+Young+

First, let me say this: As most of you have probably heard by now in the news, there is a shortage of drivers in this country, especially for those who hold a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). As an example, if you play around with indeed.com, by typing in either "Bus Operator" or "Bus Driver" followed by your respective zip code, you will see at least ten [10] different companies looking to hire CDL drivers, depending how far you're willing to travel to these potential employers. The same applies for Craigslist, ZipRecruiter, etc. Therefore, between this and the fact that, according to this Daily News article, approximately 2,455 jobs have been cut in operations and maintenance, the agency needs Bus Operators, especially since some members have been saying in other threads/topics that runs have been cut, which I believe. As a result, the agency did something different by posting this Job Vacancy Notice (JVN), and giving a regular "examination" instead of the BOSS (Bus Operator Selective Survey), which, from my perspective, is useless, especially if the people "lie" in their answers, which the agency will never find out about. Since the last date of filing for the JVN is November 30th, 2021, they will probably administer one or two more sessions of the examination, depending on how many people apply. Speaking of the "actual" examination, which I took earlier today: It's not the BOSS, and, if anything, this examination is very similar to the examination I took for B/O Exam 9618, which other members have mentioned. However, during my session (Sunday AM), there were only a maximum of eighty (80) people taking the test. Therefore, if we multiply this by four (Saturday AM and PM, Sunday AM and PM), this comes out to 320 people, which is not a lot of people. However, like I said before, we'll see what happens as time progresses. This weekend, as a result of the agency posting this Job Vacancy Notice, they are administering Exam # 2302 for MTA Bus Company.

Copy. If that's the case, for @HeadhunterCali, I would say at least three [3] to six [6] months, however we'll see what happens as time progresses.

They have started canvassing this month? According to this website, they haven't, however, maybe it's just me. As far as when the 300s will get called, if you look at this website, and you type in "Bus Operator" in the search box, back in July, they were in the 590s/600s for the prior list, 9604. Now, according to the "Civil Service" Rules and Regulations of the City of New York, they have to hire those on the older lists first, which include 4600 (which expires this January), 7612, 9604 and then 9618. Therefore, as far as a time frame, it depends on how many people from the prior lists restore their name to the list and take the job. As far as being specific, I would say at least six months to even possibly one [1] calendar year from now. With the fact that, as of this past July, they were only up to the 590s/600s on the prior list, I don't even know why they published this list so early, however, maybe it's just me.

Was it similar to this NYPD Test Preparation Kit, which contains a memory portion? This is just an educated guess, especially since the abilities listed on the bottom of the second page of the Job Vacancy Notice match what is in the NYPD Test Prep Kit...

Thank you for this important information. I know that for the TA Bus Operator title, you need to obtain a 70% or better to pass, however nothing to this nature is stated in the Job Vacancy Notice. Did they mention a passing score or anything to that nature? Again, thank you for posting this important information.

I agree, especially as I look at the bottom of the second page of the Job Vacancy Notice, however we'll find out tomorrow!

I agree, and, as we know, both of these exams fall under the heading of "Civil Service." Therefore, if they're not calling from 9604, how can they call from 9618, especially since they're for the same title?

Exactly. If anything, if you look at this website and you type either "9618" or your last name into the search box, the list was actually established this past September.

My apologies for briefly going off-topic, however, with the fact, according to this post, in which "they (are) not calling from that list anymore," and with the fact that, according to this website, the last NYC Transit (TA) Certification was this July, I just have one thing to say: "I'll believe it when I see it."

The first part of your post also sounds "fishy" to me as well. The second part of your post makes the most sense, considering the shortage of CDL drivers that the United States currently has.

If you look at the bottom of the second page of the Job Vacancy Notice, the nine [9] different abilities that are listed can be found in this NYPD Test Preparation Kit. My only piece of advice is to take the memorization portion seriously. This normally screws a lot of people in one capacity or another. Good luck!!

If you look at the Notice of Examination, on page 5, it lists the 9 (nine) different abilities we will be tested on, which happens to be the same nine abilities that are listed on the bottom of the second page of the Job Vacancy Notice for Exam 2302. All of these abilities can be found in the online NYPD Test Preparation Kit. Although it is sixteen years ago, as they say, it is something which is better than nothing! Also, I would look over your letter carefully. Mine says to bring a simple basic calculator, and not a scientific calculator. Good luck!!

You're not the only one. I also got a second email as well, so we'll see what happens...

Is exam 2302 the same as the current MTA Bus Operator Position which is currently open for filing, which people can learn more about in this thread/topic? I just want to be on the same page, that's all...

As far as rushing the exam and being extremely short, if you look at the attached image, which can also be viewed here, the agency recently published an advertisement for this on their Facebook page, which, as far as I remember, is the first time they have ever done this. Therefore, we'll see what happens as time progresses. As far as showing up five hours early, I would use common sense and take it from there. If the administration of this examination is going to be similar to the examinations they have administered in the past before COVID-19, this is what is going to happen: They usually rent out a public high school. Lately, for a large number of applicants, it has been Midwood High School or Franklin K. Lane High School in Brooklyn, however I do remember reporting to P.S. 248 Brooklyn (NYC Transit's Learning Center) for one or two examinations in which the number of applicants wasn't as high. When you proceed to the "designated" entrance to the building, after they check to make sure you have your CDL (Commercial Drivers License) or your CLP (Commercial Learners Permit), which is what the bottom of the second page of the Job Vacancy Notification states, you will receive a "seating card" to a classroom and seat number. Normally they fill up the top floor first, such as the fourth floor, followed by the third, followed by the second, followed by the first, and then they will start the examination with the short-term memory section, if there is going to be one. Therefore, like I said, I would use "common sense" and take it from there. Once you receive your admission letter, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

@Ay2924, I just sent you a Private Message (PM) in regards to this, which can be found towards the top-right hand side of the Forums website. If you can get back to me by sending me a reply, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

So guess what happened today? As a result of my initial e-mail to the "Exams Unit" back on September 29th, which I thought they ignored, they sent me a reply with another link to another additional pre-screening (https://forms.gle/4CFewHGJTnPr5Qm19). In addition, in the e-mail and on the additional pre-screening form, it states that the examination will be given on October 24th on a first come-first serve basis. We'll see what happens. Good luck everyone!!

You're welcome. Good luck!!

There are other companies, I'm going to ask you to refer to the "Seeking Experience" thread/topic. Depending on where you specifically live, you should find a company that is willing to train you for your Passenger & School Bus Endorsements. Good luck!!

As long as we submitted our responses on time, we should be good...

I used to work for Access-A-Ride for another carrier, therefore I can answer a few of your questions, but not all of them. According to their latest job posting, which can be viewed by clicking here, it seems that they do NOT offer training specifically for the Passenger and School Bus Endorsements. The reason why I say that is because, back in the day, you used to be able to go to your local DMV, take the multiple-choice examinations for General Knowledge and Passenger Endorsement, walk out with a Class "C" Commercial Drivers License, and you would be good to go. Now, since you have to take a road test to obtain the minimum class license, which is what this website says, even if you were to take one of their "buses" to the road test, all that would do is give you a "N2" restriction on your license without the School Bus "S" endorsement, in which, according to the second page of this webpage, you would not be able to drive any passenger vehicle which can hold eight or more people. As far as a DOT medical card, when they initially hire you, they will send you for a DOT physical at the company's expense, so you don't need one. As far as following DOT regulations for working for two companies - I would talk to the hiring manager, or your classroom instructor privately and see what they have to say. When it comes to the schedule, more or less, the company works with the drivers for a set schedule. Just like anywhere else, once you gain seniority, then the schedule should get better. -Young

You would be disqualified. If you don't have the CDL (Commercial Drivers License) or the CLP (Commercial Learners Permit), you will not be able to continue. They sure did.

I think so...surprisingly, I just got an e-mail stating that the deadline has been extended to October 8th (Friday) for me to fill out the Google Survey, which I just did. So we'll see what happens... If you read the first page of the Job Vacancy Notice, which you can do so by clicking here, they are doing things differently now, at least for this particular examination.

Since the examination on October 23rd and 24th is full of candidates, and since the application period is open until November 30th, you will be included in the next examination, whenever this takes place.

If you look at the bottom of the second page of the Job Vacancy Notice, which can be viewed here, it says the following: Selection Method / Admission Letter: Candidates being considered for this position must take a multiple-choice test that may include questions on the following abilities: Understanding written sentences or paragraphs; using English words or sentences in writing; remembering visual information using short-term memory; determining when something is wrong or likely to go wrong; applying general rules to specific problems to come up with logical answers; combining separate pieces of information, or specific answers to problems to form general rules or conclusions; following a set of rules in a certain order; reading and understanding bus routes and locations on a map; and imagining how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. Therefore, based on this information, which includes a memory section, it sounds like they are giving a regular exam. The only difference is that no score will be given as far as how well you did - it will just be a pass/fail option. As far as the BOSS (Bus Operator Selection Survey) exam, they may give it, since they were sneaky enough to include it when they administered the 9618 exam without mentioning anything in the Notice of Examination, however we'll see what happens. Since they are giving a "regular" examination, from my perspective, the best way to prepare for this would be to use the NYPD Test Preparation Kits, which can be found here and here. Just make sure you take the memorization portion seriously!! @Lawrence St, did you say "in the order people submitted responses for the google form?" I just sent them another e-mail, because, when I click on the link that was provided to me, as you can tell from looking below, I got an error message! Therefore, just like @Mohamed said, "I don't know what's going on" as well, especially with me...