Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews

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Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by Gold_12TH on Fri Aug 10 12:18:27 2012 edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Whether the MTA's new Select Bus Service on Staten Island will help folks get around quicker remains to be seen, but some residents are convinced the effort will fail. The S79 will shed 53 stops between its run from the Staten Island Mall to Brooklyn beginning next month, as the Metroplitan Transportation Authority inaugurates the Island's SBS. Dominick Spagnola of South Beach, for one, believes some riders will suffer. "Say you're an elderly person or a wheelchair-bound person: You have to hop on the S78 and then get off and take the S79," said the retired New York City Transit employee. "In this case, if you take the S78 to the S79, that's your transfer right there, and then when you get to Brooklyn, you have to pay again." Trips to Manhattan will be even more problematic, Spagnola predicted. Deirdre Parker, a spokeswoman for the MTA, maintained that the S78 on Hylan Boulevard and the S59 on Richmond Avenue will pick up the slack with increased service. "I understand what they're doing; they want to make a faster service," Spagnola said. "Just say for example again, if you take the 78 to the 79, at one point you have three people, then at the next stop you have six or seven people, so you're not really saving much time." As for the prospect of riders having to pay double, Parker said the MTA will set up a "three-leg transfer," whereby a rider can take the S78 to the S79 to the R train in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, all for one fare. Spagnola submitted that a limited-stop S79 with a regular S79 in its wake would be far more beneficial to the majority of riders. In any event, he said, the SBS on Staten Island isn't a true Select Bus Service, in the sense that riders cannot purchase tickets prior to boarding, as they do in Manhattan. Rather, the MTA, in its study of the plan, determined that boarding times on the Island route were not a problem and did not require pre-purchased tickets to expedite the boarding process. "If you take the bus in Manhattan and you see the flashing light, then you know that you pay outside and walk in the bus," Spagnola said. "So when they see the flashing light, they'll be looking for the farebox on the outside, and when they go on the bus they might just walk in without paying." The Island's SBS will have the blue LED lights and markings to distinguish it from other buses but not a kiosk for purchasing tickets prior to boarding, according to the MTA study. "It's a regular bus with limited stops," Spagnola added. Other ideas, such as the center-island passenger pickup coming to some places on Hylan Boulevard, and advanced signal technology that will allow SBS buses to flow through traffic lights before they change, Spagnola applauded, but he remained adamant that the elimination of 53 stops is a bad idea. Dee Vandenburg of the Staten Island Taxpayers Association was caught in traffic as the red bus lanes were being painted on Hylan Boulevard at Steuben Street, and deems the plan a bad idea. "There's been so many people killed at that corner, and now it's going to intensify," Ms. Vandenburg said. "I think it's ridiculous and dangerous." Ms. Vandenburg recalled telling MTA representatives at hearings that the idea would create a dangerous situation, but she says the agency would not listen to the community's concerns. The new SBS lanes will accommodate drivers making right-hand turns, but Ms. Vandenburg sees the potential for trouble, as motorists must contend with buses that are traveling faster. --- http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/skepticism_about_staten_island.html
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by (SIR) North Shore line* on Fri Aug 10 12:36:34 2012, in response to Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by Gold_12TH on Fri Aug 10 12:18:27 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d If the S79 SBS reduces the travel times by a significant amount, then it will be a money savings for the MTA because of the shorter run times. Anything to bring faster service to SI is a good thing though, as the express buses will also be able to take advantage of the new improvements. Hopefully the MTA isn't far away from announcing a S53 limited.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by LRG5784* on Fri Aug 10 18:38:58 2012, in response to Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by Gold_12TH on Fri Aug 10 12:18:27 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d The MTA should have created a limited that would have coincided with the local service (run local service every 15-20 minutes and limited service every 8-10 minutes). In addition, I would also eliminate midday limited service as demand during that time would be rather low.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by RailBus63* on Sat Aug 11 10:16:17 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by LRG5784 on Fri Aug 10 18:38:58 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d A limited would make sense if most passengers went to either Bay Ridge or St. George. The split in demand between the two points works against a straight S79 local-limited scheme. You'd also have people on the S59 (and likely the S53) complaining about not having limiteds on their routes. The MTA knows they are going to get bashed no matter what, so they might as well stick to the S79 SBS plan and see if it's a success.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by AMoreira81* on Sat Aug 11 11:25:29 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by RailBus63 on Sat Aug 11 10:16:17 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d The S53 is more likely. That route is one of the busiest in Staten Island. BTW, question: Before the Verrazano opened...where did the R7 (now today's S53) terminate?
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by B49 Limited* on Sat Aug 11 13:32:04 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by AMoreira81 on Sat Aug 11 11:25:29 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Since the S53 originated from the Concord line - trolley service, I am assuming that it did terminated at St. George's Ferry prior to the bridge.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by B49 Limited* on Sat Aug 11 13:33:31 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by RailBus63 on Sat Aug 11 10:16:17 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Isn't the S59 limited technically the S 89? I agree the S 78 and S 53 do need a limited service.... but the argument can be that SIR is the S 78 limited.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by checkmatechamp13* on Sat Aug 11 16:37:38 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by B49 Limited on Sat Aug 11 13:33:31 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Yeah, the S89 is definitely an S59 limited. Technically, the S93 is the S53 limited, even though obviously it doesn't help anybody north of Victory (though you do sometimes see people transferring between the S53 & S93 for a quicker ride). But yeah, the S53 needs its own limited. The S78 definitely doesn't need a limited. Aside from the SIR, now it'll have the S79 as a full-time limited. They're not going to get more than that.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by caine515* on Sun Aug 12 17:33:56 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by B49 Limited on Sat Aug 11 13:32:04 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d S7 terminated at 95th Street and 4th Avenue. It ran via Fort hamilton parkway to 94th Street-right on 94th Street to 4th and left. It came back 4th Av to Marine Av-left on Marine Av to Fort Hamilton Parkway and left to 92nd St via Bridge.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by New Flyer #857* on Sun Aug 12 19:59:51 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by caine515 on Sun Aug 12 17:33:56 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d He means prior to the bridge being built.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by Hank Eisenstein* on Mon Aug 13 12:36:00 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by New Flyer #857 on Sun Aug 12 19:59:51 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d It terminated at the South Beach turnaround, Sand Land and Seaside Boulevard (now Father Capodanno Blvd).
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by MorningsideHeightsM100 on Mon Aug 13 13:05:20 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by (SIR) North Shore line on Fri Aug 10 12:36:34 2012. edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d I'd applaud a S53 limited... Where would you make the stops, theoretically, on such a run? My theory... 4th/86th (eastern terminal) Lily Pond/McClean Av (xfer to S51 both directions) McClean Av/Sand Lane (xfer to S52 to Bayley Seton Hosp. or South Beach Psych./SIUH North) Hylan/Sand Lane (xfer to S78) Hylan/Clove (xfer to S78/S79/S79SBS) Clove/SIR Grasmere Station (obvious xfer to the SIR) Clove/Targee Street WB (in front of the firehouse) Clove/Richmond Rd (both directions) Clove/Victory Blvd (major transfer point to Victory Blvd buses)) Broadway/Forest Av. (xfer to S48) ALL STOPS TO/FROM Richmond Terrace thereafter/therefore (it's not much of a stretch at that point to the western terminal @ Richmond Terr.)
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by mci guy* on Mon Aug 13 15:49:41 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by Hank Eisenstein on Mon Aug 13 12:36:00 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d which to this day hasa a sign proclaiming r2 to ny ferries operates there. no buses go in there since nyct terminated the x20 in 2010.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by checkmatechamp13 on Mon Aug 13 17:55:50 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by MorningsideHeightsM100 on Mon Aug 13 13:05:20 2012. edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Add a stop at Clove & Bard, and cut out the Hylan & Sand stop. Also, add the current S93 stops in Brooklyn.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by LRG5784* on Mon Aug 13 19:58:11 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by mci guy on Mon Aug 13 15:49:41 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d The S51 has some buses that begin at South Beach in the morning and terminate there in the afternoon.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by Mr. Night Train Show on Wed Aug 15 14:52:26 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by Hank Eisenstein on Mon Aug 13 12:36:00 2012. edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d The R-7 commenced operation when the bridge opened. The route that terminated in South Beach was the R-105. The 105 to South Beach and the 7 to Brooklyn shared mostly the same route. Eventually the R-7 became the route and the 105 eliminated.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by mci guy* on Wed Aug 15 15:11:57 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by Mr. Night Train Show on Wed Aug 15 14:52:26 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d and youre not normnnite right.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by Mr. Night Train Show* on Thu Aug 16 10:46:20 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by mci guy on Wed Aug 15 15:11:57 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d No, The NIGHT TRAIN SHOW was Alan Fredericks on WADO in the early sixties. I added the "Mr." for my moniker. I only went as far as college radio.
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Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews
Posted by mci guy* on Thu Aug 16 19:21:45 2012, in response to Re: Skepticism about Staten Island's S79 Select Bus Service brews, posted by Mr. Night Train Show on Thu Aug 16 10:46:20 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d well i remember that too. and lets not forget murray the k. but you still remind me of noen n nite.
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