Transportation officials are proposing a new plan that would offer commuters faster buses in the Bronx and city.

?Bus Rapid Transit? is a joint project by the city, state and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). According to the New York Times, approximately $3 million was spent to identify heavy traffic corridors that would benefit from the service. Out of 15 corridors, transportation officials will choose five for the new buses. Under the plan, the rapid buses would have their own lanes and would signal traffic lights to stay green for them to pass. Riders would also have to pay the fare before boarding the bus.

Designers of the service say the impact wouldn?t necessarily be dramatic because some of the corridors already have express buses. The MTA would like to launch the new system by 2008. Residents are invited to hear more about the project at a public hearing Thursday at 4 p.m. The hearing will be held at the MTA headquarters in Manhattan.