Understanding Select Bus Service: A Paid Luxury

The Select Bus Service (SBS) is a rapid transit service provided by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City. It offers faster and more reliable service than local and limited-stop buses, with dedicated bus lanes, fare collection before boarding, and signal priority at lights on busy corridors. The fare for SBS is the same as for local and limited-stop buses, currently $2.75, and can be paid using a MetroCard, coins, or a SingleRide ticket. Riders must pay their fare before boarding the bus at a Select Bus Service station stop and receive a receipt as proof of payment, which may be checked at random by MTA inspectors.

You can pay with a MetroCard or coins at a bus stop kiosk

The Select Bus Service (SBS) is a form of rapid transit that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launched in 2008. It provides dedicated bus lanes, fare collection before boarding the bus, and signal priority at lights on high-traffic bus routes. The fare for SBS is the same as on all New York City Transit local and limited-stop buses, $2.90, payable with a MetroCard or coins at booths on each stop.

• Locate the bus stop kiosk: At each bus stop, you will find a machine for purchasing tickets. These machines are usually located near the bus stop and are identified by their blue, rectangular sign with a bus symbol and route number.
• Initiate the payment process: Start by pressing the "Start" button on the kiosk. This will activate the machine and prepare it for your payment.
• Insert your MetroCard: If you have a MetroCard, insert it into the designated slot on the kiosk. Ensure that the MetroCard is facing the correct way, with the logo on the front and the black magnetic strip on the right side.
• Provide payment: For MetroCard users, your fare will be automatically deducted, and the card will be returned to you. If you are paying with coins, insert them into the coin slot on the kiosk. Please note that the machine accepts a maximum of 25 coins, and no change is provided.
• Obtain your receipt: After completing your payment, the kiosk will print a proof-of-payment receipt. This receipt serves as your ticket and must be kept with you throughout your trip. It may be inspected by MTA fare inspectors at random to ensure proof of payment.

By following these steps, you can conveniently pay your fare using a MetroCard or coins at a bus stop kiosk for the Select Bus Service in New York City. Remember to hold on to your receipt during your ride, as it is required for proof of payment.

You can also pay with a credit or debit card, smartphone, or wearable device at the OMNY reader

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City operates a service called Select Bus Service (SBS) on specific routes. The fare for SBS is the same as on all New York City Transit local and limited-stop buses, $2.90, payable with a MetroCard or coins at booths on each stop, with the exception of the Q70, which is fare-free.

Since 2020, Select Bus Service routes have had OMNY readers mounted on each door, where riders can tap their contactless cards, smart devices, or OMNY cards to pay the fare. OMNY is the contactless fare payment system for public transportation in the New York region. OMNY readers are point-of-sale terminals, allowing you to pay your fare and enter the system in a split second.

You can pay with a credit or debit card, smartphone, or wearable device at the OMNY reader. OMNY readers are located at every door of the bus. To pay your fare, simply tap your card, smartphone, or wearable device on the OMNY reader. The screen will say "GO" if the tap was successful.

If you are asked to show proof of payment, you can tap your card, smartphone, or wearable device on the OMNY reader again, and it will show that you have already paid. You will not be charged twice. The OMNY reader will show a message on the screen to confirm if the tap was successful.

In addition to paying with a credit or debit card, smartphone, or wearable device, you can also pay with cash by purchasing an OMNY card. OMNY cards are available at many retail locations throughout the region, and new OMNY vending machines will be rolled out to subway stations soon. The OMNY card is a physical, plastic card that looks like a credit card with the word "OMNY" on the front. It has barcodes on the front and back, along with a magnetic stripe and an expiration date.

You must pay before boarding the bus

Select Bus Service (SBS) is a service provided by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) Regional Bus Operations. It offers limited-stop bus routes with some bus rapid transit features in New York City. The fare for SBS is the same as for local and limited-stop buses, but you must pay your fare before boarding the bus.

Paying your fare

At each bus stop, you will see a machine. Press 'Start', then insert your MetroCard face-up into the slot, and you will receive a proof-of-payment receipt. If you don't have a MetroCard, you must have the exact change in coins to purchase a fare. The machine will not accept dollar bills, pennies, or half-dollars, and it will not give change. You can insert up to 25 coins for a single transaction.

Boarding the bus

Taking the SBS is quick because everyone has paid in advance of boarding, and you can enter and exit through all doors of the bus. Just get on and off as quickly and safely as possible so the bus can stay on schedule.

Fare evasion

If you don't pay before boarding, at any time, an agent could come on the bus (or wait at a bus stop) and check for your receipt. They will then issue you a $100 ticket (fare evasion summons) for neglecting to pay for your ride. So, always pay in advance and keep the receipt handy.

Transfers

If you paid with a MetroCard and want to transfer to a non-SBS bus, insert your card into the fare box when you board the second bus. It should automatically provide the transfer, and you should not be charged twice.

If you paid with coins and want to transfer to any other bus, you'll need to enter through the front door of the SBS bus and ask the driver for a transfer. Insert that transfer when you board the second bus.

If you paid with a MetroCard and want to transfer to another SBS bus, you'll need to use your MetroCard to get another receipt from a machine before you board that second bus.

OMNY

Since 2020, SBS routes have had OMNY readers mounted on each door, where riders can tap their contactless cards, smart devices, or OMNY cards to pay the fare.

You can board through any door

Select Bus Service (SBS) is a service provided by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City. It is a form of rapid transit that was launched in 2008 to improve speed and reliability on busy corridors.

One of the key features of SBS is all-door boarding, which means that passengers can enter and exit the bus through any door. This helps to speed up the boarding and alighting process, keeping the bus on schedule.

Here's how it works:

• At each SBS bus stop, there is a machine where you can pay your fare before boarding. You can use a MetroCard or coins to purchase a ticket.
• After paying, you will receive a proof-of-payment receipt, which you should keep with you during your ride.
• When the bus arrives, you can board through any door—the front, middle, or rear.
• Once on board, find a seat or a standing area and get ready to exit at your stop.
• When you reach your destination, you can exit through any door.

It's important to note that fare enforcement is in place. New York City Transit fare inspectors, NYPD officers, or MTA police officers may randomly check for proof-of-payment receipts. If you are unable to produce a valid receipt, you may be subject to a fine of up to $100.

So, the next time you're in New York City and considering taking the Select Bus Service, remember that you can board through any door, making your trip faster and more convenient.

You must keep your receipt for the duration of your journey

When riding a Select Bus Service (SBS) bus in New York City, you must pay your fare before boarding the bus. This is known as off-board fare payment and helps to make SBS buses faster and more reliable than local and limited-stop buses.

If you pay your fare at a Select Bus Service station stop using a MetroCard or coin machine, you will receive a receipt as proof of payment. This receipt must be kept for the duration of your journey, as MTA inspectors may request to view it at random. If you are unable to produce a valid receipt, you will be issued a $100 fare evasion summons. These receipts are valid for one hour from the time of purchase and are route- and direction-specific.

If you are transferring to another SBS route, you will need to obtain a new ticket for that route and keep it with you throughout your journey.

If you are using a contactless card or digital wallet, you can skip the sidewalk kiosks and board the bus through any door. However, you must still keep your proof of payment with you during your trip, as you may be asked to show it by MTA inspectors.

Frequently asked questions