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Straphangers Campaign 2010 Bus Award Winners

Posted by
on December 8th, 2010 at 12:31 am

Once again, it is that time of the year where slow & unreliable bus lines get the spotlight they would rather not have. The NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign announced the 2010 winners for the respective Pokey & Schleppie awards. The 2009 “winners” were the M42 & B44.

Unfortunately for the M42, history repeated itself as it once again was awarded the “Pokey” for being the city’s slowest bus route. The “Schleppie” welcomed a new line to the forefront with the Bx41 earning the dubious honor. The report was not completely bad as it did note that Select Bus Service on the Bx12 is 25% faster versus its local counterpart. Here is more information on the awards courtesy of a press release from The NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign and Transportation Alternatives:

The NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign and Transportation Alternatives today gave out two awards for poor bus service in New York City. The first is the ninth-annual “Pokey” for slowest local bus route in New York City. The uncoveted Pokey award is a golden snail on a pedestal. It’s based on actual rides taken by Straphangers Campaign staff and volunteers on 29 bus routes. These lines were selected either because: 1) they had high ridership; or 2) the bus was an historically slow Manhattan crosstown route.

The “winner” of the 2010 Pokey is … the M42, which had the slowest bus speed at 3.6 miles per hour as clocked at 12 noon on a weekday. It also “won” in 2009. (The route was shortened in June 2010, terminating at 42nd Street and 12th Avenue. It no longer goes down 12th Avenue to Javits Center at 34th Street. We surveyed the route in August after the change was made.)

“Many city buses travel in excruciating slow motion,” said Gene Russianoff, staff attorney for NYPIRG’s Straphangers Campaign. Russianoff noted that for some routes, the pace is not much faster than a young person walking, which averages about 3.6 miles per hour. The M42 moves 12,847 riders on an average weekday and ranks 79th in riders out of the 194 local bus routes. According to the groups, the slowest bus routes in each borough are:

B35 – 5.4 mph – Between Sunset Park and Brownsville

Bx19 – 5.1 mph – Between Botanical Gardens in the Bronx and Harlem

M42 – 3.6 mph – Crosstown on 42nd Street in Manhattan

Q58 – 6.6 mph – Between Ridgewood, Queens, and Flushing/Main Street

S48 – 8.2 mph – Between Richmond Terrace and St. George Ferry Terminal, Staten Island

The second award is the fifth-annual “Schleppie” for the city’s least reliable buses and is based on official transit statistics. The Schleppie is comprised of golden lumbering elephants on a
pedestal. The “winner” of the 2010 Schleppie is … the Bx41, which runs on White Plains Road and Webster Avenue between the Wakefield and the Hub in the Bronx.

The route moves 27,383 riders on an average weekday and has the fifteenth-highest bus ridership in the city. Almost one in four Bx41 buses — 23.5% — arrived bunched together or came with big gaps in
service during the first half of 2010. Last year’s “winner” with the worst reliability was the B44, which runs between Williamsburg and Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn.

The groups noted, however, that the number of unreliable buses had more than doubled in the past year. MTA New York City Transit measures a “borough-representative sample of 42 high-volume bus routes” for unreliability. In the first half of 2009, the groups found four routes out of those 42 had more than one in five buses arriving off schedule. However, that has grown to 11 routes in the first half of 2010.

The most unreliable bus routes in each of four boroughs with over 20% of buses bunched together or big gaps in service are:

B44 – 21.7% unreliable – btw Sheepshead Bay and Williamsburg on Nostrand Avenue

Bx41 – 23.5% unreliable – btw Wakefield and The Hub on White Plains Rd/Webster Ave

M101/2/3 – 22.3% unreliable – btw Upper and Lower Manhattan on 3rd and Lexington Avenues

S78 – 21.8% unreliable – btw St. George Ferry and Tottenville on Hylan Boulevard

“The next generation of buses is making inroads in New York City — Select Bus Service can cut travel time for riders,” said Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. “Where these fast buses have been tried in the Bronx, travel times dropped at least 20 percent. Similar improvements were recently installed on Manhattan’s East Side. Rather than pokey and schleppie buses, New Yorkers deserve quick and efficient bus service. We are encouraged by the city’s willingness to make New York’s buses work better.”

Bus Rapid Transit has brought better transit to many cities around the globe. A limited version known as “Select Bus Service” (SBS) is being tested here. The first two SBS routes have started, one on Pelham Parkway and Fordham Road in the Bronx (Bx12) and another on First and Second Avenues in Manhattan (M15). Several SBS features are also being used on the M34 crosstown route. Additional SBS routes are planned for Nostrand Avenue (B44) and Hylan Boulevard on Staten Island.

White noted that the groups found Select Bus Service on the Bx12 increased bus speeds by nearly 25 percent over the Bx12 local. The Bx12 local was clocked by our surveyors at 6.9 mph. But the Bx12 SBS traveled at 8.6 mph, nearly 25 percent faster than the Bx12 local.

The groups did not feel it was timely to survey the speed of the M15 local bus or the M15 SBS , which only began service in early October. Among bus speed improvement strategies now being tested in Phase One on the M15 SBS are:

Exclusive bus lanes painted in terra cotta to discourage cars from entering;

Payment of fare before boarding bus;

Buses with three doors and low floors to speed up boarding;

Distinctive branding of SBS buses and flashing blue lights to heighten rider recognition;

Wider subway-style spacing between stops; and

Enforcement of the bus lane by camera to keep the lane moving, starting in November.

In Phase Two next year, features to be added to M15 SBS are:

Traffic signal priority for buses to help them stick to schedule; and

Reconfigured bus stops to speed boarding and reduce conflicts with other vehicles.

In the 2002 Pokey Awards, the groups found that the city’s slowest bus route was the M96. In 2003, the groups awarded the Pokey to the M23, in 2004 and 2005 to the M34, in 2006 to the M14A, in 2007 to the M23, the M96 in 2008 and the M42 in 2009.

The groups cautioned that comparisons with past findings were difficult due to changes inmethodology and bus routes over the years. In addition, changes in bus speeds since 2004 have generally been too small to demonstrate significant trends. The criteria for selecting buses to be evaluated for speed changed in this survey.

Between 2005 and 2009, bus routes to be surveyed were selected based on New York City Transit data. Specifically, we surveyed the ten slowest routes (all in Manhattan), as determined by Transit in bus profiles compiled in 2000. We also surveyed the three slowest routes in the other boroughs.

In this survey, the number of routes surveyed increased from 23 to 29. Eleven routes were dropped, while 17 new routes were added based on high ridership. Additionally, most of the crosstown routes between 14th Street and 96th street were surveyed.

Schleppies went to any route with an average unreliability greater than 20%. This determination is based on official “wait assessments” for “42 high-volume routes,” chosen by Transit. Wait assessment measures how closely a line sticks to scheduled intervals for arrival. Wait assessment becomes poorer the more buses arrive in bunches or with major gaps in service.

The Schleppie went to the M1 in both 2006 and 2007, to the M101/102/103 in 2008 and the B44 in 2009. Transit’s methodology for calculating this measure was changed in 2008. (See methodology.)
StreetFilms has created a video about New York City’s slow and unreliable buses. Please visit www.streetfilms.org to view the film.

Click here for their methodology.

Click here for the Pokey slowest to fastest chart.

Click here for the Schleppie worst to best chart.

Click here for the complete report.

Once again these awards reveal nothing that is earth shattering. Year after year, the usual suspects are at or near the top of these negative lists. Honestly until local bus service is given the same priority that Select Bus Service is, the usual suspects will be appearing on these lists. Unfortunately this region is very car centric & unless lawmakers step in to make bus service a priority, it will continue to be treated as a stepchild.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA Awards $26.6M In Small Business Contracts

Posted by
on December 7th, 2010 at 11:30 pm

Two days ago, I wrote about an entry highlighting how the MTA awarded its first contract under a new program entitled Small Business Mentoring Program. The program was setup to help small businesses compete for lucrative MTA contracts.

In sticking with the small business theme, the MTA announced it has awarded $26.6M in contracts to minority & women owned small businesses. Here is more info courtesy of a press release sent out by the agency this afternoon:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that New York City Transit has awarded voucher-based car service contracts to eight minority-owned or women-owned companies based in New York City. The awards, estimated to be worth $26.6 million over three years, dramatically increase the proportion of minority-owned and women-owned firms that are providing this service to MTA customers.

The awards result from a period of concerted outreach to small businesses that had not previously done business with the MTA. Over the past several months, MTA officials called companies that are State-certified as being minority- or woman-owned and invited them to a special pre-bid conference. At the conference, MTA officials explained the nature of the bidding process, explained the nature of the work that was being requested, and answered questions. Valuable assistance and guidance in this initiative came from Senator Malcolm Smith and Assemblymen Bill Scarborough and Richard Brodsky.

“One of my priorities when I returned to the MTA last year was to increase contract awards to minority-owned and women-owned firms and disadvantaged small businesses. These recent awards send a clear signal to the vendor community that the staff of our Department of Diversity and Civil Rights and I are working hard to do that,” said MTA Chairman Jay H. Walder. “As we continue to transform the MTA into an organization that makes every dollar count, we have to be as proactive as possible in assisting small businesses, which account for nearly half of all private sector jobs in New York City and beyond, become viable vendors.”

Senate President Malcolm A. Smith said: “I would like to applaud MTA Chairman Jay Walder for his leadership in awarding voucher-based car service contracts to minority and women- owned businesses. This change in MTA’s policy toward a more inclusive and diverse transportation team speaks volumes to their true commitment in enhancing and helping minority- and women-owned businesses grow in NYC. This is a great first step.”

Assemblyman William Scarborough said: “I am very pleased to see that the MTA is moving forward on its commitment to inclusion in its contracting of car services. I understand that this will be an ongoing effort on the part of the MTA, and this represents a wonderful beginning. I commend Chairman Walder and the MTA for this initiative.”

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D-Westchester), Chairman of the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions stated, “This is yet another major step in our efforts to expand MWBE contracting across New York State. The MTA’s announcement is an encouraging development; we are making important strides in the name of equitable contracting.”

Voucher-based car service, used by the MTA since 2001, helps reduce the expenses associated with New York City Transit’s paratransit service, Access-A-Ride. Customers are provided with contact information for two car service companies. The customer selects which car service he or she want to use, and makes a trip.

The customer is responsible for the normal fare of $2.25 and MTA New York City Transit reimburses the car service company directly for the cost of the completed trip. A trip using a car service is approximately $18 less expensive to provide than one provided by dedicated Access-A-Ride vehicles. In addition to the eight MWBE firms, 16 companies have been awarded three-year contracts to provide voucher-based car service.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Service Diversions 12-06-10

Posted by
on December 6th, 2010 at 5:01 am

I have just updated the Service Diversions page by removing all of the work that just wrapped up just a minute ago. The latest information for the upcoming week & beyond in some cases is at the forefront.
The next full update should be sometime Wednesday or Thursday after I receive the scheduled work from the MTA.

As always, I suggest you print out a copy of the diversions to have with you while riding. You may also use any phone or electronic device to access the mobile friendly version of Transit Blogger. Have a safe & wonderful week while trying to keep warm. Personally I am loving the cold & wish the temperatures would go down even more!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA Offers To Keep LI Bus Running For 1 Year

Posted by
on December 6th, 2010 at 12:57 am

As the contentious battle between the MTA & Nassau County continues over the funding of Long Island Bus, the much maligned transit agency has made an offer to keep running the service for one year. However it does come with some strict guidelines which includes the guarantee of the county fully funding it before County Executive Edward Mangano’s current term expires. Alfonso A. Castillo of Newsday has more:

Acknowledging Nassau’s “fiscal difficulties,” the MTA has made the county an offer to keep operating Long Island Bus through next year even if Nassau cannot immediately fulfill its obligation to fund the system.

The future of LI Bus, which is owned by Nassau, has been in jeopardy since the Metropolitan Transportation Authority earlier this year said it no longer would financially support the system beginning in 2011.

However, in a letter sent this week to Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, MTA chairman Jay Walder laid out the conditions under which the MTA would continue operating and partially subsidizing LI Bus.

Those conditions include that Nassau acknowledge in a new written agreement that it is solely responsible for funding its bus system, that it increase its subsidy in 2011, and that it meet its obligation to fully fund LI Bus during Mangano’s current term in office.

In a statement, Mangano said only that county officials “are continuing our discussions with the MTA as well as exploring a public-private partnership.”

Click here for the complete report.

First thing is first, let it be known that the MTA can’t just wake up one day & shut down the operation of Long Island Bus. By law, they need to give 60 days notice. With that out of the way, I must say I agree with Tri-State Transportation Campaign Executive Director Kate Slevin in feeling the MTA is negotiation in good faith with the county.

I have long stated that the real villain in this fight is Nassau County which year after year continues to shaft the transit agency & its residents who rely on Long Island Bus. The mismanagement of their overall budget & subsequent lack of commitment to the vital service has become a ritual with the county. The same goes for the blame game as it is the fault of everyone but them.

Honestly, I don’t see the MTA just shutting down the service even with a given notice. However it seems blatantly obvious that the MTA means business & if Nassau County does not shape up, it is game over for them & unfortunately for the riders who depend on the service & the drivers who deal with less people on the roads. Will Nassau get its house in order? If they don’t, I would fully support the MTA cutting ties with this never ending game. Who knows what the future holds…..

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA Awards 1st Contract Under New Program

Posted by
on December 5th, 2010 at 10:33 pm

Until very recently, small businesses had little to no chance of winning any of the lucrative MTA contracts that come down the pipeline. The agency looked to level the playing field recently by starting a new small business program aimed at helping such businesses compete.

Late Friday afternoon, the agency announced the awarding of the first contract under the new program. The contract which is for the replacement the stairway canopy at the Junius Street station on the 3 Train was awarded to Arch Builders & Developers, Inc of Brooklyn. Here are the complete details courtesy of a press release I received:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that a Brooklyn construction firm has been awarded the first contract under a new program created to help small businesses win MTA construction contracts. Under the MTA’s new Small Business Mentoring Program, Arch Builders & Developers, Inc., of Brooklyn, will replace the badly deteriorated stairway canopy at MTA New York City Transit’s Junius Street 3 station in Brooklyn.

The program was created in June under New York State authorizing legislation sponsored by Senator John Sampson and Assemblyman Keith Wright. The program matches emerging small businesses with a larger construction management firm, TDX Construction Corp., to facilitate a transfer of knowledge that will enable the participants to become regular MTA contractors and larger subcontractors.

It also includes classroom construction training and field work by MTA staff members, access to working capital loans provided by Carver Federal Savings Bank, and bonding support, which had proven a stumbling block for smaller contractors seeking to do business with the MTA.

“I am delighted that this program is now enabling the MTA to expand the pool of qualified contractors who can complete MTA projects successfully, on time and within budget,” said MTA Chairman Jay H. Walder. “The more construction firms we have bidding on our projects, the easier it will be for us to reduce our construction expenses as we fundamentally overhaul the MTA’s cost structure. This program has been especially helpful in allowing us to engage more small businesses, including minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged businesses.”

Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampsonsaid: “The Small Business Mentoring Program leverages the billions of dollars in the MTA capital budget to boost our most vital economic sector – small businesses. We know that minority-owned small businesses locate in minority communities and employ minority workers in greater numbers than other businesses.

Promoting entrepreneurship among women- and minority-owned businesses is critical to promoting economic diversity and getting our economy back to work for all New Yorkers. The MTA benefits with cost savings, and our state benefits from more economic opportunity. This is a win-win for everyone.”

Assemblyman Keith Wright of Harlem said: “For too long small business, particularly minority-owned small businesses, have been unable to compete for lucrative MTA contracts. With this program we hope to change that history and give small construction firms the same ability to compete as their larger and well-connected counterparts.

By linking small businesses with big businesses, we close a gaping hole in our public works contracting processes and bring State and City dollars closer to the businesses which need them most, especially in this time of fiscal unease. If successful, I hope to see this program replicated within many authorities and government run corporations throughout New York State.”

The Junius Street project is being undertaken through New York City Transit’s new component-focused approach to maintaining stations, in which individual components of stations are repaired or replaced as needed instead of being kept in place until a station undergoes a thorough overhaul.

“The Small Business Mentoring Program benefits from, and reinforces, our component replacement program,” said Thomas F. Prendergast, President of MTA New York City Transit. “The smaller size of these new projects lends itself to being attractive to smaller sized firms.”

To date, 102 construction firms have formally approached the MTA about participating in the program, 58 have completed applications, and 31, including Arch, have been approved. Each firm will move through the program in a four-year sequence.

The MTA is currently soliciting bids on three additional contracts under the Small Business Mentoring Program: A station improvements project at the Metro-North Railroad station in Port Jervis, brick and stone repointing at the RFK Bridge, and a stairway canopy replacement at New York City Transit’s Van Siclen Avenue 3 station.

For information on applying, go to MTA.info and click on “Doing Business With Us,” then “Small Business Mentoring Program.”

This is good news for small businesses as for years it seemed cronyism & nepotism ruled the day when it came to the awarding of these contracts. Hopefully this program not only leads to fairer opportunities for small businesses but will also help cutback on overpriced deals meant to line the pockets of a select few. Only time will tell on those two fronts.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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