CHANGES TO NEW BUS SERVICE
By [Dan Rivoli] The MTA fixed a problem in the new Select Bus Service that irritated many riders. The slips of paper that riders get as proof of a paid fare on Select Bus Service are now accepted on regular MTA buses. After Select Bus Service launched on First and Second avenues Oct. 10, riders complained that they would lose out on the Select Bus Service fare if the M15 bus came first. Council Member Dan Garodnick and Assembly Member Jonathan Bing sent a letter to MTA President Thomas Prendergast asking for a policy change, which was made shortly after. â??The MTA has listened, and now riders will benefit, Garodnick said in a statement. â??Swiftly addressing issues like this is what is needed to ensure the success of innovations like SBS. The immediate launch had a few expected delays that tarnished some riders" opinion of the speedy bus route. Cars and delivery trucks were parking, idling or unloading in the bus-only lanes. Also, the new payment method's riders buy the tickets at sidewalk MetroCard machines's confused people, which led to delays on a bus intended for faster travel. â??The new Select Bus Service provides an efficient option for traveling through Manhattan, Bing said in a statement. â??We must, however, continue to utilize measures that will make the bus service quicker and more effective.