[ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit (197582) | |
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(197582) | |
[ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Newkirk Images on Mon Jun 7 07:53:21 2010 LINK to NY Post ArticleEast Side residents are about to get a speedier ride. Construction begins today on red-colored bus-only express lanes along First and Second avenues between 125th and Houston streets that will be like an "above ground subway," said Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Kahn. The service, which begins in October, will replace the M-15 limited buses. Local M-15s will operate normally. The express service will be similar to the one that runs along Fordham Road in The Bronx. Neither cash nor MetroCards will be accepted on the express buses, but bus stops will be equipped with machines that take cash, MetroCards and the upcoming Smart Cards. They'll dispense receipts that drivers will accept. The NYPD will patrol the lanes, clearing out and issuing summonses to motorists who dare block the 12.5-mile throughway. Also, yellow cabs violating the bus-only rules will have their pictures taken, The cameras will be mounted on poles at strategic locations, and will snap pictures the plates of offending cabs, which account for 65 percent of all bus delays along that corridor, she said. City and MTA brass are lobbying for legislation in Albany that would allow camera enforcement for all vehicles in bus lanes, not just city-regulated vehicles. "We're working with the city to make it clear to drivers that bus lanes throughout the city are for buses only, and a new smart-card pilot will pave the way for faster boarding on all of our buses," said MTA chief Jay Walder. By 2011, drivers of the express buses, like the ones operating on Fordham Road, will be able to control traffic lights. "It's a quantum leap," Sadik-Kahn said. She pointed out that the East Side has been underserved by public transit. "Residents have been waiting this for decades," Sadik-Kahn added. "For them it will reshape what it means to get around via bus." About 54,000 riders already take that corridor every day. tom.namako@nypost.com |
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(197585) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by The Flxible Neofan on Mon Jun 7 08:22:13 2010, in response to [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by Newkirk Images on Mon Jun 7 07:53:21 2010. Neither cash nor MetroCards will be accepted on the express buses, but bus stops will be equipped with machines that take cash, MetroCards and the upcoming Smart Cards.Wow, I didn't know that with SBS, you couldn't use any passes at all on the buses. I have yet to try the SBS of any kind, so this is useful for me when I go fanning sometime soon. |
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(197590) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by BigBusDriver on Mon Jun 7 08:55:09 2010, in response to [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by Newkirk Images on Mon Jun 7 07:53:21 2010. They'll dispense receipts that drivers will accept.The Drivers accept NOTHING! The receipts are to prove to the cops on the bus that the RIDER has paid. Most customers have no interaction with the driver, as they can come in any of the doors. And the new busses on the M-15 have 3 doors to choose from. |
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(197593) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by DHF60 on Mon Jun 7 09:58:43 2010, in response to [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by Newkirk Images on Mon Jun 7 07:53:21 2010. As someone who drives the Bx12 SBS on a daily basis I can safely say that the whole "Select Bus Service" concept is a complete waste of time. At least a third of the vending machines are either totally out of order or do not dispense tickets. Fare enforcement is spotty at best. The bus lane is for the most part useless and if we have traffic signal priority it's news to me since I cannot see any difference in traffic light sequencing. The NovaBUS LFSA is absolutely the wrong bus for this type of service. It is painfully slow, has less capacity than the Flyer D60, it's climate control system cannot cope with hot humid weather and the three door feature actually slows down boarding since sensors do not allow the doors to close when someone is standing near them. Passengers, especially kids have figured this out and will stand their holding the bus up while friends get receipts.Bus Rapid Transit in theory is a good idea but as usual when the MTA attempts it, the execution is flawed. We'll have to see if they've learned anything from 2 years of SBS operations in the Bronx and make improvements to the impending SBS service on the M15. |
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(197595) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Pelham Exp on Mon Jun 7 10:15:04 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by DHF60 on Mon Jun 7 09:58:43 2010. Thanks for the Front line perspective.... |
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(197596) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Forest Glen on Mon Jun 7 10:43:07 2010, in response to [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by Newkirk Images on Mon Jun 7 07:53:21 2010. Now for the obvious question: won't the SAS construction interfere with SBS? |
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(197597) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Forest Glen on Mon Jun 7 10:44:32 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Mon Jun 7 08:22:13 2010. There are still people who try to use their Metrocard on the Bx12 SBS. They act dumbfounded when the B/O tells them to use the machine. |
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(197598) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Forest Glen on Mon Jun 7 10:46:09 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by DHF60 on Mon Jun 7 09:58:43 2010. Based on my busfanning experiences, I can safely say that at least 20% of the Bx12 SBS riders don't bother paying the fare at all. |
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(197600) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Newkirk Images on Mon Jun 7 10:57:33 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Mon Jun 7 08:22:13 2010. The service, which begins in October, will replace the M-15 limited buses.What would the point of eliminating the M-15LTD be ? Isn't the point of the LTD service to stop at fewer stops ? Anyone know ? Bill Newkirk |
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(197601) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by The Flxible Neofan on Mon Jun 7 11:08:22 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by Newkirk Images on Mon Jun 7 10:57:33 2010. I guess they are using the resources from the LTD to operate SBS. Taking something from somewhere to add service elsewhere. |
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(197613) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by B49 Limited on Mon Jun 7 14:00:40 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by DHF60 on Mon Jun 7 09:58:43 2010. Thank you for safely expressing how much waste of time and money this program is. The SBS Bx12 has too many flaws that made me personally don't want it on the B 44 line. 1) The honor system does not work, what MTA and DOT are not mentioning to the public how much money was lost with the SBS Bx12. I mention in a prior post regarding SBS but if there is no enforcement on these buses, you are inviting people to ride a free bus. 2) the bus lanes on the Bx 12 also slows down this route. With double park cars or illegal parking on the lanes, (in case of the M 15 taxis) will slow down the route. Again due to lack of enforcement. 3. I don't think it is an issue except for East Village but the impact of business losing parking spots to attract customers (especially along 2nd Av where they are already struggling). I think SBS lanes on a full time basis hurts business, parts of Fordham Rd you can argue there are garages but places like Nostrand Av don't (except the junction). |
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(197649) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by BrooklynBus on Mon Jun 7 21:33:38 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Mon Jun 7 11:08:22 2010. When SBS was announced in 2004, it was hailed as an extra layer of service. It has since morphed into a replacement of LTD, that is LTD but with fewer stops, so all that it really is is a service cut that will cost less to operate. However, it has a lot of extra features. |
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(197650) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by BrooklynBus on Mon Jun 7 21:35:38 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by BigBusDriver on Mon Jun 7 08:55:09 2010. What makes no sense is that when checks are made, cops get on the bus and hold the bus for five minutes to check receipts. That defeats the whole purpose of speeding your ride. Why can't the cops stay on the bus and check receipts while the bus is moving? |
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(197651) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by BrooklynBus on Mon Jun 7 21:38:19 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by Forest Glen on Mon Jun 7 10:43:07 2010. I don't think SBS will be in effect on that portion of the route until construction is finished. |
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(197682) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Mr RT on Tue Jun 8 07:55:27 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by BrooklynBus on Mon Jun 7 21:33:38 2010. It's light rail without the rail ;-) |
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(197684) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Mr RT on Tue Jun 8 08:03:06 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by DHF60 on Mon Jun 7 09:58:43 2010. The "plan" is to enforce the SBS lane on the M15.We'll have to see how much enforcement will be required to shorten the trip time on that route. Overall the TA must be pleased with the Bronx SBS service or they wouldn't be expanding it ? |
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(197685) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Mr RT on Tue Jun 8 08:05:05 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by BrooklynBus on Mon Jun 7 21:35:38 2010. Because their coffee in the car would get cold :-) |
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(197692) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Tony Clifton on Tue Jun 8 09:18:21 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by Mr RT on Tue Jun 8 07:55:27 2010. No it's not. Light Rail is far superior. |
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(197693) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Tony Clifton on Tue Jun 8 09:22:49 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by Mr RT on Tue Jun 8 08:03:06 2010. >>Overall the TA must be pleased with the Bronx SBS service or they wouldn't be expanding it ?<<Don't think so. It could be political. Very political. So your assumption is dangerous. |
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(197706) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by BrooklynBus on Tue Jun 8 10:27:43 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by Tony Clifton on Tue Jun 8 09:18:21 2010. Now the media is calling it a "surface subway" which is even worse. I hope they are not conditioning people for another 10 year halt to the Second Avenue Subway. |
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(197707) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by BrooklynBus on Tue Jun 8 10:28:50 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by Mr RT on Tue Jun 8 08:05:05 2010. Now you are getting more cynical than me. |
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(197708) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by BrooklynBus on Tue Jun 8 10:30:44 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by Mr RT on Tue Jun 8 08:03:06 2010. They are expanding it because SBS is really a service cut when it replaces limited stop, because it even has fewer stops and a shorter running time. It is not to help the people but to reduce operating costs and the feds are paying for the cost of construction. |
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(197732) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Mr RT on Tue Jun 8 11:53:31 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by BrooklynBus on Tue Jun 8 10:27:43 2010. Get the firing squad out for the clown who is calling this surface subway ! They seem to have a problem calling what everybody in the industry does ... BRT ... |
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(197733) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Mr RT on Tue Jun 8 11:55:48 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by BrooklynBus on Tue Jun 8 10:30:44 2010. We are in that mode ... reduce cost, look for more dollars from other sources to replace what Albany is withholding. |
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(197734) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by Mr RT on Tue Jun 8 11:56:32 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by BrooklynBus on Tue Jun 8 10:28:50 2010. yes, but I added a smilie face ;-) |
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(197738) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by The Flxible Neofan on Tue Jun 8 12:07:52 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by BrooklynBus on Mon Jun 7 21:35:38 2010. What makes no sense is that when checks are made, cops get on the bus and hold the bus for five minutes to check receipts. That defeats the whole purpose of speeding your ride. Why can't the cops stay on the bus and check receipts while the bus is moving?Whaaa...?! Don't they know how this system works elsewhere? |
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(197854) | |
Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit |
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Posted by italianstallion on Wed Jun 9 15:27:08 2010, in response to Re: [ARTICLE] East Side Rapider Transit, posted by BrooklynBus on Mon Jun 7 21:38:19 2010. It will be. |
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