New York has taken a decisive step toward ending traffic congestion in the Bronx. With the inauguration of the first exclusive bus lane (busway) on Tremont Avenue, the city seeks to restore efficiency to the Bx36 line, a vital service that transports 39,000 passengers every day.
Key Insight:
In the Bronx borough, 72% of households do not own a private vehicle, making the agility and reliability of public transportation a critical social priority for the local population.
Before this intervention, the situation was described as critical, with buses reportedly crawling at agonizing speeds of barely 5 miles per hour. To ensure a smooth flow, the new corridor operates under strict regulations:
- Schedule: Monday to Sunday, 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Permitted Access: Buses, trucks with six or more wheels, emergency vehicles, and Access-a-Ride units.
- Restrictions: Private cars, taxis, and rentals may only enter for local purposes and must exit at the first available right turn.
This project is not an isolated event; it is part of the "Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service" plan. This is a strategic alliance between the Mayor's office, New York State, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) aiming to optimize 175 different routes across the city.
Road Safety and Urban Redesign
The project also aligns with the "Vision Zero" program—a global safety strategy designed to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries. The goal is to stop the alarming accident rates on Tremont Avenue, where the following figures were recorded between 2020 and 2024:
| Indicator (2020-2024) | Recorded Figure |
|---|---|
| Fatalities | 4 |
| Injured | ~630 |
To achieve these goals, eight key intersections were redesigned, including crossings at Webster Avenue, Third Avenue, and Southern Boulevard. Improvements included sidewalk extensions, the installation of granite blocks, and the creation of dedicated bike lanes to reduce turning speeds and prevent illegal parking.
Source: imago.com.ar