NYC Transit tests three-door bus in Bronx
Friday, February 20th 2009, 12:10 AM
Photo of a three-door bus built by Nova Bus.
Exiting straphangers can choose door No. 1, located near the driver and farebox, door No. 2 in the middle of the bus, or door No. 3 toward the rear.
The triple-portal feature reduces time spent discharging passengers at bus stops - and speeds trips for riders, NYC Transit Vice President Joseph Smith said.
The 60-foot big rig started a month-long road test on the Bx12 local route last week. The route includes Fordham Road and Pelham Parkway.
Bus riders in the Bronx who have ridden the new bus can't get enough of it.
Christine Sooknana, 26, said the bus seems to run at a faster pace than the regular ones and she does not feel as cramped.
"This one is much faster," said Sooknana, riding home last night after work. "It's very spacious."
Eleana Britto, 18, said that she had to look twice to make sure what she was seeing was in fact a bus.
"It looks so cool," she said. "It's better inside and out. And if something happens, you can run out faster."
Ramon Caraballo, 40, said people spread out more, because exit points had increased.
"Usually people stand in the front of the bus, because they want to get out faster," Caraballo said. "As you can see, they don't do that on this one."
If the bus handles the daily grind, officials are expected to place a bulk order for eventual distribution along other routes across the city.
This would be good news for New York's economy, since Volvo subsidiary Nova Bus has built a plant in upstate Plattsburgh.
The plant will employ 186 workers by the end of the year and 300 when at full capacity, around 2012, Nova Bus spokeswoman Nadine Bernard said.
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