Crosstown Buses to Experience Life in the Fast Lane

Courtesy of the Department of Transportation

Earlier this year, the Department of Transportation unveiled a comprehensive plan to reconcile the words "rapidity" and "transit system," the most revolutionary piece of which was a 34th Street bus-only lane. Now, the Post is reporting that the lane has gotten the federal helping hand the DOT was hoping for, in the form of $18.4 million.

Around 17,000 passengers ride the M16 and M34 buses each day, though they only move at about 4.5 miles per hour—or even as slow as 3.4 mph. Through separated lanes running river-to-river, the "Transitway" will increase this speed 20-40%, finally making a trip across town go faster on a bus than on the ankle express. Another notable piece of the proposal are the mid-street pedestrian refuge islands, which will hopefully reduce the number of pedestrians struck by cars on 34th Street each year (apparently that number is 60!).

The change to the streetscape has been a long time coming; the plan was originally proposed in 2008, the city completed a study of it in February, and it was unveiled in April. With the pressure of an expected influx of foot traffic in the corridor (already one of New York's busiest), and with federal government officials promising funds, there could be a chance of seeing the DOT's ambition bear some bus lane fruit. However, in April the Times reported that altogether the project could cost over $30 million.

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By Briana Parker in News on July 8, 2010 3:56 PM

Comments [rss]

BotanistPrime

$30 mil to paint a lane red? Hell, I'll do it for 2 mil.

whitecastlerock

What about the bus lines and trains that were eliminated in the outer boroughs? Yes those people don't matter-who cares if they have an additional 20 minutes added to their commutes? 34th street must move at least 5mph quicker-even the Feds realize that...

dadoc

Millions will be spent on studies, likely to some Albany stooge's nephew's company, nothing will be done. If it ever gets done, it will be bid out to some Albany Reverend's brother's company, will be late, be overbudget, unions (mob) will take their cut, kickbacks all around, will be disaster, more studies will be called for, cigarettes will hit $50 a pack, business as usual. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

John L

Another waste of money complete waste of money. Are all these changes worth it for a bus to only go an estimated 20-40% faster? Let me get this right, so now the buses go from 4.5 to 3.4 miles an hour and if we spend $30 million the buses will then zoom to 6-4.5 miles an hour? This such a total waste of tax payer's money.

This administration is clueless about the needs of New Yorkers. Bloomberg cuts and slashes so many vital services but there's always money for these pet projects of his.

glennQNYC

Remember this B.S. $30,000,000 project the next time you hear we need more tax revenue.

jonathan

There goes my express taxi-way in the morning.

nicemarmot

That'll work for about five seconds. Then the cops will all park there and the buses will have to go into the regular lanes to get around them.