Mayor-elect Mamdani’s vision of “fast and free” buses represents only the beginning of what a modern bus system could offer New York City. While transportation experts acknowledge the difficult tradeoffs inherent in prioritizing bus service, a core challenge remains: the current scope of planning for bus improvements is too limited.
Drawing on experience improving bus systems in ten cities across six countries – including New York, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, and Bogotá – a strategic roadmap is needed to deliver a more ambitious vision for buses in New York.
Get the Governance Right
Successful transformation of the bus rider experience hinges on collaboration between city agencies. Improving bus service isn’t solely the responsibility of the MTA and DOT; it requires action from the Department of Design and Construction, NYPD, and Sanitation, among others.
A holistic approach also necessitates involvement from agencies responsible for sidewalks, streetscapes, the Fair Fares program, and even educating children about transit. When spearheading a priority bus corridor in Bogotá, a city comparable in size to New York, 18 different municipal agencies were involved in improving the experience for 380,000 daily riders.
To ensure success, Mamdani should appoint a “bus czar” with the political authority to make decisions across mayoral agencies, negotiate with the MTA, and have direct access to the mayor. Agency leaders must be aligned around this new goal, and proactively anticipate the inevitable backlash from drivers when prioritizing bus service.
Quickly Deliver on Fast Buses
For many riders, time savings are more valuable than fare reductions. For a rider earning minimum wage, a 15-minute commute reduction—worth $4.25 at $17 per hour—exceeds the value of a $3 bus fare. Several actions to speed up buses are within the mayor’s control without requiring MTA support.
The mayoral team should accelerate existing projects under the MTA and DOT. Leveraging lessons from DOT’s “Smart Curbs” program, curb management strategies can be implemented on high-demand corridors. Additionally, full implementation of automated camera enforcement on buses can rapidly improve speeds by deterring drivers and illegal parking.
DOT can also use temporary physical barriers to create new bus lanes and protect existing ones, and expedite Transit Signal Priority implementation using recent technological innovations.
Develop Sustainable Solutions for Fast and Free Buses
A key risk to Mamdani’s plan is the potential for reversal by future administrations. Sustainable solutions require long-term financial planning. Simply covering current operating costs is insufficient; new revenue streams are needed to fund increased service frequency and account for induced demand from free or reduced fares.
Following the example of cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, revenue collected from parking could be dedicated to transportation improvements. Currently, 97 percent of parking in New York City is free, representing a significant untapped revenue source.
The long-term solution lies in dedicated bus infrastructure – Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). While the U.S. lags behind global peers in BRT implementation, it offers a relatively inexpensive and effective way to dramatically increase bus speeds. Experts have already provided data-backed recommendations for BRT locations throughout the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?
BRT is a system of dedicated bus infrastructure designed to provide faster and more reliable service. It is widely known as BRT and is considered a relatively inexpensive way to dramatically increase bus speeds.
What role will the MTA play in these improvements?
The mayoral team will need to develop a productive relationship with the MTA, particularly in adopting technology that integrates Transit Signal Priority with real-time bus location data. Over the long term, modifications to MTA-procured vehicles may be necessary to support dedicated bus infrastructure.
What is the biggest challenge to implementing these changes?
Aligning the interests and actions of multiple government agencies is a significant challenge. The new administration must also anticipate and address potential opposition from drivers when reconfiguring streets to prioritize buses.
How can New York City create a bus system that truly prioritizes riders and democratizes street space?
