The six-month mark has passed since the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Bronx bus redesign, and the MTA is calling it a success, saying the modified service has translated into faster and more reliable buses for New Yorkers.  

In the overhaul of the Bronx bus system, the MTA changed 13 routes, added two new ones, and altered stops and schedules across the board.  

“Travel times are significantly improved on the routes that we streamlined,” said Robert Thompson, manager of bus service planning for the MTA. “Wait times are shorter on the 10 routes where we increased the frequencies… reliability has generally improved.” 

Two of the bus routes that the MTA says are saving travelers more time are the Bx40 and Bx42 buses. Customers have given mixed reviews so far.  

“I get on the bus every day, and I feel like it’s the same amount of time to get from point A to point B,” said Jayden Betancourt, local resident and daily bus rider. “I feel like some buses don’t stop at every block now… so that definitely improved it.” 

Salah Ashor also uses the Bx40 consistently and says his travel time to work has dropped from 35 minutes to just 15.  

“Before, it was a hassle, it was a joke,” said Ashor. “But now, the service is more faster.” 

One common complaint from bus riders in the Bronx has been that they want the accuracy of bus times on the MTA’s transit app to improve.