BUS - Random Thoughts Thread

[QM1to6Ave]

2 hours ago, BM5 via Woodhaven said:

With this tidbit not being on the MTA website, I'm afraid that there will be instances where some operators will forget and accidentally try to charge riders. 

The MTA sent the following email (I also posted it in the fare payment re-start thread). It is so poorly written, I could barely understand it. And why are SIM buses still charging the regular fare? And, are there even any non-SIM express buses that pick up passengers between 1 am and 5 am?? 

 

Hello,

We’re writing as you have contacted us within the past year about our bus service and want to make sure you are aware of important information about early morning bus travel. You have hopefully heard that front-door boarding and fare collection resumes on all local and express buses starting Monday, August 31.

If you travel between 1-5 a.m. while the subway is closed for disinfecting, your journey may require you to transfer more than once between buses and/or the subway. If you do, you can travel on a single fare by following these steps between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. (or by using an unlimited ride MetroCard):

When you pay your fare with coins, a pay-per-ride MetroCard, or OMNY at the beginning of your trip, request an electronic paper transfer from the bus operator to use when you transfer.

When you make your transfer, you may request an additional electronic paper transfer if you will need to transfer again.

On SBS (Select Bus Service) routes, pay or use your transfer at the curbside machine to receive a paper receipt. Board through the front door, show the receipt to the bus operator, and request the paper transfer.

The paper transfer works only on local buses, and on Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens express buses between 1-5 a.m. Use the transfer on your MetroCard or OMNY to enter the Subway after 5 a.m. That transfer is valid for 2 hours from when you first used it - if your trip extends beyond that, tell the Station Agent at the booth before you swipe your MetroCard.

Also note that the $2.75 base fare will apply on Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens express buses between 1-5 a.m when the subway is closed.

Take care,

The Team at MTA

[NewFlyer 230]

I’ve been wondering this for a while, but can MTA buses get speeding tickets if caught by a camera going above the 25mph? 

I’m assuming they can but I swear I’ve been on some buses at night that were going faster than 25mph and we would past the speeding camera and I would never see that thing flash.  

[paulrivera]

9 minutes ago, QM1to6Ave said:

And, are there even any non-SIM express buses that pick up passengers between 1 am and 5 am?? 

They're referring to the essential overnight service (BxM4, BxM7, BM2, QM17)

[QM1to6Ave]

8 minutes ago, paulrivera said:

They're referring to the essential overnight service (BxM4, BxM7, BM2, QM17)

How well do these routes run overnight? The QM6 overnight was a disaster when it was running after the first week or so

[QM1to6Ave]

17 minutes ago, NewFlyer 230 said:

I’ve been wondering this for a while, but can MTA buses get speeding tickets if caught by a camera going above the 25mph? 

I’m assuming they can but I swear I’ve been on some buses at night that were going faster than 25mph and we would past the speeding camera and I would never see that thing flash.  

Those speed cameras give you a little latitude (I think up to 35 mph) before they actually take a picture, Plus, I think the new speed cameras only operate during the day. Red light cameras are 24/7 as far as I know

[QM1to6Ave]

Does anyone have a list of the drop-off stops of the X63/64/68? I think the list on Bustime is missing stops, and the schedule itself does not list the stops, it just shows some hard-to-read bubbles on a line map.

[paulrivera]

6 minutes ago, QM1to6Ave said:

How well do these routes run overnight? The QM6 overnight was a disaster when it was running after the first week or so

The QM6 doesn't run overnight anymore, and the few express buses that are left run hourly now.

[BM5 via Woodhaven]

56 minutes ago, QM1to6Ave said:

How well do these routes run overnight? The QM6 overnight was a disaster when it was running after the first week or so

The QM17 doesn't do too bad. After the QM6 stopped running, I believe it may have gained a few riders. The 2:15 AM bus to Far Rockaway does okay, there's times where the bus had 8 people or so. It usually gets higher ridership towards the weekend.

[SevenEleven]

2 hours ago, QM1to6Ave said:

The MTA sent the following email (I also posted it in the fare payment re-start thread). It is so poorly written, I could barely understand it. And why are SIM buses still charging the regular fare?

The SIR isn't affected by the subway shutdown, so no need to accommodate SI riders.

 

2 hours ago, NewFlyer 230 said:

I’ve been wondering this for a while, but can MTA buses get speeding tickets if caught by a camera going above the 25mph? 

I’m assuming they can but I swear I’ve been on some buses at night that were going faster than 25mph and we would past the speeding camera and I would never see that thing flash.  

Yes and the vehicle has to be going 11 over the posted speed limit in order for the camera to go off.

[BM5 via Woodhaven]

I'm on the QM17 right now. The bus farebox is set to the local fare (just used my unlimited), so so far so good. Only one person was aware of the front door boarding and fare collection. Four people were unaware of both front door entry and fare collection (three paid, one didn't have enough money). One person was unaware of fare payment, but eventually paid after exchanging money.  

As we speak, the bus is leaving Manhattan with 7 people onboard.

Edited August 31, 2020 by BM5 via Woodhaven

[P3F]

4 hours ago, NewFlyer 230 said:

I’ve been wondering this for a while, but can MTA buses get speeding tickets if caught by a camera going above the 25mph? 

I’m assuming they can but I swear I’ve been on some buses at night that were going faster than 25mph and we would past the speeding camera and I would never see that thing flash.  

 

4 hours ago, QM1to6Ave said:

Those speed cameras give you a little latitude (I think up to 35 mph) before they actually take a picture, Plus, I think the new speed cameras only operate during the day. Red light cameras are 24/7 as far as I know

The cameras go off at 11 over the limit (as SevenEleven posted above), meaning if the limit is 25 they can go 35, if the speed limit is 30, they can go 40, etc.

They are also only active 6 AM - 10 PM, Monday to Friday. So no speed camera violations are issued nights or weekends.

Edited August 31, 2020 by P3F

[checkmatechamp13]

 

 

8 hours ago, paulrivera said:

They're referring to the essential overnight service (BxM4, BxM7, BM2, QM17)

Are they? I thought they were referring to any non-SIM express route that has any trips at all during that time? (BxM8, BxM9). Also, isn't the BxM11 still running every 30 minutes overnight?

[QM1to6Ave]

7 hours ago, BM5 via Woodhaven said:

I'm on the QM17 right now. The bus farebox is set to the local fare (just used my unlimited), so so far so good. Only one person was aware of the front door boarding and fare collection. Four people were unaware of both front door entry and fare collection (three paid, one didn't have enough money). One person was unaware of fare payment, but eventually paid after exchanging money.  

As we speak, the bus is leaving Manhattan with 7 people onboard.

Interesting how the MTA is suddenly able to relatively quickly make all of these programming changes to the farebox and destination signs, while before this it took months and month to ever make changes 

[Via Garibaldi 8]

2 hours ago, checkmatechamp13 said:

 

 

Are they? I thought they were referring to any non-SIM express route that has any trips at all during that time? (BxM8, BxM9). Also, isn't the BxM11 still running every 30 minutes overnight?

No. The BxM11 overnight was discontinued, and yes, they are just referring to the buses added in lieu of the subway, not anything that normally runs. I was e-mailed about this a while ago, but let me check that and see what is currently running overnight.

Edited August 31, 2020 by Via Garibaldi 8

[checkmatechamp13]

5 minutes ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

No. The BxM11 overnight was discontinued, and yes, they are just referring to the buses added in lieu of the subway, not anything that normally runs. I was e-mailed about this a while ago, but let me check that and see what is currently running overnight.

Then they need to clarify that on their website and state which routes specifically it is valid on. Otherwise it can be interpreted to be valid on the BxM8 & BxM9.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

3 minutes ago, checkmatechamp13 said:

Then they need to clarify that on their website and state which routes specifically it is valid on. Otherwise it can be interpreted to be valid on the BxM8 & BxM9.

The BxM8 and BxM9 is the regular fare, even the ones running past 1am because those trips normally run. I will confirm this though just to be sure, because I need to update folks in my group.

[checkmatechamp13]

1 hour ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

The BxM8 and BxM9 is the regular fare, even the ones running past 1am because those trips normally run. I will confirm this though just to be sure, because I need to update folks in my group.

That makes sense logically, but they should put that in writing.

Also, while you're at it, can you have them add a timepoint somewhere along Bruckner Blvd for the overnight BxM7, and at the Prospect Avenue station for the overnight BM2? I think that would get rid of any confusion as to whether the buses stop there. (For the BM2, I assume/hope that there is a physical bus stop pole over there showing that overnight buses stop there. I wouldn't put it past them to forget something so basic)

[Via Garibaldi 8]

1 hour ago, checkmatechamp13 said:

That makes sense logically, but they should put that in writing.

Also, while you're at it, can you have them add a timepoint somewhere along Bruckner Blvd for the overnight BxM7, and at the Prospect Avenue station for the overnight BM2? I think that would get rid of any confusion as to whether the buses stop there. (For the BM2, I assume/hope that there is a physical bus stop pole over there showing that overnight buses stop there. I wouldn't put it past them to forget something so basic)

As far as I know, the BxM7 has been making all stops along Bruckner Blvd, with the exception of the stops that the BxM8 make off of Bruckner Blvd. Those have been skipped since the beginning, and they just continue straight to Co-Op City.

As for the BM2, I can inquire about it. My main contact just went on vacation, but I will see if one of his colleagues that I deal with on occasion can help, but I believe the BM2s have been stopping there, last I checked.

Here's the latest on overnight express bus service:

OVERNIGHT EXPRESS BUS SERVICE (1AM - 5AM):

-THE FARE WILL BE $2.75 (1AM - 5AM) ON THE BxM4, BxM7, BM2, QM17 & THE X68 (AFTER 6AM) WHEN THERE IS NO SUBWAY. SIM LINES WILL CHARGE $6.75 AT ALL TIMES.

-$2.75 FARE WILL APPLY TO THESE NEW LOCAL BUS LINES THAT WILL RUN EVERY 20 MINS:

M99: https://new.mta.info/coronavirus/m99stops

B99: https://new.mta.info/document/18036

Bx99: https://new.mta.info/coronavirus/bx99stops

All other express bus service has been eliminated (BxM1, BxM2, BxM11, BM3, QM6 & X28). The remaining express bus lines (except the SIM1C) will run hourly. SIM service will continue to run regularly, including overnight.

 

 

Edited August 31, 2020 by Via Garibaldi 8

[Lex]

I guess someone forgot to install the messages about the masks and fares on 6518 (if my memory's not failing me on the bus number).

[NewFlyer 230]

Just now, Lex said:

I guess someone forgot to install the messages about the masks and fares on 6518 (if my memory's not failing me on the bus number).

There are plenty of buses that don’t have the Mask and Fare announcements. Most of the ones I see without them are XD40s. 

[Iron Valiant]

20 minutes ago, NewFlyer 230 said:

There are plenty of buses that don’t have the Mask and Fare announcements. Most of the ones I see without them are XD40s. 

The announcements on the 2015 XD40s from Grand Avenue Depot are incredibly quiet. Both the safety announcements and the stop and transfer announcements.

[B35 via Church]

9 hours ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

-THE FARE WILL BE $2.75 (1AM - 5AM) ON THE BxM4, BxM7, BM2, QM17 & THE X68 (AFTER 6AM) WHEN THERE IS NO SUBWAY. SIM LINES WILL CHARGE $6.75 AT ALL TIMES.

-$2.75 FARE WILL APPLY TO THESE NEW LOCAL BUS LINES THAT WILL RUN EVERY 20 MINS:

I get the whole, not penalizing people that are taking the express bus services that run overnight (due to the current situation with overnight subway service), but at the same time, it's still a double standard... Either you charge every express bus rider the full $6.75, or you charge all express bus riders the discounted $2.75 fare (even the express routes that already had overnight service, before the shutting down of the subways during those times)....

Personally, I'd lean towards the latter; they're going to accrue certain costs, regardless - Orrrr, of course, they can always open the subway back to the public overnights again & do away with the span expansion of those express bus routes that didn't have that service, before the fact.....

Edited September 1, 2020 by B35 via Church

[SoSpectacular]

23 hours ago, NewFlyer 230 said:

I’ve been wondering this for a while, but can MTA buses get speeding tickets if caught by a camera going above the 25mph? 

I’m assuming they can but I swear I’ve been on some buses at night that were going faster than 25mph and we would past the speeding camera and I would never see that thing flash.  

Yes they can.

The cameras trigger if you are caught going 11 MPH over the posted limit for that stretch of road. You're not going to see a bus do 36 MPH very easily on these streets though. If the posted speed limit is 30, the majority of our buses do not go past 40 MPH, so, there's that.

[Future ENY OP]

Today wasn't a good day for Ulmer Park buses.. 4864, 2403 AND another express bus got towed..

4 minutes ago, SoSpectacular said:

Yes they can.

The cameras trigger if you are caught going 11 MPH over the posted limit for that stretch of road. You're not going to see a bus do 36 MPH very easily on these streets though. If the posted speed limit is 30, the majority of our buses do not go past 40 MPH, so, there's that.

Accurate on this statement.

[BM5 via Woodhaven]

Welp, it didn't take long to encounter an express bus with the wrong farebox setup.  When I got on the QM17, the farebox was set to the regular express bus fare. The BO tried fixing it, but to no avail. Good thing I didn't have money on my unlimited card, or it would have taken it. Although I wonder if everyone else will be waived on because of that.

Also sucks if somebody accidentally got charged/charged extra to ride a Hybrid bus that rattles on the highway like it's gonna split at any given moment.

Update: Everybody that got on after me got waived. Just in case anyone's curious, one person got on at 34th & 5th, and five people got on at 57th & 3rd. 

 

Edited September 1, 2020 by BM5 via Woodhaven