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MTA Going Forward With Appeal Plans

Posted by
on August 27th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

The drama between the MTA & Transport Workers Union Local 100 (TWU Local 100) continues as in a move that comes as no surprise, the MTA is asking a judge to toss the 11% raises awarded to union members by an arbitration panel. I first noted the agency was considering doing this 10 days ago when they were in the beginning stages of studying for a possible appeal. Pete Donohue of the New York Daily News has more in this report:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will ask a judge to toss out a controversial contract raising hourly pay rates by more than 11% over three years, transit sources said Tuesday.

A court battle, including appeals, could drag on for more than a year with wages potentially frozen at current levels, lawyers familiar with such litigation said.

An arbitration panel appointed by the state Public Employees Relations Board crafted the three-year pact after holding closed-door hearings.

A majority of the three-member panel concluded that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority – which recently raised fares and tolls – could afford the raises.

But acting MTA CEO Helena Williams has said the pact, released two weeks ago, will blast a $350 million hole in MTA financial plans.

Click here for the complete report.

Does anyone want to take a guess as to how long this round of the never ending war between these two sides will last? This particular round looks like it has staying power.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA NYC Transit Evaluating “DesignLine” Bus

Posted by
on August 27th, 2009 at 11:43 am

DesignLine BusThe “DesignLine” is a turbine powered bus being tested by MTA New York City Transit. Photo courtesy of MTA New York City Transit.

Even during these trying financial times, the MTA is continuing their initiative to upgrading their system especially in terms of evaluating new fleet for potential use. The latest comes from NYC Transit which is currently evaluating a turbine powered bus called DesignLine (pictured above). Here are some details of the current evaluation courtesy of a press release just sent out within the last 30 minutes:

The first example of a new breed of bus is currently running in service for MTA New York City Transit. The turbine-powered DesignLine bus is a low-floor, hybrid-electric vehicle that is the first of an eight-bus order set for a 90-day evaluation. This small bus order is part of the agency’s ongoing effort to examine new technology that will help us reduce emissions and provide more economical and environmentally friendly service. The buses are manufactured by DesignLine International USA in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The key feature of this new bus is a diesel turbine engine, replacing the diesel piston engine that powers the majority of buses in NYC Transit’s 4,600 bus fleet. The turbine produces AC power which in turn charges the battery which, in turn, powers the motor that drives the wheels. In addition, like the rest of the hybrid fleet, the new bus has regenerative braking, which recharges the batteries each time the bus operator makes a brake application. This energy-saving system is similar to the braking systems on our New Technology subway trains.

“The bus is revolutionary,” said Joseph J. Smith, Senior Vice President, Department of Buses. “It has no starter, no transmission, no water pump and no engine radiator, which should help us significantly reduce our maintenance costs,” added Smith, who noted that the DesignLine is the only bus in NYC Transit’s fleet that meets the EPA’s 2010 emissions standards without the need for exhaust after treatment.

Other features include an efficient and long-lasting interior LED lighting system, a contactless sensor system for air assist rear exit doors, a flip-out ramp for wheelchairs by the front entrance and disc brakes at all wheels.

These buses are anticipated to have significantly reduced maintenance costs, and include a 12-year warranty on the turbine engine and lithium-ion battery pack, which eliminates the need for midlife replacement. They also do not require oil changes. Customers will benefit from the low-noise characteristics of the bus, which is much quieter that a standard diesel bus.

A similar bus which was 35 feet long was successfully operated in Manhattan and Queens for a 30-day period back in the fall of 2007. This current evaluation is the second-phase test of a greater number of buses, built to NYC Transit specifications. Structural testing is currently underway as part of the New Bus Qualification program as well as in-service testing. Upon completion of this test period, NYC Transit will make recommendations to the manufacturer as to what features we would like to see improved or modified. The base order for these buses is 30 with an option to purchase 60 additional buses, if test results are positive.

The buses have a capacity of either 35 or 37 seats, depending on the configuration, with 30 standees. They will operate on some cross-town routes, especially the M42, during the evaluation period.

Even if you are not a fan of the transit agency, they should be applauded for continuing to try & find the best fleet options available for use while cutting back on costs. This is especially promising when the agency is facing tough financial times. As far as this particular bus is concerned, I hope to have the time to catch a ride on it. If any of my readers happen to ride on it, I would appreciate it if you contacted me with your thoughts & any pictures you might have.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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TWU Seeks Confirmation From State Supreme Court

Posted by
on August 26th, 2009 at 3:26 am

As you know by now, an arbitration panel awarded transit workers (specifically TWU Local 100 members) an 11% raise over three years. Shortly thereafter, the MTA due to poor planning on their part complains about the decision & considers challenging the ruling. While they continue to look into that possibility, the TWU is looking to strengthen the legality of the panel’s decision by seeking confirmation from the State Supreme Court. Tom Namako of the New York Post filed this brief report:

The transit workers union wants to put another layer of legal protection on the fat raises awarded to the rank-and-file by an arbitrator earlier this month.

Union chiefs at TWU Local 100 asked a state Supreme Court judge to “confirm” the 11-percent pay increases over three years in documents filed late last week.

If the court agrees it will become much harder for the MTA to legally challenge the raises, which the agency says is $350 million more than it can afford.

Click here for the complete report.

I will continue to follow this story as it unfolds.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Oyster Bay LIRR Service Affected By Triathlon

Posted by
on August 26th, 2009 at 2:24 am

Late yesterday afternoon, I received word via press release that Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service on the Oyster Bay Branch will be affected by a scheduled triathlon this Sunday. Here are the complete details:

MTA Long Island Rail Road Oyster Bay Branch service between Locust Valley and Oyster Bay will be affected from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM this Sunday, August 30 to allow for the running of the Oyster Bay Triathlon. Three trains, one eastbound and two westbound, will be affected by the race.

Eastbound:

Customers on the 8:52 AM train from Jamaica due in Oyster Bay at 9:46 AM will transfer to a van at Locust Valley to complete their trips to Oyster Bay. Customers should anticipate 14 minutes additional travel time.

Westbound:
Customers for the 8:20 AM and 10:20 AM trains from Oyster Bay will board vans then transfer to trains at Mineola in order to complete their trips. Customers should anticipate up to 31 minutes additional travel time. Regular service on these two trains will originate from Locust Valley at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM.

I apologize for not posting this sooner.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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5

Bronx 5 Train Exp Service Suspended For 3 Months

Posted by
on August 24th, 2009 at 8:33 pm

If you are one of the many who count on my “Service Diversions” page for the latest scheduled diversions or happened to ride the 5 today, you would have noticed how express service in the Bronx was not running. Earlier today I received information from MTA New York City Transit as to why it was suspended. The suspension is part of a complete signal modernization of the 180th Street signal system. Here are the complete details:

MTA NYC Transit announced that beginning today, Monday, August 24, 2009 and continuing until Friday, November 13, 2009, there is no express subway service on the 5 line between the 3rd Avenue/East 149th Street station and the East 180th Street station.

In addition, during the afternoon rush hour, four of the northbound 5 trains that normally operate to the Nereid Avenue station will terminate at East 180th Street. Customers traveling on these 5 trains will have to transfer to northbound 2 trains at East 180th Street or other Nereid Avenue-bound 5 trains for stations on the White Plains Road line.

The three month suspension of express service is necessary in order to accommodate the ongoing $280 million East 180th Street Signal Modernization Project. The scope of work includes the reconfiguration of track, installation of new signal equipment, the construction of a new relay room and additional Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) functionality for the Dyre/White Plains Road line. NYC Transit regrets any inconvenience to our customers and appreciates their patience while this work is underway.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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