ny-mta
We’re Speeding Up Staten Island

Last updated: 08/17/2018

The New Staten Island express bus service is here! This comprehensive redesign includes changes to route names, route paths, and some bus stops that will create faster and more reliable trips between Staten Island and Manhattan, and will help us to meet the changing needs of our customers.

This is the first step in a plan to reimagine the bus network across New York.

 

 

Plan Your New Commute

We've updated MYmta with info about the new routes. Here's how to see what your new commute will be:

  1. Visit new.mta.info to use our "Plan a Trip” tool.
  2. Enter your starting address in the "From" field and your destination in the "To" field. Use your home address rather than a parking lot or your current bus stop.
  3. Select "Change Time" to set the date and your departure time. Set the date for Monday, August 20th, and the departure time to whatever time you usually start your trip.
  4. Open “Travel Preferences”  and click inside the box to enable "Express Bus" (That's off by default, since most people don't take express buses).
  5. Click "Plan My Trip" to get your new options.

Do you use Google Maps or another trip planning tool?

We've also published data in our open data portal.  Just remember to set your date to after August 19th if you’re looking up before the launch.

 

New Maps and Timetables

Below you can click through for maps and timetables for the new SIM routes. 

System Map

Specific Route Maps and Timetables

The table below shows which new SIM routes replace old X routes. Route names are not simply going from “X” and a number to “SIM” and a number. If you ride the X4 today, your best route option may be the new SIM1, SIM5 or SIM7 not the SIM4.

 

x = Park-and-Ride route. Non-stop.
c = Off-peak & weekend, combination Midtown & Downtown service.
*SIM7 & SIM33 service to 14 St via West St.

Previous Route Route Options to Downtown Manhattan Route Options to Midtown Manhattan
X1 SIM1 / SIM7* / SIM1c SIM10 / SIM22 / SIM1c
X2   SIM6/6x / SIM10
X3 SIM1 / SIM5/5x / SIM7*  
X4 SIM1 / SIM5/5x / SIM7*  
X5   SIM6/6x / SIM10 / SIM22
X7 SIM5/5x / SIM7* SIM6/6x / SIM10
X8 SIM5/5x  
X9 SIM7* SIM6/6x / SIM10
X10 SIM32 / SIM33* / SIM35 / SIM3c / SIM4c SIM3 / SIM31 / SIM3c / SIM4c
X11 SIM32  
X12 SIM34 SIM3 / SIM30
X14 SIM35 SIM3 / SIM30
X15 SIM15  
X17 SIM2 / SIM4/4x / SIM1c / SIM3c / SIM4c SIM8/8x / SIM22 / SIM23 / SIM24 / SIM1c / SIM3c / SIM4c
X17A SIM4/4x  
X17J   SIM8/8x
X19 SIM2  
X21   SIM22
X22   SIM25 / SIM26
X23   SIM8/8x / SIM23 / SIM24 / SIM25 /
X24   SIM8/8x / SIM23 / SIM24 /
X30   SIM30
X31   SIM31
X42   SIM3 / SIM30

 

Meet with a local customer support team

We were glad to see everyone on launch day, and will be at key at key Manhattan and Staten Island bus stops to answer questions and help everyone transition to their new service. On Staten Island, our mobile information centers will be open between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the following locations:

Eltingville Transit Center:

  • Monday, August 20
  • Wednesday, August 22
  • Tuesday, August 28
  • Thursday, August 30

College of Staten Island Campus:

  • Thursday, August 23
  • Monday, August 27

Staten Island Mall, on Marsh Avenue at Richmond Hill Road:

  • Tuesday, August 21
  • Wednesday, August 29

 

Submit questions or comments

If you haven't found answers to your questions or have comments on our changes, you can submit feedback via mta.info. We get a lot of questions, but will try to respond within seven days.

If you need assistance planning your commute, tweet us @NYCTBus or call 511, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily to speak with one of our customer service representatives.

 

The reason for new routes

 

The new network offers customers travel times that are close to, or faster than, their trips today. This is a change, but it's a change that will improve commutes and quality of life across Staten Island. The new routes will address slow speeds and unreliability. The routes will concentrate service where possible to streets with bus priority. They will be, on average, shorter and spend less time on Manhattan streets. They will have fewer turns, and more space between bus stops.

Under the refined plan, riders will enjoy:

  • Simplified service to Manhattan
  • More direct routes on Staten Island
  • Fewer stops to speed up trips
  • Expanded off-peak and weekend service to Manhattan
  • Streamlined routing to either Midtown or Downtown Manhattan

Data analysis and input from more than 3,000 riders led to the creation of the redesigned network. Input from bus operators, elected officials, and local community leaders also played a part. We've put together maps to help you better understand the new routes and schedules.

 

Background on this project

Staten Island's express bus service started in the 1960s. Since then, population, work trends, and the number of cars on the road have shifted. For a while, changes to the network happened piecemeal. In 2015, the MTA launched a comprehensive study to find out the best way to improve the network and provide better service.

Reimagining Bus Report

In May 2017, the MTA issued its "Reimagining Express Buses" report as part of the Staten Island Bus Study. The report recommended redesigning of the express bus network to make trips to and from Manhattan faster and more reliable. We started exploring ways to make these improvements reality.

Read the Reimagining Bus Report

Engagement Process

The release of the report was only the first step. During 2017 and 2018 we engaged with bus riders and residents of Staten Island. That helped us refine and change our plan. Customer feedback for these improvements has been positive. In a survey of more than 1,000 express bus riders, 76 percent of respondents supported the project. Customers also provided meaningful input that helped us further refine the redesign.

 

The Future

Learn more about our transformative vision for the bus network across New York. Read our Fast Forward Plan.