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Q10A signage

Posted by David of Broadway on Sat Jan 14 22:05:14 2006

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Are Q10A's now signed as Q10A's or are they still signed as vanilla Q10's?

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by Line 13 on Sun Jan 15 00:04:37 2006, in response to Q10A signage, posted by David of Broadway on Sat Jan 14 22:05:14 2006.

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I don't know, but here's a "Q10A"...



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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by David of Broadway on Sun Jan 15 00:08:48 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by Line 13 on Sun Jan 15 00:04:37 2006.

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But the Q10A doesn't go to Kew Gardens! Or do they have signage for the nonexistent northbound runs?

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by Line 13 on Sun Jan 15 00:17:43 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by David of Broadway on Sun Jan 15 00:08:48 2006.

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I guess that reading's for an expanded Q10A route that would actually have decent service.

Hopefully MTA Bus will expand Q10A service and advertise it as another way to JFK as soon as the 18-month period is over.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by exgreenbusdriver on Sun Jan 15 00:39:16 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by Line 13 on Sun Jan 15 00:17:43 2006.

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they should get buses with wider aisles and luggage racks and use them on the q10a and indeed expand the service

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by David of Broadway on Sun Jan 15 00:42:11 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by Line 13 on Sun Jan 15 00:17:43 2006.

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Hopefully they'll fix the schedules, too. The first time I tried to ride the Q10A, I missed the last bus of the day since the public timetables and the internal timetables disagreed by 4 minutes.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by Gotham Bus Co. on Sun Jan 15 07:44:23 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by exgreenbusdriver on Sun Jan 15 00:39:16 2006.

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[they should get buses with wider aisles and luggage racks and use them on the q10a and indeed expand the service]

Not practical now. The Q10A trips are interlined with the Q10 (which needs seating capacity for local service), AND expanding the Q10A would undermine the AirTrain.


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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by David of Broadway on Sun Jan 15 08:41:59 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by Gotham Bus Co. on Sun Jan 15 07:44:23 2006.

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People who find the AirTrain a valuable service can continue to ride it.

Offering an additional service for those who find the AirTrain less valuable isn't undermining -- it's providing a useful service.

Unless the idea is that the AirTrain would have inadequate paid ridership if the competition weren't made as difficult as possible to find and use -- in other words, that the entire venture is based on dishonesty.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by BusMgr on Sun Jan 15 14:22:12 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by Gotham Bus Co. on Sun Jan 15 07:44:23 2006.

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1. The purpose of the Q10A is not so much to provide express service to the airport as it is to provide Q10 capacity. The route of the Q10A is faster to JFK than the route of the Q10 to JFK, and thus buses have been assigned to the Q10A in order to cycle them more quickly. Were these buses sent down the Q10 route, they would get to JFK later, and additional equipment would be required to meet the northbound (i.e., peak direction) Q10 schedule.

In the afternoon, there is no significant difference between the Q10 northbound running time from JFK and what the northbound Q10A running time would be on the Van Wyck Expressway. Thus in the afternoon all the northbund service is routed via the Q10 so as to serve more people (i.e., provide a better headway to people at bus stops between JFK and Kew Gardens). The only reasons for providing northbound Q10A service in the afternoon would be (1) providing passengers with the perception that better or faster service is being offered, and (2) providing service planners with a neater service schedule in their statistical reports.

2. That an expanded Q10A might undermine AirTrain service should be of no importance. What is important is recognizing transportation needs and providing the efficient and effective transportation service required to meet those needs. It is not necessary to first provide a particular transportation service and then forcing that service upon people if it really isn't efficient or effective.

In the case of the Q10A, many airline employees live in the Kew Gardens area. It is convenient for them to board the Q10A (or the Q10 when the Q10A is not operating) to go directly to the airport. Using the AirTrain would require a trip on the E from Kew Gardens to Sutphin Blvd., then a transfer to the AirTrain. At $7 each way, it is also much more expensive than the Q10A/Q10 (yes, there is a $40 monthly pass for AirTrain, but airline crews do not commute everyday in the same city as do other types of workers).

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by David of Broadway on Mon Jan 16 09:29:18 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by BusMgr on Sun Jan 15 14:22:12 2006.

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IAWTP.

Now, have the schedules been fixed, or do the buses still leave Kew Gardens 4 minutes ahead of when the public schedules say they should?

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by BusMgr on Mon Jan 16 13:55:32 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by David of Broadway on Mon Jan 16 09:29:18 2006.

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If the buses are leaving ahead of the times indicated in the public timetables, then they are doing so either at the supervisor's direction. The Q10 public schedules are the same as the schedules printed on drivers' daycards.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by David of Broadway on Mon Jan 16 14:31:09 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by BusMgr on Mon Jan 16 13:55:32 2006.

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They weren't several years ago. When I asked a Q10 driver (after waiting 20+ minutes) if he had any idea where the Q10A was, he showed me his schedule, and it disagreed with the public schedule.

Here's a reference from 2003.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by BusMgr on Mon Jan 16 15:08:07 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by David of Broadway on Mon Jan 16 14:31:09 2006.

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They weren't several years ago. When I asked a Q10 driver (after waiting 20+ minutes) if he had any idea where the Q10A was, he showed me his schedule, and it disagreed with the public schedule.

That doesn't sound right since the same source is used for both the public timetables and the driver daycards. The driver is supposed to leave the stand on Kew Gardens Road in advance of the departure timem, but the driver is not supposed to leave the stop on Queens Blvd. until the scheduled time. The last Green Bus schedule had Q10A buses departing at 7:09 a.m., then every 20 minutes until 8:49 a.m.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by David of Broadway on Mon Jan 16 18:25:14 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by BusMgr on Mon Jan 16 15:08:07 2006.

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The schedules have been updated since I rode it, but I assure you, there was a disagreement in Q10A departure times.

My guess is that at some point the timetables were changed, but nobody bothered to update the version that appeared on the web site.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by BusMgr on Mon Jan 16 21:49:50 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by David of Broadway on Mon Jan 16 18:25:14 2006.

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My guess is that at some point the timetables were changed, but nobody bothered to update the version that appeared on the web site.

That may be the case. The first emphasis has always been to get the printed schedules, and the creatino of PDFs for the website was a second priority.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by David of Broadway on Mon Jan 16 22:06:48 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by BusMgr on Mon Jan 16 21:49:50 2006.

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Interesting, since presumably by this point more people encounter the PDF's than printed copies. Also, there's more of an expectation that a PDF on a website be up-to-date than a printed copy, since everyone knows that the old printed copies that are already in circulation don't magically vanish as soon as an update is released.

(And this was the sort of change that could cause people to miss their flights! Granted, not many travelers used the Q10A to reach the airport, but I'm sure a few did. Missing the last Q10A of the day by a minute, and only 20 or 30 minutes later giving up and going around the corner to the slower Q10, could easily make the difference between catching a flight and missing it.)

Was the schedule ever posted at the Q10A bus stop? I never rode Green often, but I don't think I ever saw a posted schedule at a bus stop -- there certainly was none at the Q10A stop when I was there.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by R7 Torresdale Express on Mon Jan 16 22:17:15 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by BusMgr on Mon Jan 16 21:49:50 2006.

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I can honestly say I don't even know what a printed Green Lines' timetable looks like. I have never seen one.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by BusMgr on Tue Jan 17 07:54:59 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by David of Broadway on Mon Jan 16 22:06:48 2006.

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Was the schedule ever posted at the Q10A bus stop? I never rode Green often, but I don't think I ever saw a posted schedule at a bus stop -- there certainly was none at the Q10A stop when I was there.

NYCDOT never permitted the Transit Alliance companies to post schedules at bus stops. While protypes were presented for approval, NYCDOT refused to provide consent.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by R36 #9346 on Tue Jan 17 13:05:00 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by David of Broadway on Sun Jan 15 00:08:48 2006.

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I wasn't going to say it, but since a pic of a bus with that sign exists, I guess I will.

But the Q10A doesn't go to Kew Gardens! Or do they have signage for the nonexistent northbound runs?

Yes. Code #0108.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by R36 #9346 on Tue Jan 17 13:35:57 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by R7 Torresdale Express on Mon Jan 16 22:17:15 2006.

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Here's what it looks like in PDF form. Note that the PDF screws with the text on the cover. Also note that the cover features 5501 in front of the Marine Parkway/Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge with a Vultron VMX 20128 sign.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by B53RICH on Tue Jan 17 19:20:58 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by BusMgr on Tue Jan 17 07:54:59 2006.

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At one time some years ago, there were Guide-A-Rides posted on Lefferts Blvd. around Liberty Ave. That was the only area where I saw Guide-A-Rides for a NYC DOT PBL. Those may have been demos.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by Green_713 on Tue Jan 17 21:15:23 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by B53RICH on Tue Jan 17 19:20:58 2006.

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Yeah, I saw that Guide-A-Ride also. Matter of fact, it's still up actually, or, what's left of it. It's on the beginning (or end, depending on your point of view) of the Eastbound Q112 (going towards Jamaica) bus stop on Liberty Ave. and Lefferts Blvd., right under the stairwell to the A train Lefferts Blvd. terminus.

I always wondered why that was the ONLY Guide-A-Ride I noticed on any of the PBL's bus stops.

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by R36 #9346 on Fri Jan 20 12:56:10 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by R7 Torresdale Express on Mon Jan 16 22:17:15 2006.

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Here are a couple of old Q10 timetables. Notice that the one on the left shows that the Q10 also serves the Richmond Hill LIRR station. Timetable effective 1/1/1998, station closed 3/16/1998.


Old Triboro express timetables for the QM10 and QM11.


The full set of Liberty Lines timetables effective 6/21/1999.


Green Line express timetables. In a way, like Queens Surface, all their express route schedules were available in one timetable.


An old Q32 timetable. These were actually mailed to people's homes before the depot split.


The depot split in question? half of the Q32's runs come from Casey Stengel, the other half from Hudson Pier. Note that the B30 is one of the transfers listed at 47th Street.


A route map from a Q38 timetable. Can you tell the actual route the bus runs?


Two old Q39 timetables.


Route map from the Q39. There have been a few changes since then.


Q53 timetables.


Q72 timetable from 1998. On the rest of the Triboro Coach timetables from this era, the front of the bus had "TRIBORO COACH" between the headlights. This one has a number: 3281.



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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by David of Broadway on Fri Jan 20 13:36:53 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by R36 #9346 on Fri Jan 20 12:56:10 2006.

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Why does the Q32 schedule give depot information? How is it at all relevant to the passengers?

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by R36 #9346 on Fri Jan 20 16:39:48 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by David of Broadway on Fri Jan 20 13:36:53 2006.

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Why does the Q32 schedule give depot information?
To show that there would be a change of depot information (instead of the Q32 being 100% HP, it would be split between HP and CS).

How is it at all relevant to the passengers?
Quote (emphasis added):

"We are making this change because Q32 buses start their trips in Jackson Heights, Queens. Moving the buses to a depot in Queens will help make service more efficient and more reliable."

Splitting the route between two depots in an attempt to provide better service along the entire route.

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by Line 13 on Fri Jan 20 19:07:32 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by R36 #9346 on Fri Jan 20 12:56:10 2006.

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I like the old Green timetables. It's too bad that they dropped their old slogan "RIDE THE GREEN LINES."

The Triboro ones are nice as well, with the drawing of the people in front of the bus. The old timetables are definitely much better than the current bland NYCDOT ones.

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by mr_brian on Fri Jan 20 21:18:38 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by Line 13 on Fri Jan 20 19:07:32 2006.

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I agree.

Seeing those old Triboro timetables brought back some good memories...but wow the route display was just awful for the Q38, it is very hard to tell where the route really goes.

I find it interesting that all the "new timetables" feature blue = local; express = green; Limited = purple - almost similar to the colors that NYCT uses for displaying bus routes on those newer bus stop signs.

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by mr_brian on Fri Jan 20 21:21:08 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by R36 #9346 on Fri Jan 20 12:56:10 2006.

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Thanks for posting the pics of the old timetables.

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by Line 13 on Fri Jan 20 21:27:56 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by mr_brian on Fri Jan 20 21:18:38 2006.

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I find it interesting that all the "new timetables" feature blue = local; express = green; Limited = purple - almost similar to the colors that NYCT uses for displaying bus routes on those newer bus stop signs.

That's because NYCDOT prints the timetables and also makes the new bus stop signs.

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by mr_brian on Fri Jan 20 21:30:54 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by Line 13 on Fri Jan 20 21:27:56 2006.

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Ah yes, true...

But the older timetables still looked better, IMO. The newer ones are improved in some aspects, but the older ones just have more of a unique look to them.

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by BusMgr on Fri Jan 20 22:50:03 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by Line 13 on Fri Jan 20 21:27:56 2006.

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That's because NYCDOT prints the timetables and also makes the new bus stop signs.

While it is true that NYCDOT does bus stop signs, all of the timetables for the privately-operated bus routes have been designed, edited, and printed by the private companies themselves. The Transit Alliance companies use a common format (one that does indeed use the NYCDOT system of color idetification of type of route), while the other companies used their own formats. Had NYCDOT been in charge of timetable design I imagine that all would have had a common format.

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by Line 13 on Fri Jan 20 23:14:06 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by BusMgr on Fri Jan 20 22:50:03 2006.

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Ah, thanks for the clarification.

It seems logical that the Transit Alliance timetables would all look alike. (Come to think of it, I've never seen a JBI timetable... anyone know what they look like?)

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by daDouce Man on Fri Jan 20 23:31:23 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by Line 13 on Fri Jan 20 23:14:06 2006.

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JBL had timetables. I haven't seen any lately.

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by mr_brian on Sat Jan 21 17:45:34 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by BusMgr on Fri Jan 20 22:50:03 2006.

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The "Cooper Four" timetables were most recently made by a company called Smartmaps, but before that, each company made the timetables themselves.

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by David of Broadway on Sat Jan 21 19:05:49 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by R36 #9346 on Fri Jan 20 16:39:48 2006.

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If service is unreliable, nobody will believe a statement on a printed schedule that it will become more reliable. And everything else there is irrelevant to the passengers.

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by R36 #9346 on Tue Jan 24 15:16:30 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by Line 13 on Fri Jan 20 23:14:06 2006.

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I've never seen a JBI timetable... anyone know what they look like?

Same format as the others... The picture is of 3847 (Run #1999) making the left turn from Parsons onto Archer, signed "JAMAICA BUSES"

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Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.)

Posted by R7 Torresdale Express on Wed Jan 25 00:40:05 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage (Old Schedule PHOTOS: 11 photos, 773K total.), posted by R36 #9346 on Tue Jan 24 15:16:30 2006.

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I think he means the old ones.

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Re: Q10A signage

Posted by Grand Concourse on Wed Jan 25 02:43:28 2006, in response to Re: Q10A signage, posted by exgreenbusdriver on Sun Jan 15 00:39:16 2006.

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Adding luggage racks above the seats of say the O7's would be perfect assuming the person can lift it over their heads and it doesn't tilt out if the bus made sharp turns.

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