Routes

86th Street Select Bus Service

M86 Select Bus Service began on July 13, 2015

Overview | Updates | Design | Community Outreach and Reports

86th Street Select Bus Service

Overview

The M86 Select Bus Service runs along 86th Street and York Avenue and carries over 24,000 passengers per day, making it the second busiest crosstown bus and the most used per bus per mile in New York City.

The M86 SBS connects 12 bus routes including the M15SBS, M101, and M4, and crucial connections to the 1, 4, 5, 6, B, and C trains. The M86 Select Bus Service replaces the M86 Local, but maintains the same stops, except Second Avenue, which is temporarily closed due to Second Avenue Subway Construction.

86th Street Select Bus Service Map

Updates

To make bus boarding a more comfortable and efficient experience at 86th Street and Lexington Avenue NYCDOT, in partnership with the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), is building bus bulbs which will extend the sidewalk and bring the curb to the bus. Expected completion is in 2016. Look here for updates.

Design

The Select Bus Service toolkit consists of a set of customizable elements that can be uniquely implemented on each corridor to optimize their benefits. The project team will look to implement the following elements on the M86 corridor:
  • Fare machines at all SBS stops with some facing the buildings to accommodate pedestrian flow
  • Real-time passenger information
  • Improved streetscape elements
  • Pedestrian safety improvements: The Department of Design and Construction will be implementing capital improvements to enhance pedestrian safety on the corridor. With the goal of providing additional much needed sidewalk space for pedestrians and bus customers, and of shortening pedestrian crossing distance, DDC will be implementing bus bulbs and pedestrian neckdowns at the following locations:

Bus bulbs:
  • 86th Street and Lexington Av on the northwest and southeast corners
  • 86th Street and 3rd Av on the northwest and southeast corners
Pedestrian Neckdowns:
  • 86th Street and Park Av on the northwest and southeast corners
  • 86th Street and Lexington Av on the northeast corner
  • 86th Street and 3rd Av on the northwest and southwest corners

Community Outreach and Reports

Community outreach for this project will include a series of presentations and meetings with community boards, residents, and stakeholders to identify issues, discuss options, and gain feedback on the project.

Reports

NYCDOT and the MTA released an evaluation report for the project in May 2017. The report shows growth in ridership by 7%, improvements in bus travel times of up to 11%, and a 96% customer satisfaction rating.

Community Board Meetings

Community boards are local representative bodies. There are 59 boards across the City. DOT and MTA make presentations to all of the Community Boards located along proposed Select Bus Service routes.

Community Board 7
February 10, 2015: M86 Select Bus Service Briefing
October 14, 2014: M86 Select Bus Service Briefing

Community Board 8
February 4, 2015: M86 Select Bus Service Planning
October 1, 2014: M86 Select Bus Service Briefing