Select Bus Service

Infobox Bus transit
name = Select Bus Service
(an MTA Regional Bus Operations service)

logo_size = 250

---

image_size = 250px
image_caption = +selectbusservice #5741 at Orchard Beach.
company_slogan =
parent = MTA Regional Bus Operations
founded = 2008-06-29
headquarters =
locale = Bronx, New York
service_area = Fordham Road, Pelham Parkway
service_type = Bus rapid transit
alliance =
routes = 1
destinations = Inwood (westbound)
Bay Plaza or Orchard Beach (eastbound)
stops =
hubs =
stations = 14 (eastbound to Bay Plaza)
15 (westbound to Inwood)
13 (to/from Orchard Beach)
lounge =
fleet = 35
ridership =
fuel_type =
operator =
ceo = Joseph A. Smith
leader_type =
leader =
website = [http://www.mta.info/nyct/sbs/ Select Bus Service]

Select Bus Service, (SBS) marked on the buses as +selectbusservice, is a brand used by MTA Regional Bus Operations for bus rapid transit service.

History

In conjunction with the New York City Department of Transportation, the MTA identified five corridors for implementation of bus rapid transit, one in each of the five boroughs, in late 2004: the Fordham Road/Pelham Parkway corridor in the Bronx, First and Second Avenues in Manhattan, Merrick Boulevard in Queens, Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn, and Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island. Three bus priority corridors were also identified for implementation or expansion, all in Manhattan: Madison Avenue (expansion), Fifth Avenue, and 34th Street.cite web|url=http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/17/a-transit-miracle-on-34th-street/|author=Brad Aaron|title=A Transit Miracle on 34th Street|date=2008-04-17|accessdate=2008-07-01] [cite web|url=http://www.gothamgazette.com/graphics/2008/04/BRT_Ideas_Template.jpg|title=Map of BRT ideas in New York City|accessdate=2008-07-01] cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/mta/planning/sbs/|title=MTA Planning - NYC Select Bus Service|accessdate=2008-07-01] The Merrick Boulevard corridor was eventually scrapped because of community opposition related to loss of parking. cite news|url=http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18201466&BRD=2731&PAG=461&dept_id=574905&rfi=6%5c|title=Merrick Parking In Doubt As Rapid Transit Nears|author=Joel Weickgenant|publisher=Queens Chronicle|date=2007-04-12|accessdate=2008-07-01]

The +SelectBusService program was unveiled to the public on 2008-03-25.cite web|url=http://blog.tstc.org/2008/03/25/nycs-first-and-only-bus-rapid-transit-route/|title=NYC's First - And Only? - Bus Rapid Transit Route|date=2008-03-25|accessdate=2008-07-01] cite web|url=http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf2f1c701c789a0/index.jsp?pageID=mayor_press_release&catID=1194&doc_name=http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2008a/pr101-08.html&cc=unused1978&rc=1194&ndi=1|title=MAYOR BLOOMBERG, MTA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO SANDER, AND DOT COMMISSIONER SADIK-KHAN UNVEIL NEW MTA SELECT BUS SERVICE (SBS) SYSTEM|date=2008-03-25|accessdate=2008-07-01] At the time of the announcement, the MTA and the mayor 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 state Legislature.

The first +SelectBusService corridor, on the Bx12, was placed into service on 2008-06-29 [cite news|url=http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/06/bus-rapid-trans.html|author=Alexander Lew|title=Bus Rapid Transit Debuts in the Bronx|date=2008-06-30|accessdate=2008-07-01|publisher=Wired.com blog network] . Other lines are expected to be rolled out in the next three years, with SBS coming to the M15 in fall 2009, and to the B44 and S79 in 2011. Federal funding has been applied for to continue the expansion.

Routes

Currently, SBS only operates on one line, the Bx12 line. "Stations" are listed below.cite web|url=http://mobilizingtheregion.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/bx12_route_large.jpg|title=Bx12 SBS BRT Map from Tri-State Transportation Campaign - Mobilizing the Region|accessdate=2008-07-03]

Bx12 line

*Note 1: Until further notice, MetroCard payment must be made on the bus at this station only.
**Note 2: When JCPenney is closed, customers paying with a MetroCard must use the station adjacent to Linens 'n Things, or the Bx29 to Pelham Bay Park and transfer there to the Bx12 SBS.

Vehicle branding

Buses assigned to SBS are easily identifiable with a blue wrap below the stripe stretching all the way around the bus, on the front, sides, and back. In addition, SBS buses display +Select Bus Service+ in the destination sign, and flash blue lights on both sides of the destination sign and in the windshield. Bus stops where +SelectBusService buses stop are also identifiable with the SBS branding on the glass, and machines for MetroCard and coin payment in or near the shelters.

Fare and payment

The fare for SBS is the same as on all New York City Transit local and limited-stop buses, US$2.00 payable in MetroCard, or coins. The major difference between local and limited-stop buses and SBS is that on SBS, unlike other bus lines in New York City, fare collection works via a proof-of-payment system, with the buses and shelters as fare-paid zones. Customers must pay their fare before boarding the bus at pay stations located in bus shelters at the designated stops. Boarding can be done via the front or rear doors of the bus. Fare inspectors and police will randomly check for proof of payment receipts, with those unable to produce one subject to summons.cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/nyregion/29bus.html?ex=1215403200&en=d218bb6194fec461&ei=5070|title=Riders Will Pay Before Boarding, and Save Time, on Revamped Bus Route|author=William Neuman|publisher=New York Times|date=2008-06-29|accessdate|2008-07-01] If for some reason, one is unable get a receipt after payment of proper fare, the operator on the next bus must be notified of the problem, via machine number. [cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/nyct/sbs/sbs_pay.htm|title=MTA NYC Transit - Select Bus Service|accessdate=2008-07-01]

References

ee also

*New York City Transit buses
*Bus rapid transit

External links

* [http://www.mta.info/nyct/sbs/ Select Bus Service]