This morning on the Bx12 SBS the driver kept the front doors shut and pointed everyone to the back. Fine, all-door boarding, I get it. But the OMNY reader at the rear door was dark, and maybe three people actually tried to tap before giving up. When I got on, the reader beeped for me, but the guy behind me just walked and nobody blinked.

Is the rule now "if the driver waves you back there, you're off the hook"? Because I've also seen those inspectors waiting at Pelham Pkwy and they don't care why you didn't tap. I don't want a ticket because the machine is taking a nap.

Okay this is exactly the kind of thing I was wondering about after reading the earlier thread "If you could keep one plug-in gadget in a 5-foot galley, what actually earns the shelf?" (If you could keep one plug-in gadget in a 5-foot galley, what actually earns the shelf?) — people there were talking about keeping backup stuff for tiny city living, and honestly I've started carrying a second OMNY card because I never know which reader will work.

I'm new to the SBS thing. When the driver says "back door," are you supposed to tap at the back, or do you pay at the machine at the stop before you board? I thought all SBS had the machines outside. Did I miss a step?

DykerNewbie, I had the same confusion on the Q44. The first time I just froze and walked to the front anyway, and the driver yelled "BACK DOOR" so loud I thought I was in trouble.

I think the machines outside are only at some stops? Or maybe they're all supposed to be there but half are dead. Anyway, I tapped at the rear reader inside and it said "GO" so I guess I did it right. But if it's dark I don't know what they expect.

Ah, this is the SBS all-door boarding mess and I have FEELINGS! The point of Select Bus Service is that you pay at the off-board kiosk before the bus arrives, get a receipt, and then you can get on through any door.

But half the kiosks are now OMNY-only or just dead, so everyone piles on and tries to tap the readers by the rear doors. Those rear readers are not consistently installed! On the Bx12 they used to be on the left side by the back door, but on the new buses they're near the rear door in a weird spot. If the reader is dark, it's broken, not permission. The fare inspectors absolutely still write summonses for it!

Have you tried the M14 SBS? The rear-door readers there are in better spots but still get covered by shoulder bags. I wish they'd fix the kiosks and tell drivers to stop waving people to the back unless there are working readers!

@The_Ditmars_Dame, I tried the M14 once and the kiosk ate my card but didn't print anything. Driver still waved me on, but I stood there like a dummy waiting for a receipt because I've seen those inspectors by 14th St.

You're right though: dark reader isn't permission, but the drivers make it seem like it is. Half the time they won't even look at you if you go to the front. I think the city is just counting on people not getting checked.

Thanks, this is making me feel less stupid. So for a local bus where there's no SBS, is it ever okay to get on at the back?

Last week the driver opened only the back door because the front was blocked by a stroller, and he waved me back. I didn't see an OMNY reader at all by that door, so I just got on and sat down. Should I have gone up front after the crowd cleared? I don't want to be a fare evader on accident.

DykerNewbie, on a local bus, the back door is supposed to be exit-only! If the driver opens the back to let you board, that's usually a crush-loading exception, but they're supposed to tell you to board through the back and then you tap the reader after you get on if there is one.

The older Nova buses sometimes don't have a rear OMNY reader at all! If there's no reader, the operator should not wave you back there, but they do anyway because they're behind schedule. I've seen it on the B46 local to DeKalb, people just walk in and the whole bus goes quiet.

Have you tried the B46 SBS? The median stations at Utica are actually proper off-board payment, but the local is a different story. That's why the enforcement on locals is so random!

I just tried this today on the M31, not SBS. Driver pointed to the back because the front was packed. The rear reader was there but it was covered by someone's backpack and I couldn't reach it until 42nd St. I did tap then, but I was sweating the whole time thinking an inspector would get on.

The person next to me said "nobody taps back here" and that did not help. Do they even check local buses during rush hour? I feel like I see inspectors mostly at the SBS stops.

firstwinter, they do check locals, but it's rare during the crush-hour peak because they can't move through the bus. I've seen them at 23rd St on the M31 in the morning though, usually after the crowd thins.

If the reader is blocked, I try to shove my hand through and tap, because arguing with an inspector about "it was blocked" gets you nowhere. If it's actually dark, I'll call it out to the driver loud enough that someone else can hear. Not that it changes anything, but at least there's a witness. Otherwise I just take the free ride and hope.

WoodsideWendy, "loud enough that someone else can hear" is the real NYC bus survival skill! I once told a driver "the back reader is dark" on the Bx12 and he actually reached over and reset something—suddenly it came on. Maybe the drivers have a switch? I don't know!

But I think the bigger issue is that all-door boarding only works when off-board payment exists and the machines are kept alive. Otherwise we're back to the honor system with extra steps.

Have you tried the Q52 SBS down Woodhaven? Those readers at the back still beep for everyone, even when the front one doesn't. I just want one consistent bus in this city!