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| (1458385) | |
Casual Observations |
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Posted by FormerStrapHanger on Fri Dec 15 15:59:24 2017 I wanted to share some personal observations of my experience with travel in NYC after being gone for some time. I moved away in 1989, and was last there for a visit in 2000. The MTA is vastly different than what it was when I last used it regularly. Not having to use it on a daily basis, my impressions are that it is much improved over what it was.First, thanks to all the posters who kindly answered my questions about the MetroCard. Even with all your help, it was still confusing. We bought our cards from a vendor. That was convenient, but I did not realize that they only sold cards of a specific value. We couldn’t tell him exactly what we wanted. Of well, close enough – I now have a couple of souvenir cards that are technically worth a few bucks. According to the card, in a year or so they will be worthless. Thanks to New Flyer #857 who recommended the QM5 bus as a way to get into Manhattan from Eastern Queens. It was good trip and the views were what was needed for my Southern wife to gain an appreciation of where I was raised. We saw a number of people who tried to board and were turned away because they had Unlimited MetroCards. I am glad I am not the only one who is still trying to figure it all out. The only problem was the tunnel work going on that weekend. The busses wound up WAY behind schedule. The return bus from Manhattan started the run at 4:30. It was actually the 5:00 bus, but the dispatcher sent him early since the 4:00 bus was still stuck in traffic. The ride was supposed to take about 40 minutes, but took 90. The next day we took the regular bus in to the subway. First time riding on these low floor busses. My observations: The MCI busses used on the express routes don’t seem like they are suited to City conditions. Both of the busses we rode on rattled like a GMC Fishbowl at every bump. I was waiting on something to fall down from the overhead. On the other hand, the LF’s were quiet and sounded solid. They took the bumps in stride with hardly a grunt. We rode trains from both divisions getting around Manhattan. I miss the variety in the equipment ‘back in the day’. That being said, the current fleet is much more customer friendly than what I was used to. First, it was generally clean and graffiti free. The announcements were actually understandable. The strip maps and message panels with the next stop information were very useful. I understood the strip map on the IRT train easily, but I had to explain to my brother why it had two different routes on it and what they each were telling you. The sad part is, he lives in NY. My overall impression of the current equipment is that it is much better condition than when I rode the rails. Quieter, smoother, better lighting. It may have just been the luck of the draw, but I don’t think so. One thing that stood out to me was the presence of visible TA personnel. They seemed to be everywhere. I was very surprised to see someone who’s job it was to be a Platform Attendant. Next thing I expect is that you will have ‘pushers’ like they do in Tokyo. I asked a few of the employees directions, and they were all approachable and provided friendly answers. The bus dispatcher was very accommodating and cooperative to those of us waiting for the bus to Queens. A very pleasant change from what it used to be like. So – to all of you who are MTA employees – thank you. You get an ‘Atta Boy’ from a former resident turned visitor. ‘You’ve come a long way, baby.’ |
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| (1458389) | |
Re: Casual Observations |
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Posted by italianstallion on Fri Dec 15 16:04:07 2017, in response to Casual Observations, posted by FormerStrapHanger on Fri Dec 15 15:59:24 2017. Nice to see a positive review. Glad you enjoyed your visit. |
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| (1458422) | |
Re: Casual Observations |
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Posted by New Flyer #857 on Fri Dec 15 18:53:48 2017, in response to Casual Observations, posted by FormerStrapHanger on Fri Dec 15 15:59:24 2017. It's good for NYers to hear from an "out-of-towner" that things have improved over time, as that may not be seen if one is just comparing rides from day to day.Yes, regarding the express buses, they cannot be counted on for punctuality one bit. You need to have plenty of time to spare. But they are good for a comfortable and often extra-spacious (if they are near-empty) ride and to see various parts of the city above ground that you may not otherwise go to if you stick to your routine. I never use express buses unless I know I can safely arrive at my intended destination 60-90 minutes after the timetable says without getting in some sort of trouble. Not that I'm always 60-90 minutes late, but I keep that buffer for peace of mind. If you come back to NYC within what I think is a year after card expiration, you can just go to a vending machine and trade in for a new card, same value, no questions asked. After that you would need to fill out paperwork I believe and then it all comes down to whether you think the value to be recovered is worth doing that. |
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| (1458436) | |
Re: Casual Observations |
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Posted by Bill from Maspeth on Fri Dec 15 20:08:49 2017, in response to Casual Observations, posted by FormerStrapHanger on Fri Dec 15 15:59:24 2017. I'm retired from NYCT but I'm sure current employees wouldn't mind me answering on their behalf.Glad you saw improvements since you were last here. Those who ride it every day have never complained so much in recent months. They only look for the bad. They do not appreciate the system and the employees at all. |
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| (1458437) | |
Re: Casual Observations |
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Posted by Bill from Maspeth on Fri Dec 15 20:08:49 2017, in response to Casual Observations, posted by FormerStrapHanger on Fri Dec 15 15:59:24 2017. I'm retired from NYCT but I'm sure current employees wouldn't mind me answering on their behalf.Glad you saw improvements since you were last here. Those who ride it every day have never complained so much in recent months. They only look for the bad. They do not appreciate the system and the employees at all. |
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| (1458527) | |
Re: Casual Observations |
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Posted by randyo on Sat Dec 16 15:59:07 2017, in response to Re: Casual Observations, posted by Bill from Maspeth on Fri Dec 15 20:08:49 2017. I worked for the NYCTA/MTA for almost 32 years in just about every title in both the department now known as RTO and in Operations Planning and have seen many changes over the years both good and bad and I think that the NYCTS was a lot better years ago when managers had to take exams and know their jobs than it is today with the current group of educated fools who now manage the system. When I ride the system these days, and encounter a delay, I get all the more frustrated because I know what can be done to correct the situation and find that it is not being done. |
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| (1458581) | |
Re: Casual Observations |
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Posted by BusRider on Sat Dec 16 22:16:53 2017, in response to Re: Casual Observations, posted by randyo on Sat Dec 16 15:59:07 2017. From your experience, is there a cure? |
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| (1458657) | |
Re: Casual Observations |
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Posted by randyo on Sun Dec 17 16:33:29 2017, in response to Re: Casual Observations, posted by BusRider on Sat Dec 16 22:16:53 2017. As I alluded to in another post, all it requires is to put the managers’ feet to the fire when it comes to operations the the planning therefor and the positively insure that those who are in critical management positions attain and maintain the exhaustively encyclopedic knowledge of the systems and departments under their jurisdiction instead of just naming “suits” to those positions who really don’t have the first hand knowledge to competently manage! With such management in place, the operating employees will then have the backing up to do the job and will also be made aware that they must also produce positive results or suffer the disciplinary consequences. |
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