Novabus LFS Articulated 2012

Remember these? The first three-door articulated bus that debuted on the M15 and Bx12 buses? Well the 90 of them are still doing good here (except for one that was involved in an accident, don't worry it's not totaled)

However, since this bus has been performing well, New York MTA decided to purchase close to over 385 of these units. Here are some photos of newer units.

Now you might be wondering, what are the differences between the old and the new. The old ones used to have padded seats, but the newer ones have hard seats. The Black Vinyl goes all the way through the front of the bus in the newer version, in the old, it stopped after the front door of the bus. The old buses numbered 1200-1279 are wrapped for +Select Bus Service+ which uses a proof of payment method for passengers to board the bus. 1280-1289 are just used for normal local routes. The newer ones, numbered from 5772-???? (still an ongoing number) are used for local/limited service. Parts of Brooklyn and Queens are expected to receive these units too.

All the new stuff in town...

Since I last posted here, only the Novabus LFS was the newest bus model in Brooklyn and Staten Island. These haven't even hit Queens yet. Now newer models are out there too.

But first the Novabus LFS

1. Novabus LFS has the best views from seats, as four of them face the back of the bus and a rear window so people can view the back. The same can be said for the Articulated versions of the buses. The legroom in the back (especially with the seats facing one another) can be an issue, however. Standing room is very decent. Acceleration can be improved but a very speedy bus.

New Flyer C40LF on the B68

4. The New Flyer C40LF buses have great acceleration and great seating (somewhat similar to the older model) except that the one seat side in the Front have reversed. Standing room is great too. They are a fast ride.

Orion 7 3g on the B1

2. The Orion 7 3rd Generations are the best in terms of seat availability. The best seat is the one that stands above the rear set of wheels. Standing room however isn't that great, especially in the back with all of those seats. They accelerate better and are very fast.

New Flyer XD40 on the B1

3. The New Flyer XD40s have the best acceleration and they have the best looking front with the "smiley face" nose. The seating arrangement is great and you can get good legroom with these, however the step toward the back where it's slanted is a bit odd.

Prevost X3-45 on the X-28

The Prevost X3-45 are another great addition to the Express bus fleet. Great acceleration, seating, and electric outlets are a special bonus for riders, especially to those who like carrying their portable electronics on the go on a frequent basis. Legroom is okay tho. Good acceleration and a fast ride.

The top 10 reasons why employees work in the transportation field.

The top 10 things transportation employees work for.

1. Good salary
2. Paid Vacation
3. Reasonable shifts (comes with seniority)
4. Overtime available
5. Paid training
6. Interaction with other passengers
7. Health care plans
8. Pension plans
9. Helping people go from one place to another
10. No workday goes beyond 14 hours (except air/cross country travel)

My NYC Subway destination signs.

The signs may appear cut off in this entry so click on them to see the full image.

Riding safely in the subway while being courteous

If are riding the subways of New York or any Rapid Transit system in general, I have some tips when you go around with them.

1. When going around they subway/rapid transit system (fare control area) do not rush, you're better off missing your train then risk an injury.
2. Do not hold train car doors open, otherwise you'll damage the doors and the train will be disabled.
3. Slow down in escalators, stairways, or walkways. You'll slip, trip, and fall if you miss your step.
4. Watch the gap when entering and exiting the train.
5. Do not walk or ride between the subway cars (I believe this is illegal in some rapid transit systems)
6. Do not display your electronic devices in the subway.
7. Do not lean or step on the edge, except when boarding or disembarking the train.
8. When you ride during non-rush hours, you should ride the train operator's car (always the first car of every train) or the Conductor's car (middle car of most trains, last car of every (G) train).
9. During emergencies, obey the train crew's instructions (operator & conductor, plus emergency personnel)
10. Do not enter cabs of any train for whatever reason (train operator, or train conductor's cabs) and do not talk to the train operator or train conductor while the train is in motion, (unless the conductor doesn't have his/her separate cab like the ones on PATH)
11. Do not ride on the outside of subway cars "subway surfing"
12. Fold baby strollers if you're carrying them!
13. Hold on to a pole if you don't have any place to sit.
14. Offer your seat to the elderly, disabled, pregnant, or anyone carrying bulky items. You'll be standing up for a good cause.
15. Priority seating areas are labeled and if disabled/pregnant/elderly board near you, you must give them up!
16. Do not solicit money for any reason.
17. Do not make any excessive noise.
18. No alcoholic beverages and no smoking on the platform or train.
19. Try not to eat or drink on the subway, (small granola bars, or candy, and water are usually okay as long as you don't make a mess)
20. Do not make the subway system unsanitary (this includes littering)
21. Listen for announcements for your station that you are intending to go towards.
22. If you are ever in doubt, ask the station agent (outside fare control) or train conductor or train operator (keep it brief when train is en-route) or any personnel that are around you.
23. Avoid riding alone (unless you're on the same car as the train operator or train conductor)
24. Allow extra travel time (especially during General Order Service Disruptions (G.O.s)). It's better for you to be extra early than to be late, right?
25. If you notice any suspicious behavior or something just out of the ordinary, inform the train crew (conductor/operator).
26. Sexual harassment is illegal (perversion) especially in the subway system. Tell a police officer or the train crew if you have been victim of a crime.
27. Be weary of pickpockets and do not display valuables
28. Stand where other riders are standing or wait at designated waiting areas (especially if you're riding during the off hours) They are labeled throughout the stations.
29. Do not fall asleep when waiting for a train or when you're riding one, you'll be an easy target of pickpockets.
30. Try using entrances/exits where a station agent is there, those tend to be the safest ones.

Summer with the Rockaway Shuttle

The summer on the subways of 2011 was interesting. The oldest subway cars aka the R-32 subway cars ran on the (H) train aka the Rockaway Park Shuttle. I took these photos back in July or August.

Besides the Rockaway Park Shuttle, I also checked out the (F) and (R) trains as well as the B and Q. Here are some photographs. as well as the M

LFS Mania Summer 2011

Hello, everyone.

I have some photographs of LFS buses that I took this summer ranging from July-September of this year.

First the LFSA on the M15 Select Bus Service

The LFS buses in Brooklyn, on the B1, B36, and S53 bus routes, respectively.