In New York: No Bus Ridership Without Congestion Relief

David Meyer reports:

Bus ridership in New York City fell 16 percent between 2002 and 2015 — a troubling trend that only gained steam last year. A look at the changes in each borough by transportation analyst Eric Goldwyn shows that since 2007, the bus ridership decline has been concentrated in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Acknowledging that the reasons for the decline in Manhattan and Brooklyn are unclear, Meyer also considers the possibility that congestion—which traps buses and cars alike—could be making bus service a less and less attractive option. To Meyer, the implications of that challenge suggest that a systemwide approach will be necessary to speed bus service up in all five boroughs.

Meyer also references Mayor Bill de Blasio's expected congestion relief plan, of which there has already been discussion and debate.