will determine whether they hire you or not. In my opinion, the biggest disadvantage is both of these companies are NOT civil service. For NYC Transit, whether it is exam 2613 or exam 4600, it is civil service. As it says in the Notice of Examination, the civil service examination will be given in December (subject to change). Even though the applicants will also have to take a BOSS examination as well, the list in which you get hired from will be based on the civil service examination. In addition, from reading other things on this site, several people who work for MTA Bus Company and possibly MaBSTOA want to switch over to NYC Transit, not only for better medical but primarily for their pension once they retire. I do not think you get a pension with MTA Bus Company once you retire.

Are you sure about this? Cause if you look at http://www.mta.info/nyct/hr/archives/pdf/2613.pdf and http://www.mta.info/nyct/hr/pdf_exams/4600.pdf, the information about "The Test" is the exact same, right?

You're welcome.

If you look on Amazon they are selling it for $124. I took the Track Worker exam back in March, that was 100% reading comprehension. Refer to http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/36428-track-worker-exam-no-3600/ for more information. I also took the Bus Operator Exam #2613 back in January. If you go to http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/34980-bus-operator-exam-2613-questions/page-8, you will see some of the questions that were on the exam. Therefore, if you are having trouble finding that particular book, try to find a similar book which has a lot of landmarks. From that exam, I also remember NYC Transit asking a question about what bridges connect Queens and The Bronx. Therefore, it would not hurt to understand the differences between the Throgs Neck Bridge, the G. Washington Bridge, etc. As far as reading comprehension, NY State driving laws, city landmarks, etc., I would say that it was a fair mixture of all of these topics. Hopefully this helps.

I agree...the CDL manual will help you out with a few questions on the exam, IMHO...

@ Bree... - Since it is early, look around at the various prices. Like I said, I borrowed the book from Queens Library, used it and gave it back. Try to find the best price. Perhaps a used book will be a little cheaper. @KingNas - I am not 100% sure about probation. My educated guess is 'yes' since it is a different agency. Even if you have to do it - a year flies by fast.

I briefly looked into this one, and one of the things I did not like was that it was not 100% specific for Bus Operators since the fourth and fifth sample exams were for Bus Operator OR Conductor. From what I recall, the questions in the sample exams were nothing like exam # 2613 which was given back in January.

Would highly NOT recommend it. The questions in that book are so old, they are nothing like the B/O exam I took this past January nor the BOSS exam I took in late June... In addition, keep in mind the phrase "What you pay for is what you get", right?

You're welcome.