Routes
M60 Select Bus Service
Overview
Over 32,000 people ride buses daily on 125th Street, 9,700 on the M60, making it the busiest bus route on 125th Street. However, M60 buses are stopped over 60% of the time, and at times the bus moves as slow as 2.7 mph, which is slower than the average walking speed.
MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) plan to upgrade the M60 to Select Bus Service, featuring off-board fare payment, dedicated bus lanes, limited stops and transit signal priority in Manhattan. Bus lanes and other 125th Street improvements would benefit all 32,000 daily bus riders on 125th Street, not just the M60. As part of the project, DOT would also make improvements to curb regulations and pedestrian safety along the corridor.
Select Bus Service improvements would also benefit riders taking the M60 to the LaGuardia Airport (LGA). In Queens, the Select Bus Service route would feature limited stops, off-board fare collection, transit signal priority, and some targeted bus lanes. Q19 local service on Astoria Boulevard would be retained.
The proposed service would be 10–15% faster from end-to-end than the current route, and 15-20% faster between 125th Street/Lexington Avenue and LGA. The proposed improvements would save at least 5 minutes per trip across town and make trips more reliable. M60 SBS would connect to twelve subway lines (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, B, C, D, N, and Q) and Metro-North Railroad.
NYCT and DOT hope to carry out these improvements in 2013–14.
Public Outreach
NYCT and DOT were approached by Harlem community members in early 2012 expressing desire to see improved bus service on 125th Street. NYCT and DOT met with community boards to hear their concerns on bus service on 125th Street in summer 2012
To hear from the public at large, on September 19, 2012 NYCT, DOT and Borough President Scott Stringer held a public workshop on 125th Street bus service, attended by 100 community members. A key outcome of the meeting was the desire for faster and more reliable crosstown bus service. This meeting was co-sponsored by all three local Community Boards and all federal, state and local elected representatives of 125th Street. Download a summary of the workshop
Throughout 2012 and 2013, DOT and MTA NYC Transit will work with local stakeholders to develop a plan for bus service and other improvements along the M60 route. To learn more about the proposal, or to be informed of upcoming meetings on the project, contact us
Community Advisory Committee
DOT and NYCT have convened a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to provide guidance for the M60 Select Bus Service project. The CAC is comprised of a broad range of stakeholders, from elected officials to Community Boards to major area institutions. The CAC will meet every few months during the project. The role of the CAC is to:
- Ensure that key issues are identified and addressed
- Provide input in project design
- Provide stakeholders with information to share with their constituencies about project details and outreach efforts
The first meeting of the CAC occurred on November 28, 2012 to review bus rider and merchant surveys and discuss traffic issues and potential improvements Download the presentation (pdf) Download a summary of the meeting (pdf)
The second CAC meeting took place on January 23, 2013. At the meeting, the CAC reviewed and discussed survey results, proposed station locations, parking analysis and a prototype design. Download the presentation (pdf)
The third CAC meeting took place on March 18, 2013. At the meeting, the CAC reviewed the proposed street design and parking regulations, and learned about DOT’s traffic analysis of the corridor. Download the presentation (pdf)
Public Meetings
Community Board Meetings
On March 13, 2013, NYCT and DOT presented a proposed street design for 125th Street to Manhattan Community Board 10. Download the presentation (pdf)
On March 7, 2013, NYCT and DOT presented a proposed street design for 125th Street to Manhattan Community Board 9. Download the presentation (pdf)
On March 5, 2013, NYCT and DOT presented a proposed street design for 125th Street to Manhattan Community Board 11. Download the presentation (pdf)
Workshops and Open Houses
Public open houses and workshops will also take place at key points to involve the greater community. The format of these meetings allows the public to have one-on-one conversations with project staff, and to review and comment on design plans. Please check the DOT events calendar for upcoming open houses, or contact us to stay informed of when meetings occur.
The third public workshop was held on April 9, 2013. Download the presentation (pdf)
The second public workshop was held on December 3, 2012. Download the presentation (pdf) Download a summary of the meeting (pdf)
The first public workshop was held on September 19, 2012. Download the materials from the meeting (pdf) Download a summary of the meeting (pdf)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Select Bus Service on 125th Street benefit drivers, pedestrians, and businesses?
Select Bus Service is an opportunity for DOT and NYCT to work with the community to identify transportation issues that affect everyone who uses 125th Street. This community input will help DOT and NYCT to shape a plan for Select Bus Service on 125th Street. Other Select Bus Service projects around the city have demonstrated that increased bus speeds and reliability result in safer streets and increased commercial activity.
How will this project address the traffic congestion on 125th Street?
Offset bus lanes will move buses out of the general travel lane so that other drivers are not held up by buses. Enforcement of the lane will discourage double parking. Left-turn restrictions will ensure that drivers do not get stuck behind turning vehicles. Taken together, these strategies will improve traffic flow.
How will this project reduce double parking?
With community input, DOT hopes to make changes to parking regulations to better meet parking demand for both residents and visitors looking for parking and for businesses receiving deliveries. By better managing curb space, there will be less double parking, and less time spent circling to find a spot.
How will you be able to keep cars and trucks out of the bus lanes?
Traffic enforcement is critical to the success of Select Bus Service on 125th Street, with NYPD providing bus lane and parking enforcement. Bus lane enforcement cameras will also be used to capture vehicles illegally traveling or standing in a bus lane. On all Select Bus Service projects, DOT conducts outreach to inform local drivers on bus lane rules and regulations before enforcement begins.
How will limited stops on M60 SBS affect local bus riders?
Local bus service will be retained on the Bx15, M100 and M101 routes. M60 SBS will stop at Amsterdam Avenue, St. Nicholas Avenue/Frederick Douglass Boulevard, Lenox Avenue, Park/Madison Avenues, Lexington Avenue and Second Avenue, as well as limited stops in Morningside Heights and in Queens. DOT and NYCT have found that bus customers on other Select Bus Service routes prefer their speed and convenience—even for short trips.