What Exactly Are Bus Run Numbers?

[Lil 57]

Can someone explain to me what the run numbers are in the NYC Bus System?

[Via Garibaldi 8]

5 minutes ago, Lil 57 said:

Can someone explain to me what the run numbers are in the NYC Bus System?

Each driver has a run # when they pick each pick. The run varies in terms of pay what trips you do and on what lines and it's what dispatch uses when writing down times of bus arrivals, etc. when they're out checking. So run "001" may start out with a Southbound BxM1 trip, a Northbound BxM1 trip, then a BxM18 Southbound trip and then a deadhead and a BxM4 Northbound trip and you're done.  Just making this up as an example.

[Lil 57]

Just now, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

Each driver has a run # when they pick each pick. The run varies in terms of pay what trips you do and on what lines and it's what dispatch uses when writing down times of bus arrivals, etc. when they're out checking.

what do you mean "Pick each Pick"?

[BM5 via Woodhaven]

A run number is a number assigned to a run. A run is basically a schedule that operators follow, from when bus operators clock in to when they clock out. A run can have trips on one route, or can be trips on different routes (the latter being an interline).

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Just now, Lil 57 said:

what do you mean "Pick each Pick"?

If you notice, each bus line has a schedule that changes. NYCT does it by months and MTAB does it by season, so for example, MTAB will say "Spring 2018" is when a new pick starts. Drivers with the most seniority get to choose or pick which run they want. Usually the senior drivers will take a Monday through Friday to have weekends off. If you're a "filler" or someone with low seniority you pick last and get whatever is left over.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

2 minutes ago, BM5 via Woodhaven said:

A run number is a number assigned to a run. A run is basically a schedule that operators follow, from when bus operators clock in to when they clock out.

To add to that the runs vary in pay, which is usually what most drivers care about. That and down time. Some of the runs are a bit whacky and some guys will pick night runs to get done and get home.

 

My uncle when he got high up would do the Crosstown lines (M66, M23, etc.)

[Deucey]

15 hours ago, Lil 57 said:

what do you mean "Pick each Pick"?

A pick is a job. 

If you’ve gone to college, you know registering for/picking classes is done by selecting a number and punching it into the registration website. Depending on when you do it, you’re either in the class or waitlisted. And depending on the number you punch in, you’re either in 8am History or 9am intro to Basketweaving.

Same with driver picks, except instead of a waitlist, the schedules are assigned based on seniority (or when one joined the union).

[traildriver]

On a bus, it is the number you see in the box at the bottom of the windshield...it is for information of street inspector's...not the same as the route number displayed for the public in the destination sign above the windshield....