B/O NYCT Exam Testing Mar - Oct 2022 B/O 2611, 2612, 2613, 2614 & 3601 Hiring Process (TA)

[Elocin721]

13 hours ago, DEE123 said:

I’m happy I have the opportunity, and am super humbled and grateful for it, my only concern is I scored high on the exam and got an excellent list number and I’m one of the first people to get called, you would think that it would be appropriate to place someone from the Bronx in LGA or College point at least. I can already see why people are so quick to transfer. 

Regardless of your score and where you live, you will be sent  where ever Bus Company needs operator....to my understanding, a lot of operators did not know there are three agencies under MTA you can operate a bus...most of us thought it was just MTA Bus Company....but after years, some make it work for them, some transfer, and some do the exam to crossover in the other agencies. I'm happy I did both exam a month apart.

[Elocin721]

1 minute ago, Elocin721 said:

Regardless of your score and where you live, you will be sent  where ever Bus Company needs operator....to my understanding, a lot of operators did not know there are three agencies under MTA you can operate a bus...most of us thought it was just MTA Bus Company....but after years, some make it work for them, some transfer, and some do the exam to crossover in the other agencies. I'm happy I did both exam a month apart.

At least you'll be in the TWU local 100 union if you work out of LGA or CP Depots.

[DEE123]

14 minutes ago, Elocin721 said:

Yes I was with MTA bus company. JFK Depot and Far Rockaway Depot are same ATU local 1179....you can work out of any two Depots without a transfer....the other bus company Depots you can transfer into but that can take years! I remember the union rep told me at least 5 people granted a transfer for the year.... However, I live in Westchester County and I drove 60 miles a day to Far Rockaway Depot plus tolls both ways...Far Rockaway Depot is 15 mins away from JFK Depot....you will have to learn all the lines of both Depot....JFK have 8 local routes and Far Rockaway have 5 local routes and 4 express routes!...to make your life more easier, take the BO exam for MaBSTOA where you can work out of the Bronx and Manhattan Division....TA exam is also open on MTA website....I'm currently working out of a a Bronx Depot right now as one of the choices I picked out of Zerega....I think later on this month they'll have the Depots general pick...I hope I don't get bumped out the Bronx!

Ok so yeah I took mabstoa and TA exam 3601
Thanks and wow at 60 miles you must be by Mohegan lake. Did JFK/ Far rockaway have tons of overtime or no? Did you like it over there? How long was line training?

[Elocin721]

On 9/3/2023 at 12:20 PM, DEE123 said:

Ok so yeah I took mabstoa and TA exam 3601
Thanks and wow at 60 miles you must be by Mohegan lake. Did JFK/ Far rockaway have tons of overtime or no? Did you like it over there? How long was line training?

Lol...30 miles to work, and 30 miles to home from Far Rockaway Depot.....they have a lot of open runs and overtime...I know you'll be good in that area!...I liked Far Rockaway Depot better... it's small, and everyone there is like family! JFK Depot, that's where the bosses are...if you want to pass probation, go to Far Rockaway, if you want hours, go to JFK Depot....I had 6 weeks of line training...3 weeks at each Depot....I think 12 days of line training you'll go back to Zerega for graduation.

[DEE123]

3 hours ago, Elocin721 said:

Lol...30 miles to work, and 30 miles to home from Far Rockaway Depot.....they have a lot of open runs and overtime...I know you'll be good in that area!...I liked Far Rockaway Depot better... it's small, and everyone there is like family! JFK Depot, that's where the bosses are...if you want to pass probation, go to Far Rockaway, if you want hours, go to JFK Depot....I had 6 weeks of line training...3 weeks at each Depot....I think 12 days of line training you'll go back to Zerega for graduation.

Ok cool, sounds good thanks for the info. 

[Frenchie]

On 4/20/2022 at 11:29 AM, sovetskii52 said:

and very few questions are technical. Most of it is "Common Sense" stuff. But judging by the practice questions I found, most of them are pretty technical. I have never hear

Hey, would you remember the websites you used to study?

[Frenchie]

How do they test you on the ear and eye exam?

Is the eye exam simply reading something pretty far away? 

Does it involve a color test... testing if you're color blind?

And if one wears glasses, are they allowed to do the eye exam with glasses on or without?

Hopefully, I'm allowed to ask these questions. I am new to the forum.. pardon me if I break any rules unknowingly. 

[+Young+]

1 hour ago, Frenchie said:

Hey, would you remember the websites you used to study?

40 minutes ago, Frenchie said:

How do they test you on the ear and eye exam?

Is the eye exam simply reading something pretty far away? 

Does it involve a color test... testing if you're color blind?

And if one wears glasses, are they allowed to do the eye exam with glasses on or without?

Hopefully, I'm allowed to ask these questions. I am new to the forum.. pardon me if I break any rules unknowingly. 

First of all, welcome to the Forums! And yes, you are allowed to ask questions, especially since you are new.

As far as the website to study, I would strongly recommend this NYPD Test Prep Kit. Just note that the questions will be geared towards a Bus Operator and not the NYPD. As an example, for the memory portion, you will be given a fictitious picture of a bus route, and for the written comprehension/written expression, it will probably be based on a fictitious "incident" along a bus route.

If you still need help preparing for the memorization section, since this is the part that I feel that everyone screws up on, let me know.

As far as the eye exam, if I recall correctly, you will have to look into a microscope. You will be able to try once without your glasses and then with your glasses.

Finally, mind I ask, do you know the number of the Bus Operator exam that you will be taking? The reason why I am asking is because, as per the guidelines, we ask the members to "Post in the relevant forum," respectively. If you still need help, since I know the Examinations Unit is offering one [1] exam for both the MaBSTOA and MTA Bus Operator positions, just let me know here.

Thanks and welcome to the Forums!!

Edited September 19, 2023 by +Young+
Editing...

[Frenchie]

Yes @+Young+ thank you for that NYPD test prep kit. I seen it in this forum as I was looking through before I created an account here.

And yes, as for the memorization section of the test.. I would not mind receiving some help on that.. whatever you can offer I'd greatly appreciate that.

And, my apologies I will familiarize myself with the guidelines. My exam is #4111 for MaBSTOA. I'll be testing this week.

 

And thanks for this forum! It's definitely a life saver lol.

[Knighthawk]

Got my exam score in the mail today for exam 2614 78% list number # 3** do you guys know when there going start getting to the list numbers 

Edited September 19, 2023 by +Young+
Security purposes...

[lornaevo]

21 hours ago, Frenchie said:

How do they test you on the ear and eye exam?

Is the eye exam simply reading something pretty far away? 

Does it involve a color test... testing if you're color blind?

And if one wears glasses, are they allowed to do the eye exam with glasses on or without?

Hopefully, I'm allowed to ask these questions. I am new to the forum.. pardon me if I break any rules unknowingly. 

For the eye exam they test you without the glasses first and then with. They do test for color blindness but if you fail the color blindness test on the machine they will do the signal test. I’m color blind and fail the computer part every single time. Hearing is done in a sound proof booth.  

[DEE123]

20 hours ago, Frenchie said:

Yes @+Young+ thank you for that NYPD test prep kit. I seen it in this forum as I was looking through before I created an account here.

And yes, as for the memorization section of the test.. I would not mind receiving some help on that.. whatever you can offer I'd greatly appreciate that.

And, my apologies I will familiarize myself with the guidelines. My exam is #4111 for MaBSTOA. I'll be testing this week.

 

And thanks for this forum! It's definitely a life saver lol.

Other than the memorization portion. most of the questions are just reading comprehension or trying to match a picture, other questions require you to read the question multiple times until you can find the right answer. Just take your time and be thorough, and understand what they are asking and you’ll be fine. 

 

21 hours ago, Frenchie said:

How do they test you on the ear and eye exam?

Is the eye exam simply reading something pretty far away? 

Does it involve a color test... testing if you're color blind?

And if one wears glasses, are they allowed to do the eye exam with glasses on or without?

Hopefully, I'm allowed to ask these questions. I am new to the forum.. pardon me if I break any rules unknowingly. 

Yes you look inside the microscope and they test color blindness right after your vision exam. They did it with me last month. There is a bunch of pictures with numbers inside and they are different colors. You have to call out the number inside of the picture. 
 

For the ear exam they check inside your ear, and then put you in a small silent room with headphones, then they play sounds. You have to click a button each time you hear the sound. 

good luck 
 

 

 

[DEE123]

I’m in Zerega doing training right now while waiting for 3601 to call me. I know I got a high score on my exam, but I’m not expecting a call until early next year as people are being processed from Mabstoa and Bus Company, each class can only hold a certain amount of people.

People from NYCTA that I’m training with are exam 2612 with low list numbers under 150. I recommend you take the mabstoa/Bus Company exam now, so by the time you get called by TA, your training would be finished. If you’re in Mabstoa, when TA calls you’ll probably even wind up staying in that same exact depot, Just with a new ID and your probation time will carry over. 

also You should not post your whole List number for security reasons. that’s why you see People usually put a star or # in the last digit or 2 such as  3** or 30* 3## or 30#

[DEE123]

5 hours ago, Knighthawk said:

Got my exam score in the mail today for exam 2614 78% list number # 3** do you guys know when there going start getting to the list numbers 

I answered your question I forgot to press reply. Look at the post before this one. 

Edited September 19, 2023 by +Young+

[+Young+]

22 hours ago, Frenchie said:

Yes @+Young+ thank you for that NYPD test prep kit. I seen it in this forum as I was looking through before I created an account here.

And yes, as for the memorization section of the test.. I would not mind receiving some help on that.. whatever you can offer I'd greatly appreciate that.

And, my apologies I will familiarize myself with the guidelines. My exam is #4111 for MaBSTOA. I'll be testing this week.

And thanks for this forum! It's definitely a life saver lol.

Hey, if you can head over to this thread, it would be appreciated. Just scroll to the last post and we'll take it from there.

Thanks!!

[Knighthawk]

@DEE123 cool thanks for the information brother I just wanted to share the information with forum is there any more advice you could give 

[Harlem]

3 hours ago, DEE123 said:

I’m in Zerega doing training right now while waiting for 3601 to call me. I know I got a high score on my exam, but I’m not expecting a call until early next year as people are being processed from Mabstoa and Bus Company, each class can only hold a certain amount of people.

People from NYCTA that I’m training with are exam 2612 with low list numbers under 150. I recommend you take the mabstoa/Bus Company exam now, so by the time you get called by TA, your training would be finished. If you’re in Mabstoa, when TA calls you’ll probably even wind up staying in that same exact depot, Just with a new ID and your probation time will carry over. 

also You should not post your whole List number for security reasons. that’s why you see People usually put a star or # in the last digit or 2 such as  3** or 30* 3## or 30#

Thanks for this info DEE. I didn’t know it was that easy to change to TA. Are you training with Mabstoa now? If so have they mentioned the depot you most likely will end up in? Is it possible to choose Manhattanville after you finish training? Thanks.

[DEE123]

19 hours ago, Harlem said:

Thanks for this info DEE. I didn’t know it was that easy to change to TA. Are you training with Mabstoa now? If so have they mentioned the depot you most likely will end up in? Is it possible to choose Manhattanville after you finish training? Thanks.

I’m not mabatoa, but i’m in the training class with people from mabstoa, and they still don’t know where they’re going to go yet. Maybe some time after you qualify, you’re gonna be able to pick in order and if they have space they might try to accommodate you im not sure how it works. 

[DEE123]

19 hours ago, Knighthawk said:

@DEE123 cool thanks for the information brother I just wanted to share the information with forum is there any more advice you could give 

When you get assigned a superintendent for training, listen to everything he tells you 100% and correct the mistakes you made sooner than later. Your experience doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if you already drove a bus for NJ Transit or were a tractor trailer operator for the military. None of this means anything and they will fail you without hesitation and tell you to resign so don’t go in cocky regardless of history of commercial driving experience. Luckily I came in with no experience which is better because I didn’t have bad habits I had to break. You need to operate the bus exactly how MTA wants you to operate it, drive slow and smooth enough so you have enough time to ANTICIPATE and FORWARD PLAN a block ahead. You might mess up in some areas and they’re gonna write it on your paperwork. It’s not for you to have bad feelings about, just learn from your mistake and make sure it doesn’t happen twice.
You are also going to get a textbook with all 7 days broken down. Every morning I recommend going to the depot about 90 minutes early each day and studying ALSAPS, Pre Trip, reading over what you have to do that day, and reviewing all notes from the days prior that the instructor gave you.

If you follow this advice, Once you hit days 5,6,7, you wouldn’t have any issues, at most the instructor will fine tune small things that need to be changed.  You just need make sure to listen to the instructors, and apply everything they’re telling you verbatim, The system works. 
 

[lornaevo]

1 hour ago, DEE123 said:

When you get assigned a superintendent for training, listen to everything he tells you 100% and correct the mistakes you made sooner than later. Your experience doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if you already drove a bus for NJ Transit or were a tractor trailer operator for the military. None of this means anything and they will fail you without hesitation and tell you to resign so don’t go in cocky regardless of history of commercial driving experience. Luckily I came in with no experience which is better because I didn’t have bad habits I had to break. You need to operate the bus exactly how MTA wants you to operate it, drive slow and smooth enough so you have enough time to ANTICIPATE and FORWARD PLAN a block ahead. You might mess up in some areas and they’re gonna write it on your paperwork. It’s not for you to have bad feelings about, just learn from your mistake and make sure it doesn’t happen twice.
You are also going to get a textbook with all 7 days broken down. Every morning I recommend going to the depot about 90 minutes early each day and studying ALSAPS, Pre Trip, reading over what you have to do that day, and reviewing all notes from the days prior that the instructor gave you.

If you follow this advice, Once you hit days 5,6,7, you wouldn’t have any issues, at most the instructor will fine tune small things that need to be changed.  You just need make sure to listen to the instructors, and apply everything they’re telling you verbatim, The system works. 
 

Wow. This post should be stared. This is 100% the best advice. I came in to my training with 8 years cdl driving experience and let me tell you. It didn’t mean anything to my superintendent. He was quick to point out all my mistakes. Don’t be cocky. Go into this with an open mind and me willing to learn. Don’t be afraid of driving the bus. Anytime your superintendent ask who wants to drive? Volunteer immediately. Try to fix mistakes while the superintendent is there because when you’re on the road by yourself all eyes are on you. Remember that the most important thing to the MTA is safety. 

[+Young+]

1 hour ago, lornaevo said:

Wow. This post should be stared. This is 100% the best advice....

Unfortunately, I cannot do this from my end. Sorry...

 

[chrisarmand69]

As a student that passed the Eastchester training and got the cdl today, this trainingwill have you lose sleep. The 10 day trainingwas tough, even for thos who came in with their cdl license. My superintendentwas firm but fair. Then on to eastchesterto train and study the book for pre trip. It'sbeen a long journeybut the rewards will be great.

[Frenchie]

@DEE123 Alright, thanks a lot for the responses and valuable info! If you don't mind, I have a few further questions. Is the test timed? If so, is it a reasonable allotted amount of time or would I have to really make sure I'm pacing myself through the questions?

[Frenchie]

@lornaevo Hello, thank you for your response. And yes, I struggle with color blindness as well lol. I wanted to know if they would work with you. Years ago, I didn't know I was color blind at the time; but when I went to go take a school safety exam, I passed.. got called in. And did the physical... severely struggled with the color portion.. but they still approved me lol. I just decided not to move forward with that career.. so I'm trying to prepare myself for that portion. Since I believe that will be one of the biggest hurdles for me in the physical examination portion of trying to onboard with the MTA. Of course, assuming that I hopefully pass the exam tomorrow.

[DEE123]

1 hour ago, chrisarmand69 said:

As a student that passed the Eastchester training and got the cdl today, this trainingwill have you lose sleep. The 10 day trainingwas tough, even for thos who came in with their cdl license. My superintendentwas firm but fair. Then on to eastchesterto train and study the book for pre trip. It'sbeen a long journeybut the rewards will be great.

I’m glad to hear you took the job. I’m referring to your posts from last month when you had trouble with the process