The New York City Department of Transportation and the MTA New York City Transit are working together to improve the city's bus system by implementing bus rapid transit (BRT) improvements on routes throughout the city. BRT is a cost-effective approach to transit service that cities around the world have used to make riding the bus more like riding the subway. BRT improves bus speed, bus reliability and passenger comfort and convenience. Select Bus Service is New York City’s brand for BRT improvements. Learn about how Select Bus Service is improving bus speeds and reliability throughout the city

Select Bus Service is coming to LaGuardia Airport! MTA New York City Transit and New York City DOT plan three routes to the airport from the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens. Learn more Read the press release

Select Bus Service takes many of the elements of BRT and adapts them for New York City’s streets. Projects are tailored to individual corridors, but elements include:

• Faster Fare Collection: customers pay their fare at the SBS stop before they board on current SBS routes, reducing the time required to pick up and drop off passengers. Smart Cards and other technologies will also speed boarding on future routes.
• Bus Bulbs: widened sidewalks at bus stops provide more space for waiting bus riders and pedestrians
• Bus lanes: travel lanes that are restricted to buses during certain hours of the day
• Loading zones: Some projects may include new commercial vehicle loading zones and other improved parking regulations

Other features that are part of Select Bus Service corridors:

• Camera enforcement: video cameras issue tickets to drivers illegally parking or driving in the bus lanes
• Transit signal priority: buses get an extended green light at certain intersections, reducing stop time
• Simplified service: Routes have easy-to-understand schedules and stops spaced like the subway
• System identity and branding: brings a unique and distinguished visibility to SBS