Texting bus drivers and weekend service changes

After months of back-and-forth over this one, the MTA is planning on implementing a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to texting and driving, the Daily News reported yesterday. In the past, drivers were simply suspended for texting and driving, but after Jeremy Philhower struck and killed a pedestrian on the first day back on the job after such a suspension, the authority decided to take action.

“Customers who board our buses expect a safe and professional ride,” Darryl Irick, Transit’s acting vice president of buses, said. “As a public transportation agency, we are responsible for protecting our passengers, operating safely around other motorists and safeguarding pedestrians.”

Of course, TWU officials said they would challenge this safety measure. John Samuelsen, who never met a regulation he liked, called the new measure a “blanket policy that calls for Draconian disciplinary action against drivers based on some manager’s testimony.” The Daily News’ editorial pages called it a long overdue policy, and it’s tough to disagree with their assessment. This should be yet another petty fight between labor and management over a seemingly common-sense passenger and pedestrian safety initiative.

Meanwhile, since just about everyone is spending today and tomorrow away from the Internet and with their families, I’m going to take it easy. This will be my last post until Sunday. Enjoy the time off, and if you’re celebrating, have a merry Christmas.

Below are the weekend’s service advisories. Today — Christmas Eve — trains will operate on a Saturday schedule, and there are a handful of other weekend changes that could impact travel. These come to me via New York City Transit. Check the signs in your local station and listen to on-board announcements. Subway Weekender has the map.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, December 26, uptown 6 trains skip Castle Hill Avenue, Zerega Avenue, Westchester Square, Middletown Road and Buhre Avenue due to rail repairs near Westchester Square.

From 12:01 a.m. Sunday, December 26 to 5 a.m. Monday, December 27, D trains run on the R line between DeKalb Avenue and 36th Street, Brooklyn due to switch renewal north of Pacific Street.

From 12:01 a.m. Sunday, December 26 to 5 a.m. Monday, December 27, Manhattan-bound N trains run on the D line from Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue to 36th Street, Brooklyn due to track panel installation north of Kings Highway to north of Bay Parkway. There are no Manhattan-bound N trains at 86th Street, Avenue U, Kings Highway, Bay Parkway, 20th Avenue, 18th Avenue, Ft. Hamilton Parkway and 8th Avenue stations. Traveling to these stations, customers may take the N to 62nd or 36th Streets and transfer to a Coney Island-bound N.

From 12:01 a.m. Sunday, December 26 to 5 a.m. Monday, December 27, Coney Island-bound N trains run on the R line from DeKalb Avenue to 59th Street, Brooklyn and Manhattan-bound N trains run on the R line from 36th Street, Brooklyn to DeKalb Avenue due to switch renewal north of Pacific Street.