Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bill de Blasio

Paging Mayor de Blasio — Fix Your Bus Lanes

What’s wrong with this picture? THERE’S A TRUCK IN THE BUS LANE! Photo: TransitCenter

For a mayor who campaigned as a champion of economic fairness, fixing NYC's ailing bus system should be a no-brainer. The city's buses are the slowest in the nation, and the delays and disruptions affect low-income New Yorkers the most.

Bill de Blasio can directly influence the quality of bus service -- unlike subway service -- by prioritizing transit via the streets and traffic signals his administration manages. But the city isn't accelerating the pace of bus lane implementation. And if you go out and observe the bus lanes that have already been painted, they're a mess.

This video posted by TransitCenter this morning shows bus lanes across the city obstructed by delivery vehicles, taxis, and especially NYPD:

The footage brings home how little effort City Hall puts into keeping bus lanes clear.

While 13 of 15 Select Bus Service routes have camera enforcement, the cameras are stationary as opposed to mounted on buses, so motorists can figure out where they're located and avoid detection.

There's also very little incentive for delivery companies to avoid specific infractions thanks to the city's Stipulated Fine Program, which essentially gives them a bulk discount on parking fines.

Then there's the city's enormous supply of parking placards, which amount to carte blanche to block bus lanes for the privileged class who have them -- a cohort that's growing larger thanks to de Blasio.

And of course, law enforcement officers are setting a terrible example for everyone else.

These are not intractable problems. If the mayor cares about New Yorkers who ride the bus, he can solve them.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

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

Former NYPD Boss Says Deadly High Speed Chases Were Result Of ‘Rogue’ Adams Insiders

Former NYPD Commissioner Tom Donlon alleged widespread corruption leading to a string of deadly high-speed chases.

July 16, 2025

Uncle Sam Wants to Fence Off a Lower Manhattan Plaza

A federally-funded police gate will lockdown a pedestrian plaza huddled between two federal courthouses in Manhattan.

July 16, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Gonna Have to Pay for That Edition

We're going to need a lot more money to handle storms like the one we saw on Monday. Plus more news.

July 16, 2025

Appeals Court Halts Adams’s Impending Bedford Ave. Protected Bike Lane Demolition

The judge's ruling came just as the city was set to begin the bike lane demolition process Tuesday evening.

July 15, 2025

New Yorkers Threaten Legal Action If Eric Adams Makes Bedford Ave. Less Safe for Cyclists

Brooklyn cyclists pledged to sue the city if they are killed or injured on Bedford Avenue after Mayor Adams makes it less safe.

July 15, 2025
See all posts