Six Manhattan Bus Lines to See Reduction in Service Updated June 21, 2011 6:37pm

The new MTA bus schedule will see a reduction in service on several lines. (Plaid Ninja/Flickr)

By Ben Fractenberg

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — Six Manhattan bus lines will see a reduction in service during peak times starting in September, the MTA said.

Straphangers on the M5, M31, M42, M72, M98 and M104 will see an increased wait time of at least one to two minutes between buses, according to a timetable mailed to community board members by the MTA.

The MTA said the change is service is based on demand and is not an indicator of economic concerns.

“We look at demand and ridership and take that into account and schedule headway accordingly,” said a spokesman for the MTA.

The changes are expected to save the agency $900,000 annually, according to the letter, dated June 10, which was sent by MTA president Thomas F. Prendergast.

The news wasn't all bad for straphangers, as some Manhattan bus lines will see an increase in service during peak times, including the M9 and M20, the MTA said in the letter. The M116 will see slightly less service during off-peak daytime hours, but will have added buses on nights and weekends, according to the schedule.

The schedule changes will be presented at the NYC Transit Committee meeting next Monday at 10:00 a.m. at 347 Madison Avenue.

By Ben Fractenberg, DNAinfo.com

Follow Ben on Twitter @fractenberg