Local photographer and blogger lornagrl discovers a shortcut to Manhattan, and makes the case:
Well now, I live near the first/last [express bus] stop in Brooklyn and I work near the first/last stop in Manhattan. So not only does the express bus offer a more comfortable, and pleasant ride, it's faster too. Taking the F-train can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, but the express bus gets me to work in 25 minutes.
I did some calculations. It costs $89 a month for unlimited rides on the subway. The express bus costs $5.50 each trip or $11.00 each day = $55 per week. The MTA does offer an unlimited express bus pass which includes unlimited subway and bus rides for $45 (7 days). That's a $9 savings per week and even more if used on the weekend. I logged onto paycheckcalculator.com and did a comparison of what my paycheck would be if I did the $89 subway option or the weekly $45 express bus option. The difference? Riding the express bus would decrease my take home pay by $50. Now, that is another $50 I can put towards credit card debt or savings but the difference in my daily commute is amazing. I can sit on a plush, comfortable seat, on an air-conditioned bus and get to my office in the half the time it would take to ride in cramped, intermittently air-conditioned subway car with garbage laying around.
Plus - the MTA is raising the fare on the Unlimited Metro Card to $99 which closes the gap even more. I have not heard of any plans to increase the express bus fare. The cost of riding the subway is going up, and the service is going down. I've been riding the subway for over thirteen years. I think I've had enough.
Find out what's happening in Windsor Terrace-Kensingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
It's the express bus for me.
All the more valuable, it's worth adding, if you're addicted to your smartphone or aircard. Timetables and routes for the BM1 to BM4 here.
UPDATE: More specifically, the BM3 and BM4 make regular stops at Coney Island Av & Beverly Rd; and Church Av & E 7th.