Full History Of MTA Regional Bus Operations In Timeline From 1919

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September 1919: City Involvement with Surface Transit

In September 1919, City involvement with surface transit in the city began. Mayor John Francis Hylan organized private entrepreneurs to operate "emergency" buses.

1919: New York City's First Municipal Bus Service

In 1919, MTA New York City Bus started as New York City's first municipal bus service.

1921: City Acquisition

In 1921, the city acquired the Bridge Operating Company, which ran the Williamsburg Bridge Local trolley.

June 2, 1940: City Takeover of Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation

On June 2, 1940, the city took over the Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation's surface subsidiary, the Brooklyn and Queens Transit Corporation.

February 23, 1947: Board of Transportation Takeover

On February 23, 1947, the Board of Transportation took over the Staten Island bus network of the Isle Transportation Company.

March 30, 1947: Further Acquisitions

Further acquisitions were made on March 30, 1947, with the North Shore Bus Company in Queens.

September 24, 1948: Further Acquisitions

On September 24, 1948, further acquisitions were made with the East Side Omnibus Corporation and Comprehensive Omnibus Corporation in Manhattan.

December 5, 1948: B39 Bus Route Replacement

On December 5, 1948, the B39 bus route replaced the Williamsburg Bridge Local trolley.

June 15, 1953: NYCT Created

On June 15, 1953, the New York City Transit Authority (NYCT) was created by the State of New York.

October 31, 1956: Final Brooklyn Trolleys Discontinued

On October 31, 1956, the final Brooklyn trolleys, the Church Avenue Line and McDonald Avenue Line, were discontinued.

1957: Queensboro Bridge Local

In 1957, the privately operated Queensboro Bridge Local remained operational.

1962: City Condemnation of Bus Company Assets

After a strike in 1962, the city condemned the assets of the bus companies Fifth Avenue Coach Company and Surface Transit.

1962: MaBSTOA Established

In 1962, the State established the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority (MaBSTOA) as a subsidiary of NYCT.

1963: Installation of bus lanes in 1963

In 1963, the city started installing bus lanes in Downtown Brooklyn and St. George, Staten Island.

November 3, 1965: Route R8X service began

On November 3, 1965, service originally began on route R8X (later X8, now SIM5) traveling from the South Shore of Staten Island, up Hylan Blvd and Father Capodanno Blvd., into Downtown Brooklyn.

1966: Introduction of air conditioned buses

In 1966, the first large order of air conditioned buses began service, marking a significant fleet improvement.

1969: Bus lane installation on 42nd Street in 1969

In 1969, part of 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan received a bus lane.

1973: Limited-Stop Service Attempted

Limited-Stop Service was first attempted with the M4 bus during rush hours in 1973, then expanded to other routes from there.

1976: Introduction of "kneeling buses"

In 1976, "kneeling buses" were introduced, improving accessibility for passengers.

1976: First metal signs used as part of a pilot program

Metal signs in their current design were first used in 1976, as part of a pilot program on Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Midtown Manhattan funded by the Urban Mass Transit Administration.

1977: Livery Scheme

From 1977 until late 2007, the livery was a full all-around stripe with a black rear.

1980: Final Acquisition

In 1980, MaBSTOA took over operations of the Avenue B & East Broadway Transit Co. Inc.'s routes.

1980: Introduction of wheelchair lifts

In 1980, wheelchair lifts started appearing on buses, further improving accessibility.

1981: MTA Merged Divisions

In late 1981, the MTA merged the New York City Transit Authority's Surface Division with the Manhattan & Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority into one entity.

1990: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990

In addition to a 100% accessible bus fleet, New York City Transit provides paratransit services under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

1991: Access-A-Ride program created

The Access-A-Ride program was created in 1991 after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

November 1993: Introduction of the MetroCard

In November 1993, the MetroCard fare system was introduced, allowing riders to use cards that store value equal to the amount paid.

December 5, 1993: Inauguration of "Request-a-Stop" service

On December 5, 1993, the "Request-a-Stop" service was inaugurated in Staten Island, allowing bus operators to discharge passengers at safe, non-bus stop locations between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

1994: "Request-a-Stop" service expansion

In 1994, the "Request-a-Stop" service, which allows passengers to request a stop at a safe location along the route between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., was expanded to boroughs beyond Staten Island.

1994: Federal grants given to MTA and DOT for bus stop signs

In 1994, the signs were created following two federal grants given to the MTA and DOT totaling $1.5 million.

November 1996: Modern color-coded bus stop signs first installed

In November 1996, the modern color-coded lollipop-shaped bus stop signs were first installed in Jamaica, Queens.

December 1996: Installation of 400 bus stop signs began

In December 1996, 400 signs started to be installed after prototype signs were installed at selected locations.

1996: Introduction of articulated buses

In 1996, articulated buses were introduced to the fleet and have since become prominent in the Bronx and Manhattan.

April 1997: First phase of bus stop sign installation completed

Installation of the first 400 bus stop signs was completed in April 1997, with the remaining signs installed by the end of 1997.

1997: Testing of low-floor buses

In 1997, low-floor buses were first tested to speed up boarding and alighting for elderly and disabled passengers.

1997: MetroCard enhancements for free transfers

In 1997, the MetroCard was enhanced to allow passengers to make free transfers between subways and buses within two hours.

September 1998: Introduction of hybrid-electric buses

In September 1998, hybrid-electric buses, operating with a combination of diesel and electric power, were introduced.

1998: Introduction of unlimited-ride MetroCards

In 1998, unlimited-ride MetroCards were introduced, making New York City Transit one of the last major systems to offer unlimited bus and rapid transit travel.

1999: Mass order of CNG buses

In 1999, mass orders of buses running on compressed natural gas (CNG) began.

June 2000: Establishment of the "Clean Fuel Bus" program

In June 2000, the MTA's "Clean Fuel Bus" program was established, promoting the use of clean or alternative fuels for buses.

2000: Introduction of stop-request buttons

Since the early 2000s, most new non-express buses ordered feature stop-request buttons located on grab bars.

2001: MetroCard-only subway transfers added

In 2001, several MetroCard-only transfers between subway stations were added.

2001: Atlantic Express and NYCT Take Over Routes

Until 2001, Academy Bus operated certain routes, after which Atlantic Express and NYCT took them over.

2004: Mass order of hybrid-electric buses

In 2004, mass orders of hybrid-electric buses, operating with a combination of diesel and electric power, began.

2004: MTA Bus Company Established

In late 2004, MTA Bus Company was established as a subsidiary public benefit corporation.

January 3, 2005: Takeover of Liberty Lines Express

On January 3, 2005, the former Liberty Lines Express bus routes were taken over.

February 27, 2005: Takeover of Queens Surface Corporation Bus Routes

On February 27, 2005, Queens Surface Corporation bus routes were taken over.

July 1, 2005: Takeover of New York Bus Service Bus Routes

On July 1, 2005, New York Bus Service bus routes were taken over.

December 5, 2005: Takeover of Command Bus Company Bus Routes

On December 5, 2005, Command Bus Company bus routes were taken over.

2005: Public Takeover of Queens Buses

In 2005 and 2006, public takeover of the remaining Queens buses and most express routes was implemented when the city purchased the assets of seven private bus companies.

January 9, 2006: Takeover of Green Bus Lines Bus Routes

On January 9, 2006, Green Bus Lines bus routes were taken over.

January 30, 2006: Takeover of Jamaica Buses Bus Routes

On January 30, 2006, Jamaica Buses bus routes were taken over.

February 20, 2006: Triboro Coach Corporation Ceases Operations

On February 20, 2006, Triboro Coach Corporation ceased operating.

May 2006: Cemusa awarded contract for bus shelters

In May 2006, Spain-based advertising company Cemusa was awarded a 20-year contract for 3,300 bus shelters.

December 2006: First Cemusa bus shelters installed

The first 24 Cemusa bus shelters were installed by December 2006 in Queens.

2006: Consolidation of Management Function

After the bus mergers were completed in 2006, the MTA then moved to streamline its operations through consolidation of management function.

2006: Public Takeover of Queens Buses

In 2005 and 2006, public takeover of the remaining Queens buses and most express routes was implemented when the city purchased the assets of seven private bus companies.

2006: MTA Bus Formed

In 2006, MTA Bus was formed to take over 7 private bus companies operating primarily in Queens.

2006: First traffic signal priority corridor in 2006

In 2006, the Victory Boulevard corridor on Staten Island became the first to receive traffic signal priority, using infrared detection technology.

2007: Trials of similar systems alongside GPS tracking

Between 2007 and 2012, the MTA trialed similar audio/visual systems alongside GPS tracking on select routes in the New York City Bus system.

2007: Livery Scheme

From 1977 until late 2007, the livery was a full all-around stripe with a black rear.

2007: Pilot program on the M15

The current countdown clocks are successors to a pilot program on the M15 in 2007.

May 2008: RBO Officially Created

RBO was officially created in May 2008, with Joseph J. Smith named to lead the consolidated bus operations.

June 29, 2008: First Select Bus Service corridor on Bx12 begins service

On June 29, 2008, the first Select Bus Service corridor, operating on the Bx12 along 207th Street, Fordham Road, and Pelham Parkway, was placed into service.

2008: Reintroduction of stop-request cords

After 2008, buses were ordered with stop-request cords rather than tape strips due to the latter's higher maintenance cost.

2008: Retrofits of buses built after 2008

Buses built after 2008 are currently receiving retrofits with digital information screens, while new bus deliveries starting in 2017 are receiving the screens during production.

2008: Bus ridership decline from 2008 to 2017

From 2008 to 2017, bus ridership declined by more than 100 million.

2008: MTA Regional Bus Operations Formed

In 2008, MTA Regional Bus Operations was created to consolidate the MTA's bus operations, which included MTA New York City Bus and MTA Bus.

2008: Fordham Road and Pelham Parkway corridor traffic signal priority in 2008

In 2008, the Victory Boulevard installation was followed by the Fordham Road and Pelham Parkway corridor (Bx12 bus) in the Bronx, which used GPS transponders aboard buses.

2008: Merger of Bus Operations

In 2008, the bus operations of MTA Bus Company and New York City Transit were merged into MTA Regional Bus Operations.

2009: Pilot program on the M34 and M16 buses

The current countdown clocks are successors to a pilot program on the M34 and M16 buses between 2009 and 2012.

October 10, 2010: Select Service begins on the M15 line

On October 10, 2010, Select Service began on the M15 line after the delivery of new low-floor buses.

2010: Livery Scheme

Until late 2010, the livery scheme was a stripe with a white rear and no rear stripe, and still present on buses repainted during this time.

December 31, 2010: Atlantic Express Cancels AE7 Service

Citing low ridership and increased costs, Atlantic Express canceled the AE7 express route service on December 31, 2010.

November 13, 2011: M34/M34A Select Bus Service line started

The M34/M34A Select Bus Service line was started on November 13, 2011. Plans for a 34th Street busway were dropped in favor of the standard SBS model.

December 2011: MTA Long Island Bus Transferred

Until December 2011, MTA Regional Bus also included the MTA Long Island Bus division, when its services were transferred to the private operator Veolia Transport.

2011: Bus ridership decline in Manhattan from 2011 to 2016

From 2011 to 2016, Manhattan experienced the greatest ridership decreases with bus ridership declining more than 15%.

2011: Mayor Bloomberg's traffic signal priority proposal in 2011

In 2011, Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed that traffic signal priority be installed along 11 bus routes within the following two years.

2011: Buses built after 2011 get Wi-Fi and USB

Since 2016, buses built after 2011 have been built or retrofitted with Wi-Fi connectivity and USB charging ports.

December 31, 2011: End of MTA Operation of Long Island Bus

Until December 31, 2011, MTA Regional Bus Operations also operated Nassau County's bus and paratransit service, formerly known as Long Island Bus. The MTA voted to end operation of the system at the end of 2011.

January 1, 2012: Nassau Inter-County Express Rebranding

On January 1, 2012, the Nassau County bus service was rebranded as "Nassau Inter-County Express".

September 2, 2012: S79 Hylan Boulevard/Richmond Avenue route conversion moved up

The S79 Hylan Boulevard/Richmond Avenue route, initially slated to be converted to SBS in 2013, was moved up to September 2, 2012.

2012: Trials of similar systems alongside GPS tracking end

Between 2007 and 2012, the MTA trialed similar audio/visual systems alongside GPS tracking on select routes in the New York City Bus system.

2012: Guide-A-Ride boxes implementation begins on MTA Bus Company routes

Implementation on MTA Bus Company routes for Guide-A-Ride boxes took place in 2012–2014 for local bus routes.

2012: MTA testing signal priority along the M15 in 2012

In 2012, the MTA started testing signal priority along the M15 in Lower Manhattan.

2012: Pilot program on the M34 and M16 buses

The current countdown clocks are successors to a pilot program on the M34 and M16 buses between 2009 and 2012.

June 30, 2013: Bx41 Webster Avenue route begins service

On June 30, 2013, the sixth corridor, the second for the Bronx, began service on the Bx41 Webster Avenue route; this route was the first "Phase II" SBS route to begin service.

November 17, 2013: B44 Select Bus Service implemented

On November 17, 2013, the B44 Rogers/Bedford/Nostrand Avenues bus route, the fifth Select Bus Service corridor in the city, was implemented after the arrival of new fare machines.

2013: Atlantic Express Bankruptcy

Atlantic Express declared bankruptcy in 2013.

2013: First electronic countdown clocks installed

In 2013, the first two electronic countdown clocks were installed in Stapleton and New Dorp on Staten Island.

2013: WalkNYC project begins

Several stops along Select Bus Service routes employ different countdown clocks that are part of wayfinding information kiosks installed in conjunction with the city's WalkNYC project beginning in 2013.

May 25, 2014: M60 converted to SBS

On May 25, 2014, the M60 125th Street–Triborough Bridge–Astoria Boulevard bus route to LaGuardia Airport, the seventh corridor and the third for Manhattan, was converted to SBS.

2014: Select Bus Service routes receiving GPS-based traffic signal priority in 2014

From 2014 to 2016, five Select Bus Service routes received GPS-based traffic signal priority at 260 intersections. They were the M15 in Manhattan; the B44 along Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn; the S79 along Hylan Boulevard on Staten Island; the Bx41 along Webster Avenue in the Bronx; and the B46 along Utica Avenue in Brooklyn.

2014: Guide-A-Ride boxes implementation completes on MTA Bus Company routes

Implementation on MTA Bus Company routes for Guide-A-Ride boxes took place in 2012–2014 for local bus routes.

2014: Additional countdown clocks approved for installation

In late 2014, an additional 18 stops in Staten Island and Brooklyn were approved for installation of electronic countdown clocks.

June 28, 2015: Original start date for M86 SBS

The eighth Select Bus Service route, the M86 running on 86th Street, was originally scheduled to start running on June 28, 2015, but it was pushed back.

July 13, 2015: M86 SBS start date

On July 13, 2015, the M86 Select Bus Service started running on 86th Street.

November 29, 2015: Q44 limited bus route began SBS service

On November 29, 2015, the Q44 limited bus route running on East 177th Street (the Cross Bronx Expressway service road) and Main Street, the tenth corridor and the first for Queens, began SBS service.

2015: Study on MTA bus speeds

A 2015 study found that 35 MTA routes with significant ridership figures had average speeds of less than 15 miles per hour.

2015: JCDecaux acquires Cemusa and maintains bus shelters

Following the acquisition of Cemusa by French advertising firm JCDecaux in 2015, bus shelters are now maintained by JCDecaux.

2015: Third electronic countdown clock installed

In 2015, a third electronic countdown clock was installed near City Hall in Manhattan.

2015: Bus bunching statistics

In 2015, bus bunching affected 9.4% of routes, a number that increased to nearly twelve percent in 2017.

2015: MTA investigation of express bus routes on Staten Island

Starting in 2015, the MTA investigated express bus routes on Staten Island, finding them to be circuitous, duplicative, and infrequent.

April 2016: Solicitation of proposals for New Fare Payment System

In April 2016, the MTA solicited proposals for a contactless "New Fare Payment System" to replace the MetroCard by 2022.

May 2016: Introduction of new livery

In May 2016, a new livery was introduced, replacing the blue stripe livery on a white base that had been in use since the late 1970s. The first bus with the new livery entered service on the Q10 route.

July 3, 2016: B46 Utica Avenue SBS instituted

The B46 on Utica Avenue, the ninth corridor and the second for Brooklyn, was instituted on July 3, 2016. The local and Select Bus Service route of the B46 changed northern terminals to improve reliability.

September 2016: Q70 rebranded as "LaGuardia Link" and becomes SBS

In September 2016, the Q70, the eleventh corridor (twelfth route overall) and the second for Queens, was rebranded as the "LaGuardia Link" and became a SBS route.

November 6, 2016: M23 becomes a Select Bus Service route

On November 6, 2016, the M23, the twelfth corridor (thirteenth route) and the fifth in Manhattan, became a Select Bus Service route with dedicated bus lanes and countdown clocks at some stops.

2016: Select Bus Service ridership

As of 2016, Select Bus Service routes only served 12% of all bus riders, while the average bus route was 10% slower than it was in the mid-1990s.

2016: Total bus stops with countdown clocks installed

As of 2016, a total of 32 bus stops had one of the two countdown clocks installed.

2016: Increase in bus speeds along routes with bus priority signals in 2016

From 2014 to 2016, five Select Bus Service routes received GPS-based traffic signal priority at 260 intersections. In 2016, a study found that all of the routes saw increases in average bus speeds along the portions that had bus priority signals with speeds increasing by an average of 18%.

2016: New Livery and Articulated Buses

From 2016 on, the MTA logo was showcased only, and the blue-stripe livery was replaced with a new blue-and-yellow livery. The first order with the new livery, 75 articulated buses for MTA Bus, were delivered in spring and summer 2016.

2016: Weekday and weekend bus ridership decline in 2016

From 2016 to 2017, average weekday bus ridership fell 5.7%, and average weekend bus ridership fell 4%.

2016: Additional countdown clocks approved for installation in Staten Island

In 2016, an additional 100 electronic countdown clocks in Staten Island were approved for installation.

2016: New Livery Introduced

In spring 2016, a new livery was introduced based on navy blue, light blue, and yellow, with a mostly blue front and sides, a light blue and yellow wave, and a yellow back, commonly known as the MTA's Andrew Cuomo Scheme or Excelsior Scheme.

2016: Introduction of Wi-Fi and USB charging ports

Since 2016, buses built after 2011 have been built or retrofitted with Wi-Fi connectivity and USB charging ports.

2016: Efforts to bring audio/visual system to current and future fleet

Starting in 2016, efforts were made to integrate an audio/visual system into the current and future bus fleet to enhance customer service and ADA accessibility through next-stop announcements and public service announcements.

May 2017: M79 becomes an SBS route

In May 2017, the M79 became an SBS route, with the installation of bus lanes along its route.

July 2017: Traffic signal preemption used on five bus corridors in July 2017

As of July 2017, traffic signal preemption was used on five bus corridors in New York City.

July 2017: Eleven more corridors to receive traffic signal priority by July 2017

Eleven more corridors were set to receive traffic signal priority by July 2017.

September 2017: Bx6 becomes an SBS route

In September 2017, the Bx6 became an SBS route after the completion of bus lanes and widened sidewalks. It supplements the local service by stopping at high ridership stops.

October 23, 2017: Announcement of OMNY to replace MetroCard

On October 23, 2017, it was announced that the MetroCard would be phased out and replaced by OMNY, a contactless fare payment system.

November 2017: Frequency analysis by borough

As of November 2017, the Bronx had the greatest proportion of bus routes with high frequencies in both directions, while Manhattan had the highest ratio of routes with high frequencies in at least one direction. Staten Island had the highest ratio of routes with low rush-hour frequencies.

November 2017: Bus lane network length in November 2017

As of November 2017, the city's bus lane network was about 104 miles (167 km) long, representing nearly two percent of the city's 6,000 miles (9,700 km) of streets.

November 2017: High-frequency bus service analysis

As of November 2017, three-quarters of bus routes provided high-frequency service in at least one direction during rush hours, with buses arriving at least every ten minutes.

November 2017: Select Bus Service implemented on Q52 and Q53 routes

In November 2017, Select Bus Service along Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards was implemented on the Q52 and Q53 routes.

December 2017: Weekday and weekend bus ridership averages

In December 2017, the average weekday bus ridership was 1.9 million, while total weekend ridership averaged 2.1 million. Express buses had an average weekday ridership of 40,200, and paratransit was used by a mean of 27,900 people each weekday.

2017: Winding bus routes

A 2017 report indicated that nearly half of bus routes had at least 10 turns along their routes. The most winding route was the Bx8 bus in the Bronx, with 29 turns.

2017: Eighth Select Bus Service route planned

An eighth Select Bus Service route was planned in the 2014–2017 Financial Plan.

2017: Testing of battery electric buses

Between 2017 and 2021, the MTA tested a fleet of battery electric buses.

2017: Bus ridership decline in 2017

In 2017, bus ridership declined by more than 100 million since 2008. Average weekday bus ridership fell 5.7%, and average weekend bus ridership fell 4% compared to 2016. As of 2017, thirteen bus routes with at least 20 stops within 0.1 miles of a subway station all saw ridership declines, averaging a 20% loss.

2017: Increase in bus bunching

In 2017, nearly twelve percent of routes were considered to be bunched on a regular basis, compared to 9.4% in 2015.

2017: Pokey Awards for slowest bus routes

In 2017, the Straphangers Campaign gave out "Pokey Awards" to the slowest bus routes. The M42 crosstown bus on 42nd Street was the slowest, averaging 3.9 miles per hour.

2017: Installation of digital information screens begins

In 2017, the installation of digital information screens began on new bus deliveries to provide real-time information such as time, weather, advertisements, and service advisories.

March 2018: Number of equipped intersections with traffic signal priority rose to 500 by March 2018

The number of equipped intersections rose to 500 by March 2018.

April 2018: Buses to receive digital information screens after April 2018

All buses delivered after April 2018, as well as 1,000 existing buses, would also receive digital information screens with automated announcements.

April 2018: MTA published Bus Action Plan in April 2018

In April 2018, the MTA published a Bus Action Plan detailing 28 suggestions to improve the bus system, in response to a citywide transit crisis and complaints about the general quality of MTA bus service.

August 2018: Reorganization of Staten Island express bus service

In August 2018, express bus service to Staten Island was completely reorganized, with all existing bus routes discontinued and replaced with 21 new routes with a "SIM" prefix.

October 1, 2018: B82 SBS implemented along Kings Highway

On October 1, 2018, Select Bus Service along Kings Highway was implemented on the B82, which replaced the former Limited-Stop route.

2018: Budgetary Burden

As of 2018, MTA Regional Bus Operations' budgetary burden for expenditures was $773 million, which it supports through the collection of taxes and fees.

2018: MTA announces more signs would receive electronic countdown clocks

In 2018, as part of its Bus Action Plan, the MTA announced that more signs would receive electronic countdown clocks.

2018: Bus Turnaround Campaign ratings

In 2018, the Bus Turnaround Campaign rated each bus route based on speed and reliability, giving 75% of city bus routes a "D" or "F" grade.

2018: Testing of hybrid and electric buses in 2018

Ten hybrid and ten electric buses had been tested in 2018, and the MTA also tested out a double-decker bus on the redesigned Staten Island bus routes.

January 3, 2019: Shutdown plan altered, SBS routes put on hold

On January 3, 2019, the 14th Street Tunnel shutdown plan was altered by Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the proposed SBS routes were put on hold.

January 2019: Installation of pedestrian turn warnings and cameras on buses by January 2019

By January 2019, audible "pedestrian turn warning" announcement systems were installed on 617 buses, while cameras were installed on the inside of 3,469 buses and on the outside of 319 buses.

January 2019: Expansion of traffic signal priority program to 1,200 intersections in January 2019

In January 2019, de Blasio said that the traffic signal priority program would be expanded to 1,200 intersections.

January 2019: Promise to increase bus speeds

In early January 2019, former mayor Bill de Blasio promised to raise bus speeds by 25% by the next year.

February 2019: MTA announces plans to implement SBS on M14A and M14D

In February 2019, the MTA announced plans to implement SBS on the M14A and M14D.

April 2019: Five additional temporary routes planned

Five additional temporary routes would have been implemented for the shutdown in April 2019.

July 1, 2019: SBS implemented on the M14A and M14D

The SBS has been implemented on the M14A and M14D on July 1, 2019.

2019: Countdown clock technology expanded

By 2019, the technology for countdown clocks had been expanded to more than 500 bus stops.

2019: Ordering of battery-electric buses

From 2019 onwards, the MTA ordered battery-electric buses in sixty-foot articulated and forty-foot lengths.

2019: Transit-priority traffic teams in place in 2019

In 2019, dedicated transit-priority traffic teams were to be put into place with the NYPD to ensure that bus lanes are not blocked.

2019: Withdrawal of last non-express high-floor bus

In 2019, the last non-express high-floor bus was withdrawn from service.

2019: MTA's mobile app to provide real-time seat availability in 2019

Starting in 2019, the MTA's mobile app would provide real-time seat availability information on selected bus routes.

December 2020: OMNY acceptance on all buses

Since December 2020, all buses have accepted OMNY, a contactless fare payment system.

2020: Traffic signal priority in testing stages in 2020

As of 2020, traffic signal priority was still in the testing stages, and preemptive traffic signals in New York City were used in much lower proportions than in other major cities.

2020: Tap readers installed by the end of 2020

Tap readers were to be installed by the end of 2020, and all-door boarding would be installed with the introduction of a new contactless payment system that is planned to replace the MetroCard.

June 2021: Number of buses with interior and exterior cameras in June 2021

As of June 2021, there were interior and exterior cameras on 4,200 buses, as well as rearview cameras on 120 buses.

June 2021: Traffic signal priority active at 1,700 intersections in June 2021

As of June 2021, traffic signal priority was active at 1,700 intersections, and transponders had been installed in 2,700 vehicles that operated on seven routes.

2021: System-wide redesign of the bus network by 2021

As part of the Bus Action Plan, there was to be a system-wide redesign of the bus network by 2021 to improve connectivity and provide more direct service.

2021: Testing of battery electric buses concludes

Between 2017 and 2021, the MTA tested a fleet of battery electric buses.

2021: MTA Takeover Announced

During late 2021, due to an external lawsuit with the garage that operated the SIM23 and SIM24, the MTA announced the takeover of the two lines was imminent.

2021: SBS implementation halted in outer boroughs until 2021

The city announced that following the implementation of the B82 SBS, it would halt the implementation of Select Bus Service in the outer boroughs until 2021 as a result of budget cuts, and an upcoming redesign of the city's bus network.

2021: Delay of Brooklyn and Queens bus network redesigns

The redesigns of the Brooklyn and Queens bus networks, initially scheduled for early 2021, were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.

January 3, 2022: NYCDOT Lines Consolidated into the MTA

Up until January 3, 2022, the only NYCDOT-subsidized lines not consolidated into the MTA were those run by Academy Bus and formerly by Atlantic Express until their bankruptcy in 2013.

May 2022: Q70 route fare suspension

The Q70 route has not charged a fare since May 2022.

June 26, 2022: Redesign of Bronx local and express routes

On June 26, 2022, the redesign of Bronx local and express routes took effect.

2022: Trial of hydrogen fuel cell buses announced

In 2022, the MTA announced that they would trial hydrogen fuel cell buses, funded by a grant from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

2022: New Fare Payment System to replace MetroCard

In April 2016, MTA solicited proposals for a contactless "New Fare Payment System" to replace the MetroCard by 2022.

January 2023: Deactivation of free Wi-Fi on buses in January 2023

The MTA deactivated the buses' free Wi-Fi in January 2023, citing the fact that only two percent of riders used the Wi-Fi; the agency estimated that this would save $3.3 million annually.

September 2023: Start of fare-free pilot program on five routes

Starting in September 2023, a fare-free pilot program began on five additional routes—Bx18, B60, M116, Q4 and S46/S96.

August 31, 2024: End of fare-free pilot program

From September 2023 to August 31, 2024, the Bx18, B60, M116, Q4 and S46/S96 routes did not charge any fares as part of a pilot program.

2024: Installation of CCTV screens on buses in early 2024

As part of a pilot program in early 2024, CCTV screens were to be installed on 100 buses to discourage fare evasion and assaults against staff.

2024: Launch of hydrogen fuel cell buses in The Bronx

By late 2024, the first two hydrogen fuel cell buses (New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE H2) will be launched in The Bronx.

2024: Bus stop study

In 2024, a study revealed that the hottest bus stops in the city, lacking shelters and trees, were primarily located in Queens and the Bronx.

2025: Rush routes implemented with redesigned Queens Bus Network

In 2025, some Rush routes were newly implemented with the redesigned Queens Bus Network, or were split off from other routes (e.g. the Q48).

2025: MTA begins piloting battery-powered countdown clocks

In 2025, the MTA began piloting battery-powered countdown clocks at four bus stops in Manhattan and Queens. These devices are smaller than either of the existing countdown clocks and are mounted on existing bus-stop poles.

2025: Installation of benches at bus stops

In 2025, the New York City Department of Transportation announced a $40 million project to install seated and standing benches at 8,750 bus stops citywide over the next decade. Standing benches would be installed where seated benches are not feasible.

2025: System Ridership

In 2025, the system had a ridership of 823,295,300, or about 2,584,100 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2025.

2025: Rush Service Introduced

Rush Service, a new kind of bus service that combines the features of both Local and Limited-Stop Service, was first introduced in 2025 during the Queens Bus Network Redesign.