Riders, lawmakers ask MTA to improve bus service

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - New York City's subway crisis is getting all the headlines this summer, but New Yorkers who use MTA buses to get around are saying, "Don't forget about us."

Sitting around waiting for the bus is an experience a lot of New Yorkers can relate to. A lot of commuters told Fox 5 News that their taxes and fares got to the service and that the buses ought to be on time.

Folks in Assemblywoman's Carmen De La Rosa's community in Upper Manhattan rely on public transportation. And not just subways -- buses are a necessity for many. She said that the buses are often overcrowded and arrive late or in bunches.

Critics say that the MTA plans to replace the MetroCard but hasn't figured a way to make boarding buses more efficient. These were the types of ideas discussed today in Lower Manhattan, including utilizing a more efficient approach and following the lead of cities like San Francisco.

Politicians are calling for more focus on the bus system.

"Reliable and strong bus service is a key priority of the MTA which is exactly why we are installing Transit Signalization Prioritization technology across our fleet and exploring ways to expand all door boarding," the MTA said in a statement.

De La Rosa is calling on the MTA and the state to invest in the bus system to make it efficient and operational.