Suggestion Box

[Buzz]

You old timers probably remember years ago when there was a wooden "Suggestion Box" in the drivers room near the office window. If it were still there, this would be my suggestion:

A long fuel line causes yard congestion in the morning and can make parking difficult in the afternoon. That could be alleviated by fueling 2 buses simultaneously. We know the fuel island isn't long enough to allow that in most cases, so here is an alternative plan.

Continue lining up for fuel as we do but as one bus turns left into the fuel island, the next bus turns left on Arthur Kill, left into the fuel alley and left again to the fuel island. The 2 buses will be facing opposite directions. Also see no reason why either bus should not be able to turn either way upon exiting depending on whether parking or leaving the yard. (If there is a bus "2" at the fuel island, no bus would be coming up the fuel alley in the event bus "1" wants to turn right.)

Now I'm biased so this seems very common sensical to me, so tell me ... what's wrong with this idea?

[Buzz]

Please feel free to say, "It's pure genius."      

[faceit]

You old timers probably remember years ago when there was a wooden "Suggestion Box" in the drivers room near the office window. If it were still there, this would be my suggestion:

A long fuel line causes yard congestion in the morning and can make parking difficult in the afternoon. That could be alleviated by fueling 2 buses simultaneously. We know the fuel island isn't long enough to allow that in most cases, so here is an alternative plan.

Continue lining up for fuel as we do but as one bus turns left into the fuel island, the next bus turns left on Arthur Kill, left into the fuel alley and left again to the fuel island. The 2 buses will be facing opposite directions. Also see no reason why either bus should not be able to turn either way upon exiting depending on whether parking or leaving the yard. (If there is a bus "2" at the fuel island, no bus would be coming up the fuel alley in the event bus "1" wants to turn right.)

Now I'm biased so this seems very common sensical to me, so tell me ... what's wrong with this idea?

You answered your own question with what's wrong with this idea.... ITS COMMON SENSE

[Buzz]

You old timers probably remember years ago when there was a wooden "Suggestion Box" in the drivers room near the office window. If it were still there, this would be my suggestion:

A long fuel line causes yard congestion in the morning and can make parking difficult in the afternoon. That could be alleviated by fueling 2 buses simultaneously. We know the fuel island isn't long enough to allow that in most cases, so here is an alternative plan.

Continue lining up for fuel as we do but as one bus turns left into the fuel island, the next bus turns left on Arthur Kill, left into the fuel alley and left again to the fuel island. The 2 buses will be facing opposite directions. Also see no reason why either bus should not be able to turn either way upon exiting depending on whether parking or leaving the yard. (If there is a bus "2" at the fuel island, no bus would be coming up the fuel alley in the event bus "1" wants to turn right.)

Now I'm biased so this seems very common sensical to me, so tell me ... what's wrong with this idea?

You answered your own question with what's wrong with this idea.... ITS COMMON SENSE

Unfortunately, I'm afraid you're right.

[Slowbus]

That's a great idea buzz also having 2 fuelers at the same time would help a lot

[Slowbus]

Also 2 smaller pumps with antifreeze and windshield fluid so fuelers don't have to be back and forth with the bucket

[Kid24]

Sounds like a good idea in theory but won't work if there are vans parked in the alley....

[Kid24]

Also the fuel truck coming at the end of the day doesn't help either which causes buses to get gas the next day when they shouldn't...

[Buzz]

That's a great idea buzz also having 2 fuelers at the same time would help a lot

I can guarantee you that's not going to happen. Steve is not going to pay 2 guys to be out there but there's no reason one guy can't fuel 2 buses. It's been done a number of times at the old pumps and it moved along nicely.

[Buzz]

Also 2 smaller pumps with antifreeze and windshield fluid so fuelers don't have to be back and forth with the bucket

Don't hold your breasts. 

[Buzz]

Sounds like a good idea in theory but won't work if there are vans parked in the alley....

Obviously can't do it if there are vans there but they're usually gone by 6 a.m. ... if not sooner. Won't be there after the a.m. run either.

[Buzz]

Also the fuel truck coming at the end of the day doesn't help either which causes buses to get gas the next day when they shouldn't...

I have fought this for YEARS and never got anyplace. Ridiculous.

[Slowbus]

Also 2 smaller pumps with antifreeze and windshield fluid so fuelers don't have to be back and forth with the bucket

Don't hold your breasts. 

[WTF]

I'm glad your NOT an air traffic controller! Your assuming there is no bus entering the fuel alley as bus 1 makes the right down the alley to leave! Or better yet, a driver looking to jump the line and goes into the fuel alley (bus 2), or bus 2 getting stuck in traffic before he can make the turn into the fuel alley, which causes a delay for him to enter. There is so many different scenarios that can cause a (head on) bus on bus in fuel alley! Maybe this why they took down the suggestion box!

[Buzz]

I'm glad your NOT an air traffic controller! Your assuming there is no bus entering the fuel alley as bus 1 makes the right down the alley to leave! Or better yet, a driver looking to jump the line and goes into the fuel alley (bus 2), or bus 2 getting stuck in traffic before he can make the turn into the fuel alley, which causes a delay for him to enter. There is so many different scenarios that can cause a (head on) bus on bus in fuel alley! Maybe this why they took down the suggestion box!

#1) Reading is fundamental. I said, "(If there is a bus "2" at the fuel island, no bus would be coming up the fuel alley in the event bus "1" wants to turn right.)"

#2) For somebody who thinks he's a Prima Donna when it comes to parking his bus in the yard you should sit back, relax, and pour yourself a nice refreshing cup of STFU!     




(You don't get up early enough, pal.)

[steady]

Hi Buzz. Last week the pump guys had one driver turn left by the office then swing right into where you have bus
#2 positioned.  Just saying. 

[Buzz]

Hi Buzz. Last week the pump guys had one driver turn left by the office then swing right into where you have bus
#2 positioned.  Just saying. 

Really? That's odd. They usually have that area "coned" off ... like a "no-drive" zone (since the accident) which is why I didn't suggest it to get another bus at the pump. Wonder what that was about.

[PROUD MEMBER]

It would never work for a few reasons.
1st It would probably cause traffic congestion on Arthur Kill Rd.
2nd With the gate entrance near the alley being narrow and the low wall between the gate and the sidewalk I'd guess at minimum once a week a driver would hit something.
3rd And most importantly. All gasoline vans (and possibly gasoline buses)are fueled on the drivers side of the van whereas diesel buses are fueled on the passenger side of the bus. If the buses were coming from and getting fueled from both directions than the vans wouldn't be able to get fuel.

[Buzz]

It would never work for a few reasons.
1st It would probably cause traffic congestion on Arthur Kill Rd.

Traffic congestion? Seriously? 400 buses pulling out onto A.K. Rd. every morning and one bus at a time pulling back in is going to matter?

2nd With the gate entrance near the alley being narrow and the low wall between the gate and the sidewalk I'd guess at minimum once a week a driver would hit something.

Years ago we used to line up on Arthur Kill Rd. (talk about congestion) and pull into the fuel alley all the time. I do not recall even one incident of a bus hitting the wall.

3rd And most importantly. All gasoline vans (and possibly gasoline buses)are fueled on the drivers side of the van whereas diesel buses are fueled on the passenger side of the bus. If the buses were coming from and getting fueled from both directions than the vans wouldn't be able to get fuel.

Why not? First of all, vans would have to wait on line like everybody else instead of just darting across the driveway to get fueled ahead of everybody. If a van is fueling the bus coming from the fuel alley would have to wait until the van leaves. (Just as buses would have to wait for a van coming from the alley pulling to the right side of the pumps where Bus 1 is above.)  Not a problem. There's more than 10 times as many buses as vans.


You can either make it work for the greater good or find all kinds of reasons why it wouldn't. I think this would be making the best use of a very expensive fuel island.

[04012013]

A much simpler suggestion, have the fueler start pumping at 5AM or the latest 5:30AM, not 5:50 which is becoming the norm. By 6AM there already 10-12 buses lined up. One of the managers need to address the issue.

[PROUD MEMBER]

Or maybe even a simpler way is when the new pumps were installed they were spread out another 15' apart so two buses can be fueled at the same time on the same side.

[Buzz]

A much simpler suggestion, have the fueler start pumping at 5AM or the latest 5:30AM, not 5:50 which is becoming the norm. By 6AM there already 10-12 buses lined up. One of the managers need to address the issue.

Is that right? That explains why when I get on line at 6 a.m. the line is wrapped around the yard. Never realized that.

Initially, Steve was not going to have early morning fueling AT ALL. Owen helped him think the better of that.

[Buzz]

Or maybe even a simpler way is when the new pumps were installed they were spread out another 15' apart so two buses can be fueled at the same time on the same side.

Yep, that would have been better, or having 2 islands with 1 pump each instead of in a row ... like the old pumps.

But of course you understand, how long we wait on line is of no concern to the company. They pay us for 8 hours and couldn't give a shit less. I'm looking at it from how long lines tie up the yard, but I guess that doesn't matter either.

[Kid24]

It's also bad when people finish their AM and it's wrapped around to where the bus wash starts.

[04012013]

Inadequate planning and poor execution is the problem with this fuel line. It could easily be fixed to achieve more efficiency, if they want it!

[Buzz]

Inadequate planning and poor execution is the problem with this fuel line. It could easily be fixed to achieve more efficiency, if they want it!

That's just it ... they DON'T want it. As I said before, they don't care how long we wait on line but shorter lines would make for less congestion in the yard.

[LMAO]

Buzz , I have a suggestion : turn your radio on so when someone gives you a heads up that their coming you don't pull up to the corner  🤷‍♂️

[Buzz]

Buzz , I have a suggestion : turn your radio on so when someone gives you a heads up that their coming you don't pull up to the corner  🤷‍♂️

I heard you, and answered you ... and I waited a little while. Where did you radio from, Clarke Ave? You took long enough. And by the way, you don't tell a senior man, "I'm coming through," ... You say, "Requesting right of way, SIR" ...     

[Slowbus]

Excuse my ignorance but What's the point of getting gas twice a week ?

[Kid24]

Excuse my ignorance but What's the point of getting gas twice a week ?

I dont think it should be "Mandatory" but some drivers have runs where they need to fill up twice a week BUT they force the issue so the mechanics check the bud out which times they do and times they don't

[Slowbus]

Excuse my ignorance but What's the point of getting gas twice a week ?

I dont think it should be "Mandatory" but some drivers have runs where they need to fill up twice a week BUT they force the issue so the mechanics check the bud out which times they do and times they don't

in my case most of the time they don't open the hood and when I ask for windshield fluid they act like they doing me a favor I do about 60 miles a day if I get gas once a week I still have about a quarter tank left

[Buzz]

Excuse my ignorance but What's the point of getting gas twice a week ?

What's the point of odd and even days? 

[Kid24]

Yeah I gotta ask for coolant or else they don't pop the hood and that's just to stop the buzzing lol...

The odd and even days I guess is to keep "order" to it. It really shouldn't be odd and even should be get gas as needed

[PROUD MEMBER]

In order to fuel two buses at the same time, an easy fix would be to make the hoses on each pump approximately 6' longer. I took a look at it and it wouldn't make a difference if the gas tank on the bus is located in the front or the back.
That's assuming that longer hoses are legal in NYS. And that's also assuming that the driver going to the first pump pulls all the way up (good luck with that).

[Kid24]

Currently waiting as we speak........

5 buses 20 min 🤦🏻‍♂️

[Buzz]

That's about right. I figure 5 minutes per bus, roughly.

[Buzz]

In order to fuel two buses at the same time, an easy fix would be to make the hoses on each pump approximately 6' longer. I took a look at it and it wouldn't make a difference if the gas tank on the bus is located in the front or the back.
That's assuming that longer hoses are legal in NYS. And that's also assuming that the driver going to the first pump pulls all the way up (good luck with that).

I sensed the word "legal" was the clue. Hoses cannot be longer than 18 feet and must be equipped with a breakaway device. (If somebody pulls away with the hose still in the bus. Ours are thus equipped and it's already happened.) Is that long enough?

Section 2206.7.5 of NY Fire code ... https://up.codes/viewer/new_york/ny-fire-code-2010/chapter/22/motor-fuel-dispensing-facilities-and-repair-garages#22

[mirrorcheck]

I like it Buzz pure genius. Can you submit plan B to get the bus wash open . Does the DOE have blinders on for the outside ? Lmao

[Buzz]

I like it Buzz pure genius. Can you submit plan B to get the bus wash open . Does the DOE have blinders on for the outside ? Lmao

Last I talked to Steve about it (last summer) he was having trouble getting parts for it. I mean, what the fuck ... it's only about 50 years old.

[sbdriver1]

That's the new excuse. Trouble getting parts

[Slowbus]

I like it Buzz pure genius. Can you submit plan B to get the bus wash open . Does the DOE have blinders on for the outside ? Lmao

[Buzz]

That's the new excuse. Trouble getting parts

Well, I wasn't exaggerating when I said it's about 50 years old. Maybe more ... if I'm not mistaken, they bought it used and it was already old. (Like they used to buy their fuel pumps.)

When Buono was here he showed me architectural drawings of a beautiful enclosed wash with recycled water, blah, blah, blah that we were supposed to get. Don't know whatever happened to that.

[Buzz]

So this morning I get on a very long line and after 15 minutes I realize I need DEF fluid. Figuring I wouldn't have enough time to get fuel and DEF, I got off the line and pulled alongside the building by the pumps to get the DEF.

I ask the kid if I can then turn left alongside the pumps because I needed fuel and the kid tells me he's not allowed to fuel anyone going in that direction. So, I take a chance and get back on the fuel line.

When I somehow made it to the pump with a little time to spare, I see a mechanic fueling a bus on the other side of the pumps, facing the opposite direction.

I guess it's who you know.

[Kid24]

Yeah I've seen it happen where drivers pull right up as a bus is getting gas to just get fluids for the bus and not gas. One time I picked my bus up in the afternoon and had to get gas and I was parked in the front of the yard pulled out and barely had to turn to get into the gas area, the kid told me I had to go around the yard cause technically on camera it looks like I made a right 🤦🏻‍♂️

[Buzz]

I don't know why making the right is a big deal if nobody is coming down but rules, rules and more rules.

[Kid24]

Just got gas, they put no water or antifreeze in for my, as soon as I got on the expressway my check engine kept going off with the coolant sign...