MTA – BxM10

rode this bus into Spanish Harlem from the Bronx for the first time. The ride was so comfortable, clean bus, nice cushy seats, cooling a/​c, polite passengers, and the bus driver was very sweet and helpful with everyone. The driver announces the stops, and you can request your stop as well. There’s storage above the seats to stow away your stuff, but I suggest you do not put your purse up there and you have cell phone service the whole ride :) The bus takes the RFK bridge out of the Bronx and into the city, it travels on 2^nd. avenue and then turns on 116^th. Street to get to 5^th. Ave. And goes all the way down to 23^rd. Street and back uptown on Madison ave.
What a difference from the dirty crowded rude experiences I’ve had commuting on the subway. This is a pricey ride $ 6.50 each way but you can get an unlimited 7-​day metro card for $ 58.00 I don’t think you can put a price on comfort and safety. This is the way to go. I think this bus stops running around midnight. You can use a metrocard to pay the fare or coins, but with coins you’ll need to ask for a free transfer ticket, you get a free transfer on the metro card to a local bus or train.

Sorry, I was mistaken (pointed out by Joel B.). You can use your cell phone, I saw the cell phone picture with a slash on it and read it as no cell phone usage. The caption on the picture states «As a courtesy to your fellow passengers please refrain from using cell phone on the bus.»
In short, you can talk on the bus, just be «courteous and discreet» as Joel B. has pointed out.