SBS routes use vehicle-segregated, camera-enforced bus lanes; sidewalk extensions for bus stops; relatively long distances between stops; vehicular turn restrictions along corridors; and next-bus travel information screens. The first route was the Bx12 along Fordham Road and the Pelham Parkway; as of July 2019[update], the system has expanded to twenty SBS routes along seventeen corridors. Twenty more routes are proposed through 2027. In summer 2018, the MTA announced that it was considering delaying the implementation of SBS routes outside Manhattan until 2021 because of the city's upcoming bus-network redesign.
The Select Bus Service program was unveiled to the public in March 2008.[13][14] 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.
The Bx12 Select Bus Service in 2008, the first SBS route in New York City.
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.[17] The next line, the M15, saw Select Service begin on October 10, 2010 after the delivery of new low-floor buses.[18][19] 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.[20]
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 S79Hylan 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.[21]
A sixth corridor, the second for the Bronx, began service on the Bx41Webster 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.[5][8][9]
A seventh corridor, and the third for Manhattan, the M60125th 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).[22] An eighth Select Bus Service route was planned in the 2014–2017 Financial Plan.[23] The eighth Select Bus Service corridor (ninth route overall), 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 did not include a major change in stops.[24]
The ninth 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.[25] The tenth corridor, and the first for Queens, is the Q44 limited bus route running on East 177th Street (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.[26]
In September 2016, the eleventh corridor (twelfth route overall) and the second for Queens, 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.[27][28] The M23, the twelfth corridor (thirteenth route) and the fifth in Manhattan, 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.[28]
The M79 became an SBS route in May 2017,[29] with the installation of bus lanes along its route.[30] The Bx6, after the completion of bus lanes and widened sidewalks, became an SBS route in September 2017. It supplements the local service by stopping at high ridership stops. This is the third route for the Bronx.[31] Select Bus Service along Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards was implemented on the Q52 and Q53 routes in November 2017.[32][33]
Select Bus Service along Kings Highway was implemented on the B82, which replaced the former Limited-Stop route, on October 1, 2018.[34] The city subsequently announced that following the implementation of the B82 SBS, it would halt the implementation of Select Bus Service in the outer boroughs until 2021 as a result of budget cuts, and an upcoming redesign of the city's bus network.[35]
A temporary M14 Select Bus Service route was proposed for implementation in early 2019, in preparation for the 14th Street Tunnel shutdown. This route would have run between Tenth Avenue and Stuyvesant Cove Ferry, with local service on the M14A and M14D. Five additional temporary routes would have been implemented for the shutdown in April 2019.[36] However, on January 3, 2019, the shutdown plan was altered by Governor Andrew Cuomo and the proposed SBS routes were put on hold.[37][38][39][40] In February 2019, the MTA announced plans to implement SBS on the M14A and M14D,[41] and has since been implemented on July 1, 2019.[42][43]
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.[8]
Current routes
Currently, SBS operates twenty different bus lines on seventeen different corridors.
By order of implementation, SBS was placed on the Bx12, M15, M34, M34A, S79, Bx41, B44, M60, M86, Q44, B46, Q70, M23, M79, Bx6, Q52, Q53, B82, M14A, and M14D routes.
SBS replaced nearly-identical limited-stop service on the Bx12, M15, Bx41, B44, Q44, B46, Q70, Q52, Q53, and B82 where corresponding local bus service still operates (except on the Q44, whose nighttime local variant was eliminated and replaced with the full-time SBS route, and the Q70, which had no local equivalent before the conversion). The Bx6 SBS was split from the Bx6 local, which had no limited-stop variant prior to SBS implementation on that route. The B46 SBS omitted the Broadway section of the LTD route, while the B82 SBS did not replace service along the original B82 LTD portion between Bay 37th St and Coney Island.
For the other routes, all service was converted from local to SBS, and numerous local stops were combined or omitted. The Bx12, M15, M34, M34A, S79, Bx41, B44, B46, Bx6, and Q52 routes run the whole day, while the M60, M86, Q44, Q70, M23, M79, Q53, M14A, and M14D routes run at all times. The B82 is the first and only SBS line to not run on late nights and weekends.
The Bx12 Limited was the first route to be converted into a Select Bus Service line, the Bx12 SBS. It was placed into service in June 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.[44]
A geographically correct map of the Bx12 Select Bus Service route, showing all stations and connections. The route is in light blue.
The M15 Limited became the M15 SBS on October 10, 2010, which replaced limited stop service with SBS on this line. Unlike the former Limited, the M15 SBS makes limited stops south of Houston St, and only runs between 126 Street and South Ferry. St Mark's Place and East 72nd Street were also eliminated. 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.
A geographically correct map of the M15 Select Bus Service, showing all stations and connections. The route is shown in turquoise.
The M34 SBS and M34A SBS routes began in November 2011.[47] 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.[48][49] Originally, a provision of this corridor was planned to create a special "Busway" which would have seen both the M34 and M34A SBS lines run along 34th Street in a special two-lane corridor with vehicular traffic traveling in only one direction (westbound after 6th Avenue/Broadway; eastbound after 5th Avenue).[50]
This was eventually scrapped and replaced with curbside and offset bus lanes along 34th Street with bus bulbs at selected bus stops. The stops are listed below from west to east. Alternate M34 SBS trips began originating/terminating at Waterside Plaza with the M34A SBS in September 2017.[51]
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.[52] The M34 and M34A are both based in the Michael J. Quill Bus Depot.
The S79 SBS route began in September 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 straightened through New Springville to bypass the Yukon Bus Depot.[53][54] This route uses rigid 40-foot Nova LFS diesel buses, and is the only SBS line that does not utilize off-board fare collection. It is one of two SBS lines in the 5 boroughs that do not use 60-foot articulated buses, along with the B82 SBS, as well as the only SBS line to not have blue destination signs until July 2017. Riders must pay the fare on board, as they do on local, limited-stop, and express buses.[54] The S79 Select Bus Service is based out of the Yukon Bus Depot.[55]
Northbound is towards Brooklyn and southbound is towards Staten Island. The S79 SBS is 14.8 miles (23.8 km) long.
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.[56][57] The Bx41 SBS began service in June 2013.[56][57] The stops are nearly identical to the limited service it replaced, and service was expanded from peak hours to seven days a week.[56][57][58] The stops are listed from south to north below. Both the Bx41 local & SBS were originally based out of the Kingsbridge Depot.[57] In January 2017, both routes were moved to the Gun Hill Depot to ease the pressure and relieve the severe overcrowding at the Kingsbridge Bus Depot.
The B44 SBS route began in November 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.[59][60] 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.[61][62] In February 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.[63] This bus is based out of the Flatbush Bus Depot. Stops are listed from south to north.
A map showing the B44 SBS (in light blue) with rail connections.
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 2014 due to community opposition, citing loss of available parking spaces along 125th Street in Manhattan.[64][65][66][67][68] Due to its status as an airport connector, buses on the route are equipped with luggage racks.[66][69]
The M60 was based out of 126th Street Depot upon implementation as a Select Bus Service route. In January 2015, the M60 moved to the Michael J. Quill Bus Depot, where most Manhattan crosstown routes are based out of, due to the closing of the 126th Street Depot. On April 2, 2023, it was once again moved, this time to Mother Clara Hale Depot, due to roof construction at Michael J. Quill Bus Depot. On January 5, 2025, it was moved back to Michael J. Quill Bus Depot. The stops are listed below, west to east. Stops at the eastern end of the route, within LaGuardia Airport, are marked "Airport Stop".
MTA Bus: Q70 SBS, Q72 NYC Bus: Q90 LGA Shuttle Bus
Terminal A Marine Air Terminal
MTA Bus: Q33 LGA Shuttle Bus
Notes:
The route loops around LaGuardia Airport terminal bus stops and continues operating back toward the westbound terminus. There is no eastbound terminus stand.
Passengers traveling eastbound toward LaGuardia Airport must be off the bus by the Terminal A (Marine Air Terminal) stop, or purchase a westbound fare at fare payment machines at LaGuardia Airport stops.
Bus stops marked with an (§) are not served between midnight and 6 AM, when the 82nd Street exit (and the airport in general) is closed.
M86
An M86 SBS during the debut of SBS service in 2015.
The M86 bus, running crosstown along 86th Street in Manhattan, was identified as a potential bus rapid transit corridor in 2009.[70] The M86 SBS route debuted in July 2015.[24][71] It was the fourth corridor in Manhattan and the fifth Manhattan bus line to have Select Bus Service.[72] The M86 SBS was based out of the Tuskegee Airmen Depot, but was switched to the Michael J. Quill Depot in January 2018.
A geographically correct map of the M86 Select Bus Service route, showing all stations and connections. The route is in light blue, bolded.
Note: This stop has no fare machines, thus riders boarding here must obtain proof of fare payment receipt at the next stop (Central Park West or Fifth Ave depending on direction of travel).
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.[73][74][75][76]
The Q44 SBS was approved in June 2015, with no changes from the original routing, which runs between Queens and the Bronx.[74] 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.[73][77][76][78] Portions of the Archer Avenue lanes were installed before the implementation of SBS.[79]
The route began service in November 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 Q20, while there is no local equivalent in the Bronx. The Q20 and the Q44 SBS are based out of the Casey Stengel Depot.[80]
NICE Bus: n20G NYC Subway: trains at Flushing–Main Street Note: The northbound stop at 38th Avenue is for pick-ups only, while the northbound stop at 39th Avenue is for drop-offs only.
NYC Bus: Q20, QM63, QM64, QM68 MTA Bus: Q60, QM21 NYC Subway: trains at Briarwood Note: Bronx-bound buses stop at Main Street and Manton Street; Jamaica-bound buses stop at Queens Boulevard and 84th Drive near Main Street.
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