Department of buses

Now the department of buses is flush with the federal dollars that have been assigned by the US Department of Transportation - we in the TWU Local 100 expect those monies to be put in use to help New Yorkers get around their city better.

Definitely now there is no excuse for cuts, deficits, service reductions, declining numbers, inadequate recruitments or budgets being raided to solve other non related items. While there are older buses that are on their last legs, they need constant upkeep thus the rate of return on that investment is on the negative side.

Can someone say there is a better improvement in the DOB now than in the 1990‘s? It is doubtful that one can claim there is improvement so should New Yorkers be shortchanged by their tax dollars? For example by the massive service cuts that were implemented in 2010. We are dismayed by the incoherent policies that enumerate from the DOB brass. For example the Nova articulated buses - Select Bus Service SBS are let to stand still for 3 days every weekend probably to collect dust. From late Friday, Saturday and Sunday - while they are needed in a congested route such as the M60 that serves Laguardia Airport. Now who are these geniuses who probably collect high six figure salaries with a free car and EZ pass, there are many in back office jobs doing paper work carrying out corporate development work who should be on the front line. Who will cut the bureaucracy - it would be great if those geniuses were in the boardroom of Donald Trump probably they would leave with their faces sunken in their hands.

One wonders if there is real improvement to applaud and celebrate in the DOB - one wonders if the DOB is taking the advantage of the newer technology or any development mentioned. There is no question there is lack of creativity, imagination or even lack of thought in creating new routes. For example there is a need for bus service between Laguardia Airport and the Bronx however those geniuses will give you a list of obstacles instead of solutions. There is a need for bus service between upper Manhattan and JFK Airport however those geniuses will give you infinite excuses. There is a need for bus service from the Bronx to Coney Island again those geniuses will blame everything under the sun. Now there is no question that there is a need for a bus service between Yankee Stadium and Citi Field or Arthur Ashe Stadium. However do not expect any - why because there are difficulties, failings in the DOB, down to bungled contracts, endless reorganizations, top down targets which are the hallmark of below average standards. One wonders how they will be able to get away for so long while the private sector is creating amazing bus services.

Clearly in the DOB there is a brain drain that it wont improve even when the money is coming in - the only thing they are good at is cutting back service that is their policy. Now there must be reform, we must get the value from our investment that is being pumped into the DOB.