M15 Select Bus Service

This service, despite being so long overdue, is definitely working properly. Only thing is that it either helps you alot, or hurts you like hell, no in between. By hurting you, I mean that buses short turn at houston street or pike street instead of south ferry, and that other bus drivers park their buses in the bus lane on second avenue… Which both lag buses at an unbearable rate, and bunch up with 3 buses arriving at the exact same time at the exact same stop…

Pros: efficient when it is
Cons: super inefficient when it’s not
Oh… my love and hate relationship with this bus… where do I begin… lol
I commute on this bus every morning simply because I do not want to walk to the park Ave for 6 train.
First of all, the bus is quite regular and runs on its schedule but when it’s not, it will crush you.
Sometimes, when the bus runs behind schedule, it will change the destination from South Ferry to say like Houston street or 14^th. This will crush me. I need to get to Wall street area to go to work and I’m being forced to get off half way through.
This especially happens when the weather is bad, which triples the ordeal of getting off and waiting for the next bus to come in the bad weather.
But I can’t stop using it because it’s half a block away from me and gets me to the front door of my work. Lol
Love you and hate you at the same time!!! Argh! Lol

First off, thanks to my fellow Unilocalers who explained the M15 SB process before I even boarded my first trip. (Essentially, press star, insert your MetroCard into the machine, and retrieve a receipt that you’ll hold onto for dear life… or at least while you ride the bus).
This bus saves me a good 10 minute walk towards the subway. Instead, I just need to cross a block to board If I’m heading anywhere up 1^st Avenue or down 2^nd Avenue.
The M15 Select Bus is A LOT quicker than the local M15 bus service; the SB stops at around every 10 blocks. Meanwhile, if a local bus is remotely full, it will make stops every two blocks! You’d be better off walking at that point!
Plus, hooray for bus lanes!
I trust this bus enough to take out-​of-​towners on. It’s quick on the road and comes at regular intervals.
I’m not giving it the full 5 stars because if your MetroCard isn’t fully loaded, you’re toast. The machines don’t let you add more money. This isn’t an issue if you have a monthly MetroCard or if you’re a walking, talking slot machine full of coins.
Note: there are separate stops for the Select Bus service and the regular local bus service. If you see those clunky receipt machines labeled Select Bus service, you’re in the right spot! More often than not, though, the stations are clearly labeled and not hard to find, and the buses sport a distinctive livery (plus overall, they’re much newer and nicer than their local counterparts).

First of all, I do not see what’s the difference of this bus compared to limited bus, or the goodness to users. Losing and misplaced a ticket after back from tiring work and in addition to humiliation to be escorted out from bus and written a fined by down the street in front of onlooking public eyes is the worse. That was the first and last time I ever rode on this insulting M15 Select Bus. It’s traumatized me and everyone who had this experience. Please boycott this M15 Select Bus!

If you don’t know how to use SBS, just ask the bus driver. ⁹⁄₁₀ times they’ll explain it and I promise you, it’s incredibly easy.
PROS:
Limited stops, pay before boarding, runs frequently, and service doesn’t end until around 11pm, when the regular M15 is moving pretty quickly anyway. Super fast service up first avenue; it takes less than 15 minutes most nights to get from 14^th street to 79^th, which is A) faster than the local train, and B) three avenues closer to my apartment. Any east sider knows that that’s a score.
CONS:
The construction on 2^nd avenue makes driving in any type of vehicle a nightmare; if you can avoid it, just take the train to go downtown. Also, the lack of ticket-​checkers makes it really tempting to not pay, especially if you’re pressed for time or don’t have an unlimited metrocard. But like a few reviewers pointed out, the fine if you’re caught riding for free is absurd, and probably not worh the risk.

A couple of years back, hoping to make for a time saving solution, MTA planted bulky machines by certain ‘Select’ bus stops. You insert your metro card into the machine and out comes a teeny receipt/​in-​voice saying that you’ve paid your $ 2.50/right to get on the bus/​due diligence.
Recently though, they’re have been a surplus in the number of ticket-​writing cops at these bus stops along 1^st and 2^nd Avenue, even during peak hours. Most recently, I’ve been asked to show my receipt/​in-​voice on the 23^rd street stop, twice in one given week.
So be careful folks. It’s the honor system here! Pay and ride.

The M15 Select is a reasonable way to get up to 63^rd street from my neighborhood, because it runs on 1^st avenue. It’s faster than the M15 Limited, but the subway – even the local – is still faster because there’s less traffic underground.
Pluses, of course, are that you can make a phone call or text. Select Bus Service (SBS) is a step in the right direction – they even have it on 34^th street, where it makes a lot of sense by cutting down boarding time – but it’s not the be-​all and end-​all.

This is my review of the «Select Bus Service» in general, because I did not find one for the 34^th Street Line.
As a native New Yorker, I experienced «Select Bus Service» for the first time Sunday October 6^th. Long story short, I didn’t get a fine, despite experiencing a VERY rude driver, not knowing about the receipt /​ticket nonsense, nor did I witness any speedy change in riding time over any other «regular» NYC bus.
Until today, I’d never heard of the service and was completely confused as to 1) why it’s needed when limited service/​stops works just fine, 2) when the program was implemented, and 3) saw zero increase in speed or ease of flowing through traffic along 34^th street. I assumed this «Select» bus I took after getting off 34^th Street Penn Station Subway (A Train), was a simple crosstown bus as I needed to get to 12^th avenue. Never had an issue putting my metro-​card in the slot of a «regular» bus, and having it read my transfer from the subway. Simple. Works. NO hassle. No itty bitty useless piece of paper.
I took a visit to the MTA website later that evening, to read up on this «Select Bus Service». After reading many of the reviews here, and articles via search engines, I understand why MANY of us native New Yorkers have zero clue that these buses exist! ONLY SIX ROUTES exist in the city! «Select Bus Service» is a horrible idea and WASTE of MTA funds because it only benefits a «select» few, and a «select» few neighborhoods!
Next time, I’ll just walk from 8^th avenue to 12^th avenue; and get there faster. The service is just as pointless as those silly ticket /​receipt machines.

Yes it’s much faster than the regular bus. But men why such delay problems on the regular basis? I’ve been here for 15 minutes with 30 other people and I know in 5 minutes 5 of them will magically appear at the same time. So frustrating.

I hate to say this, but It is just a matter of time until there is going to be a serious accident. Too many of the M15 drivers are RECKLESS. Not all the time, but more often than not, I am on the bus and the driver is going faster than what I consider to be safe, considering the traffic.
I have found many of the drivers to be extremely rude and disrespectful to the passengers… especially the elderly and anyone who does not have the patience to take their BS. Some of them act as if we work for them. That said, the supervisor who stands on the street near Bowery Wholefoods is a nice guy.

Yes I am a fan. Basically this bus runs express and I can get to midtown at times in 20 min. from upper manhattan and that to me is a big plus. But yes a paper ticket and having no transfer from bus to train if need be SUCKS!!! MTA, THINK OF SOMETHING BETTER!

A paper ticket instead of swiping a card? definitely a step backwards!
Yes, it’s nice that the bus skips a lot of stops, but the limited busses can do that too.
A weekly or monthly card should allow you to get on the bus without that piece of paper. To all reviewers who keep saying «it’s easy, no big deal» I say:
«MTA, it’s easy, just go digital» what a waste of money to put up and maintain all these machines along the route, and you can’t even buy tickets from them.

Does not make my trip much faster. And lots of times the machines are broken.

My rating might be a little high due to the fact that Im comparing it to other bus lines. I guess I got spoiled taking the bus line along fifth avenue and people/​park watching before getting off the bus for the N train. Now that Im downtown, the M23 does not cut it. I take the M15 SBS in the morning, south bound, from Grand Central, and its really fast, compared to the time it would take me to transfer among the insane amount of people for the 6 train and then trek to the east side. It comes regularly, I made sure to read up on how to use the machines (really simple.)
Pros:
1) Fast service, I get to where I need to be from Grand Central in about 7 minutes as compared to the 25 – 30 it would take maneuvering around crowds of people, transferring, and walking.
2) Comes regularly and stays if youre still printing your ticket.
Cons:
1) Today, one of the receipt machines wasn’t printing out receipts so people who had paid had to get on at their own risk.
Oh, and I have never seen an MTA inspector checking tickets, in the 10 times or so I have taken the South Bound service. I guess they figured getting someone to check tickets would be too costly or something.

Much faster bus service, agreed. I will be the bad guy and take all sinister remarks for the benefit of other unknowing new NYC-​ers or tourists. People– there is even a separate «select bus» service apart from the normal one.
Don’t make the mistake I did — I have an unlimited metrocard and got on the bus and was confused (there is nowhere for you to put in the card). I was stupid enough to just stay on the bus, still confused, without asking questions. You have to pay/​swipe your metrocard before you get on– regardless of whether or not you have an unlimited card or not (you just get a receipt if you do, you do not have to pay). Suddenly the big mad MTA cops are on the bus treating you like you stole something, escorting you off the bus and writing you a $ 100 ticket, even if you provide proof that you are paying customer and just didn’t know. They don’t care. And then they mockingly invite you back onto the next select bus, with your citation as your «ticket». Psh.
$ 100 fine. BAM. Consider yourself warned!

It’s great to get to my destination faster, so I applaud the idea of the Select Bus. A few things could be improved. During the three months that I rode the bus, I encountered broken ticket machines twice. I overheard one of the MTA bus inspectors (who check to make sure you have a ticket) tell the driver that he’d phoned in the broken machines several times, but there weren’t enough people available to fix them.
The other improvement I hope they make is in the procedure for contesting tickets. Anyone without a receipt is given a ticket for $ 100. I dropped my receipt somewhere and was embarrassed when the inspector pulled me off the bus. He was helpful and told me how to contest the ticket. It would be great if customers could do it via the internet instead of by letter.

Hot Pursuit
Where the car was chasing other cars
As seen on the silver screen for $ 12.50 per adult
In the Big Apple
For MGM depicts it well
Running through numerous red lights
Skidding other cars
With hairpin turns
As the car comes to a screeching halt at 150 mph
Capturing the culprit
All for a smokin’ hottie
Hot Pursuit
A high-​speed chase
The anti-​lock brakes activated
Fully functional
Where the seat belt is able to hold me into place
At the edge of my seat
Ask yourself this: is it worth the wild goose chase?
An endless cycle
Where one can run but cannot hide
Hot Pursuit
As I’m tired of seeking a smokin’ hottie
Yet one to capture my heart
For I enjoy life
As a single girl
With so many options
Hot Pursuit
As smokin’ hottie is hard to find
For a man does not validate my life
Comfortable to be single
My time will come
M15 Select Bus Service express for love directly to one’s heart? With a fellow Unilocal Elite, together, we venture directly from the Financial District to Chinatown who I would never be able to know the intricacies of being a selectee rider. By the bus stop there are machines where riders insert one’s existing value MetroCard which would produce a «proof of payment» slip for admission. N.B. Strap hangers must physically present this «proof of payment» slip upon request as the bus gate keeper will randomly inspect for boarding admittance.
As a long-​time monthly unlimited strap hanger, the M15 Select Bus enables faster and faster… unstoppable… A RUNAWAY DIESEL!

For real? You people still don’t know how this works? It truly couldn’t be simpler… you swipe your card before you get on the bus, and receive a receipt to prove you did so. There, I explained it all in one simple sentence!
So can you please stop acting like it’s SUPER complicated? When you get on the bus after the bus driver had to walk you through the process, and give the other passengers a look as though the system is SO bad, and it isn’t YOUR fault you held up the whole bus — we all think you’re an idiot. We’re all sitting (with varying degrees of patience) waiting for you because we already figured out the very self-​explanatory 2-​step process involved here.
Bottom line: to the 95% of people who have somehow unraveled the metaphysical conundrum that is the SBS, it’s a quick, easy way to get around without having to go down in the pits of (subway) hell.

The M15 Select Bus Service is faster and more efficient than the normal M15 Route. I can’t quite figure out why they needed to put the stop on 2^nd street and 1^st Avenue instead of first and first, but they are the geniuses, not me.
And as a non-​genious, I cannot figure out why they didn’t put the ticketing system on the buses themselves, like most mass transit in Europe. Having to get a ticket before you board led to the following incident:
I see the bus coming (flashing blue lights are very helpful) run for the bus. Run to the ticket kiosk as bus is pulling up, take out wallet, fiddle with bus pass, forget to press ‘start’, press ‘start’, swipe bus pass, wait for ticket and… bus is gone. Yes, I am an idiot, but I am not alone, the guy next to me did the exact same thing.
Had the kiosk been on the bus, it wouldn’t have been an issue. In fact, they could do both to avoid passengers piling up at the on-​board machine.
My other issue is with the placement of the stops. Instead of stopping healthy distances apart, which makes sense when placing trains stations due to expense, why haven’t they placed them at major arterials, even if these arterials are just a few blocks apart? It stops at Grand, then skips Delancey and heads straight to the ‘just past the center of the Universe’, 1^st Ave and 2^nd street. There is a Subway station at Essex and Delancey. There is a bus to Brooklyn there too. Why not make this a connection? OK now I’m just FMLing.
Other than these things, it works well, and yes, like the other reviewer says, people (including me) should shut up and figure it out.

Ok people, the Select Bus service has been running since December 2010 and New Yorkers STILL don’t know how to use it?! It’s very simple, you pay before you enter the bus, you enter any of the three open doors on the bus, and you hold on to your receipt in case the ticket police does spot checks.
Note, the ticket machine is NOT touchscreen. So you actually have to press a metal «Start» button… u stick your card in, wait like 2 seconds, and take the receipt that is printed out. NO MORE TO IT!
NO, you cannot pay on the bus.
NO, they won’t wait for you.
NO, they don’t accept the excuse of «i didn’t know» and you WILL pay the $ 125 fine if caught without a payment receipt.
And finally, YES, it does make the commute MUCH faster! So if you’re a hater, just take the local bus or keep your mouth shut while you’re on the bus. No one is gonna empathize with you anymore this late in the game!!!