NYCDOT - Select Bus Services

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Ferries & Buses
Bus Rapid Transit

BRT Phase II || BRT Phase I || Other Bus Improvements || What is BRT?

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New!
Bus Rapid Transit Phase II

New York City Transit and NYCDOT are looking for ways to continue to dramatically improve transit service through a comprehensive Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network across New York City -- complete with links to subways, ferries, and major destinations. NYCT and DOT invite the public to take part in interactive workshops that will lay the groundwork for the next phase of a BRT program for New York City. Given the magnitude of the MTA's current fiscal constraints, it is even more imperative that we work together to expand this high performance bus service - an approach that will allow for cost savings realized from improving bus speeds, attracting more customers, and providing more efficient bus operations.

The Report

Introduction to Bus Rapid Transit Phase II report contains a general introduction to BRT features as well as an update on the results of BRT Phase I. The first phase of BRT kicked off in June 2008 as NYCT and DOT launched the City's first BRT Phase I route, the Bx12 Select Bus Service (SBS) on Fordham Road in the Bronx. This report also identifies over 30 corridors that present opportunities for new BRT services. These potential BRT corridors address different types of transit needs, ranging from areas underserved by the subway to trips that are difficult to make by subway or bus.

Read the report

Appendix A Service Needs Assessment Methodology

Bus Rapid Transit Phase II - Public Input

NYCT and DOT invite your feedback on where new BRT routes should be established and how they should operate. Seven public workshops were held in May and June in all five boroughs.

BRT Phase I Corridors / Select Bus Service

SBS stands for "Select Bus Service." SBS is the first generation of BRT in New York City (aka BRT Phase I). SBS is a joint venture of MTA/New York City Transit and NYCDOT. In June 2008, NYCT and DOT launched the City's first BRT Phase I route, the Bx12 Select Bus Service (SBS) on Fordham Road in the Bronx. The Bx12 SBS includes a combination of features, including off-board fare payment, high-visibility bus lanes, and transit signal priority, as well as increased service and distinctive branding. The results of the pilot have been striking. Bus speeds on the Bx12 SBS have increased 20 percent and ridership has increased by 5,000 riders a day. And an NYCT survey found 98% of riders were satisfied or very satisfied with the new service.

Fordham Road-Pelham Parkway SBS, Bronx (June 2008)
- Read the press release
- Download an overview of this project
34th Street Enhanced Bus Priority, Manhattan (September 2008)
- Read the press release
- Download an overview of this project
First Avenue/Second Avenue SBS, Manhattan (2010) MTA New York City Transit and the New York City Department of Transportation, in cooperation with Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, have convened a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to provide guidance in the design and implementation of SBS in this corridor. The CAC is comprised of a broad range of stakeholders, from elected officials to Community Boards to major area institutions. The role of the CAC will be:
- To provide opportunities for input as project design and implementation progresses
- To keep key stakeholders up to date on the project
- To provide stakeholders with information to pass on to other constituents about project details and outreach efforts
- To ensure that key issues are not overlooked
- The CAC will meet every two to three months over the next two years. Public Open Houses will also take place at key points, with the first open house tentatively scheduled for Fall 2009. The first meeting of the First Avenue/Second Avenue CAC was held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. To view the presentation given at this meeting and the meeting agenda, click here.
- Download an overview of this project

Nostrand Avenue-Rogers Avenue SBS, Brooklyn (2011, subject to change)

Download an overview of this project

Hylan Boulevard SBS and Transitway, Staten Island (2010, subject to change)
34th Street SBS Phase II, Manhattan (2011, subject to Change)
See a short presentation and animation that explains how the new transitway will operate. (.ppt format)

Other Bus Improvements

NYCT and DOT will also look for opportunities to provide certain elements of bus rapid transit (e.g. transit signal priority or high-visibility bus lanes) on other bus routes. We will call projects with customer service improvements enhanced bus service and those intended to ease buses through traffic bus priority corridors.

34th Street Enhanced Bus Priority, Manhattan (September 2008)
- Read the press release
- Download an overview of this project
Downtown Jamaica Bus Improvements, Queens (study completion late 2009)
Fifth Avenue/Madison Avenue Bus Lane Improvements, Manhattan
- Download an overview of this project

What is BRT?

BRT stands for "Bus Rapid Transit." It is an integrated, high performance transit system with a unique identity, designed to reduce travel time, improve reliability, and increase the level of comfort for bus customers. BRT systems typically consist of all or a combination of seven main elements, which include the following:

System identity and branding which bring a unique and distinguished visibility to the BRT service	Bus ways where the road is dedicated to the exclusive use of buses
High capacity vehicles	High visibility stations

A service plan that provides an easily understandable route map and schedule
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) that provides information on next arriving bus at the bus stations, and the next stop on-board buses
Traffic Signal Priority (TSP) which gives buses priority at traffic lights
- DOT is currently piloting TSP on Victory Boulevard in Staten Island

The video at the top shows some of the first generation BRT elements already in place in New York City.