NEW YORK, NY November 05, 2009 —WNYC's Matthew Schuerman has this year's winner of the Pokey Awards, from the Straphangers Campaign and Transportation Alternatives.

REPORTER: This year the dubious distinction goes to the M42, the 42nd Street bus in Manhattan. Surveyors clocked it at an average 3.7 miles an hour. That's about as fast as a brisk walk. The advocacy groups also recognized the B44 on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn with the Schleppie Award. More than a fifth of the buses on that line arrived late, and when they arrived they came all bunched together. The groups say that by spotlighting specific lines local officials and residents can lobby for better service. A new Trekkie award for the longest route in terms of time went to the M4, which runs from Midtown to Inwood. For WNYC, I'm Matthew Schuerman.

HOST: New York City Transit says it is implementing various strategies to improve bus speeds such as more Select Bus Service lines where passengers pay at a bus stop before they board.

Last year's Pokey went to the 96th Street bus in Manhattan. There is more information on the Pokey Awards here.