Glossary of Terms

Direct Operating Cost refers to the annual transportation and maintenance operating costs associated with operating NYCT scheduled bus service, including bus operators’ hourly pay and variable benefit costs; regular maintenance and cleaning expenses, and fuel. 

Guidelines are used by NYC Transit to develop and maintain comprehensive, cost-efficient transit service that meets the needs of those who live, work, and travel in New York City. These guidelines provide a structure for consistent and fair evaluation of existing and proposed services by determining when, where, and how frequently service should be provided.

Headways refer to the interval or frequency of service on subway and bus routes. For example, a 10-minute headway on a subway route means that a train is scheduled to arrive every 10 minutes.

The Maximum Load Point refers to the point along a subway or bus route at which the bus or train is most crowded. On many subway lines, for example, this point is typically located where the line crosses into or out of the Manhattan business district.

Net Annual Savings refers to annual operating cost saved by each proposed service reduction. It is calculated as direct operating cost less passenger revenue loss (annual).

Overnight Bus Service refers to bus service which currently operates 24 hours a day, including during the hours of 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. If overnight service is discontinued, no service would be operated between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Seated Load refers to the condition in which every customer, on average, is able to obtain a seat and there are no standees on the transit vehicle (bus or subway car). During off-peak periods, bus and subway service is currently scheduled so that there is a seated load.

Span of Service refers to the hours and days of operation for each bus or subway route.

Total Cost refers to direct operating cost plus the annual operating cost of fixed benefit expenses, fixed depot maintenance, major bus overhauls, road control, training, facility upkeep and maintenance, supervision, operating management, operating support services such as scheduling and safety, and central administration costs.