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

Gas Station Gridlock Snares Buses, NYPD Resources in Washington Heights

A line for gas occupied one lane of Broadway for blocks, and caused gridlock for several more. Photos: Brad Aaron

If yellow cabs and livery cabs can't get gas, that's a problem, especially when train service is limited and buses are packed. But many of the cars in this line, which clogged one lane of Broadway from 168th to 174th Street in Washington Heights this afternoon, were private vehicles.

An M3 tries to merge onto Broadway north of 168th Street.

I counted 11 NYPD personnel, including auxiliary officers and TEAs, assigned to this mess. In addition to occupying a traffic lane -- most drivers were parked, engines off -- the line kept buses from moving and forced passengers to wade into the street to board.

Bus passengers wait next to the gas lane.

At the gas station, on Broadway at 174th, five TEAs assumed the role of service station attendants, directing drivers to gas pumps.

A TEA directs a livery cab driver to a gas pump.

In other news from Upper Manhattan, buses were standing room only today, while this afternoon ridership was normal to light on the 1 train. There was a report on Twitter this morning that NYPD was enforcing the HOV-3 restriction on vehicles entering the Henry Hudson Parkway from Riverside Drive at Dyckman Street, presumably to catch drivers attempting to dodge the rule by using the Harlem River bridges. We'll try to verify that tomorrow.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Civic Panel Dings Adams For Cutting Bike and Bus Lanes Out of Fifth Av. Redesign

Mayor Adams's scaled down redesign of Fifth Avenue isn't a "real solution" to safety issued on the packed retail corridor.

July 14, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: E-Bike Regulations Edition

Monday is a big day for the future of e-bikes in the Big Apple. Plus more news.

July 14, 2025

‘Preventable’: Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Two on Third Av. Corridor Eric Adams Refuses to Make Safer

A motorist struck and killed two men on a strip where Mayor Adams recently shelved a safety redesign amid a backlash from local business interests.

July 11, 2025

Why No BRT For NYC? Two New Reports Tackle Why Your Bus Service Sucks

Years of bus priority projects barely made a dent in speeds because Big Apple leaders won't install real bus rapid transit, two recent reports argue.

July 11, 2025

Citi Bike Riders Are Pissed About Eric Adams’s 15 MPH Speed Limit

Citi Bike's new 15 mph max speed limit is a bad deal for riders and a potential threat to safety, riders said.

July 11, 2025
See all posts