Select Bus Service Begins In Bed-Stuy

Brooklyn's new select bus service route, the pay-in-advance express bus option, began Sunday with a new ongoing route between the Williamsburg Bridge and Sheepshead Bay, driving through the heart of Bed-Stuy.

The Select Bus Service, which previously has had routes in Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx, seeks to reduce travel time by opening dedicated bus lanes and having customers pay before boarding the bus. 

Fare collectors check a receipt at random times during the trip to keep commuters honest. 

The MTA claims that off-loading fare collection and allowing passengers to board at multiple doors can reduce commute times by as much as 20 percent. 

The new route drives principally along Bedford Avenue, Rogers Avenue and Nostrand Avenue in Bed-Stuy. 

Some reports of the route's first day have seen commuters a little confused about just how the service operates, and trouble with curbside fare collection machines. 

Have you tried the new B44 Select service yet? Let us know what you think in the comments. 

For more information, check out the MTA's FAQ here.