Select Bus Service on Bx12 in New York City: Bus Rapid Transit Partnership of New York City DOT and Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit

Cities throughout the United States and around the world have found bus rapid transit (BRT) to be a popular and cost-effective way to improve their public transit systems quickly. On June 29, 2008, the New York City Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit inaugurated service on the Bx12 select bus service (SBS), the first phase of BRT in New York City. The project included enhanced bus lanes, off-board fare collection (a first in New York City), and transit signal priority, along with enhanced stations, improved customer information, and distinctive branding. The Bx12 SBS leveraged existing resources to allow implementation to take place quickly (within 1 year) and at relatively low cost (approximately $10 million). The Bx12 SBS project focused on improving bus speed and reliability as well as on making bus service more attractive to customers. Results showed a 20% reduction in travel time along the corridor and an 11.5% increase in ridership in the corridor. A total of 98% of bus customers surveyed described themselves as satisfied or very satisfied with the service. This project was the result of an ongoing partnership between the two agencies; its success depended on the strong relationship between the executive leadership and the agency staff. Implementation of this project has led to a demand for rapid expansion of BRT in New York City, paving the way for the implementation of additional planned BRT routes as well as the development of a comprehensive plan for future BRT services.