Skip to content

Unsustainable: Traffic 2018

New York is facing its most serious transportation challenge in decades. Subway reliability is way down, and the bus system is shedding riders at an alarming rate. And because transit is so unreliable, New York is accommodating growth in cars, in the form of the tens of thousands of Uber and Lyft vehicles we now find on our streets each day.
Unsustainable: Traffic 2018

New York is facing its most serious transportation challenge in decades.

Subway reliability is way down, and the bus system is shedding riders at an alarming rate. And because transit is so unreliable, New York is accommodating growth in cars, in the form of the tens of thousands of Uber and Lyft vehicles we now find on our streets each day.

It’s difficult to even list all the reasons why shifting transportation growth into cars in New York City is a bad thing. Choking the economy with congestion, safety concerns, making slow bus service even worse, poorer air quality – you name it.

For our latest Streetfilm, we spoke with leaders in New York’s transportation, labor and business communities to get their take on this alarming trend — a problem “screaming for a solution.”

Photo of Clarence Eckerson Jr.
Clarence Eckerson Jr. is the Director of Video Production for NYCSR's StreetFilms and producer of bikeTV. He loves the color purple, chocolate chip cookies, and enjoys walking, biking, and taking transit. He has never owned a driver's license.

Read More:

Comments Are Temporarily Disabled

Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.

Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Mamdani Will Upgrade Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan-Side Entrance By June

March 27, 2026

Cycle of Rage: One Driver’s Convenience, One Woman’s Death

March 27, 2026

Friday Video: Buenos Aires Will Challenge Everything You Think You Know About Buses

March 27, 2026

New York City Cannot Repeat Boston’s Big Dig Mistake

March 27, 2026

Friday’s Headlines: Mayor on a Citi Bike Edition

March 27, 2026
See all posts