STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- More than a week after the MTA rolled out its new express bus plan, the agency is continuing to adjust routes in response to rider feedback.
Beginning Thursday, the MTA will start running several SIM routes -- the SIM6, SIM22 and SIM26 -- along Lexington Avenue, instead of Fifth Avenue, during the evening commute.
The changes were made to speed trips on those routes and along the Fifth Avenue corridor, as well as provide closer access to the east side of Manhattan.
"As our customers know we've been making tweaks to improve this brand new service on a daily basis, and this update is the biggest one yet," said MTA New York City Transit President Andy Byford. "As promised we are not taking our foot off the gas until we have the best service possible."
SIM6 will now stop at:
- 57 Street at Madison Avenue
- Lexington Avenue at 52 Street
- Lexington Avenue at 46 Street
- Lexington Avenue at 41 Street
- Lexington Avenue at 33 Street
- Lexington Avenue at 27 Street
SIM22 and SIM26 will now stop at:
- Lexington Avenue at 52 Street
- Lexington Avenue at 46 Street
- 42 Street at Madison Avenue
There were initially 11 buses traveling along Fifth Avenue during the return trip, including SIM3, SIM6, SIM8, SIM10, SIM22, SIM23, SIM24, SIM25, SIM26, SIM30 and SIM31.
During a recent Twitter chat with Byford, the MTA said it chose Fifth Avenue because of the double bus lane and it being the most convenient location for the greatest number of riders.
The agency is working with the city Department of Transportation to collaborate on potential improvements to both the Fifth Avenue and Lexington Avenue bus lanes. The MTA will monitor the service with the new change and make tweaks when necessary.
The stop locations and times for this new service will be posted online at mta.info/SIExpressBus.
RELATED STORIES: