Memo to Mayor Adams: Reliable Buses Start with You - Streetsblog New York City
Briefly

The implementation of congestion pricing in New York City successfully reduced car entries into the relief zone by 7.5% in the first week. However, to maintain this decrease, the Adams administration must foster reliable transit alternatives. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) offers a scalable solution, promising faster and more frequent bus services to aid in sustainable transit use citywide. While New York has introduced some BRT components, significant improvements are necessary to overcome its current reputation of slow bus transit, thereby transforming its public mobility paradigm.
During the initial week of congestion pricing, 219,000 fewer cars entered New York's relief zone. This 7.5% decrease demonstrates the toll's effectiveness, but persistent traffic reduction hinges on the Adams administration's strategy for maintaining low car usage.
To successfully enhance public transit use, every neighborhood must have viable access to options such as Bus Rapid Transit. BRT can improve mobility quickly and cost-effectively, which is crucial for sustaining reduced traffic levels over time.
BRT is not merely about bus lanes, but a unified strategy that includes dedicated lanes, optimal signal timings, and enforcement. The approach elevates bus speeds, yet New York's buses remain the slowest in America.
A well-implemented bus rapid transit system can significantly increase passenger movement, handling between 25,000 to 1,600 people within the same time frame as a single lane of cars.
Read at Streetsblog
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