Bus Time was created to make taking the public bus more convenient, efficient and reliable for both faithful and prospective riders, and provide a seamless mechanism for finding “…information about when the next bus will arrive at your stop, even if you are still at home, the office, shopping, or dining” (MTA Bus Time Description). TransitCenter’s research indicates that this remarkable decrease in ridership is a symptom of the “declining quality of bus service,” and the MTA Bus Time app is just one component of call to action spearheaded by public officials to rethink and turn NYC’s failing bus system around (TransitCenter ).Īvailable for iPhone and Android, MTA Bus Time uses GPS hardware to track and communicate the real-time locations of city busses so bus riders can meet the bus by viewing its location on a map, instead of wait for it. “At the same time, this again highlights how critical it is to get congestion pricing in place as soon as possible, and to continue our push to get our friends and neighbors to embrace transit, cycling and walking.Early last week, urban planning think tank TransitCenter tweeted a data visualization that presented a befuddling statistic: despite NYC’s growing population and record subway ridership, MTA public bus ridership has plummeted nearly 16% since 2002. “This year has been transformative for bus riders, and we’re excited to continue working with the MTA on that progress,” said Seth Stein. “The MTA has committed $85 million to automated camera enforcement of bus lanes, launched bus-mounted ads highlighting the cameras, and is working with NYC DOT to increase the pace and number of bus lanes and busways.”Ī spokesman for DOT said the year has been “transformative” thanks to the four new busways, but pointed back to the state and the need for MTA to launch its downtown Manhattan tolling program known as congestion pricing. “With the COVID-19 pandemic receding, the familiar problem of traffic congestion is returning and the MTA is already taking steps to speed buses using proven solutions,” said Aaron Donovan in a statement.
That includes working with the MTA on its borough-by-borough bus network redesigns, which relaunched in the Bronx after a pandemic pause.Īnother simple step, the advocate noted, is allowing riders to also board through the back door, something MTA plans to pilot on 10 routes.Īn MTA spokesman said the agency has earmarked $85 million for bus lane camera enforcement with a goal of installing the cameras at 85% of red lanes by 2023. “We’re going to be looking to the mayor to make sure our bus projects move forward.” “This is a key moment with our new administration coming in,” said Pearce. Advocates hope Mayor-elect Eric Adams will steer his administration’s focus toward improving bus rides in 2022.
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