New York Mayor's 'Gridlock Alerts' Go Unheeded

Mobility advocates say the city must do more to make transit and alternative transportation modes more convenient for drivers.

2 minute read

October 5, 2021, 5:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Despite the city issuing "Gridlock Alerts," New Yorkers are driving into the city at similar rates as before, writes Julianne Cuba. According to mobility advocates, this is "a result of the mayor’s failure to create policies that get people out of cars and into mass transit on days when the city knows long in advance that roads and neighborhoods will be turned into pollution-, noise- and stress-filled parking lots." Local officials want the mayor to do more to cut traffic by implementing immediate measures such as emergency bus lanes. "We can not return to the status quo — it’s imperative that we seize this moment and create lasting change in the Central Business District," said Manhattan Council Member Keith Powers. 

Such measures aren't new to the Big Apple: the city has enacted pop-up bus lanes and high-occupancy vehicle policies before, notably after 9/11 and during 2005's transit strike.

"Last summer, Riders Alliance was one of several advocacy groups to demand the mayor make room for 40 miles of 'emergency' dedicated bus lanes to help long-suffering transit riders — many of them low-income essential workers — as cars started flooding back onto roads. And the MTA even one-upped that, asking for 60 miles of bus lanes to speed up the city’s recovery." 

But the requests fell on deaf ears, as the city only installed roughly 16 miles of dedicated lanes by the end of 2020, even as the number of cars entering the city rises above pre-pandemic rates and the MTA is forced to suspend bus service due to heavy traffic. "Meanwhile, bus riders suffer and emergency response times spike. Whether it’s emergency bus lanes or busways, HOV restrictions, transit discounts, the city and state need to do more to ensure the delivery of essential services in public space," says Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance. As Doug Gordon of The War on Cars podcast puts it, "'Bus service is suspended because of heavy traffic' is one of those things that should provoke an all-hands-on-deck response from city government." So far, that isn't the case.

Thursday, September 23, 2021 in Streetsblog New York City

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9, 2025 - Axios

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Red and yellow surfboards leaning against fence in Maui, Hawaii.

Surf’s Upcycling: Hawai‘i’s Latest Green Building Material is Recycled Surf Boards

“Surf Blocks” are fire-resistant, termite-proof, and close the loop on mountains of waste from the state’s beloved sport.

March 19 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Group of older people sitting at table indoors laughing.

Building Age-Friendly Homes

Designing for the unique needs of elderly people can help them maintain social connections and mental acuity.

March 19 - Happy Cities

Times Square with Broadway billboards at night.

Nightlife and the 15-Minute City

Plans for compact, walkable cities often don’t address nighttime concerns like transportation and lighting, which can make neighborhoods more vibrant and safe around the clock.

March 19 - Cooperative City