Transit advocates criticize offset bus lanes as insufficient improvement for Bronx riders
Transit Advocates Reject Mamdani Busway Plan, Demand Faster Service on Fordham Road
The Riders Alliance, a major transit advocacy organization that endorsed Zohran Mamdani during his mayoral campaign, boycotted the mayor’s recent announcement about bus lane improvements on Fordham Road in the Bronx. The group’s absence at Friday’s press conference signaled serious disagreement with the mayor’s scaled-back approach to a critical transportation project. Riders Alliance Executive Director Betsy Plum issued a statement explaining the group did not attend because they believe the plan fails to deliver the comprehensive transit improvements that Mamdani promised on the campaign trail. The organization had specifically backed Mamdani’s pledge to implement a full Fordham Road busway, which would have created a mostly car-free dedicated corridor for buses.
What Mamdani Proposed Instead of a Full Busway
During Friday’s announcement, the mayor revealed plans to upgrade Fordham Road’s curbside bus lanes to “offset” bus lanes that run down the middle of the street. This approach represents a compromise between a full car-free busway and the existing limited bus service. Mamdani argued the change would boost bus reliability and speed. He also pledged that if the new design fails to increase bus speeds by at least 20 percent, the city will re-evaluate the project. Transit experts and advocates acknowledge the offset lane improvement will help but question whether it goes far enough.
Why the Busway Matters for Bronx Residents
Fordham Road handles approximately 130,000 daily bus riders, making it one of the most important bus corridors in New York City. The route serves predominantly working-class communities in the Bronx that depend heavily on public transportation. Bus service on Fordham Road has long been plagued by traffic congestion, which forces commuters to face unpredictable delays. Many riders spend hours each week waiting for buses that crawl through traffic instead of moving efficiently. The original busway proposal would have freed buses from traffic by creating a dedicated lane. However, city transportation officials warned that a two-way busway could cause “severe” impacts on side streets and create delays on nearby roadways.
What Riders Alliance Demands From City Government
While Plum acknowledged the offset bus lanes represent a “win,” the group is pressing Mamdani to think bigger about what the city’s streets can accommodate. Transit advocates have cited research by bus planning expert Annie Weinstock showing that on Fordham Road, traffic congestion remains the primary cause of bus delays. Weinstock’s analysis suggests that with proper street design including bus bulbs and other traffic management features, buses can be liberated from congestion. Riders Alliance Communications Director Danny Pearlstein stated that the mayor’s 20 percent speed increase goal is worthwhile but insufficient. He argued that if offset bus lanes cause spillover effects on other routes, the city should improve service on those corridors as well rather than sacrificing Fordham Road riders.
Moving Forward With Transit Development
The Department of Transportation has not yet released block-by-block designs for the Fordham Road project, meaning the full scope of the changes remains unclear. Transit advocates will be watching closely as the city develops these plans. The conflict highlights tensions between the mayor’s campaign promises and fiscal and operational realities he faces in office. Mamdani stated that New Yorkers care about results, not labels, suggesting that whether the improvement is called a busway or something else matters less than actual speed gains. For more information on bus rapid transit design, readers can visit the National Association of City Transportation Officials website. The NYC Department of Transportation provides details on street design projects. More on public transportation advocacy is available through Rides for Justice resources.
