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Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Monday the expansion of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Select Bus Service along the M15 route on First and Second Avenues, from Houston Street to 125th Street.

"There's a lot of different ways to get more people to take mass transit," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "The more people that use it, the more money we'll have to make it better and the better it is, the less traffic that does exist hurts our commerce. And hopefully it's one of those things that builds on itself."

The buses will have dedicated lanes, free of traffic and parked cars, and riders will buy tickets at sidewalk kiosks before boarding. Riders will not have to pull out their MetroCard or money when boarding, in an effort to make the process speedier. Instead, riders will be on the honor system, not showing their tickets unless asked.

Special three-door buses will be introduced along the route – which is the busiest in the city, carrying about 57,000 riders each weekday.

"I'll take the bus if it's a nice day out, but if it's rush hour, I'll take the subway," said one rider. "[It] takes too long."

"If we can improve the speed and reliability of our bus services. If we can turn that around, then we provide something that benefits millions of New Yorkers every single day," said MTA Chairman and CEO Jay Walder. "And that's why this is so important."

MTA and city leaders say these buses, which will have fewer stops, should run 20 percent faster and entice more people to ride.

"I think it would be fantastic," said another rider. "Anything to get me there faster."

Cars will be able to make right turns from the lanes and taxis will also be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers. But the city plans to fine motorists $150 if they use the lanes illegally. And some already-precious parking spaces will disappear.

"It's basically impossible to drive around the city," said a frustrated driver.

The plan also calls for bicycle lanes and pedestrian islands along the avenues.

Bicycle advocates are praising the plan, with the program fully operational by October at a cost of $60 million. The MTA will pay for the majority of the program; the city will cover $5 million.

"When it's completed up to East Harlem, the East Side will have the best streets for biking, walking and buses anywhere in the country," says Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Paul Steely White. "It's critical that the full slate of improvements – including physically separated bike lanes – be extended north as rapidly as possible."

Some of the lanes will be put into place by next week.

Select Bus Service launched in the Bronx on the BX12 route in June of 2008, with ridership reportedly rising 30 percent.

Plans are in the works to build a bus lane on 34th Street that is physically separated from the rest of traffic.

Select Bus Service is also planned along with Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn and Hylan Boulevard on Staten Island.