Buses

The MTA is stepping up mask enforcement on subways, buses and commuter trains after issuing just three $ 50 violations all summer, officials said Wednesday.

MTA surveys show mask use has increased in recent weeks after dropping in July, when the city’s COVID-19 rates were much lower. But the application of the masks has been relatively light – MTA police forces have issued only 41 summons since the fine came into effect in September 2020.

“We need everyone to do their part and hide,” Pat Warren, MTA security manager, said at a press conference outside the transportation authority’s headquarters in downtown Manhattan. .

“Although the fine has been in effect since last fall, we began ramping up enforcement on September 7 to help promote compliance,” Warren said. “This includes parking police and MTA personnel at strategic metro rail nodes and bus terminals to meet returning workers and students coming to school for the first time in person.”

As part of the enforcement blitz, MTA police distributed 25,000 masks, Warren said. No summons had been issued this month as of September 21, according to statistics shared at the press conference.

“Very little [fines] were given out during the year because there are very few people breaking the rules, ”Warren said.

Straphangers have the option to mask themselves before being penalized, officials said.

“If you put the mask back on them and they refuse to wear a mask, or if they take it off immediately after – some sort of recalcitrant behavior – you’re probably going to get a summons,” Warren told reporters.

MTA surveys revealed mask-wearing rates of 94% on buses, 87% on subways, 92% on LIRR and 95% on Metro-North. A good portion of these runners do not wear their masks properly – around 14% on subways and buses, according to publicly available statistics.

Masks are mandatory indoors at stations and on trains and buses, but not on outdoor transit platforms, as directed by the CDC, Warren said.

Pressed on viral videos and photos of cops not wearing masks where they are required to, MTA Police Chief Joseph McGrann – who does not supervise NYPD officers in the transit system – said his department penalized cops who flout mask rules.

Eight police officers and two supervisors have been sanctioned in the “past few weeks” for failing to wear masks “appropriately in public situations,” McGrann said.

“My officers are members of the public too, my officers also make mistakes. My officers are disciplined when appropriate, ”he said.

The first batch of 40 BRT buses of the Green Line will reach the port of Karachi from China this evening (Saturday).

A special service will be arrested at the port of Karachi on Sunday in connection with the arrival of BRT buses.

The governor of Sindh Imran Ismail will examine the buses at the port.

The ceremony will take place in the presence of Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar, Minister of Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi and Minister of Information Technology Ameenul Haq.

Whereas the next delivery of 40 additional buses will reach Karachi by the end of October.

Federal Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Minister Asad Umar said earlier that the Green Line bus facility would become operational in Karachi in November this year.

The Karachi Green Line BRT project with connections is 24 km long, of which 12.7 km elevated, 10.9 km at ground level and 422 meters underground, and has 25 stations.

The Phase II Common Corridor from Gurumandir to the City Park is 2.5 km long and has two underpasses on the MA Jinnah Road.

The state-of-the-art underground bus terminal with parking and the commercial mezzanine was also under construction in Numaish.

Phase I construction work had been underway since 2016.

Yangyel lhaden

Thimphu Thromde City Bus Services began testing the Global Positioning System (GPS) and audio notifications on its new buses last week.

The thromde added 27 new buses to its fleet on August 29. The buses should improve and improve the public transport service in the thromde. City Bus Services now has 68 buses.

To improve and reorganize the current modality of urban bus services, the Thimphu Thromde Geographic Information System (GIS) team mapped the new routes, bus stops and terminals identified through GIS-based street mapping. .

The management of City Bus Services will introduce a smart card system and an application called Gakyid Ride.

City Bus Service director Sangay Dorji said the new buses would unveil in November. “During the test over the next two months, we want to make sure that the new buses are working perfectly. “

He said the new buses were disabled friendly as they have wheelchair ramps and an audio message system in Dzongkha, which would help blind people know which stop they were going to.

“A person coming to Thimphu for the first time will also know the bus stops through the audio notification,” he said.

Sangay Dorji said that in the study’s first implementation phase, a national road from Babesa to Pangrizampa in northern Thimphu would be implemented where every 10 minutes a bus would reach a bus stop. Some subsidiary routes would also be put in place.

About ten subsidiary roads have been identified in places which are not connected by main roads. Sangay Dorji said that the new subsidiary routes introduced in the first phase included Kuensel Phodrang, Royal Thimphu College (RTC) and Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School.

He said that according to the study by the GIS team, around 100 buses would be needed. “We cannot execute the whole plan all at once and it will be implemented in phases.”

Sangay Dorji said the old city buses will be returned gradually and new city buses equipped with smart card systems will be purchased and GPS will be installed in the buses.

The GIS team also identified a bus terminal each at Dangrina in northern Thimphu and the RTC area in southern Thimphu and the city bus service office in the center. Sangay Dorji said that gradually, time would be saved as the buses would not have to follow circular routes as they do today.

The city’s bus services plan to provide smart cards of four categories which would be introduced at preferential prices for the disabled, students and the elderly.

City bus fares range from Nu 10 and Nu 50. People with disabilities, students and the elderly will benefit from a reduction of 20%, 30% and 10%, respectively.

Sangay Dorji said they are trying to keep the price of smart cards below Nu 75. He said the smart card was introduced to prevent revenue leakage and promote digital transactions.

For occasional users, temporary cards that would cost double the amount would be provided to encourage people to buy smart cards.

City Bus Services is also considering purchasing the Gakyid Ride app with support from UNDP.

He said the mobile app was developed by two young developers to track buses by GPS. For example, he said, we only need to enter the bus stop and the app will show where the bus is coming from and what time.

“Our city bus services will become more reliable with the mobile app. “

With the purchase of the 27 buses, 30 driver positions were announced. Only 19 candidates were shortlisted because it was difficult to obtain bus drivers in accordance with the requirements of the Road and Transport Safety Regulation (RSTA), which requires three years experience in heavy vehicles.

He said management has proposed to remove the three-year experience requirement and allow candidates to be trained in heavy vehicle training institutes. “The RSTA accepted our request.

Sangay Dorji said that a person must graduate from Class 10 to be a city bus driver. He said that together with the Ministry of Labor, 15 people from the first group are expected to undergo a six-month training course. “An introductory refresher course on Bhutanese codes of conduct and etiquette (driglam namzha), communication skills and how to help people with disabilities will be taught to drivers. “

Edited by Tshering Palden

Ron from Denver writes, “What is driving you crazy?” I was crossing Broncos Parkway at Chambers Road when State Patrol blocked the intersection for several minutes as they escorted the Denver Broncos on eight buses running past Chambers. There were several officers in cars and on motorcycles blocking intersections, entering and exiting buses and obstructing traffic. First, who footed the bill for this? Does this include the use and wear and tear of taxpayer vehicles? What gives them the right to block traffic like this and go through red lights? Above all, it created a dangerous situation. I would appreciate some answers.

The answer, Ron, is quite simple: it’s about security. When you or I go to Denver International Airport, we have to go through TSA security checks. Since the team doesn’t fly like you and I, this process is different for the Denver Broncos when they hit the road for a game.

Going through the TSA security line at DIA is never fun. Imagine what it would be like to sift through all the equipment, coaches and players that make it to road games with the Denver Broncos. To make the process easier, the team doesn’t get checked at the airport, they bring them the TSA. TSA’s Lorie Dankers tells me they have TSA agents at Broncos headquarters in Arapahoe County doing the same check for team personnel that they would give you and me to the airport.

“The screening process can take place in various locations in accordance with TSA requirements and regulations,” explains Dankers. “Methods vary, but may include the use of technology, physical search, or other methods to screen travelers and personal property.”

Most of the big sports teams have been using private charters for many years. TSA officially tells me that the charter airline the team hired is responsible for providing security screening that meets TSA security standards.

“They work with TSA to make sure they’re up to these standards and TSA has the ability from a regulatory standpoint to inspect the process in unpredictable ways and ensure that safety standards are met,” Dankers explains. .

“This safe, efficient and environmentally friendly way of transporting the team to the airport is common in the NFL and all professional sports and has been standard procedure for decades,” said Megan Boyle, communications strategist. for the Denver Broncos.

MORE: Learn About The Traffic Problems That Drive People Crazy

The reason for the state patrol escort is to comply with the federal requirement that after a TSA check, a secure perimeter is maintained and this includes when the check is carried out outside of an airport. In order to comply with the warrant, the Broncos are paying the Colorado State Patrol to escort staff buses to the airport for all road games. Typically, the detail includes four soldiers in branded CSP cars and one soldier on a CSP motorcycle.

“The soldiers’ time is paid for by the team and we also charge for the use of vehicles, which includes normal wear and tear,” says CSP Trooper Josh Lewis.

Megan Boyle of the Broncos wouldn’t tell me how much the team pays for state patrol time and equipment, or for the extra security check at team headquarters.

The way the rolling closure works is for the lead soldier to pull out of the Broncos facility to block all southbound traffic on Potomac Street. Then the rest of the soldiers rush to the first intersection of E. Broncos Drive at S. Potomac Street to keep traffic in all four directions. Next are the team’s eight buses that turn right to head south on Potomac. Team buses will cross the intersection held by soldiers even if they have a red light. Once the last bus has hit the road, the first soldier jumps into his car and heads down the road, lights on, to catch up with the procession. The procession is authorized to pass any red light towards the E-470 toll road. The buses and patrol continue south, now along Chambers Avenue, blocking cross traffic along the way until they can turn onto E-470 northbound.

Once on the toll highway, the buses move to the left lane as three of the five soldiers, with the lights on, speed up to each next interchange entrance ramp to briefly stop traffic. enter the toll highway. The other two soldiers stay behind, also with the lights on. One soldier stays just behind the last bus, the other positioned to slow down any drivers who might think it’s a good idea to overtake the motorcade. I saw the last soldier mostly stay in the middle lane, but would drift left or right if a driver attempted to overtake the motorcade.

The buses exited the E-470 on Peña Boulevard, continued to the terminal but got out early at Jackson Gap so they could head to Signature Flight Support where their private charter plane was waiting.

“We can block traffic briefly to keep vehicles together for safety,” says Lewis. “A rolling closure like this is less labor-intensive than using soldiers at each intersection to direct traffic. Once vehicles have passed intersections and onto the highway safely, we turn off emergency lighting unless it is necessary to use it again for everyone’s safety.

Bob Eller, senior vice president of operations for the Baltimore Ravens, told The Bleacher Report that all NFL teams undergo similar screening at the stadium after an away game.

“After the game, we are screened at the stadium before getting on the buses, then we are escorted by police to the plane. All airlines hire TSA-trained screening companies to provide staff and support. ‘equipment to properly screen travelers, “he said.

TSA tells me that people traveling with the Broncos on the charter are subject to the same 3.4 ounce or 100ml fluid restriction just as you and I are at the airport. The TSA added that the federal face mask requirement also applies to the team and anywhere in the public transportation system.

Denver7 traffic anchor Jayson Luber says he’s been covering Denver subway traffic since Ben-Hur was driving a tank. (We believe the actual number is over 25.) He’s obsessed with educating viewers about what’s happening on their disc and how best to avoid issues that arise. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or listen to his Driving You Crazy podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play or Podbean.

Lines 9 and 1 are among the most affected by non-running buses.

At lunchtime yesterday (Monday), six trips to the Red Jet terminal in Cowes were cut short, while the driver’s absence was blamed for the removal of a significant number of buses from Ryde to Newport from the route.

Both will be affected again today, according to the operator’s website.

Southern Vectis told the County Press it was not a recruitment issue and was unrelated to Covid-19.

Richard Tyldsley, Managing Director of Southern Vectis, said: “Although this time of year is a particularly busy time for us, my colleagues have done their best to keep our buses running.

“At the present time, we are also facing higher than usual driver absences.

“As with many businesses, our resources are stretched right now, but our team is working hard to minimize disruption.

“Unfortunately, we had to cancel a small number of trips, but these are isolated from our high frequency routes to keep delays to a minimum. We expect the situation to improve over the next two weeks.

“We thank customers for their patience and understanding during these difficult times and apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

This morning (Tuesday) Simon Moye, COO of Southern Vectis, posted a statement on the company’s website.

He said: “We have a larger than normal number of colleagues absent today which may result in some trips being stopped.

“We apologize for any inconvenience caused and the team are working hard to make as many trips as possible, but we expect some disruption.

“Thank you for understanding.”

The first one delivery of 40 BRT Green Line buses wouWe will reach the port of Karachi next week, said Federal Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Minister Asad Umar.

During a press conference with Federal Minister of Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi at KPT Port House Karachi, he spoke about the green line buses.

Asad Umar briefed the media on the BRT green line project, said a bus workshop was built for 80 buses as 22 stations were completed.

The Minister further informed that a full command and control center was customary for different BRT lines.

The Green Line bus service will be operational in Karachi in November this year, while the second delivery of an additional 40 buses will arrive by the end of October, Asad Umar said.

Whereas the Karachi BRT Green Line Project with intersections is 24 km long, including 12.7 km elevated, 10.9 km at ground level and 422 meters underground, and has 25 stations.

The common phase II strip from Gurumandir to the 2.5 km municipal park has two underpasses on the MA Jinnah road.

The state-of-the-art subversive bus terminal with parking and the commercial mezzanine was also under construction in Numaish.

Construction work on Phase I began in 2016.

Tribune press service

Amritsar, September 7

Private bus occupancy rate climbed to 100% after a long time as state-run Punbus and PRTC buses were taken out of service due to indefinite strike called by contract workers union Punjab Roadways Punbus on Tuesday .

Their members did not block the Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra Interstate Bus Terminal (ISBT), which allowed private buses to earn a moolah.

Passengers have preferred government buses to private buses since the introduction of free travel for women.

Harjot Singh, a ticket collector on a private bus, admitted that the private buses that had been the recipients since the said scheme was introduced saw a huge turnaround in the strike by employees of the public buses. He said this trend was limited to strike days that were frequent following the run for elections to the Assembly. Two strike phases took place last month and this is the first phase of an indefinite strike this month.

Sarbjit Singh, driver of a private bus, said the family segment of passengers preferred the state-run buses because of the free travel program. Passengers usually turn to private buses once the government buses are packed.

Jodh Singh, senior vice president of the union, said the meeting between his union representatives and Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh is scheduled to take place at CM House in Chandigarh on September 10. their restlessness. If the government did not listen to their demands in a positive way, then they would be forced to intensify their protests. “

The majority of state-run buses run on long journeys. Still, passengers have ample choice from a variety of private buses that charge the same fare.

The Punjab Roadways Punbus Contractual Workers’ Union called on the government of Capt Amarinder Singh to increase the number of buses to 10,000 buses, to regularize all contract workers under the PRTC, as there were nearly 7,500 contract workers in the Punbus and the PRTC throughout the state, including 400 contract workers from the neighborhood.

Meanwhile, since the buses under Punjab’s roads are driven by regular staff, its buses moved without any problems.

The city of Toronto has started the rollout of bus-based vaccination clinics.

Mayor John Tory announced that the city and Toronto Public Health have partnered with the Toronto Transit Commission and paramedics to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates.

TTC buses will be used as mobile vaccination clinics in areas with heavy foot traffic, including metro stations.

Several bus clinics will be held in the Toronto port area and other neighborhoods this weekend.

• Harbourfront Center – Saturday September 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Harbourfront Center – Sunday September 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Jack Layton Ferry Terminal – 10 Queens Quay W., Saturday September 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Jack Layton Ferry Terminal – 10 Queens Quay W., Sunday September 5, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Islington TTC Station – Bloor Street West and Islington Avenue, Tuesday, September 7 to Thursday, September 9, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Director’s TTC station – 701 Warden Ave. Tuesday September 7 to Thursday September 9 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Westwood College – 994 avenue Carlaw, Friday September 11, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tory says the locations were chosen based on the high foot traffic from residents and the low vaccination rate in the neighborhood.

“This is another example of Team Toronto in action. All parts of city government are working with our community partners to help people get vaccinated, ”he said in a press release.

“These TTC bus vaccination clinics will help more people get their first and second doses of vaccine and be better protected against COVID-19 and the Delta variant. I continue to urge people to get fully immunized as soon as possible – it is the right thing to do and it will protect the progress we have made in the fight against the pandemic. “

As of August 30, 83 percent of Toronto residents aged 12 and over had received their vaccine, 76.6 percent had completed their immunization series receiving two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

On Sunday, the extended 7.53 km section of the Purple Line of the Bangalore Metro Rail Network on Mysuru Road was inaugurated by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai. To build the line, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) spent 1,560 crore rupees on infrastructure as well as 360 crore rupees on land acquisition. It is estimated that 75,000 people travel on the line daily, according to a PTI report. The Namma Metro Phase II project line has six metro stations: RR Nagar, Nayanadahalli, Jnanabharathi, Pattangere, Kengeri and Kengeri Bus Terminal.

The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) recently announced that food bus services will be provided to some of the new metro stations that opened yesterday. As of today (Monday), BMTC will operate 35 new feeder buses on nine routes. About 499 bus trips will be made by power buses, according to an IE report. For the convenience of Mysore road commuters, BMTC introduces Metro food bus services from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. These feeder bus services will be further streamlined based on traffic and passenger demand, BMTC said.

At present, 22 roads are operated from the Rajarajeshwari Nagar Gate to the Rajarajeshwari Nagar area. No less than 43 supply buses are operational along this route and will make a total of 230 trips per day. There are 14 different routes with 43 buses that connect the University of Bengaluru to the door of the University of Bengaluru station. According to BMTC, the power buses will start from Kengeri Traffic and TTMC station, located near Kengeri Bus Terminal metro station. No less than 121 buses are deployed on 20 different routes to the Uttarahalli region. A total of 266 buses will be operated on 45 routes to the satellite town of Kengeri and to Kumbalagodu, 157 buses will be operated on 96 routes, BMTC added.