Select Bus

I was pretty humbled this week when I started to have to depend solely on public transportation. Let's just say that if you get a parking ticket in New York you would be better off just paying it immediately....towing fees and the inconvenience of having to retrieve your vehicle add up to much more than a ticket could ever be!

When I came to the realization that I would have to get through without my car, I was not very optimistic. Surprisingly enough, we made it through. We struggled a few days with the rain, but were grateful for the moderately warm weather considering the season. The one interesting part of our week with no car was our first ride on NYC's new Select Bus.

It turns out that New York City has recently implemented their Bus Rapid Transit service on First and Second Avenues! We got ready to hop on a train headed downtown and were directed by an MTA authority that we had to dip our Metrocards into a machine! We were a little bit stunned, but then came along this beautiful new bus with bright blue flashing lights.

When we dipped our cards into the machine, a ticket receipt printed out and we were told to hold onto it for the bus. Apparently, this is how these buses work. I had no idea! We then got onto the bus. It was a brand-spanking-new bus. The seats were nice, the steps weren't steep, and there were seats that faced each other, which my kids loved! There were so many things different about this bus. It was pretty slow going, but with the buses being in their first days running people are still getting used to the fact that you have to buy your ticket before boarding. That was the only problem. We took what we thought was a limited bus and it took a painfully long time to get anywhere.

My daughter felt like she heard something about this a couple of years ago in school. She was somewhat excited that she knew and I didn't. I, on the other hand, came home and had to Google what this was all about.

Apparently, the whole concept is that we do need more subways but that since they take a long time to build, improving bus efficiency would better the transit speed. Eventually, it should be faster and more convenient for us to take these limited "Select" buses. The point of paper tickets is supposed to shorten the stop time. If everyone at a stop already has their tickets, then no one would have to be dipping Metrocards or counting out change and asking for transfers. There are also 3 doors in which people can enter. I think that once EVERYONE learns how to get their receipt tickets, we will be in business as far as speeding up the process.

Another way the buses are supposed to help is by giving the buses priority at stoplights and in bus lanes....that is what the blue lights are for. It gives the bus an extended green light, whatever that means.

The stops are pretty fancy too. They all have lights and really nice sheltered seating. That will make it a bit more bearable come the Winter months.

It was a nice ride....and a nice surprise. I guess it was a little bonus for the kids while we were out of commission with the car. Everyone should take a ride on one while it is still new. The M15 Select Service runs all up and down First and Second Avenues from 125Th street to South Ferry. Maybe it would be a nice day out to simply ride the bus to check it out and also stop in to one of the many businesses on Second Ave that could use the traffic during this disruptive construction. I am almost thankful for the break from my car.....almost.