Say the schedule calls for a bus to come every 12 minutes. But when buses arrive in bunches, service is less predictable and some riders get stuck with very long waits.Ĭitywide, one of every eight buses arrives in bunches, or within one-quarter of the scheduled time between buses, according to data compiled by TransitCenter. When buses on frequent routes are evenly spaced, riders waiting at a stop can count on the next bus arriving before too long. With a new command center, more bus dispatchers, and high-tech displays in every bus that will empower drivers to even out gaps between buses, the MTA is putting serious resources (about $300 million) into combatting uneven service.īunching is the bane of New York City bus riders because it’s the tell-tale sign of unreliable service. It’s a symptom of unreliable service called “bus bunching” - and the MTA is embarking on a major plan to prevent it. The only thing more frustrating than waiting forever for a bus is waiting forever and then watching two or three buses pull up to your stop at the same time.

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