Doomsday is here.
The full effects of the MTA’s service cuts go into effect today, with the M line turning orange and running along Sixth Avenue, and cutbacks on 21 local bus routes along with 12 express lines.
Riders yesterday were socked with the first weekend cuts, which eliminated weekend schedules on popular bus lines like the M8 — which connects the East and West villages — and the M21, which runs from SoHo to Murray Hill.
Many said the changes were confusing.
“We need better bus service, not no service. I use it to get to work. It’s going to make it harder. It’s frustrating and not fair,” said Isaac Sorden, 31, a maintenance worker on the Lower East Side and frequent M8 rider.
Danaris Delgado, a saleswoman, was waiting for the M9 since she couldn’t get on the M8. It was late.
“Now I have to walk. Look at all these people — we’ve been waiting for 25 minutes for the bus and they’re cutting service?” she said.
There will also be massive revisions to the bus maps in lower Manhattan and Park Slope and Bay Ridge in Brooklyn.
All told, 15 subway lines will be affected, with the number of trains cut back — meaning longer waits and more crowded cars.
The cuts saved $93 million of an $800 million budget gap in 2010.
By July, the MTA will come up with a cost-cutting plan that will cut the last $400 million from that shortfall.
Sources on the MTA board said the agency may have to make a planned 7.5 percent fare increase for 2011 even higher — or cut even more service.
Some riders said service on the M8 was so poor, its weekend absence won’t even be noticed.
“I don’t think it matters. The M8 is always so congested and slow. It’s easier to walk,” said Tee Thompson, 24, from the West Village.
Also today, 750 bus drivers are scheduled to hand in their uniforms because they’re being laid off to make way for the service cuts. Union officials and the MTA scrambled to make last-minute agreements to save the jobs, but talks broke down.
As far as subways go, the M has replaced the V between Manhattan and Forest Hills. But instead of continuing on to Bensonhurst from lower Manhattan, it will travel over the Williamsburg Bridge and wind up in Middle Village, Queens.
The W also died, to be replaced by an extended Q. The G now ends at court Square and the N is local along Broadway.
Hope you like walking
Bus routes completely eliminated are:
M18, M27, M30; B39, B51, B23, B39, B51, B71; Q74, Q75, Q79, Q89, S67; X6, X16, X18, X20, X25, X90, X32, X51; QM22, QM23, X29, BxM4A, BxM7B
Buses eliminated on the weekend are:
M8, M21, M50; B2, B24, B69; Q31, Q76; S54, S76; X27, X28