BusTalk

[Q65A]

From the JG website:

Retarder
Later model buses are equipped with a brake retarder system. The purpose of this is to give you additional braking power. However there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Under normal conditions you must operate your bus with the retarder in the “on” position. When the road surface is wet or icy the retarder must be placed in the “off” position. If the retarder is left on under these conditions you significantly increase the chances of putting your bus into a skid. There is a pilot light on the front left of every bus equipped with a brake retarder. It works on opposite logic.

Light on = Retarder off.

Light off = Retarder on.

By operating your bus with the retarder in the wrong position, you run the risk of getting a violation.

INTERLOCKING BRAKES
All of our buses are equipped with a modified interlock system. The interlock does three things when it is applied. It locks the brakes, bypasses the accelerator and opens the rear exit doors. Always apply the interlock when opening the doors in a bus stop. Once the interlock is engaged it is unnecessary to keep your foot pressed on the brake. In fact keeping the brake pedal pressed can be dangerous as you may disengage the interlock prematurely when the exit doors close. Just rest your foot on the brake pedal. This will also protect your knee and ankle from injury. When parked do not hold the bus with just the interlock. Only a breaker controls the interlock, if the breaker pops your bus can move. Always engage the parking brake.

[Bill D]

[Pineywoodsbus]

Doesn't NYCT instruct that the retarder be turned off in summer, because using it causes the engine to overheat (I think this was an Orion V specific problem).
This is not done at LI Bus, which may account for all the probs they have in summer.