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    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                                   MAY 22, 2026     |  The Indian Eye 28

               Mamdani Administration Expands Bus and

             Street Safety Overhaul with Major Lexington

                       Avenue and Queens Transit Upgrades

            NEERAJ DHAR                       scribe as barely faster than walking in   ciency. The project is part of a wider  ternatives said the project is part of
                                              some sections.                    citywide effort that also includes up- a broader push to reclaim Midtown
            New York, NY
                                                 “New Yorkers deserve buses that  grades on Flatbush Avenue in Brook-  streets for more efficient and equita-
                     ayor Zohran Kwame Mam- move quickly and reliably, not buses   lyn and Madison Avenue in Manhat- ble transit use.
                     dani and New York City   stuck in traffic because someone de- tan, with Fordham Road in the Bronx   The  Lexington  Avenue  work
            MDepartment  of  Transpor-        cided to treat a bus lane like a parking   slated for redesign later this year.  comes  alongside  parallel  transit  im-
            tation  (NYC  DOT)  Commissioner  spot,” Mayor Mamdani said. “Offset    City  officials  say  the  improve-  provements  in  Queens,  where  the
            Mike  Flynn  have  launched  a  sweep- bus  lanes  work  because  they  keep   ments are critical to modernizing bus   administration has announced a new
            ing series of street redesign projects   lanes clear and buses moving. This is   service in a system where congestion   dedicated  bus  lane  along  Broadway
            aimed  at  improving  bus  reliability,  exactly the kind of small-but-mighty  and  curb  violations  have  long  un- in Jackson Heights to serve the Q70-
            reducing  congestion,  and  expanding  fix that makes life better for working  dermined  reliability.  Deputy  May- SBS  route  connecting  LaGuardia
            pedestrian  and  cyclist  safety  across   people across our city.”  or for Operations Julia Kerson said  Airport to subway and rail networks.
            Manhattan  and  Queens,  marking      The redesign follows a previously  the initiative reflects a broader focus   That corridor currently sees bus-
            one of the administration’s most ag- completed 2019 upgrade on Lexing- on  making  everyday  transportation   es  crawling  at  speeds  as  low  as  2.7
            gressive transit-focused infrastructure   ton Avenue from 96th Street to 60th   more  functional.  “This  project  will   miles per hour during peak evening
            pushes to date.                   Street,  which  city  data  shows  pro- benefit  tens  of  thousands  of  riders   hours  —  slower  than  walking.  The
                The  latest  phase  of  work  has   duced a 26% increase in bus speeds   who rely on Lexington Avenue to get  new  center-running  eastbound  bus
            begun on Lexington Avenue, where  and  a  35%  reduction  in  pedestrian   to work, see family and enjoy all our  lane between 69th Street and Roos-
            eight blocks between 60th Street and   injuries  after  converting  curbside   city has to offer,” she said.  evelt Avenue is designed to address
            52nd  Street  will  see  existing  curb- lanes into offset bus lanes.   Support from local officials has   that  bottleneck  ahead  of  the  2026
            side  bus  lanes  replaced  with  offset   NYC DOT Commissioner Mike   been  strong.  Manhattan  Borough  FIFA World Cup, which is expected
            bus lanes. The redesign is intended  Flynn  said  the  current  expansion  President  Brad  Hoylman-Sigal  said   to significantly increase regional trav-
            to  eliminate  chronic  lane-blocking   builds  on  those  results.  “The  exist- the upgrades will help reduce chronic   el demand.
            caused  by  double  parking,  deliver- ing curbside lanes are often blocked,  delays that disproportionately affect   Mayor  Mamdani  said  the
            ies,  and  ride-hail  pickups,  which  of- leading  to  bus  speeds  that  are  only  working  commuters.  Council  Mem-  Queens project is intended to serve
            ficials say have slowed buses on one   slightly faster than walking for more   ber  Virginia  Maloney  called  buses   both  short-term  event  travel  and
            of  Manhattan’s  busiest  north-south   than 70,000 riders each day,” he said.  “the  most  convenient  and  accessible   long-term  commuter  needs.  “Arriv-
            corridors.                       “We’ve seen these upgrades work be- way  to  travel”  for  many  residents,  ing in New York City should be fast,
                The  Lexington  Avenue  stretch   fore — they improve service, safety,  particularly seniors.     affordable and reliable all year round
            serves  roughly  71,000  daily  riders   and reliability.”             Advocacy groups also praised the  — not just during major events,” he
            across  eight  bus  routes  connecting   Under  the  new  configuration,  changes. Danny Pearlstein of Riders   said.  “This  new  bus  lane  will  help
            the  Bronx,  Staten  Island,  and  Man- Lexington  Avenue  will  feature  two  Alliance  said  the  redesign  prioritiz- welcome  visitors  from  around  the
            hattan. During peak hours, buses on   parking  lanes,  one  offset  bus  lane,  es  “economic  justice,”  arguing  that  world  while  delivering  faster  com-
            the corridor currently average just 5  and two general traffic lanes, balanc- faster buses help reduce inequality in   mutes  every  day  for  working-class
            miles per hour — a pace officials de- ing  vehicle  access  with  transit  effi-  commute  times.  Transportation  Al- New Yorkers.”

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