Select Bus Service

Context

In 2002, Schaller Consulting conducted a study on potential bus rapid transit services in New York City. In 2004, the MTA in conjunction with the New York City Department of Transportation and New York State Department of Transportation, performed an initial study on bus rapid transit, with 80 corridors studied citywide. In late 2004, the MTA identified five corridors for implementation of bus rapid transit, one in each of the five boroughs: the Fordham Road/Pelham Parkway corridor in the Bronx, First Avenue and Second Avenue in Manhattan, Merrick Boulevard in Queens, Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, and Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island. Four bus priority corridors were also identified for implementation or expansion (three in Manhattan, one in the Bronx): Madison Avenue (expansion), Fifth Avenue, 34th Street, and Webster Avenue. The Merrick Boulevard corridor was eventually scrapped because of community opposition related to loss of parking.

The Select Bus Service program was unveiled to the public on March 25, 2008. At the time of the announcement, the MTA and then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg had stated that implementation on other corridors was contingent on the passage of congestion pricing, which ultimately did not make it for a vote in the legislature.

Corridors

The first Select Bus Service corridor, on the Bx12 along 207th Street, Fordham Road, and Pelham Parkway, was placed into service on June 29, 2008. The next line, the M15, saw Select Service begin on October 10, 2010 after the delivery of new low-floor buses. The M34/M34A line was started on November 13, 2011. Initially, a 34th Street busway was planned that would require eliminating 34th Street as a through street, but it was dropped in favor of the standard SBS model. The B44 Rogers/Bedford/Nostrand Avenues bus route, the fifth Select Bus Service corridor in the city, was implemented on November 17, 2013 after the arrival of new fare machines. The S79 Hylan Boulevard/Richmond Avenue route, initially slated to be converted to SBS in 2013, was moved up to September 2, 2012; the local equivalents of the S79 route are the S78 and S59 buses. A sixth corridor, the second for the Bronx, began service on the Bx41 Webster Avenue route on June 30, 2013; this route was the first "Phase II" SBS route to begin service (the existing corridors plus the B44 comprise Phase I). Another Select Bus Service route on Webster Avenue, which will be extended to run between LaGuardia Airport and Fordham Plaza alongside the local Bx41 route, is proposed for later implementation.

A seventh corridor, and the third for Manhattan, the M60 125th Street–Triborough Bridge–Astoria Boulevard bus route to LaGuardia Airport, was converted to SBS on May 25, 2014; local service was replaced by other routes running alongside the route of the M60 (the M100, M101, Bx15, and Q19). An eighth Select Bus Service route was planned in the 2014–17 Financial Plan; this new SBS corridor is to be determined. The ninth Select Bus Service corridor, and the fourth in Manhattan, was for the M86 running on 86th Street, which was originally scheduled to start running on June 28, 2015, but pushed back to July 13, 2015; it does not include a major change in stops. However, the stop at Second Avenue is closed due to construction in the area.

The tenth corridor, and the second for Brooklyn, is the B46 on Utica Avenue. When implemented, the local and Select Bus Service route of the B46 changed northern terminals to improve reliability. Originally planned for implementation in fall 2015, it was instituted on July 3, 2016. The eleventh corridor, and the first for Queens, is the Q44 limited bus route running on the Cross Bronx Expressway (Service Road) and Main Street, which began on November 29, 2015. Selected stops in the Bronx were combined into much busier stops for faster service, and some stops in Queens have been replaced by the Q20A/B local routes. As both the Q20 branches do not enter the Bronx and the Q44 ran local late nights only, the Q44 gained 24/7 SBS service between the Bronx Zoo and Jamaica. The Q20A replaced the Q44 local in Queens late nights.

On September 25, 2016, the Q70 was rebranded as the "LaGuardia Link" and became a SBS route; as opposed to other SBS routes, the Q70 is wrapped in a light blue scheme with clouds and airplanes in order to encourage more people to use public transportation when using the airport. This marked MTA Bus's first SBS route, as well as the second for Queens and the eleventh overall. Select Bus Service along Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards is currently being studied for the Q52 and Q53 routes. The M23 became a Select Bus Service route on November 6, 2016 with dedicated bus lanes and countdown clocks at some stops, replacing M23 local service at the cost of $1.7 million. The M79 will become a SBS route in spring 2017, with the installation of bus lanes along its route. Two bus routes are planned to become SBS routes every year between 2017 and 2019.

All current SBS corridors are enforced by cameras restricting non-buses in these lanes on weekdays where the bus lane is curbside, with the bus lanes marked by red paint. Where the bus lane is an offset lane (that is, one lane away from the curb), non-bus traffic is restricted at all times except for emergencies.

Current routes

Currently, SBS operates on nine corridors. By order of implementation, SBS was placed on the Bx12, M15, M34/M34A, S79, Bx41, B44, M60, M86, Q44, B46, Q70, and M23 routes, and replaced nearly-identical limited-stop service on the Bx12, M15, Bx41, B44, Q44, B46, and Q70 where corresponding local bus service still operates (except on the Q44, which was made from a daytime limited-stop route, with local stops during nights, to a full-time SBS route, and the Q70, which had no local equivalent before the conversion). For the other routes, all service was converted from local to SBS, numerous local stops were combined or omitted. The M60, M86, Q44, Q70, and M23 run at all times.

Bx12

The Bx12 Limited was the first route to be converted into a Select Bus Service line, the Bx12 SBS. It was placed into service on June 29, 2008 replacing limited stop service with SBS on this line. Both Bx12 Select Bus Service and Bx12 local are based out of the Gun Hill Bus Depot. During late nights, the corridor is served by the Bx12 local service, which operates 24/7.

M15

The M15 Limited became the M15 SBS on October 10, 2010 which replaced limited stop service with SBS on this line.

Because of Second Avenue Subway construction on the Upper East Side, the southbound 96th Street and 86th Street stations are located at 100th Street and 89th Street, respectively. Southbound transfers from the M15 SBS require walking south to the corresponding streets and vice versa. Originally based out of the 126th Street Bus Depot, since January 2015, M15 Select Bus Service is based out of the Mother Clara Hale Bus Depot, while the M15 local is based out of the Tuskegee Airmen Bus Depot.

M34 and M34A

The M34 SBS and M34A SBS routes began on November 13, 2011. These are considered by the MTA as two SBS services, the M34 34th Street Crosstown and the former M16 route, which was renamed the M34A; the routes share a single corridor. The stops are listed below from west to east.

This service used non-articulated Orion 7 hybrid-electric buses between November 2011 and early April 2013, when they were replaced by the articulated buses found on the majority of the other SBS routes. The M34 and M34A are both based in the Michael J. Quill Bus Depot.

S79

The S79 SBS route began on September 2, 2012. While the routing was left mostly intact, the S79 had all local service eliminated and replaced by local service on the S59 route along Richmond Avenue and the S78 route along Hylan Boulevard. The route was also straightened through New Springville to bypass the Yukon Bus Depot. This route uses rigid 40-foot Orion VII hybrid-electric diesel buses, and is the only SBS line that does not utilize off-board fare collection. Additionally, it was the only SBS line in the 5 boroughs that did not use 60-foot articulated buses before the B46 SBS was introduced. Riders must pay the fare on board, as they do on local, limited-stop, and express buses. The S79 Select Bus Service is based out of the Yukon Bus Depot.

Northbound is towards Brooklyn and southbound is towards Staten Island.

Bx41

The Bx41 Limited, running along Webster Avenue and Melrose Avenue in the Bronx, was the first route to be converted into a Phase II Select Bus Service line. The Bx41 SBS began service on June 30, 2013. The stops are nearly identical to the limited service it replaced, and service was expanded from peak hours to seven days a week. The stops are listed from south to north below. Both Bx41 Select Bus Service and Bx41 were originally based out of the Kingsbridge Bus Depot. On January 8, 2017, the line was moved to Gun Hill Depot from Kingsbridge with the Bx12 local and SBS.

B44

The B44 SBS route began on November 17, 2013, replacing the B44 Limited service with Select Bus Service. Initially planned for the end of 2011, then later the summer of 2012, the start date was pushed to November 2013 as the buses for the service did not arrive until early 2013. Unlike other SBS routes, this service involved a significant change in route, and approximately 20 limited stops were eliminated. The elimination of the Avenue L stop, located adjacent to a school, from the SBS route, was controversial, with local elected representatives and community members starting a petition and calling for its restoration. On February 11, 2014, just under three months since its launch, the MTA conceded to community pressure and added Avenue L and Gates Avenue to the SBS route. This bus is based out of the Flatbush Bus Depot. Stops are listed from south to north.

M60

The M60 operates between the Upper West Side of Manhattan and LaGuardia Airport, providing crosstown service along 125th Street in Harlem. Select Bus Service was originally scheduled to begin in mid or late 2013, but was pushed to May 25, 2014 due to community opposition, citing loss of available parking spaces along 125th Street in Manhattan. Due to its status as an airport connector, buses on the route are equipped with luggage racks.

The M60 was based out of Manhattanville Depot upon implementation as a Select Bus Service route. As of January 2015, is based out of the Michael J. Quill Bus Depot (where most Manhattan crosstown routes are based out of). The stops are listed below, west to east; stops at the eastern end of the route, within LaGuardia Airport, are marked "Airport Stop".

M86

The M86 bus, running crosstown along 86th Street in Manhattan, was identified as a potential bus rapid transit corridor in 2009. To accommodate the Select Bus Service conversion, 86th Street was to be renovated with pedestrian sidewalk extensions at intersections; bus bulbs, or pedestrian sidewalk extensions at bus stops; plants and trees; and new benches.

The M86 SBS route debuted on July 13, 2015. It was the fourth corridor in Manhattan and the fifth Manhattan bus line to have Select Bus Service. The M86 SBS is based out of the Tuskegee Airmen Depot.

Q44

In 2015, the Main Street corridor, along with the parallel Kissena/Parsons Boulevards corridor and the 164th Street corridor, was studied by the NYC Department of Transportation for the implementation of SBS between Flushing and Jamaica, Queens. The Q44 Limited route, which formerly made limited stops only during the day, was planned for conversion into a full-time bus rapid transit line, with local service continuing to be provided by the parallel Q20A/B services.

The Q44 SBS was approved in June 2015, with no changes from the original routing, which runs between Queens and the Bronx. Due to community opposition, bus lanes were only installed on a small portion of the route between Roosevelt Avenue and the Long Island Expressway in Downtown Flushing and Queensboro Hill, and on Archer Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica; portions of the Archer Avenue lanes were installed before the implementation of SBS. The route began service on November 29, 2015. The Q44 is the first Q-prefixed route to have Select Bus Service, which replaces both the Q44 late-night local and daytime limited-stop buses; local bus service in Queens is provided by the Q20A/B, while there is no local equivalent in the Bronx. The Q20A/B and the Q44 SBS are based out of the Casey Stengel Depot.

B46

The B46 line is the busiest bus route in Brooklyn and 3rd busiest in the entire city. Select Bus Service began July 3, 2016, after being originally scheduled for a fall 2015 implementation. The B46 SBS replaced the B46 Limited, making similar stops along Utica Avenue and Malcolm X Boulevard. Unlike the former Limited, the B46 SBS makes limited stops south of Avenue H, and only runs between Kings Plaza and DeKalb Avenue. The B46 local was extended along Broadway to replace limited-stop service to the Williamsburg Bridge Plaza Bus Terminal at all times. Both the B46 local and Select Bus Service are based out of the Flatbush Bus Depot, as is the B44 SBS. The B46 is the second Select Bus Service in Brooklyn, and the first one to not operate during late nights since the B44 in November 2013.

Q70

In Queens, the Q70 limited-stop bus between Woodside and LaGuardia Airport via the Roosevelt Avenue/74th Street station was implemented in September 2013, replacing the portion of the Q33 local bus that went to LaGuardia Airport. Although the Q70 was intended as a bus rapid transit project, it had yet to be branded as Select Bus Service and did not employ most SBS elements, as it lacked ticket machines, all-door boarding, branded buses, and dedicated bus lanes. The Q70 SBS was implemented on September 25, 2016, when it was rebranded as the "LaGuardia Link" with the implementation of off-board payment of fares. As opposed to other SBS routes, the Q70 is wrapped in a light blue scheme with clouds and airplanes on the top half of the bus imposed with the standard SBS livery on the lower half. The rebranding should encourage more people to use public transportation when using the airport. The Q70 is based out of LaGuardia Depot, it is the second Queens bus line to have Select Bus Service, the first one for MTA Bus.

M23

The M23 route has been traditionally crowded, with 4,862,343 riders in 2010 and 3,831,755 riders in 2015, or 15,000 riders a day. In 2003, it was given the "Pokey Award" by the Straphangers Campaign, the least prestigious award given to other New York City Bus routes that also runs at a speed of 4mph; it also got that distinction in 2007 when it also ran at an average of 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h), slightly faster than the average walking speed of 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h). In 2009, the MTA and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) identified the M14A/D, on parallel 14th Street, as a potential corridor for Phase II of SBS, the city's bus rapid transit system, as well as finalized plans to implement SBS on the M16/M34 along the also-parallel 34th Street. The crosstown bus corridors were noted for slow travel speeds. The M23 was originally not planned to be an SBS route, but in 2008, it had been part of a pilot program in which 30 articulated, redesigned SBS buses were rolled out on the M23 for some time.

After lengthy consultation, the M23 was converted to SBS on November 6, 2016, replacing the identical local counterpart bus line. Unlike the former local line, the westbound stop on 5th Avenue and two bi-directional stops on Lexington Avenue will not be served by this line. The M23 is based out of the Michael J. Quill Bus Depot, as is the M34 and M34A SBS. The M23 is the fifth corridor in Manhattan and the sixth Manhattan bus line to have Select Bus Service.

Future routes

Other Select Bus Service routes are planned for the near future as part of the continuation of Phase II, including neighborhoods underserved by rapid transit and heavily used express bus routes. These were identified during a 2009 study by the DOT and NYCTA, and in a December 2013 study by the Pratt Center for Community Development of Brooklyn.

Corridors

Below are potential corridors and neighborhoods listed under the 2009 study and current Phase II plans. Bold indicates a route already implemented.

1. The Bronx
   1. Third/Webster Avenues Corridor (Current Bx15 and Bx41 routes)
      1. Bx41 SBS (Webster Avenue) was implemented on June 30, 2013.
   2. South Bronx East–West Crosstown – 161st Street/River Avenue to Bruckner Expressway/Castle Hill Avenue in Soundview (Current Bx5 and Bx6 routes)
   3. South Bronx Crosstown (Current Bx6 route)
      1. Bx6 SBS is planned for implementation in spring 2017.
2. Queens
   1. LaGuardia/East Elmhurst (Current Q33, Q47, Q70, Q72, and M60 routes)
      1. M60 SBS was implemented on May 25, 2014.
      2. Q70 SBS was implemented on September 25, 2016.
   2. Middle Village (Current Q29, Q47 routes)
   3. Main Street/Parsons−Kissena Boulevards/164th Street/Utopia Parkway Corridor (Current Q20, Q44, Q25, Q34, Q65, Q30, and Q31 routes)
      1. Q44 SBS (Main Street) implemented on November 29, 2015.
      2. Q25 (Parsons and Kissena Boulevards) proposed for future conversion.
   4. Jamaica Avenue/Hillside Avenue Corridor (Current Q1, Q36, Q43, Q110 routes)
   5. Southeast Queens (Current Q4, Q5, Q85, and Q84 routes)
   6. Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards corridor (Current Q52/Q53 routes)
      1. Q52/Q53 LTD (Woodhaven & Cross Bay Boulevards) studied for future implementation.
   7. Union Turnpike (Current Q46 route)
3. Brooklyn
   1. Flatbush Avenue Corridor (Current B41 route)
   2. Utica Avenue Corridor
      1. B46 SBS was implemented on July 3, 2016.
   3. Southern Brooklyn East-West Corridor (Current B6 and B82 routes)
4. Manhattan
   1. 23rd Street Crosstown (Current M23 route)
      1. M23 SBS was implemented on November 6, 2016.
   2. 79th Street Crosstown (Current M79 route)
      1. M79 SBS is planned for implementation in spring 2017.
   3. Manhattan West Side – Amsterdam Avenue/135th Street to Hudson Street/8th Avenue

1. Major Deegan Expressway (I-87)
2. Bruckner Expressway (I-278)
3. Long Island Expressway (I-495)
4. Gowanus Expressway (I-278)
5. Staten Island Expressway (I-278)

1. 125th Street Crosstown Corridor (Current M60, M100, M101, and Bx15 routes)
   1. M60 SBS was implemented on May 25, 2014.
2. Upper West Side/Upper East Side/Manhattan Crosstown Corridor
   1. M86 SBS was implemented on July 13, 2015.
3. 14th Street Crosstown Corridor – 23rd Street/11th Avenue to Grand Street/Avenue D (Current M14A/M14D routes)
4. Jamaica to Flushing Corridor
   1. Q44 SBS (Main Street) was implemented on November 29, 2015.
   2. Q25 (Parsons and Kissena Boulevards) is proposed for future conversion.
5. Bushwick to Downtown Brooklyn Corridor – Myrtle Avenue/Wyckoff Street to Jay Street/Tillary Street (Current B38 and B54 routes)
6. Eastern Brooklyn North-South Corridor
   1. B46 SBS was implemented on July 3, 2016.
7. Central Brooklyn East-West Corridor
8. Southern Brooklyn East-West Corridor – Fourth Avenue/86th Street to JFK Airport (Current B6, and B82 routes)
9. Hylan Boulevard Corridor
   1. S79 SBS was implemented on September 2, 2012.
10. Northern Boulevard Flushing–Manhattan Corridor – Columbus Circle to Flushing via Queensborough Bridge
    1. Q66 proposed for future conversion.

1. Broadway–Seventh Avenue 2 3 trains
2. Lexington Avenue 4 5 6 <6> trains
3. Queens-Manhattan connections: 7, E, N, and W trains

1. South Bronx
   1. Bx6 SBS is planned for implementation in spring 2017.
2. Queens East River waterfront
3. Brooklyn East River waterfront
4. Western Shore/Southern Shore (Charleston, Tottenville) of Staten Island

1. North Shore of Staten Island (Current S40 and S90 routes; former North Shore Branch of Staten Island Railway)

1. 125th Street−LaGuardia
   1. M60 SBS was implemented on May 25, 2014.
2. Webster Avenue−LaGuardia (Extension of Bx41 route)
3. Woodside/Jackson Heights−LaGuardia (Current Q70 route)
   1. Q70 SBS was implemented on September 25, 2016.

There are also "tiered" corridors based on importance, identified in the Pratt Center report in December 2013 and a previous report from 2007.

1. LaGuardia–Woodhaven/Cross Bay–Rockaway (Queens); Combination of current Q72 and Q52/Q53 routes.
   1. Q52/Q53 LTD (Woodhaven & Cross Bay Boulevards) studied for future implementation.
2. Hunts Point–Flushing–Jamaica (Bronx–Queens); Combination of current Bx5, Bx6 and Q44/Q50 routes.
   1. Q44 SBS (Flushing-Jamaica) was implemented on November 29, 2015.
3. North Shore (Staten Island); Current S40, S90 routes; former North Shore Branch of Staten Island Railway
4. Industry City/Sunset Park–Linden–JFK (Brooklyn–Queens); B35 route and eastern portion of the B15 route.

1. Far Rockaway–Jamaica (Queens); Current Q113 and Q114 routes
2. Bush Terminal/Sunset Park–JFK via Southeast Brooklyn (Brooklyn–Queens)
3. East Bronx hospital cluster–East Harlem (Bronx–Manhattan)
4. Mid-Staten Island–Hudson County, NJ–Holland Tunnel–Manhattan (Staten Island–New Jersey–Manhattan)

Routes chosen for implementation

As of 2015, several of the remaining routes have been considered.

Confirmed

The Q25 along Parsons and Kissena Boulevard was studied along with the Q44 route as a potential Flushing−Jamaica SBS route, and the limited service is planned for conversion in 2017. The local route will remain the same.

The Q52/Q53 route along the Woodhaven/Cross Bay Boulevards corridor between Central Queens and the Rockaways has received studies for implementation since 2008, and is scheduled for implementation in phases beginning in 2017.

The Bx6 SBS, which will be split from the Bx6 Local, is planned for implementation by spring or summer 2017, though it can be implemented as early as fall 2016. The local route will remain the same, while the Select Bus Service route would follow its own limited-stop route.

The M79 SBS is planned for implementation in spring 2017. The M79 is one of the slowest bus routes in the city, and to speed up service, bus lanes would be installed. The stop at West 81st Street and Amsterdam Avenue would be removed because of low ridership.

Under consideration

Other potential routes, including the B41 and B82, have undergone preliminary studies and community outreach, but have yet to be seriously considered for implementation.

Fare and payment

The fare for SBS is the same as on all New York City Transit local and limited-stop buses, $2.75, payable with a MetroCard or coins. Boarding procedures for the S79 SBS are the same as those on regular local and limited-stop buses. On all other SBS services, unlike other bus lines in New York City, fare collection for SBS uses a proof-of-payment system. Passengers are required to pay their fare before boarding the bus at pay stations located in bus shelters at the designated stops (for customers using UniTicket, which is valid for boarding). Once fare payment is made, one must board the bus at that stop within one hour. Boarding can be done via any of the three doors, except on S79 buses, where all passengers board from the front door since fares are paid on board. New York City Transit fare inspectors (organized in "EAGLE" teams), NYPD officers, or MTA police officers check for proof of payment receipts; those unable to produce one are subject to a fine of up to $100. These inspections are conducted randomly, or through the entire bus at specific stations.

In addition, proof-of-payment receipts are only valid for the route that stops at the station at which one boards (i.e., an M34/M34A SBS receipt cannot be used on the M15 SBS). When transferring from one SBS route to another, one must obtain a second receipt from that route's fare payment machines. Free transfers between routes are also provided with MetroCards.

Fare machines

Select Bus Service fare machines consist of modified versions of existing MTA and DOT devices. MetroCard payment utilizes MetroCard Fare Collection Machines, similar in design to ATM/Debit Card MetroCard vending machines (known as MetroCard Express Machines) used in the New York City Subway, but without touch screens. Coin payment utilizes a modified Parkeon Muni Meter. The original machines used on the Bx12 in 2008 consisted of re-purposed versions of MetroCard Express Machines and first-generation Parkeon multi-space devices, which have since been replaced.

Fleet

Select Bus Service buses are wrapped in a unique blue paint scheme that identifies them as operating in this particular service. All SBS buses display +Select Bus Service+ or +Select Bus in the destination sign. Bus stops where SBS buses stop are also identifiable with the SBS branding on the glass shelters, and machines for MetroCard and coin payment in or near the shelters (except for the S79 SBS, which does not employ off-board fare collection). In addition, all buses on the SBS services employ all-door boarding operation, in which each set of doors open simultaneously for easier boarding and alighting, with the exception of the S79 which does not employ all-door boarding.

Upon the debut of Select Bus Service, blue flashing lights on both sides of the destination sign were used to help designate SBS buses from local buses (which have orange lights). While some, including bus operators, claimed the flashing blue lights helped improve travel times for buses, they were controversial due to some drivers mistaking them for emergency vehicles. The use of the lights also violated the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law (Article 9, Section 375 (41)). NYS Law states "The use of blue lights on vehicles shall be restricted for use only by a volunteer firefighter" and "may be affixed to a police vehicle and fire vehicle, provided that such blue light or lights shall be displayed on a police vehicle and fire vehicle for rear projection only." The lights were removed from service on January 18, 2013.

To replace the lights, in July 2015 the MTA began overhauling the front destination signs of buses to display the route in a blue background, as well as a completely blue background that flashes twice when it says +Select Bus (formerly it read +Select Bus Service). At night on some routes, the front destination sign is blue text on an unlit black background. Starting with the Q44 in November 2015, the blue background is kept when the front signage transitions to show the terminal of the route and the main streets traveled. As of December 2015, the SBS fleet on all routes except the S79 have had their front destination signs overhauled, and new routes that launched after that date came with the new destination signs.

The following table lists the buses used on each route.