M96 Crosstown Bus

M96 crosstown heading west has been coming a little later in the AM these days. I’m sure it has something to do with the ongoing 2^nd avenue subway construction! It’s typical bus traffic. Two buses might come close together. You wait if you missed them! For the most part these buses are always clean, drivers friendly and I can find a seat. It fills up the closer you get to Central Park.
For the return trip heading east, there have been a couple unexpected detours lately. Stops weren’t made and it resulted in a long walk home after a long day!
It’s still the most convenient. Steps from my apartment. Door to door service!

Needs More service in the morning by the time the bus arrives to lex only about 4 people can get on

A lifesaver for those that live on the Upper West/​East Side that need to get to the other side of the island. It does get crowded and most evening nights, you’ll probably not get a seat and during your entire trip you might be standing, but these buses run pretty frequently (especially on WEEKDAYS, for WEEKENDS, good luck!!) so I can’t complain!
To transfer from the subway on the west side, the stops are
located on West 96^th Street between:
–West End and Broadway
–Broadway & Amsterdam Ave
–Amsterdam Columbus Ave
–Columbus & Central Park West
— — — -CENTRAL PARK — — — —
To transfer from the subway on the east side, the stops are
located on East 96^th Street between:
–5^th and Madison Ave
–Madison and Park Ave
–Lexington and 3^rd Ave
–3^rd and 2^nd Ave
Hope that helped…

Oh Snap! You can Unilocal crosstown buses!!! The game just changed.
This is a solid crosstown bus. It takes all MTA cards, transfers, and quarters. There is a plethora of seating. And if the seating is taken, there is plenty of standing room. The music is provided by your own iPod, and the music can range anywhere from old school R&B to 90s Alt-​Rock. Very few venues give you that kind of variety and control.
This is one of the best crosstown buses in the game.

Ohhhh
why is the west so far from the east?
how will I survive without my faithful crosstown buses?
thank you always for being my reliable feet!

OH, M-​96 bus! You are always sitting there waiting for me when I come from work at 7:15pm. Luckily, I get on at the first stop (where the service starts from), because the bus gets very crowded, very quickly.
The drivers are super friendly and I usually end up having a mini conversation with the driver as I enter the bus. They are always welcoming. They are always helpful to people unsure about where to get off, or if it is even the correct bus they should take.
The bus service is usually pretty speedy. Going crosstown through Central Park is usually a nightmare, but the 96^th st. crossing is definitely the lesser of all evils. The traffic is never THAT bad, but there is usually a little backup coming on to 5^th ave during the day time (after 8pm, you’re fine).
The buses are clean, and I can always find a seat (mind you I get on at the first stop, don’t expect a seat if you are getting on at Columbus). Most people get off at 5^th ave or madison, and after that the bus is usually empty.
I never mind taking the M96, but often dread the M86 or M72 (UGHH!).