An ambitious program to add 20 miles of bus lanes and protected bus ways in the city of New York has been diminished by political opposition in parts of the city.
The New York City Department of Transportation has bowed to Staten Island car owners who objected to a bus lane project, reports Gersh Kuntzman.
The scaled back proposal originally called for dedicated bus lanes in both directions on a 3.3-mile stretch of Hylan Boulevard, according to Kuntzman. "Instead of bus lanes on both side of Hylan between Lincoln and Nelson avenues, the plan now calls for a 1.4-mile bus lane on the south side of Hylan, between Lincoln and Guyon avenues."
Kuntzman notes that the scaled back version of the Staten Island bus lane project is "the second high-profile pullback from a supposed commitment to help long-suffering transit riders in as many weeks." The first: a car-free .3-mile stretch in Flushing that has been suspended indefinitely "after Council Member Peter Koo claimed, in racially supercharged language, that the busway would hurt local businesses, explains Kuntzman. Kuntzman makes sure to point out that the idea that bus lanes hurt local businesses is a myth, "dispelled by DOT’s own statistics."
Councilmembers Steven Matteo and Joe Borelli of Staten Island were responsible for the revised plan for the Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island, according to Kuntzman, who cites an article by the Staten Island Advance for the original news about this particular bus project's demise.
In June, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to roll out an ambitious program of new bus lanes and protected busways around the city to assist transit riders during and after the pandemic, but as reported recently, much of that promise has stalled or, as in the case of these two projects, been scaled back or suspended entirely.
FULL STORY: ANOTHER TRANSIT DEBACLE: DOT Guts Its Own Bus Lane Project
20 Miles of Bus Lanes and Car-Free Busways Coming to New York City
While it falls short of a more ambitious proposal pitched by the MTA recently, a new plan to expand bus priority on the streets of New York City would mark a significant expansion of a trend that started on 14th Street in Manhattan.
Backtracking From Ambitious Bus Lane Promises in New York City
Back in June, the city of New York seemed poised for a major shift in transportation priority. In October, reality is setting in about how hard a sell the transformation will be.
New York's Bus Lane Program Slow to Start
It's a case of arrested development, as local opposition has derailed ambitious plans to greatly expand bus priority on streets around the city of New York.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet
With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)