"The New Metrobus?"

[WayneNYC]

Isn't it fact that in New York, those ridiculously crowded, yet frequently operating, routes became worse with the implementation of artics?  Not only do you have the 3 artics per 4 standard bus policy, but while each bus has more room, there are less doors.  This means more dwell time as people push their way through crowds.

Yes, the problem in NYC is more dwell times.  It's increased because the time it takes for the farebox to swallow the MetroCard and spit it out again.  They are rather slow on Manhattan crosstown routes.  Other than this stuff, the artics have pretty much been good for NYCTA. 

[Tritransit Area]

Don't forget.  While they're babies continuously being born, they're also people dying too.  Are you saying the number of births are clearly outpacing the number of deaths?
No one said throw artics all over the place. Put them on routes that could use them. More frequent service isn't going to work either so what else is there to do? People stand up for hours (at times) waiting for the bus. At least everyone is able to get a seat on artics rather than cramping on a 40 foot. Artics at times go to waste here so they could just put those (at least) on routes that need them. That will save them money.

Think about this at least. One 40 foot breaks down. Another is right behind it. Now you've got an extremely packed bus. When instead, an artic could be on it giving those who were on the bus in front and the ones who were already on the bus a seat.

Those artics might get full but at least there is less of a problem then there would be on a 40 foot. Again not saying every route needs them, but a lot of them do.                           

Wait, fellow Brandon.  Why do you think that a crammed 40 foot bus would equate to an artic with seats?  At best, you would have a bus with more standing room and a few less standees.

From my [limited] experience with the F4/6, it needs more frequent service with a few well placed artic runs to boot!  It might even be able to use "Metro Extra/Express" service as well...

[Scrabbleship]

Isn't it fact that in New York, those ridiculously crowded, yet frequently operating, routes became worse with the implementation of artics?  Not only do you have the 3 artics per 4 standard bus policy, but while each bus has more room, there are less doors.  This means more dwell time as people push their way through crowds.

Yes, the problem in NYC is more dwell times.  It's increased because the time it takes for the farebox to swallow the MetroCard and spit it out again.  They are rather slow on Manhattan crosstown routes.  Other than this stuff, the artics have pretty much been good for NYCTA. 

You hit it right on the nose! The heavy traffic on the crosstown routes plus the Metrocard processing dwell times equal disaster regardless of if a bus is an artic or not. It makes me wonder that when if* the MTA ever goes to a smart card system if schedulers will have to adjust their schedules to reflect the time savings smart cards would bring.

Back on topic, if memory serves me right the MBTA didn't adjust the schedules for artics when their original Neo LF artics came in for the SL4/39 and I wouldn't think they'd adjust the schedules for whatever routes get their DE60LFR's when they arrive next year since they're direct RTS replacements. I think with the nominal difference in seating between a HF 40' bus and an LF artic, the era of reducing service for artics might be ending...for a while at least.

* Anyone who lives or has lived in New York, City or state, knows that there is no "when" when it comes to planning things

[Perry]

If the buses are not running on schedule because of the Metrocards, then they'd probably at best just run on time with the smart cards.  It's a fatal flaw to take out a ton of time because of the prospect of a faster boarding time with the smart cards.  As long as a passenger has to pass through the farebox and do something with it, there isn't going to be a lot of savings.  Until you go to an all off-board fare collection system, you won't see a significant amount of savings in running time.

[WayneNYC]

I have to agree.  The swallowing of MetroCard can be slow, plus students and empolyees MetroCard must be dipped too.  In the old days they were  flash passes.  A lot of times what adds to NYC dwell times is that people insert a MetroCard that has an insufficient balance.  Then they'll have to try 2 or 3 more before finally scoring.  Then you have those who want to insert the MetroCard the wrong way.

The TA's new BRT service on the Bx12 (they call it Select Bus Service) does seem to be better.  The buses don't linger long at all.

Whatever you do, don't drive in front of one at night.  Those flashing blue lights are bright as heck and there's another emergency vehicle type blue strobe light inside at the top of the windshield.  I learned the hard way:-).