Report Calls B61 Bus the Worst

Less than half--only 43%--of B61 buses arrive at when they're supposed to at rush hour, says a new report released by Council Member Brad Lander's office, in conjunction with Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez and Council Member Sara M. González.

Since the Smith/9th Street F/G subway station has been closed for renovation, complaints about overcrowding on the B61, which turns around in Windsor Terrace, have increased dramatically. In the study period for the report, they found that B61 buses traveling northbound during some peak hour periods were carrying more passengers than the loading guidelines prescribed by the MTA New York City Transit for peak service. At the Columbia St/Union St bus stop, 42% of northbound B61 buses observed during the 8-9am period skipped the stop because they were too full.

Some of the recommendations that the report makes are that more buses be added during rush hour, that the MTA add limited-stop buses to the route, and install MTA BusTime system so riders can use cell phones and countdown clocks to know when a bus is coming.

Do you ever ride the B61 out to Red Hook, or as an alternative to the F/G while the Coney Island-bound subway platform is closed temporarily? I've never been on it--but honestly, I've barely ever seen it, so this report isn't too surprising.



Next Bus Please: Improving the B61 Report