New York City Introduces Busway on 34th Street

News Summary

New York City plans to implement a dedicated busway on 34th Street to speed up transit for approximately 28,000 daily riders of the M34 bus route. Set to launch in late summer 2025, the initiative aims to improve bus speeds, which currently average 3 miles per hour during peak hours. While community support is strong, the 34th Street Partnership raises concerns over potential impacts on local businesses. The plan includes pedestrian improvements as well, balancing public transit needs with business interests.

New York City is set to introduce a busway along an eight-block section of 34th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues. This dedicated bus corridor aims to prohibit most passenger vehicle traffic, allowing only buses and delivery trucks, in an effort to speed up transit for approximately 28,000 daily riders who use the M34 bus route.

The city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to implement the new busway as early as late summer 2025. The initiative is expected to significantly improve bus speeds, which currently operate at a crawl of just 3 miles per hour during peak hours.

The proposed busway is modeled after the successful 14th Street busway, launched in 2019, which resulted in a 24% increase in bus speeds. Transit officials are optimistic about reducing congestion and enhancing travel times not just for buses, but also for delivery trucks. While passenger car drivers will be allowed to enter 34th Street, they will be required to make the first available turn off the street.

Support for the busway is strong among local community boards, which have advocated for the project in a letter to the mayor. However, opposition exists from the 34th Street Partnership, a group representing local businesses. This influential organization has expressed mixed feelings about the potential impact of the busway on retail operations along the corridor. A secret poll conducted among the Partnership’s board revealed that more than half of its members are currently against the busway, voicing concerns about the rules and potential effects on businesses.

Despite the opposition from some business owners, East Side City Council member Keith Powers remains optimistic, believing support for the project can be garnered from both the community and local business sectors. To address concerns, the DOT is carrying out a comprehensive traffic analysis to measure the proposed changes’ impact and intends to refine the project based on feedback from the community.

Besides easing transit, the busway plan includes various pedestrian improvements, such as shorter intersections and brighter, more noticeable crosswalks. The proposed restrictions will only impact through traffic, ensuring local access remains available for pick-ups, drop-offs, and loading.

The push for a busway on 34th Street follows a prior initiative that failed to gain traction in 2023 for a similar busway on Fordham Road in the Bronx, primarily due to significant opposition from local businesses. However, recent community backing, along with the introduction of congestion pricing in Manhattan, has shifted momentum in favor of the 34th Street initiative.

The idea of a bus-only thoroughfare for 34th Street is not new. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a similar concept, but it was abandoned in response to community backlash. The current proposal represents a renewed effort by city officials to prioritize public transit in one of the busiest and most congested areas of New York City, while navigating the delicate balance between enhancing public transportation and addressing business concerns.

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Additional Resources

• Gothamist: NYC Plans Busway for 34th Street
• Fox 5 NY: 34th Street Busway Transportation
• AMNY: 34th Street Busway Proposal
• Crain’s New York: NYC Pitches Ban on Cars for 34th Street
• NY1: City Plans 34th Street Busway
• Wikipedia: New York City
• Google Search: New York City bus transportation
• Google Scholar: Public transit in New York City
• Encyclopedia Britannica: New York City
• Google News: 34th Street busway