After reading “Rapid Bus Line Premieres on Fordham Road” in your July 10-23 issue, it left me with more questions than answers. I don’t doubt that many riders using the new Select Bus Service Bx12 bus on Fordham Road will be confused. The article mentions that most riders “did not know they had to ask the bus driver for a transfer.” It’s not clear why any transfer would be required when, upon using a MetroCard, a free transfer is already automatically established on the card. The only time a paper transfer would be needed would be if original payment is not made by MetroCard. The machines at the Bx12 Select Bus Service stops accept payment prior to boarding via MetroCard as well as coins. Transfers are handled through those machines.

In addition, for those passengers whose destination is not an express stop, boarding an express bus would be of no help in speeding their ride. They would still need to take a local bus unless they didn’t mind walking from an express stop to their destination when exiting. Another inconvenience with this new SBS is the elimination of the Bx12 local service going into Manhattan. Local bus riders would have to transfer to the express service, and then be obliged to pay a second fare to board a subway in Manhattan.

In establishing this “speedier” and “more convenient” service, I wonder if the MTA thought everything through. Certainly more advance planning would be wise before attempting similar services on other bus routes.

The article also mentions that “transit workers at the stops will give assistance until July 13.” If a rider who doesn’t know the new rules travels this route for the first time on July 14 or thereafter, and there is no other rider boarding at that stop, he will not be able to get any assistance. Even if there is another rider at the stop who knows the rules, that other rider may not have enough time for explanations if he’s hurrying to board.

Wouldn’t the $10 million spent for this “speedier” service have been better used for anything else that can help prevent an upcoming fare increase? I for one wouldn’t mind a trip taking an extra few minutes and have the fare remain without an increase. Can riders have a say in this matter?

-Judy Noy