NYC Politicians, Public Rally in 'Outrage' to Save Bus Lane Killed by Trump

City officials say the project complies with all applicable laws and should go forward as planned.

1 minute read

October 21, 2025, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Blue and turquoise New York City bus at night on a red painted bus lane.

Eden, Janine and Jim from New York City, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

New York City transit supporters and local politicians rallied last Friday to protest the Trump administration’s efforts to stop the construction of the 34th Street busway, report Dave Colon and Gersh Kuntzman in Streetsblog NYC.

On October 16, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sent the state and city a letter claiming the city failed to notify the appropriate federal authorities about the bus lane plan. “The Trump administration letter cites unspecified concerns about the movement of trucks and emergency vehicles along the corridor, though trucks are not banned on the busway, and emergency vehicles are not inhibited.”

DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said he would pause the project until the legal battle settles but promised to “defend it.” Others used more forceful language, with Assembly Member Micah Lasher calling the letter “a thinly veiled action, yet again, by the Trump administration to inflict harm and vengeance on the city of New York.” NYCDOT spokesperson Vin Barone said “We are confident that the design complies with all applicable federal laws and regulations, and we will work with the federal government to advance this critical project.”

Monday, October 20, 2025 in StreetsBlog NYC

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

6 hours ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

7 hours ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

September 16 - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.