Editor’s note: Halted 34th Street busway proposal deserves reconsideration

The 6-year-old pilot program that converted 14th Street into a busway led to an expansion across New York City. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and city Department of Transportation now want the same radical redesign on 34th Street, a crosstown thoroughfare in the heart of Manhattan that includes Hudson Yards, Macy’s and the Empire State Building, and where traffic crawls at 3 mph during peak hours. The plan notes 34th Street suffers from overcrowded sidewalks and needs additional loading space for businesses. The local community board, according to the proposal, had even requested a “24/7 14th Street style busway.” That busway saw bus speeds along the corridor increase 24% and crashes dropped 42%. Survey results praised the busway for delivering on faster, more frequent bus service and found pedestrians felt safer crossing the street.

Ultimately, three community boards supported the 34th Street busway proposal, which proceeded until it was paused earlier this month, Streetsblog New York City first reported. Gothamist last week reported that First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro halted the plan and that the local business improvement district argued reducing the street to one car lane in each direction was “not a viable solution.” The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association also complained that no traffic study was done, nor community input solicited.

The city responded with a traffic study now underway and is reviewing community feedback. “We continue to assess the proposed 34th Street Busway, taking into account the community engagement we have conducted and will continue to conduct,” a City Hall spokesperson told City & State. Hopefully, the added consideration will show the busway deserves a chance to deliver for a thoroughfare that right now isn’t living up to its potential.