Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In

The slowest bus in New York City is... Manhattan's M23, crosstown at 23rd Street.

Remind me again why New York City hasn't eliminated private automobiles on its major crosstown streets and established dedicated rights-of-way for buses, special loading  zones and times for delivery trucks?

CityRoom has the details:

“Nearly one in three of its buses have big gaps in service or areoff schedule, the worst record for the 42 key local routes for whichM.T.A. New York City Transit calculates reliability measures,” theStraphangers and Transportation Alternatives announced in a newsrelease.

In addition to ranking the M23 the slowest bus route in the city,the annual survey identified these routes as the slowest by borough:the B63 in Brooklyn (4.9 m.p.h.), the Bx19 in the Bronx (5.0 m.p.h.),the Q56 in Queens (6.1 m.p.h.) and the S61 on Staten Island (11.7m.p.h.)

“Our awards highlight what bus riders know from bitter dailyexperience: New York City has the pokiest and schleppiest buses in thenation,” said Gene Russianoff, the staff lawyer for the StraphangersCampaign.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

F150 Driver Kills Cyclist in Queens

The carnage continues in the World's Borough.

January 20, 2026

Central Park Changes Have Eased Crossings for Pedestrians, New Data Shows

Pedestrians are waiting less time to cross the bustling six-mile loop after the city shortened crossing distances and replaced "stop" lights with yellow "yield" signals.

January 20, 2026

Memo to Mamdani: Rescind Central Park’s New 15-MPH Bike Speed Limit

The lower speed limit misapplies state law and sets a troubling precedent for cycling in New York City.

January 20, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines: ‘Upstate Resident’ Edition

The New York Post should be embarrassed. But then, it wouldn't be the Post. Plus other news.

January 20, 2026

MLK Day Headlines: Transit Dignity Edition

Honoring The Dream, plus other news.

January 19, 2026
See all posts