Bus stop clocks don't know the time

Photo by Jose Martinez/THE CITY

THE CITY

Countdown clocks have sprouted at more than 500 MTA bus stops citywide over the last five years, offering one way for commuters to learn how long they’ll have to wait.

But at many stops, time stands still.

THE CITY spot-checked 40 countdown clocks across the five boroughs — and found that one of every five of the high-tech signs didn’t work.

The eight clunky clocks included sites where malfunctioning modems cut off access to real-time bus information — like at West 57th Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan —  or where power problems have caused extended outages.

“I’ve never seen this thing work,” Bavly Hanna, 21, said of the clock at the Lexington Avenue and East 89th Street stop for the M101, M102 and 103 buses. “I don’t even bother looking at the clock because I know it’s not going to work.”

That’s because the East 89th Street sign has been out of service since July 2, 2018, according to the city’s Department of Transportation, which maintains the countdown clocks through its own crews and contractors.

A few blocks north on Lexington, at East 94th Street, the countdown clock has been on the blink since May 8. THE CITY also found malfunctioning timers along Second Avenue and on West 57th Street in Manhattan, at Vernon Boulevard and 50th Avenue in Queens and at Jerome Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard in The Bronx.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” said Ray Colon, 74, of The Bronx. “Why put any money into something that doesn’t work?”

Countdown clocks have cost the city millions of dollars since they began appearing at some bus stops in 2014. Last year, five City Council members spent more than $1 million in capital funding to install more.

Bus shelters being inspected after collapse

From AMNY:

About 1,400 bus shelters across the city have been shut down for safety inspections after one collapsed earlier this month in Staten Island.

JCDecaux, which operates all of the city’s 3,500 bus shelters, discovered bolts in the Staten Island shelter that appeared to be corroded, according to company spokesperson George Arzt. No one was injured when the glass and metal shelter collapsed on Oct. 5, Arzt said.

About 3 percent of the first 1,000 shelters inspected revealed corrosion in bolts. He said those have been repaired and reopened.

Back in 2005, the city selected Cemusa to build and maintain street furniture including bus shelters and newsstands. JCDecaux acquired Cemusa several years ago.

The company is initially focusing on the first generation of shelters, but all 3,500 will be reviewed.

Mass transit options are icy

From CBS 2:

Countless commuters were seen hopping and leaping over snow mounds that were piled high at bus stops, while others reached out for a helpful hand.

It was not just bus stops. On social media, people posted pictures of snow and icy subway stops. The steps to the D Train at 179th Street in the Bronx were virtually covered in snow, and the Forest Avenue M Train platform in Ridgewood, Queens was covered in ice.

A commuter tweeted the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, “How is this acceptable?” CBS2 wondered the same thing.

The MTA is responsible for subway platforms and stairs. A an agency representative said: “Our snow fighting crews have been working non-stop since the onset of the storm to clear snow and ice.”

Someone moved an Astoria Blvd bus stop

From PIX11:

Neighbors knew something was wrong along Astoria Boulevard at 100th Street.

The bus stop for the Q19 and Q49 bus moved randomly down the block. Reports were made to the city.

Councilmember Julissa Ferreras lives in the area and represents the East Elmhurst district. She noticed the sign and that the nearby vacant lot had been cleared.

Neighbors also made 311 calls and the the NYC Department of Buildings issued violations for work being done without a permit, including creating a new curb entrance to the vacant lot.

Vehicles from a store across the street were seen parking there. The grocery chain did not comment on the work.

Queens getting countdown clocks

From the Queens Courier:

Where’s the bus? That common question among Queens commuters will be answered with countdown clocks set to be installed at the borough’s 10 busiest bus stops within the next two years.

Borough President Melinda Katz announced on Tuesday she allocated $200,000 in the city’s 2016 fiscal year budget to the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) for the purchase and installation of the real-time devices that track the estimated time of arrival for buses.

While the MTA oversees the bus system, the DOT is responsible for the countdown clocks and other bus-related infrastructure such as signage and shelters.

The DOT, through analyzing data such as ridership levels, commuter transfers, proximity to prominent facilities and dependency of bus service, will recommend to the MTA and Katz which 10 locations will receive the countdown clocks. The final locations will be determined through conversations among Katz, the DOT and the MTA.

City will save something nice for a change

From Rockawayist:

The Parks Department confirmed today that the iconic wave bus shelter, located at Shore Front Parkway and Beach 107th Street, would be spared demolition.

“We are not planning to demolish the bus shelter at Beach 107th Street, “ said Parks spokesperson Meghan Lalor, “and we have tasked our designers to find a creative way to incorporate it into the park.”

Quirky artistic Rockaway bus shelters may be demolished

From DNA Info:

A historic bus shelter that survived Hurricane Sandy may face the wrecking ball to accommodate a new park and protective sand dune, according to a local civic group and the Parks Department.

The Parks Department plans to rebuild a greenspace destroyed by the 2012 storm near Beach 107th Street, called Sandpiper playground, a spokeswoman for the department said.

But they are also exploring the possibility of demolishing an adjacent bus shelter to fit the park and the dune, which is part of the push to protect the peninsula from future storms.

"The goal of the reconstruction of Sandpiper playground is to make it a more resilient facility and to include the recreational amenities that the community is looking for," spokeswoman Meghan Lalor said.

The shelter on Beach 107th Street features a group of surfers riding different waves, and is entitled "Surf's Up."

It and three others on Shore Front Parkway were designed by Robert Moses for the 1939 World's Fair, and renovated by artist Esther Grillo in 1997, according to a 2003 article published in The Wave.

Cemusa, DSNY not cleaning bus stops

"Hi Crappie, I don't know how it is in other parts of Queens but the bus stops on Grand Ave. in Maspeth have not been cleared since the first snowfall and are all ice making getting on and off the bus very tricky.

You just ran a story about Sen. Avella wants to make the Sanitation Dept.be responsible for clearing snow from fire hydrants but who is responsible for bus stops? the city or building owners?" - anonymous

The answer:

"CEMUSA is responsible for removing snow at the bus shelters. CEMUSA must remove snow from the end of the bus shelters and three feet around them."

Agencies responsible for snow removal:
• Department of Sanitation – crosswalks, bus stops without shelters, roads, and pedestrian ramps
• Department of Parks – sidewalks and crosswalks near and in parks
• Department of Transportation – bridges and overpasses
• CEMUSA – bus shelters
• MTA – entrances to subways

Proposal to paint hydrant & bus stop curbs

From Queens Gazette:

A city lawmaker is proposing a measure that would require the city to paint curbs near fire hydrants and bus stops with red paint to clarify them as no parking zones.

Brooklyn City Councilmember Vincent Gentile will introduce the bill to the council this week in an effort to spare motorists from receiving tickets issued when they park too close to hydrants and bus stops throughout the city.

Motorists face a $115 fine if they are caught parking within 15-feet on either side of a hydrant or between a bus stop sign and the closest no parking sign on the same block, authorities said.

Gentile said the red paint would stand out and eliminate any question as to whether or not motorists are parked in no parking zones.

Don't walk next to a bus shelter in February!

Somehow I don't think they had NYC winters in mind when they designed these bus shelters with the slanted roofs.

Archer Avenue walls get a facelift

"Team P/J Clean Up Jamaica Now wins big on the trestle saga. Friday, 9/19/14, work began; the trestle was cleaned & painted. This is a result of a long fierce fight between team P/J and the borough president/Melinda Katz's staff.

The trestle, located on Guy R. Brewer Boulevard between Archer & Liberty avenues was a national disgrace. It is a few feet away from York College. Most appalling, is that residents had no choice. Residents had to stand in the unhealthy, despicable site because it is a bus stop.

For years the trestle, connecting walls and the entire area were neglected by the DOS and LIRR. They remained unkept and filthy with a mountain of garbage, grease and grime. That was until last year when team P/J decided on a relentless pursuit.

Method Of Operation -- WHAT EVER THE HELL IT TAKES.

Earlier this year, the LIRR president/ Helena Williams promised that the area will get a facelift around the third quarter. However, everyone was dragging their feet as time grew near.

Ms. Boranian/ liaison at the borough president's office could not give a specific time frame on which work would start. Further, told me, " If you cannot wait, you can clean it yourself."

That is exactly what team P/J and supporters attempted on Labour Day weekend; with my comrade-in-arms, Joe video taping. However, the area was so stink and dingy that it needed a professional undertaking.

Team P/J continued on the relentless pursuit with supporters' enforcement. That brings us back to the work in progress that began last week.

There is very positive feed back from residents. Here are some comments:
"I feel more comfortable when standing here now."
"Wow, is this the same trestle."
"Waiting here for the bus is no longer a scornful experience."
"It is long overdue."

Scenes from the trestle wall on Archer Avenue.

The manager, Bob said, that he does not know when the work will be completed. He was very friendly and polite. Also, he provided me with a follow up number.

Team P/J will remain on the case until its completion. Special thanks to my comrade. His video of clean up events, has proven to be our most effective tool yet." - Pamela Hazel

Rthr? WTF?

And you thought Queens nabes were given some stupid ads.
Take a gander at what Staten Island and the Bronx have to put up with.

Ad hoc bus stop seating expanded!

The ad hoc seating area on 11th Street has been upgraded and is regularly used!

Ad hoc Hunters Point bus bench!

Once upon a time, there was a bus shelter with a bench at Jackson Avenue and 11th Street.

When the B32 was brought into service, they had to change the sign. At the same time, they also removed the shelter. It has yet to return. However, someone has improvised seating.

Note the garbage can! I love it.

NYCGO away

This one has me really stumped. RKAWAY is a collection of neighborhoods, yet isn't prominent enough to escape double billing with the non-neighborhood of JMCA BAY?

There's no stopping Flushng!

Why leave out the "I"?

Council members fund bus stop countdown clocks

From Metro:

Bus riders in certain parts of the city might have an easier commute soon as more than 100 new countdown clocks are scheduled for installation citywide.

The clocks, which tick down how long riders have to wait for a bus to approach their stop, will be spread throughout 11 City Council districts where representatives allocated almost $2.8 million between them.

The Council members are expected to consult individually with the Department of Transportation — which is tasked to install and maintain them — as to when they can erect the clocks.

• Council District 23 | Mark Weprin, $35,000 (at least 1 stop)
• Council District 32 | Eric Ulrich, $180,000 (about 9 stops)

Hamilton Beach street is a holy mess

From the Queens Courier:

On 104th Street, a main artery for cars, buses and pedestrian traffic coming in and out of the neighborhood, a new problem developed over just a few days.

Residents trace the problem to 10 years ago when new homes were built in one section and the street was gouged in several places for sewer piping. Aside from the newly formed hole in the road, Hamilton Beach’s main road is pocked with numerous holes that span over 200 feet.

The daily task of driving along 104th Street is fraught with indentations of all kinds that often force drivers to drive on the wrong side of the road to save their axles the abuse. The road also has a bus stop for the Q11 but there is no sidewalk for people to wait on, making them another obstacle that drivers have to look out for.

Residents ultimately want the Department of Transportation (DOT) to put in a completely new roadbed that would elevate the road, preventing pools of water from collecting in the holes during rainstorms. They also want a waiting area for people using the bus.

DOT Spokesman Nicholas Mosquera said that the department doesn’t have the resources to make these long-term changes.

Dumping at a bus stop

"This sickening site is what queens residents had to endure over the weekend 5/3&4/2014. A filthy bedspread, boxes, dirty diapers and other household garbage at our BUS STOP.

Unfortunately, we live among uncivilized people who really should have stayed in their caves. They disguise themselves as normal human beings and we suffer as a result.

This location is Merrick Boulevard & 108th Avenue. The garbage bin is for litter, NOT for household garbage, but the area is used as a permanent garbage dumping ground.

For years residents have been complaining and asking local leaders to enforce the law. ($100 fine for household usage) A sign is placed on every garbage bin. So far, no law enforcement.

The borough president's office said that sanitation needs identification to enforce the law. But sanitation does not bother to look for I.D. So, in an effort to assist, I took the address and photos of the discarded boxes. The garbage belongs to 104-19 Merrick Boulevard.

As Councilman, Leroy Comrie, vowed to clean-up this area, according to the Queens Chronicle. Now as Deputy BP, he has totally forgotten his vow. His personal agenda, is running for another office.

Ruben Wills, Councilman said that he will introduce a bill to put violators in jail. But he was led away in handcuffs today (5/7/14) for misuse of public funds. He might be headed to jail instead.

Ms. Boranian, you are the constituents personnel in the B/P office. Can you please ask sanitation to enforce the law? I will call your office in a few days for a follow-up." - Pamela Hazel

Forcing ticketers to produce photos

From the Daily News:

Ticket-happy city inspectors would have to get the picture under legislation being pushed by a city councilman.

New Yorkers who receive summonses for sanitation violations, health code violations at restaurants and some parking offenses wouldn’t have to pay unless there was photographic proof.

Councilman James Vacca (D-Bronx) says the measure is a no-brainer with today’s technology. “People have a right to insist that there be evidence of what they’re being charged with,” Vacca said. “Why have a he said-she said situation? ”

Sanitation workers would have to snap pictures when they fine homeowners for uncovered garbage or unshoveled sidewalks, and health inspectors scrutinizing restaurants would have to photograph the mouse droppings and dirty counters they plan to ding business owners for.

The parking ticket requirements, which would start with a one-year pilot program, would require photos with any ticket for parking too close to a fire hydrant or in a crosswalk; in a bus stop, a handicapped spot or bike lane or for failing to display a license plate.

Vacca said the move would cut down on complaints from New Yorkers who feel nickel and dimed by the city, which collects more than $800 million a year in fines.

“People are basically found guilty until they prove their innocence,” he said. “I want people to be innocent until proven guilty.”

A separate bill to be introduced by Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-Staten Island) would outfit some health inspectors with body cameras to make sure inspections are on the up and up.

But he said it would also aid city agencies by discouraging people from filing false challenges when they’re clearly guilty.