Select Bus Service
NYCBRT Study

General Questions

What is Select Bus Service?

Select Bus Service is New York City Transit's new, innovative bus service designed to reduce travel time and increase the level of comfort for customers. Select Bus Service was inaugurated in June 2008 and introduced changes to the way buses operate by incorporating the following elements:

Why does New York City need Select Bus Service?

Since the introduction of the MetroCard, as well as with an increase in the city's population, NYC Transit has experienced a significant growth in bus ridership. Customer volumes are at their highest levels ever. However, bus speed and reliability has suffered as a result of high ridership and congested road conditions.

SBS is one of the options that New York City transportation officials (NYCT and NYCDOT) are examining to improve transit's performance for existing and new customers as well as to foster economic development.

Why buses? The subway is faster and more reliable; why not build a subway instead?

Subways are indeed faster and more reliable than bus systems which must compete with general traffic and pedestrians for the same street space. Subway lines, however, require costly up-front infrastructure and equipment investments and take many years to construct. Select Bus Service, often referred to as "rubber-tired light rail," uses a variety of techniques and technologies that will improve the quality and performance of transit much more quickly at a much lower cost.

Where and when will the SBS routes be implemented?

What is the source of funding for this project?

Funding for Select Bus Service Implementation has been identified in the MTA's 5-year capital program. Approximately twenty-five (25) million dollars has been allocated for the program, which will be augmented by funds from other sources. The cost for each corridor will vary depending on the treatments being considered. NYCDOT is currently pursuing funding from the Federal Government to pay for new bus lanes, traffic signals and SBS stations for First and Second Avenues, Nostrand/Rogers Avenues and 34th Street

What will happen to my local bus and local bus stop?

Select Bus Service will be an addition to current local bus routes. Local bus service will continue to operate as it does today. Additionally, please keep in mind that NYCT routinely makes minor adjustments and improvements to local routes as part of the efforts to provide better service and that these efforts are independent of this project.

What will happen to the limited-stop bus service?

On the corridors selected for the Select Bus Service Demonstration Program, Limited-Stop Service will be replaced by Select Bus Service. In many ways Select Bus Service represents a highly-improved form of limited-stop bus transit. Select Bus Service will transform the limited-stop route into a more efficient and faster service.

Limited-stop bus routes that are not selected in the demonstration corridors will not be immediately affected. The lessons learned in the demonstration projects will allow the project partners to bring improvement measures to bus service throughout the city.

How will Select Bus Service be faster than the regular bus?

It will be faster due to several improvements. The proof-of-payment fare collection system will speed boarding at every stop. In addition, there will be a traffic signal priority system that permits Select Bus Service buses to get a green light at certain intersections. There will be somewhat fewer stops than current limited stop service. Bus only lanes will also further reduce delays. All of these features will make for a faster trip.

What types of vehicles  will be used?

The system will utilize new 3 door low floor articulated buses on SBS routes. They will easily be identified by the customer friendly graphics and blue LED signs on the front of the bus.

How will I be able to identify Select Bus Service stations and vehicles?

A distinctive, consistent design program has been developed that unifies the various Select Bus Service elements, including bus lanes, stations, buses, and traveler information.

What kind of monitoring program will you employ once the program is in place?

A formal report will be issued one year after implementation of each corridor. The report will cover topics such as changes in bus ridership, travel speed and dependability and effects on general traffic. In addition, there will be ongoing monitoring of conditions from the onset of the service. If adjustments need to be made to bus schedules or traffic signal timing, they will be made as soon as practicable.

It looks like you are doing this to serve people in other neighborhoods, what is in it for us?

SBS service will benefit all the travelers in each corridor. Current bus riders who travel longer distances will benefit directly from the faster Select Bus Service option. Bus riders who travel a short distance between local stops will benefit from the provision of bus lanes. Automobile drivers should benefit from the traffic signal optimization measures. Finally, by increasing the number of people who travel by transit, everyone benefits by reduced traffic, pollution and demand for parking.

What about the seniors who have to go to the senior center / church / hospital?

We expect Select Bus Service to be of benefit to seniors, by providing improved public transit service. All buses will be fully accessible, and utilize NYC Transit will deploy low-floor buses on all Select Bus Service routes. Although the service will make fewer stops than the current Limited services, local buses will continue to provide direct access to all destinations

Late at night, do we really need Select Bus Service?  I would rather have more buses at every stop so that the wait will be shorter.

Late in the evening, when ridership drops noticeably, only local service will be provided. Generally speaking, when ridership levels drop to where one bus every 10 minutes is warranted, Select Bus Service will be curtailed in favor of 100% local service.

Why can't you have the Select Bus Service and the local bus stop at the same place?

The SBS corridors have a very high volume of bus service. Under current conditions, we sometimes find that two or more buses arrive at busy stops at the same time. This causes buses to get in each other's way, and sometimes buses cannot pull to the curb, which forces customers to board in the street. By having separate stops for Select Bus Service and local services, neither service will interfere with the other. Although some customers will be indifferent as to which service they ride, we have found that at the Select Bus Service stops—all of which are at principal intersections—most customers will choose to ride the SBS service.

Fare Collection

What will be the fare for Select Bus Service?  How will fares be collected?

The fare will be same as for subway and local bus service. On Fordham Road-Pelham Parkway and First and Second Avenues Select Bus Service, fares are being collected in a new manner. Customers pay their fare prior to boarding at machines which will be at every Select Bus Service stop. One can pay by MetroCard or coin. Customers will be issued a proof-of-payment receipt which they must hold during their trip to show to an inspector who may be riding the bus or at a bus stop. All transfers will work the same way they do today. Only customers who pay with coins and need a transfer will need to enter through the front door to ask the bus operator for a transfer. Otherwise, customers may board the bus through any door. There is no need to show anything to the bus driver. Just keep the receipt that was issued by the machine.

Will Select Bus Service honor the free transfers that I get from my current bus?

Yes. The transfer policy will remain the same for Select Bus Service as the one currently in place for buses and the subway. You will need to insert your MetroCard or bus transfer at the MetroCard Fare Collector machine and obtain a proof-of-payment receipt.

What if I am on the Select Bus Service but I don’t have my receipt?

Anyone who does not have a valid receipt may be issued a fare evasion summons by the fare inspector.

What if I pay my Select Bus Service Fare at a MetroCard Fare Machine and board the Select Bus Service bus? Now I want to transfer to another bus. How do I do this?

It will be the same procedure as now. Your connecting transfer data is encoded on your MetroCard. Just dip your MetroCard on the connecting bus and the transfer will be accepted.

A customer pays their Select Bus Service Fare at the Coin Fare Collection machine and then boards the Select Bus Service bus. If they want to transfer to a connecting local bus, what should the customer do?

This customer must enter the front door and show their receipt to the Bus Operator and request a transfer. The Bus Operator will issue a transfer ticket from the farebox.

Bus Lanes

How will the City assure that bus lanes are enforced?

Improving the enforcement of bus lanes is a critical element to ensuring the success of Select Bus Service, and we are working closely with the New York City Police Department on enforcement strategies that are both aggressive and sustainable. We are researching best practices around the country and outside the United States for bus lane enforcement strategies. Further, recently passed state Legislation will allow the use of video cameras to aid in bus lane enforcement on Select Bus Service Corridors.

Can you drive in a bus lane?

The only time it is legal for a vehicle other than a bus (or an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency) to drive in the bus lane is to make a right turn at the next available opportunity.

Will emergency vehicles be using the bus lanes?

Emergency vehicles will be allowed to travel in the bus lane when they are responding to an emergency situation.

Can taxis drop off/pick up in a bus lane? Can taxis drive in a bus lane with a passenger?

As with other vehicles, the only situation in which a taxi can enter the bus lane is to make a right turn at the next available opportunity. As a result, a taxi could pick up or drop off a passenger in the bus lane only if the taxi does not occupy the lane for any significant length of time, and the driver turns right at the next opportunity.

Can non-transit buses use a bus lane? Can school buses use a bus lane?

Currently, all buses (as defined in the New York City Traffic Rules) are allowed to drive in bus lane. If bus lanes become congested at some point in the future, consideration may be given to limiting the use of bus lanes to Transit buses only.

How will deliveries be handled to my store?

Each of the corridors have different strategies with regards to running ways, and consequently the approach to allow for reliable deliveries to stores will be based on the type and duration of bus lane operation. The team will consult with local business to identify solutions. On all corridors, deliveries can be made before or after peak travel hours, and on weekends. Where blocks are short, deliveries can be made from side streets.

In the case of the Fordham Road-Pelham Parkway corridor, all day bus lanes are in effect in both directions so "windows" in the operation of the bus lanes will be provided midday to facilitate deliveries to the stores. Between 10:00am and noon, deliveries will be permitted on the south side of Fordham Road. Between noon and 2:00pm, deliveries will be permitted on the north side of Fordham Road. In addition, before 7AM and after 7PM curb space will be available for deliveries. Finally, delivery zones have been established on side streets.

Where will people park who want to go to stores on a block with a bus lane?

As each of the corridors have different running way concepts; parking will be handled slightly differently for each of the corridors. Overnight parking will continue to be permitted at the curb. Where appropriate, a small amount of parking will be established on side streets adjacent to commercial areas.

In the case of the Fordham Road Corridor, given that all day bus lanes are proposed in both directions, for most of the day, parking will not be permitted on Fordham Road. There are some municipal parking facilities in this area. Outside of the hours of operation of the bus lanes, i.e. before 7AM and after 7PM, curb space will be available for parking.

On the First and Second Avenues Corridor there are varying types of bus lanes. Generally on First Avenue, the bus lane is offset (one lane away from the curb). In this situation, the bus lane is always in effect and curbside parking regulations remain largely unchanged. On Second Avenue, the bus lane is generally at the curb. Here bus lane hours are 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Metered commercial loading is permitted 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and overnight open parking is allowed.

How do you know that all traffic will not come to gridlock if you do this?

The plans for the SBS demonstration corridors have been designed in such a way as to result in minimal traffic impacts. In the majority of cases, the proposals involve the removal of an existing parking lane. Traffic analysis shows that in most cases creating a separate lane for buses and right turning vehicles results in an improvement in traffic conditions.

Where current travel lanes have been converted to bus lanes it is not expected that a significant worsening of traffic conditions will arise. To evaluate these impacts, the project team is completing a detailed evaluation of the traffic conditions on each of the proposed Select Bus Service corridors. At major intersections, the team is completing analysis to quantify the impacts of the proposed Select Bus Service priority measures. Where impacts are identified, mitigation measures will be included to minimize the impacts

MTA New York City Transit         New York City Department of Transportation