Best routes for a bus enthusiast

[Aussieinuk 83]

I would like to know what the best bus routes are to ride on, not as a tourist, but as a bus nut. I will have plenty of time to do the touristy things. I would like to see some bus depots,terminals, interchanges, and ride as many different types of buses, and of course take lots of photo's.As I have not yet booked a hotel, I am not sure what area I will be staying. I will be arriving at Newark Airport.

[BM5 via Woodhaven 5,156]

From my expierence, none of the Manhattan routes are very interesting to fan due to extreme traffic conditions

 

However in Queens, the Q88 has some highway segments

 

In the Bronx, the Q50 is pretty fast and all that. When you hit queens there's more traffic, so just be on a lookout for that. Dont take the 50 to Co-Op City. It's pretty windy and takes time

 

In Brooklyn, the Q59 , (which stops by GA Depot (you cant miss it)) operatives on a windy path, but it's an intersting route in terms of shape and ridership

 

In Staten Island, the S74 passes through some nice residential areas

 

From EWR, take the 62 to Newark fo some NICE Bus Action, and then take the PATH to 33 street or WTC (depends on what day you will arrive) from there you can take the M5 to 34 street for some express bus action. There really isnt much taking the express bus on the other end unless you actually take another bus (The BXM2 however ends in Riverdale, nowhere close to a bus terminal, so that wont help you)

Here are some destinations to see if you take an express bus from the area

 

QM1- Nowhere

QM2- Nowhere

QM3- Nowhere

QM4- Nowhere

QM5- Nowhere

QM6- Great Neck LI or Lynbrook LI, transfer to n25 at last stop for Great Neck or Lynbrook

QM10- Nowhere

QM12- Nowhere

QM15- Aqueduct Casino- Transfer to Q7 and take it to Resort's World Casino, or to Howard Beach/101 street/157 Avenue for some shuttle bus action

QM16- Nowhere

QM17- Far Rockaway for some train bus and shuttle action

QM18- Nowhere

QM20- Nowhere

QM21- Nowhere

QM24- Ridgewood terminal, transfer to Q58 on Fresh Pond

 

BM5- Nowhere

BxM2- Nowhere

 

 

If you want to go further into suburbia, then you can take a NICE from the or trains and from express routes QM3, QM6, or a Bee Line Bus from the or trains or from express bus routes BxM7,

 

If you want other info PM me.

Edited December 19, 2012 by Q23 Central Terminal

[Threxx 1,833]

Routes that can be scenic, and nice:

 

Brooklyn:

B6, B62

 

Manhattan:

M5, M9

 

Queens:

Any Rockaways route (not really scenic in a good way, if you're interested in seeing for yourself the scope of Hurricane Sandy), Q27

 

Bronx/SI:

TBH, can't think of any in the Bronx/SI...

[GojiMet86 4,698]

I would like to know what the best bus routes are to ride on, not as a tourist, but as a bus nut. I will have plenty of time to do the touristy things. I would like to see some bus depots,terminals, interchanges, and ride as many different types of buses, and of course take lots of photo's.As I have not yet booked a hotel, I am not sure what area I will be staying. I will be arriving at Newark Airport.

 

 

Downtown Brooklyn has a lot of buses.

 

There's a Downtown Brooklyn inset here on the map, on the upper right hand corner.

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/busbkln.pdf

 

Jamaica also has many buses and lines.

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/busqns.pdf

[DanTheTransitMan 355]

Oh the B42, hands down. Awsome ride.

[Grand Concourse 2,690]

Not so much any bus route, but take the to flushing and walk along main st and you're bound to see a wide variety of buses.

Edited December 19, 2012 by Grand Concourse

[RFC 95]

I think the Q59 Is alright as terms of the spot between Grand Avenue and Flushing Avenues to the Grand St Train station

The Q67 Rides along sections of service road of the L.I.E (Borden Avenue)

The Q88 is also a good route

Edited December 19, 2012 by RFC

[-CT1660- 759]

I would recommend the Q53 and the B103. If you like highway-like segments.

[Metro CSW 1,507]

Brooklyn: B6, B82

 

The Bronx: Bx7, Bx10

 

Manhattan: M5, M100

 

Queens: Q27, Q44

 

Staten Island: S46, S51

 

NJT: Route 126, 131

 

NICE: n6L, n20

 

Express: x28, BM2

[qjtransitmaster 216]

I would like to know what the best bus routes are to ride on, not as a tourist, but as a bus nut. I will have plenty of time to do the touristy things. I would like to see some bus depots,terminals, interchanges, and ride as many different types of buses, and of course take lots of photo's.As I have not yet booked a hotel, I am not sure what area I will be staying. I will be arriving at Newark Airport.

 

Best lines to use any NICE line for speed and views especially crosstowns linking to LIRR. And Q50,Q53/52, Q40 very nice ride. Also B103 and B31/2 for residential views. B46 LTD damn its fast at least when I am on it LOL, NONE in manhattan worth riding unless you want to feel depressed. Q77 nice view down nowhere if you can catch it that is. In SI my favorites to try are of course X1 and X17 if you wanna be on a crowded bus going 70 MPH get on the X17 you won't be disappointed. For joyrides BXM9 woah baby eat my dust motorists. Wanna try NJT too? if so 139 or 137 mwahahaha these guys will smoke you in your car!!!! If you want to see nothing but trees use SJ buses 553 and 551 speed. 455 for how not to run a bus and my fav 171 GWB to Garden state plaza. Ect.

I would recommend the Q53 and the B103. If you like highway-like segments.

 

I LOVE HIGHWAY SEGMENTS f**k YEAH!!!! weeeee!!!!

[User 2,251]

Ride as many types of buses and visit terminals, interchanges and things like that, eh? I can't speak much for other boroughs since I don't really ride the other boroughs really, but it sounds like you would like Jamaica, Queens and visiting 165th St Bus Terminal as well as Jamaica LIRR Station or even Parsons Blvd Station. The Rockaways is good too and if you're feeling daring, you can take Nassau Inter-County Express to Long Island. Although, note it is unreliable at times and buses may/may not be on time or full and will pass you.

[BreeddekalbL 606]

I would recommend my Home Route The B38 its a leisurely route and it takes you through downtown brooklyn.. also get off at Dekalb and Wycoff ave to have some good pizza at sal's Pizza its great pizza and you wont regret trying it

[trainfan22 1,754]

Brooklyn - B6, B15, B103

 

Queens - Q44, Q50

 

Bronx - BX12 SBS

 

Mantthan - M15 SBS M60

 

Staten Island - any express route that goes via NJ or via the FDR during rush hour. And the S78

Edited December 20, 2012 by trainfan22

[mtattrain 1,185]

The Q38 was actually a very great segment when I had a particular bus driver... but just watch out for the giant times between buses.

[checkmatechamp13 2,273]

Well, personally, I like the routes in the more spread-out areas, versus ones in more built-up areas that get more passenger activity and more traffic.

 

I think you would like the SI routes, but I'd recommend an express bus to get out here first (rather than taking the ferry). What you can do is take the X17 down to the ETC, and then take the S89 up to Bayonne, and then take the HBLR - PATH to get back to Manhattan. The S61/62/66/44 all go through a lot of residential areas, and are fairly quick, so those might be interesting as well.

 

Of course, there's fast routes in the other boroughs as well, like the B6, Q44, and so on. Actually, now that I think about it, the Q10 was a pretty good ride, and it comes from JFK Airport if you're flying into it. The areas are mostly residential along the route.

[BM5 via Woodhaven 5,156]

I LOVE HIGHWAY SEGMENTS f**k YEAH!!!! weeeee!!!!

 

 

Dont get too overexcited

[error46146 1,007]

Well it depends on what you're looking for.. Here in New York City we have lots to offer in terms of bus routes.. Here are my recommendations based on personal experience-

 

If you want fast runs with few stops and easy traffic, try out the Q44, Q50, Bx12, S79, S93, Q88, Q53.. If you want Hybrids on Highway, try the Q35 and Q52..

 

If you want Articulated routes, try the M15, Bx12, Bx9, M79, M101 on the weekends (avoid it at all costs on a weekday)

 

If you want CNG buses, try the B103, Q19, Q65.. If you want somethig really photogenic, Q38, M42, M66..

 

I probably left out a few but these are the ones i can thin off the top of my head. The most important thing is that you enjoy your stay here in New York and take advantage of all the great things that it has to offer.

[GojiMet86 4,698]

Woodhaven Blvd is a great place to catch the Q52 and Q53 tearing the roads up.

[Via Garibaldi 8 8,595]

BxM2- Nowhere

 

lol @BxM2... The BxM2 passes by the Museum Mile, Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, Times Square and terminates at Penn Station, all areas that tourists would want to see and that New Yorkers go to as well and if you want greenery Riverdale is one of the most greenest, scenic places in New York City. All sorts of squirrels of different variations and various types of housing stock. In fact the area has the most mansions in NYC.

Edited December 20, 2012 by Via Garibaldi 8

[JubaionBx12+SBS 417]

I recommend Bx12 +SBS. You'll get to see what bus service in NYC is all about when you ride that route. It connects with several subway lines so you can easily get back to wherever you're staying at and there are many points of interest (Bay Plaza, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx Zoo, Botanical Gardens, Fordham Rd) to enjoy along the way.

[Amtrak7 427]

For me personally, the type of bus route to avoid would be those with large stops or lots of traffic lights (M42, M60, Q44 at times)

 

Routes I wish to ride someday: Bx29, S74, x22A, W15, W14, M98, S89

[checkmatechamp13 2,273]

If you want fast runs with few stops and easy traffic, try out the Q44, Q50, Bx12, S79, S93, Q88, Q53.. If you want Hybrids on Highway, try the Q35 and Q52..

 

 

Unfortunately, they're doing a reconstruction project on the SIE where they reconfigure the entrance/exit ramps, so that slows the S93 down a bit nowadays, because the traffic spills onto the service roads (especially west of Targee Street). The S79 is alright, but keep in mind that Hylan Blvd in the Grant City/New Dorp area can get pretty congested. There's a bus lane, which helps, but sometimes cars ride in it illegally, or they straddle it and don't give the bus enough room to pass.

 

The S79 is pretty good, but I'd try to catch it outside of rush hour. The S93, unfortunately only runs during rush hour, so there's little you can do there. I think riding it back to Brooklyn in the PM would be a quicker experience, but the frequencies leave a lot to be desired.

[Aussieinuk 83]

WOW!! You guys have given me a lot to choose from. I think I would have to move there to try all of those routes. I want to steer clear of the routes where I will be stuck in traffic. There is enough of that in London. I assume the letter prefix means the boroughs the route either operates in, or from, Q,Queens, B,Brooklyn, etc.

 

I want to check out the Port Authority Terminal on 8th Ave. I believe it is the biggest in the world. I also am keen on trying out different operators.

 

Is the Metrocard valid on other operators services or only on MTA?

 

I manage a small bus company here, so it will be very interesting to see how it all works there.

 

It's time to start checking out " street view".

Thanks for all your suggestions. You have been very helpful.

[RailBus63 212]

My favorite terminal areas to visit are St. George terminal on Staten Island, Parsons/Archer in Queens (the 165th St terminal is within walking distance also), Main St. Flushing in Queens, Fordham Plaza and Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, and Williamburg Bridge Plaza and the Fulton St. mall in Brooklyn. You will see a good variety of bus types by visiting multiple terminals.

 

I think you would like the SI routes, but I'd recommend an express bus to get out here first (rather than taking the ferry).

 

Have to disagree here. I highly recommend the Staten Island Ferry - it's free and the views of the lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty really are breathtaking.

[MHV9218 5,215]

Number one route in the system for me is the M98. Catch it in the Heights going southbound on a weekday afternoon, one of the best rides in the entire system. B62 is another ride I'd recommend (off-peak), maybe the Q32 and Q66 as well. Most of the Manhattan routes have extremely slow stop and go portions, and many of the Brooklyn routes hit traffic at least somewhere along the way....Queens routes don't really hit traffic, but wait times are long and it'd be exhausting to make a day out of them. Your MetroCard will be valid on MTA routes, NICE routes (Long Island), and Bee-Line routes (Westchester). Enjoy the trip, and definitely take a ride on the M98 if you can.