Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bus Rapid Transit

Cops, Cabs and Trucks Ignore 34th Street SBS Lane

34st1.jpg
DOT plans to use cameras to keep cabs and government vehicles out of the 34th Street lanes.

Last Monday the city launched phase one of its second Select Bus Service route, on 34th Street in Manhattan. From what we could tell on Friday, so far some new signage and fresh terracotta paint are about all that distinguish the new lanes from that of a conventional line.

In contrast to the Bx12 Fordham Road route, which debuted in June, there are no pre-paid boarding stations or spiffy aqua blue buses. And in advance of planned camera enforcement and other "soft" deterrents, there is no shortage of vehicles using the lanes for parking during the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. bus-only window.

Streetsblog has a call in to DOT for more info on when additional SBS features will be coming to 34th Street. Plans call for the corridor to eventually become the city's first "Transitway," with protected bus lanes and a car-free plaza between 5th and 6th Avenues.

34thst_truck.jpg
The driver of this truck was nowhere to be seen for 15-20 minutes.

34thst_bus.jpg
Well, it is a bus lane.

34thst_truck2.jpg
Which should I block: the bus lane or the sidewalk?

Photos: Brad Aaron

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts