By Sam Schwartz
Dear Transit Sam, Commuting from Chambers St. near Battery Park City was a mess last week. Chambers St. was supposed to be converted from two-way traffic to one-way traffic westbound between North End Ave. and West St., the weekend of July 24. The NYC [Dept. of Transportation] moved the bus stop signs that Friday and no one noticed but my fellow bus riders and I of course. Bus operations for the M20 and M22 were supposed to change on Monday July 27, even though Chambers St. was still two-way. The conversion had not taken place. Even though we were encouraged to use the new locations, the buses would not pick us up there. They just drove right past us. Transit Sam, we need your help! Why was this delayed? Are the new bus stops now being utilized and how long with this conversion last, if it even happens?
Roberto, Battery Park City
Dear Roberto,
It was a case of the right hand (the M.T.A.) not knowing what the left hand (D.O.T.) was doing. Apparently, the proper permits were held up or not submitted on time. Since there was no conversion yet, buses were still servicing their regular stops. In any event, Transit Sam got to the bottom of it, and the permit has been approved, the changes were implemented on Monday, and the bus drivers are now servicing the relocated stops.
The northbound M20 and M22 bus stop on North End Ave. has been relocated to Warren St. at West St., beside the ballfields. The conversion to one-way traffic is expected to last through Labor Day, maybe a little bit longer.
Transit Sam
Dear Transit Sam,
Outside the City Hall subway entrance that’s right in front of 1 Centre St., the word “subway” is spelled “SVBWAY.” Was this a typo?
Josh, Park Row
Dear Josh,
I guess you could call it an intentional typo. The “V” is a testament to the Roman architecture in the area and can be found on buildings nearby as well, such as St. Andrews Church, spelled ST. ANDREWS CHVRCH.
Transit Sam
Sam Schwartz, a former first deputy commissioner of city transportation, is president and C.E.O. of Sam Schwartz Engineering, a traffic engineering consulting firm to private and public entities including the Port Authority at the World Trade Center site. Email your questions to TransitSam@DowntownExpress.com
