Acela Express Posted February 24, 2012 Share #1 Posted February 24, 2012 Had to make a run to Harlem today, which I could've taken the train but decided to take the R train to South Ferry and hop on the M15 SBS, just to see how it worked. Also it's been a while since I was down in that area, on foot, so seeing how things changed was a mindblower. I like the loop-style station for the M15 turn-around though. I'll keep it short and simple. I rode from end-to-end, and I have to say, it was pretty sweet. The bus wasn't packed because two of the SBS leaders were late, so when it was 'time' we just bypassed both buses on the way up 1st Avenue. I wasn't able to see how the bus lane worked since I got on after 7pm, when restriction is raised. Aside from checking out how things worked, I also looked how it would affect the upcoming B44 SBS, and that 3-door boarding is like Jesus giving out free cookies. I'm looking forward to operating it in a few months! BTW, Via Garibaldi 8 had a similar review months ago here: http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/f90/ways-improve-m15-sbs-30184.html I agree with removing the 29th Street station to speed things up a tad bit. The one thing I did notice is most of the folks boarding the bus are white, and not for nothing, I know they all paid at the kiosks at their stations. And with the B44 upcoming, as I said before in other posts, the EAGLE team is gonna have a field day with handing out summonses for farebeating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Sith Posted February 24, 2012 Share #2 Posted February 24, 2012 BTW, Via Garibaldi 8 had a similar review months ago here: http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/f90/ways-improve-m15-sbs-30184.htmlI agree with removing the 29th Street station to speed things up a tad bit. I dunno....I kinda disagree with that considering that 29th is the hotspot to get to Bellevue considering a lot of elderly folks use the SBS to get to that line (and plus is all low floors) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan05979 Posted February 24, 2012 Share #3 Posted February 24, 2012 When it first started I was mad as hell because those bus stops took up precious parking but now since I use the bus, that thing is great, the 1st ave mini subway in my eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QM1to6Ave Posted February 24, 2012 Share #4 Posted February 24, 2012 I dunno....I kinda disagree with that considering that 29th is the hotspot to get to Bellevue considering a lot of elderly folks use the SBS to get to that line (and plus is all low floors) I agree. Everyday I pass that stop on the way to work, and inevitable there is someone in a wheelchair getting off the bus and heading into Bellevue. Then, at the next stop, someone is coming out of NYU hospital in a wheelchair and getting on the bus (which does slow things down, but what can you do). It is pretty comical to see when there are 2 wheelchairs getting off the bus and 1 waiting to get on. THank goodness for those ramps on the low floor buses. As for the Eagle team, I have seen them more and more frequently on the M15 SBS, although sometimes if the bus is ful, they do not even bother getting on it. I also notice that the guys are often wearing their bullet proof vests on the outside of their uniforms now. Might be because they wear different jackets in the cold, but it definitely makes them look more official. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
checkmatechamp13 Posted February 24, 2012 Share #5 Posted February 24, 2012 The one thing I did notice is most of the folks boarding the bus are white, and not for nothing, I know they all paid at the kiosks at their stations. And with the B44 upcoming, as I said before in other posts, the EAGLE team is gonna have a field day with handing out summonses for farebeating. The thing that I don't get is why a reason people oppose +SBS+ is because they're worried that it'll increase farebeating, when all those farebeaters means that the Eagle Team will hand out a lot of summonses and the MTA will get more revenue. (And of course, there's the faster runtime and increased ridership) As I've said before, I don't farebeat, but I'd definitely be more afraid of farebeating under the +SBS+ system than I would under the current system. Whether farebeaters think that way I don't know, but the MTA claims that farebeating has decreased on both the M15 and Bx12 since +SBS+ was installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorgor Posted February 24, 2012 Share #6 Posted February 24, 2012 The thing that I don't get is why a reason people oppose +SBS+ is because they're worried that it'll increase farebeating, when all those farebeaters means that the Eagle Team will hand out a lot of summonses I've ridden the M15 SBS at least 30 times and I've only seen fare inspectors the first time I rode, back when it first came out. I always pay, but I'll be honest, there's been some times when I've only had to go one or two stops and the bus is already at the stop so I just hopped on because they won't wait for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RookiePhenom Posted February 24, 2012 Share #7 Posted February 24, 2012 I rode the M15 SBS both times I visited, and needless to say I'm a bit jealous (both times were from 59th to Houston). It definitely helps when you have the bus lane to yourselves, and they were pretty crowded both times. And since I'm a "not-tourist," I just pay and use the Metrocard at the kiosk, it's not that difficult to use (of course, I'm not a farebeater either). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dj Hammers Posted February 25, 2012 Share #8 Posted February 25, 2012 I rode the M15 for the first time today as well, midday from the Allen Street stop on the line down to South Ferry. The payment machines are slightly counter-intuitive; Thinking the machine was a touchscreen like on the subway, I tapped the arrow instead of pushing the button below the screen. It only took me a little under 3 seconds to figure it out though so it isn't much of a problem. The BIG issue however is the lack of maintenance on the payment machines. I saw a man walk up to the machine next to the one I had just used, inserted his metrocard, and no receipt came out. The man just rolled his eyes and got on the bus anyway. If SBS is to work, especially in rush hours, payment machines must be kept in near-perfect condition, since those who payed but were left without a receipt risk having to pay a fine for fare evasion. Perhaps there should be some way to feed the receipt back in to the machine to obtain a refund, so one may use another machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHV9218 Posted February 25, 2012 Share #9 Posted February 25, 2012 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Concourse Posted February 25, 2012 Share #10 Posted February 25, 2012 Not everyone is a bus fan and don't always take a bus ride they don't need. Speaking of the BX12 sbs, yesterday was the first time I rode it and it was a pretty good ride. But like the M15 sbs I had last year, there wasn't many visible inspectors as well. So sure they say farebeating went down, but how would they know if no one's around to check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
checkmatechamp13 Posted February 25, 2012 Share #11 Posted February 25, 2012 So sure they say farebeating went down, but how would they know if no one's around to check. What they probably do is have the inspectors take a count of how many people are actually on the bus, and then take the number of fare evaders they caught, and then they divide the two numbers. Then they could compare the percentages from before +SBS+ was implemented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDTA Posted February 26, 2012 Share #12 Posted February 26, 2012 I rode the M15 for the first time today as well, midday from the Allen Street stop on the line down to South Ferry. The payment machines are slightly counter-intuitive; Thinking the machine was a touchscreen like on the subway, I tapped the arrow instead of pushing the button below the screen. It only took me a little under 3 seconds to figure it out though so it isn't much of a problem. The BIG issue however is the lack of maintenance on the payment machines. I saw a man walk up to the machine next to the one I had just used, inserted his metrocard, and no receipt came out. The man just rolled his eyes and got on the bus anyway. If SBS is to work, especially in rush hours, payment machines must be kept in near-perfect condition, since those who payed but were left without a receipt risk having to pay a fine for fare evasion. Perhaps there should be some way to feed the receipt back in to the machine to obtain a refund, so one may use another machine. Defenitly. On New Years Eve I was busfanning the M34 +SBS+ and literraly all the machines were broken. And what if the machine is broken? Ive never been stopped by a fare enforecer (Never got on my bus any of the times I rode +SBS+ on any route.) Do you just say "The machine was broken" and he or she will let you go? Its ridicolus. I always have to stand right next to the bus driver just in case, so he remembers to tell the guy that the machine was broken. Even one time it was raining and I was at a rarely used stop and I put my card in and there was alredly a recipt there and it was stuck, and I ended up only ripping a little bit out. Then I tried the other machine and it said my card was just used so I couldn't board. :mad::mad::mad::mad::tdown::tdown::tdown::tdown: But when the machines do work its quite nice :cool: Also one thing I noticed is I always get a male driver:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q 66 limited Posted February 26, 2012 Share #13 Posted February 26, 2012 As a MTA Employee when we ride SBS bus service do we need a receipt? Or if a inspector comes on the bus will showing our passes be just as good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTA1992 Posted February 26, 2012 Share #14 Posted February 26, 2012 I love +SBS though I still have yet to ride the Bx12SBS. I can be on the bus to just be there and still feel like I'm going somewhere. Hell, it makes me feel like I have a job lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East New York Posted February 26, 2012 Share #15 Posted February 26, 2012 As a MTA Employee when we ride SBS bus service do we need a receipt? Or if a inspector comes on the bus will showing our passes be just as good? If you work for TA/OA you can do either or. Dip your card and get a reciept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
youngblaze Posted March 5, 2012 Share #16 Posted March 5, 2012 If you work for TA/OA you can do either or. Dip your card and get a reciept. I just play it safe and get my receipt lol I remember a Supt. at Zerega saying that even Bus Operators who were on their way to make a relief were issued summons' for not obtaining a receipt from the kiosk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FamousNYLover Posted March 9, 2012 Share #17 Posted March 9, 2012 Speaking of SBS, I like to share that tip for anyone who takes pic of M15 SBS. Don't take pic of Run #125 on M15 SBS. She's very nasty bus operator even thought most 126th St Depot are my friend, even the security & supervisior along M15 SBS routes knows I take pic. She scolded me twice. On day of No Pants Subway Ride, I was also focusing Staten Island Ferry terminal, along with tourists taking pictures of me while I was waiting for SBS. She accused me for taking pic of bus. On that day, I was hoping fare inspectors who knows me that I take pic of any thing. Today,during No More Fukushima Peace Walk for anti-Nuclear from Zucotti Park to George Washington Bridge, route was up 2nd Av and at 34th St, she scolded me again right in front of police escort who were escorted us. I was using buses, fire trucks as proof of Peace Walk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FamousNYLover Posted March 9, 2012 Share #18 Posted March 9, 2012 I just play it safe and get my receipt lol I remember a Supt. at Zerega saying that even Bus Operators who were on their way to make a relief were issued summons' for not obtaining a receipt from the kiosk. Even B/Os at Quill Depot doesn't even like it either. When they're switching driver at 34th St/9th Av, they have to get receipt, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FamousNYLover Posted March 9, 2012 Share #19 Posted March 9, 2012 As a MTA Employee when we ride SBS bus service do we need a receipt? Or if a inspector comes on the bus will showing our passes be just as good? Even employees have to pay at kiosk. Even thought Quill drivers doesn't like it, they still get receipt when they change shift at 9th Av. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Concourse Posted March 9, 2012 Share #20 Posted March 9, 2012 I dunno who that person is, but I wouldn't let that deter me from taking pics of the M15. Don't show you are intimidated. Maybe that driver thought she can boss you around because you don't look like a 'threat' to her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acela Express Posted March 13, 2012 Author Share #21 Posted March 13, 2012 Even employees have to pay at kiosk. We says we pay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FamousNYLover Posted March 14, 2012 Share #22 Posted March 14, 2012 I dunno who that person is, but I wouldn't let that deter me from taking pics of the M15. Don't show you are intimidated. Maybe that driver thought she can boss you around because you don't look like a 'threat' to her. I sometimes hold onto police jail pass card gaven my 86th Precint friend (who got retired) wherever I take pictures of buses or subways. With that, I was able to take picture right in front of security at Hempstead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FamousNYLover Posted March 14, 2012 Share #23 Posted March 14, 2012 We says we pay? One of my Quill B/O friend said he had to paid at kiosk with employee card to get receipt for reliefing another B/Os. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acela Express Posted March 14, 2012 Author Share #24 Posted March 14, 2012 One of my Quill B/O friend said he had to paid at kiosk with employee card to get receipt for reliefing another B/Os. Yeah, we get a receipt at the kiosk with our pass, but we don't pay for anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbo Posted March 16, 2012 Share #25 Posted March 16, 2012 Progress on the SBS downtown bus this morning at 9:10 am, never easy, was further impeded by an MTA-Bus staff car parked in the bus lane at 39th St. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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