NYC's Faster Bus Plan: Here's What You Need To Know

NEW YORK, NY— For millions of New Yorkers, the daily bus ride could soon become shorter, faster and more reliable.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service, a joint city-state initiative that commits nearly $900 million over five years to speed buses, modernize stops and expand rapid bus service across all five boroughs.

The plan targets 50 bus corridors for improvements and introduces a new generation of rapid bus routes designed to reduce travel times, improve reliability and make waiting for a bus more comfortable.

"For working New Yorkers, every minute matters," Mamdani said. "But for too long, our buses have been stuck in traffic instead of keeping pace with the city that never sleeps."

The city expects the improvements to increase bus speeds by 20 percent and save some riders as much as six minutes each trip.

What Will Change For Your Daily Commute?

The City and Metropolitan Transportation Authority will begin work this year on priority corridors that carry some of New York City's slowest and most delayed bus routes.

Five corridors will become the first next-generation rapid bus routes:

• Tremont/Cross Bronx
• Northern Boulevard
• Flatbush Avenue
• Utica Avenue
• Kensington-JFK

Beginning in 2026, those routes will receive protected bus lanes, upgraded stations with shelters, more frequent all-day service and redesigned streets intended to keep buses moving.

The Flatbush Avenue corridor is expected to become a fully developed rapid bus route by 2030.

Why Are Buses So Slow?

New York City buses carry 2.75 million trips every day, making the system the busiest in the United States.

Despite that demand, buses average only 8 miles per hour, the slowest speed among major U.S. cities.

Officials said illegal vehicles blocking bus lanes, traffic congestion and long boarding times continue to slow service.

How Will The City Speed Up Buses?

The plan combines infrastructure projects with operational changes.

The MTA will purchase approximately 2,500 new buses, replacing about 40 percent of its fleet through its 2025-2029 capital program.

Officials also will introduce all-door boarding beginning in 2027 after the transition to tap-and-ride fare payment, allowing riders to board through any door and reducing time spent at bus stops.

Janno Lieber, MTA chair and CEO, said stronger cooperation between the city and state makes those improvements possible.

For years, the MTA has wanted more bus lanes, more enforcement of clearing bus lanes and congestion pricing, Lieber said.

"It’s no secret we didn't have support at the local level," Lieber said. "That is not the case anymore."

What Will Bus Stops Look Like?

The overhaul extends beyond buses themselves.

The City plans to:

• Install 300 new bus shelters by 2028.
• Add seating at 875 bus stops each year.
• Expand accessibility upgrades to 65 stops annually by 2030.
• Install 90 new real-time arrival displays in 2026 before expanding to 2,900 citywide by 2030.
• Plant trees and test heat-mitigating shelter designs at bus stops.

How Will Officials Keep Bus Lanes Clear?

The City plans to expand automated camera enforcement and increase police enforcement of bus lanes.

Officials said automated cameras have already increased bus speeds by as much as 30 percent while reducing crashes by 20 percent.

Beginning in 2026, the city and MTA will expand bus-mounted enforcement cameras to 25 additional routes each year. The city also plans to install 200 more stationary bus lane cameras by 2027, while the NYPD will increase targeted enforcement from 14 corridors to 20.

What's Next?

City officials said community outreach will begin before construction starts on each corridor.

After projects are completed, the City and MTA plan to release public performance reports within six to 12 months measuring travel times, reliability and rider experience.