**M72 (New York City bus)**
**Definition:**
The M72 is a New York City Bus route that operates crosstown along 72nd Street on the Upper West Side and Upper East Side of Manhattan. It provides east-west transit service connecting the West Side waterfront to the East Side waterfront, facilitating access to major subway lines and local destinations.
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# M72 (New York City bus)
The M72 is a public bus route in Manhattan, New York City, operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) under the MTA Bus Company. It runs primarily along 72nd Street, providing crosstown service between the Upper West Side and Upper East Side neighborhoods. The route serves as a vital east-west transit corridor, connecting key subway lines, local institutions, and residential areas. The M72 is one of several crosstown bus routes in Manhattan designed to facilitate travel across the island, which is otherwise dominated by north-south subway and bus lines.
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## Route Description
### Overview
The M72 bus route runs approximately 3.5 miles across Manhattan, beginning at the West Side waterfront near the Hudson River and terminating at the East Side waterfront near the East River. The route primarily follows 72nd Street, one of Manhattan’s major crosstown thoroughfares, with slight deviations at its terminals to serve key transit hubs and local destinations.
### Westbound Route
The westbound M72 begins at the intersection of 72nd Street and the FDR Drive service road near the East River, close to the East 72nd Street ferry terminal. From there, it travels west along 72nd Street, passing through the Upper East Side neighborhood. The bus crosses major north-south avenues including First Avenue, Lexington Avenue, Park Avenue, Madison Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Central Park West.
Upon reaching Central Park West, the route skirts the western edge of Central Park, providing access to the park’s attractions and residential buildings along the Upper West Side. The bus continues west, crossing Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, before reaching its western terminal near the West Side Highway and the Hudson River waterfront.
### Eastbound Route
The eastbound M72 begins near the West Side Highway at 72nd Street and travels east along 72nd Street. It follows the same major avenues as the westbound route in reverse, crossing Broadway, Central Park West, Fifth Avenue, and the major north-south avenues of the Upper East Side. The route terminates near the East River at the East 72nd Street ferry terminal, providing connections to ferry services and local transit.
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## Service and Operations
### Schedule and Frequency
The M72 operates seven days a week, providing frequent service during peak hours to accommodate commuters traveling between the east and west sides of Manhattan. Service frequency varies throughout the day, with buses typically running every 10 to 15 minutes during weekday rush hours and every 20 to 30 minutes during off-peak hours and weekends.
### Operating Hours
The route generally operates from early morning until late at night, with the first buses departing around 5:30 AM and the last buses running until approximately 1:00 AM. Exact times may vary depending on the day of the week and service adjustments.
### Ridership
The M72 serves a diverse ridership, including local residents, commuters, tourists, and visitors accessing Central Park and nearby cultural institutions. The route is particularly important for those who need to travel crosstown without using the subway, which has limited east-west service in Manhattan.
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## History
### Early Transit on 72nd Street
Crosstown transit along 72nd Street has a long history, dating back to streetcar lines in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The streetcar lines provided essential east-west connections before the widespread development of the subway system.
### Establishment of the M72 Bus Route
The M72 bus route was established in the mid-20th century as part of the city’s efforts to replace streetcar lines with bus service. The route was designed to maintain the important crosstown connection along 72nd Street, serving the growing residential neighborhoods on both sides of Central Park.
### Changes and Improvements
Over the years, the M72 route has undergone various changes to improve service reliability and efficiency. These have included adjustments to the route’s terminals, changes in frequency, and the introduction of modern buses equipped with accessibility features.
In recent years, the MTA has implemented Select Bus Service (SBS) and other bus priority measures on several Manhattan crosstown routes to improve speed and reliability. While the M72 has not been converted to SBS, it has benefited from traffic signal priority and bus lane improvements in some sections.
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## Connections and Transfers
### Subway Connections
The M72 provides convenient connections to several major subway lines along its route:
– **West Side:** Near its western terminal, the M72 connects with the 1 train at the 72nd Street station on Broadway.
– **Central Park West:** The route passes near the B and C trains at the 72nd Street station.
– **East Side:** On the Upper East Side, the M72 connects with the 6 train at the 68th Street–Hunter College station, accessible via a short walk south from 72nd Street.
These connections allow passengers to transfer between bus and subway for north-south travel across Manhattan and beyond.
### Ferry Connections
At its eastern terminal near the East River, the M72 connects with ferry services that provide additional transit options to Queens, Roosevelt Island, and other waterfront destinations.
### Other Bus Routes
The M72 intersects with several other bus routes along its path, including north-south routes such as the M5, M7, M10, and M86 SBS, facilitating transfers and expanded transit options for riders.
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## Fleet and Equipment
The M72 is operated using standard 40-foot and 60-foot articulated diesel and hybrid buses, equipped with features to enhance passenger comfort and accessibility. These include low-floor designs for wheelchair access, automated stop announcements, and air conditioning.
The MTA continues to modernize its fleet, and the M72 route benefits from newer buses that meet environmental standards and improve operational efficiency.
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## Challenges and Future Plans
### Traffic Congestion
Like many crosstown routes in Manhattan, the M72 faces challenges related to traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. Congestion on 72nd Street and at major intersections can cause delays and reduce service reliability.
### Bus Priority Measures
To address these challenges, the MTA and New York City Department of Transportation have explored various bus priority measures, including dedicated bus lanes, traffic signal priority, and curbside management. While the M72 has not yet been fully converted to Select Bus Service, incremental improvements have been implemented to enhance speed and reliability.
### Potential Route Extensions
There have been discussions about extending or modifying the M72 route to better serve emerging transit needs, including improved connections to ferry terminals and integration with other crosstown services. However, no major changes have been finalized.
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## Cultural and Community Impact
The M72 serves diverse neighborhoods with a mix of residential, commercial, and cultural landmarks. It provides essential mobility for residents, including seniors and people with disabilities, and supports local businesses by facilitating customer access.
The route’s proximity to Central Park makes it a popular choice for tourists and recreational users, connecting them to one of New York City’s most iconic destinations.
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## Summary
The M72 bus route is a critical component of Manhattan’s crosstown transit network, providing reliable east-west service along 72nd Street. It connects the Upper West Side and Upper East Side, linking residents and visitors to subway lines, ferry services, and local destinations. Despite challenges related to traffic congestion, the M72 continues to serve as an important transit option, with ongoing efforts to improve service quality and efficiency.
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**Meta Description:**
The M72 is a New York City bus route providing crosstown service along 72nd Street in Manhattan, connecting the Upper West Side and Upper East Side. It offers vital east-west transit access to subway lines, ferry terminals, and local neighborhoods.