Roosevelt Island Red Bus Problems At The Octagon, Waiting Time and Express/Local Bus Bunching - At Least Red Bus Door Not Slammed In Their Face Before Boarding

Octagon resident and Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Representative Max Long is concerned about the amount of time the Red Bus seems to wait at various stops. Mr. Long writes:

I'm concerned about the wait time for red buses that have already "arrived" at various bus stops on the island. The buses seem to sit idly very often, frequently waiting for several minutes before moving again. I've heard that these bus delays have reached up to 10 minutes on several occasions. This seriously impacts the flow of the bus schedule when one considers the relatively short amount of time if actually takes to circle the island. I've spoken with several residents in my building - and in other buildings on the island - who share this opinion.

Octagon residents have also expressed dissatisfaction with the bunching up of the Octagon Local and Express (Octagon Express operates only during weekdays from 7 AM - 10 AM) at the Octagon stop during the morning rush hours. Octagon morning rush hour commuters often experience seeing two buses at their stop, board one, and then discover they are on the local bus as the Express Bus takes off first leaving them sitting behind on the local bus. Other times, the Local Bus is at the Octagon Stop first, residents board it and then the Express Bus arrives and leaves while Octagoners are still on the Local.

A reader sent in this photo taken at 8:55 AM one weekday morning of two Red Buses waiting at the Octagon Stop.

The Bus in front is the local and behind is the Express.

Some have suggested moving the Octagon Express departure time a few minutes ahead of the Octagon Local so as to avoid the confusion of the two buses bunching up.

Regarding the Red Bus waiting time, my understanding is that it occurs at the Octagon and the Tram/Visitors Kiosk stop which are arrival/destination stops on the Red Bus Route and are required in order to maintain the fixed schedule established by RIOC (approximately 15 minutes per route).

For those residents in Manhattan Park and Northtown who become frustrated when seeing the Octagon Express Bus pass them by as you are waiting for a bus, remember that the Octagon Express Bus service is paid for separately by the Octagon owner as an amenity to it's residents and would not be in operation otherwise.

I was told by a reader who witnessed this, that the Octagon Express did make a stop by the Good Shepherd during last Friday's rush hour.

As the bus doors opened up, Public Safety Department Deputy Director Bryan exited the front door and then the doors quickly closed before the waiting passengers could board. The Octagon Express then took off to complete it's route leaving the passengers at the Good Shepherd stop waiting for the next bus.

UPDATE 3/ 18 -  Added a separate post with comments by RIRA Planning Committee Chairperson Frank Farance's responding to this post and reader's comments. Please click over to add any thoughts or comments you may have on subject and don't add any comments to this thread.