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

Mayor Mamdani Won’t Discuss The Ongoing NYPD Criminal Bike Crackdown That Candidate Mamdani Opposed

Hizzoner has gotten the question at least four times in the last 11 days and has yet to explain why he has not ended the NYPD's ticketing blitz against bikers.

January 16, 2026

New Speaker’s Transportation Committee Signals Departure From Her Car-First Predecessor

The Council committee tapped by new Speaker Julie Menin has a pro-bike, pro-pedestrian chair — and zero Republicans.

January 16, 2026

Mamdani Warns Delivery Apps to Follow New Worker Protection Laws — Or Else

The Mamdani Administration sent letters to over 60 delivery app companies, warning they must comply with new regulations.

January 16, 2026

Advocates to Mamdani: Come See the Cross Bronx Impact for Yourself!

Anti-highway expansion advocates in the Bronx are asking the mayor to hear them out on their ideas to create a safer and more human-friendly environment around the toxic expressway.

January 16, 2026

Friday Video: Remember When Central Park Was Actually Dangerous?

Streetfilms legend Clarence Eckerson reframes the debate about Manhattan's premier green space in just 45 seconds.

January 16, 2026

Friday’s Headlines: Back on Top Edition

The administration is going after the delivery app companies. Plus other news.

January 16, 2026
See all posts