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yesterday

Advocates Press NYC for True Bus Rapid Transit as Mamdani Pushes Fast, Fare‑Free Buses

Riders Alliance says a mayor-led BRT program, prompted by the comptroller’s slow-speed report, could cut trips by up to 15 minutes through protected center lanes, level boarding and all-door entry.

Fordham Road is home to the busiest bus route in the Bronx.
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Overview

  • Riders Alliance released a detailed plan for Bus Rapid Transit on a dozen corridors, calling for center-running protected lanes, enclosed level-boarding stations and all-door boarding to speed service.
  • The group formally endorsed Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who is campaigning to make buses free and faster and argues City Hall can deliver busways more quickly than new subway lines.
  • At a Wednesday event highlighting the M57’s 4.9 mph average speed, Mamdani pledged boroughwide signal priority and more Manhattan busways, citing benefits seen on 14th Street.
  • A city comptroller report found average bus speeds of about 7 mph in Manhattan and 8 mph in Brooklyn and the Bronx, with most routes graded D or F for performance.
  • Advocates estimate BRT could save riders 10–15 minutes on many trips and boost service on corridors like Fordham Road by roughly 30%, though progress will require DOT execution, MTA cooperation and use of the Streets Plan mandate for 30 miles of new bus lanes each year.