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Read the press release here.

Lower East Side Community Board to Review Select Bus Service

An M15 Select Bus, which runs along First and Second avenues.
An M15 Select Bus, which runs along First and Second avenues.
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DNAinfo/Olivia Scheck

By Patrick Hedlund

DNAinfo News Editor

EAST SIDE — Straphangers will have a chance to voice their opinion about the MTA's Select Bus Service Wednesday night at a public meeting hosted by Community Board 3.

The new buses on the M15 line — which launched last October and provide express service along First and Second avenues — have received mixed reviews from riders and elected officials since their debut.

SBS features off-bus ticketing for speedier boarding and dedicated lanes on both avenues intended to speed up travel along the route between 125th Street and South Ferry.

In February, East Side City Councilwoman Jessica Lappin gave the $60 million service a "B –" grade based on constituent complaints and staff visits to a stop in her district.

On-street payment is intended to speed up travel on the Select Bus Service.
On-street payment is intended to speed up travel on the Select Bus Service.
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DNAinfo/Amy Zimmer

Despite early setbacks, like broken ticket machines and paper shortages, the buses seem to be a hit with rush-hour commuters hoping to avoid the regular M15 buses that make multiple stops.

"I'm actually very, very satisfied, and I think I'll be taking it again," said East Village resident Violetta Torres, 19, who rode used SBS for the first time Wednesday for her work commute to Midtown.

"I'm really skeptical about buses because they used to take a long time," she added, noting she formerly only rode the subway to work. "If it was the regular bus, I wouldn't take it."

Others thought the on-street ticketing process presented problems to rookie riders.

"The booth is a little annoying," said William Matos, 25, of the East Village, who said he got a $150 fine for forgetting to get a ticket the first time he rode the bus. "A lot of people don't know."

However, he thought the service did have its advantages over the regular M15

"It moves way faster," Matos said.

The Department of Transportation will provide updates on SBS at Community Board 3's transportation committee meeting on Weds., June 15, at 6:30 p.m., inside University Settlement's Houston Street Center, 273 Bowery.