end bus slowness
@fasterbus.es
Cities need fast buses to work.
If that means slowing down some cars, it's OK.
If that means slowing down some cars, it's OK.
Pinned
end bus slowness
@fasterbus.es
· Nov 19
8 Ways to Make Buses Faster (summarized; more detail coming):
1️⃣ More frequency
2️⃣ Straighter routing
3️⃣ 1/4-mile stop spacing
4️⃣ Bus lanes through all congestion
5️⃣ Signal priority with teeth
6️⃣ Off-board payment & all doors open
7️⃣ Buses with easier disability access
8️⃣ Automated bus lane enforcement
1️⃣ More frequency
2️⃣ Straighter routing
3️⃣ 1/4-mile stop spacing
4️⃣ Bus lanes through all congestion
5️⃣ Signal priority with teeth
6️⃣ Off-board payment & all doors open
7️⃣ Buses with easier disability access
8️⃣ Automated bus lane enforcement
Reposted by end bus slowness
Charge drivers more.
Fewer people drive.
Buses get faster.
More people use buses.
More investment in more buses.
Fewer people bother driving.
Fewer people drive.
Buses get faster.
More people use buses.
More investment in more buses.
Fewer people bother driving.
“I see a difference, definitely,” said Tony, who has spent 18 years as a bus operator for the MTA.
“There have been no delays the entire week, and when I look to my left and right down the avenues I can see all the way down – I’ve never seen it like that.” nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/01/10/m...
“There have been no delays the entire week, and when I look to my left and right down the avenues I can see all the way down – I’ve never seen it like that.” nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/01/10/m...
MTA Drivers: Slowest Bus in Manhattan Is Faster Since Congestion Pricing
The slowest bus in Lower Manhattan is moving faster this week since congestion pricing began, bus drivers say.
nyc.streetsblog.org
January 11, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Charge drivers more.
Fewer people drive.
Buses get faster.
More people use buses.
More investment in more buses.
Fewer people bother driving.
Fewer people drive.
Buses get faster.
More people use buses.
More investment in more buses.
Fewer people bother driving.
The fact that every transit bus in America does not have contactless credit card readers ought to be embarrassing to a lot of people.
I was in Norfolk VA the other week and needed to get the local bus just one-way and it turns of the buses are cash only and exact change required. It's almost as if they don't want people to even take the bus.
January 15, 2025 at 5:01 AM
The fact that every transit bus in America does not have contactless credit card readers ought to be embarrassing to a lot of people.
3️⃣ 1/4 MILE STOP SPACING
People hate this one, because it’s always going to make someone walk farther. Sometimes it’s someone who has trouble walking, although there are strategies to prevent that.
But I promise you: there is no way to get people to leave cars for a bus that stops every 1-2 blocks.
People hate this one, because it’s always going to make someone walk farther. Sometimes it’s someone who has trouble walking, although there are strategies to prevent that.
But I promise you: there is no way to get people to leave cars for a bus that stops every 1-2 blocks.
January 11, 2025 at 11:14 PM
3️⃣ 1/4 MILE STOP SPACING
People hate this one, because it’s always going to make someone walk farther. Sometimes it’s someone who has trouble walking, although there are strategies to prevent that.
But I promise you: there is no way to get people to leave cars for a bus that stops every 1-2 blocks.
People hate this one, because it’s always going to make someone walk farther. Sometimes it’s someone who has trouble walking, although there are strategies to prevent that.
But I promise you: there is no way to get people to leave cars for a bus that stops every 1-2 blocks.
Reposted by end bus slowness
Most people in NYC don't own a car. The percentage of people driving into lower Manhattan is a fraction of those who just use public transit.
Now that we've had congestion pricing for a week, buses now are no longer trapped in gridlock traffic and I can no longer WALK faster than cars move.
Now that we've had congestion pricing for a week, buses now are no longer trapped in gridlock traffic and I can no longer WALK faster than cars move.
January 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Most people in NYC don't own a car. The percentage of people driving into lower Manhattan is a fraction of those who just use public transit.
Now that we've had congestion pricing for a week, buses now are no longer trapped in gridlock traffic and I can no longer WALK faster than cars move.
Now that we've had congestion pricing for a week, buses now are no longer trapped in gridlock traffic and I can no longer WALK faster than cars move.
Transit will never improve as long as agencies are controlled by boards made up of non-riders.
The core problem with transit governance in America is that it puts the interests of lots of other groups—car drivers, contractors, suppliers, unions—over those of actual and potential riders.
The core problem with transit governance in America is that it puts the interests of lots of other groups—car drivers, contractors, suppliers, unions—over those of actual and potential riders.
NEW // Op-Ed: Washington State Should Allow Riders to Serve on Transit Boards www.theurbanist.org/2025/01/11/o...
Op-Ed: Washington State Should Allow Riders to Serve on Transit Boards - The Urbanist
# Transit advocates are gearing up to pass House Bill 2191, which would allow Public Transit Benefit Authority boards across the state to create voting seats for transit riders. The bill came up just ...
www.theurbanist.org
January 11, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Transit will never improve as long as agencies are controlled by boards made up of non-riders.
The core problem with transit governance in America is that it puts the interests of lots of other groups—car drivers, contractors, suppliers, unions—over those of actual and potential riders.
The core problem with transit governance in America is that it puts the interests of lots of other groups—car drivers, contractors, suppliers, unions—over those of actual and potential riders.
Gotta say that the bus speed improvements people are reporting as a result of NY congestion relief tolling are beyond my wildest expectations.
I've always taken a "just separate the buses, don't waste your time trying to remove cars" approach and these results are making me re-evaluate my priors.
I've always taken a "just separate the buses, don't waste your time trying to remove cars" approach and these results are making me re-evaluate my priors.
January 11, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Gotta say that the bus speed improvements people are reporting as a result of NY congestion relief tolling are beyond my wildest expectations.
I've always taken a "just separate the buses, don't waste your time trying to remove cars" approach and these results are making me re-evaluate my priors.
I've always taken a "just separate the buses, don't waste your time trying to remove cars" approach and these results are making me re-evaluate my priors.
Reposted by end bus slowness
🚨 Bus Lane Alert 🚨 (Vancouver, BC)
🎶 Where oh where should the bus lanes be?
🎵 Maybe just maybe on the 99-B 🐝
The BUSIEST section of the BUSIEST bus line in Canada or the US deserves all-day bus lanes! Vancouver is considering a half-baked solution. Lets make them bake the whole cake 🎂
1/10
🎶 Where oh where should the bus lanes be?
🎵 Maybe just maybe on the 99-B 🐝
The BUSIEST section of the BUSIEST bus line in Canada or the US deserves all-day bus lanes! Vancouver is considering a half-baked solution. Lets make them bake the whole cake 🎂
1/10
January 11, 2025 at 2:17 AM
🚨 Bus Lane Alert 🚨 (Vancouver, BC)
🎶 Where oh where should the bus lanes be?
🎵 Maybe just maybe on the 99-B 🐝
The BUSIEST section of the BUSIEST bus line in Canada or the US deserves all-day bus lanes! Vancouver is considering a half-baked solution. Lets make them bake the whole cake 🎂
1/10
🎶 Where oh where should the bus lanes be?
🎵 Maybe just maybe on the 99-B 🐝
The BUSIEST section of the BUSIEST bus line in Canada or the US deserves all-day bus lanes! Vancouver is considering a half-baked solution. Lets make them bake the whole cake 🎂
1/10
Reposted by end bus slowness
1. With cars banned for personal usage, city buses flow not just much faster, but also more smoothly and with higher ride quality, providing service quality comparable to that of the better light rail lines.
January 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
1. With cars banned for personal usage, city buses flow not just much faster, but also more smoothly and with higher ride quality, providing service quality comparable to that of the better light rail lines.
I might have to add “congestion relief pricing” as a 9th tool for making buses faster.
“I see a difference, definitely,” said Tony, who has spent 18 years as a bus operator for the MTA.
“There have been no delays the entire week, and when I look to my left and right down the avenues I can see all the way down – I’ve never seen it like that.” nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/01/10/m...
“There have been no delays the entire week, and when I look to my left and right down the avenues I can see all the way down – I’ve never seen it like that.” nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/01/10/m...
MTA Drivers: Slowest Bus in Manhattan Is Faster Since Congestion Pricing
The slowest bus in Lower Manhattan is moving faster this week since congestion pricing began, bus drivers say.
nyc.streetsblog.org
January 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I might have to add “congestion relief pricing” as a 9th tool for making buses faster.
2️⃣ STRAIGHTER ROUTING
Buses can't make turns fast. It's just how it is.
Outside the bus, bus turns are usually in busy places with lots of peds and bikes. The driver has to have time to see the turn from every angle.
Inside the bus, fast turns throw passengers around, especially in front.
1/2
Buses can't make turns fast. It's just how it is.
Outside the bus, bus turns are usually in busy places with lots of peds and bikes. The driver has to have time to see the turn from every angle.
Inside the bus, fast turns throw passengers around, especially in front.
1/2
January 7, 2025 at 5:05 AM
2️⃣ STRAIGHTER ROUTING
Buses can't make turns fast. It's just how it is.
Outside the bus, bus turns are usually in busy places with lots of peds and bikes. The driver has to have time to see the turn from every angle.
Inside the bus, fast turns throw passengers around, especially in front.
1/2
Buses can't make turns fast. It's just how it is.
Outside the bus, bus turns are usually in busy places with lots of peds and bikes. The driver has to have time to see the turn from every angle.
Inside the bus, fast turns throw passengers around, especially in front.
1/2
Reposted by end bus slowness
Flooding Market Street with cars is bad policy.
✅Buses are up to 4 min faster (an unheard of improvement in transit!)
✅Collisions are down (Market is already one of the most dangerous streets in SF)
Cars won't bring back business, but they will slow down buses and make the street more dangerous
✅Buses are up to 4 min faster (an unheard of improvement in transit!)
✅Collisions are down (Market is already one of the most dangerous streets in SF)
Cars won't bring back business, but they will slow down buses and make the street more dangerous
January 7, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Flooding Market Street with cars is bad policy.
✅Buses are up to 4 min faster (an unheard of improvement in transit!)
✅Collisions are down (Market is already one of the most dangerous streets in SF)
Cars won't bring back business, but they will slow down buses and make the street more dangerous
✅Buses are up to 4 min faster (an unheard of improvement in transit!)
✅Collisions are down (Market is already one of the most dangerous streets in SF)
Cars won't bring back business, but they will slow down buses and make the street more dangerous
Reposted by end bus slowness
Bus Priority lanes will deliver more bus service with the same number of buses and drivers
January 7, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Bus Priority lanes will deliver more bus service with the same number of buses and drivers
Reposted by end bus slowness
I think the current high-end Manhattan version of a bus - limited stops and electrified and with dedicated lanes and running every 5 minutes at peak - is enough of an upgrade over what everybody imagines buses are like that it could win over a lot of well-to-do riders if it becomes more prevalent.
January 7, 2025 at 4:31 AM
I think the current high-end Manhattan version of a bus - limited stops and electrified and with dedicated lanes and running every 5 minutes at peak - is enough of an upgrade over what everybody imagines buses are like that it could win over a lot of well-to-do riders if it becomes more prevalent.
1️⃣ MORE FREQUENCY
Here's why very high bus frequency is so important.
The real frequency isn't what's on the schedule. It's what riders get in the worst case: when a bus gets delayed to bunching, when it breaks, when it disappears. In other words, it's 2x or even 3x the scheduled frequency.
1/2
Here's why very high bus frequency is so important.
The real frequency isn't what's on the schedule. It's what riders get in the worst case: when a bus gets delayed to bunching, when it breaks, when it disappears. In other words, it's 2x or even 3x the scheduled frequency.
1/2
January 6, 2025 at 1:25 AM
1️⃣ MORE FREQUENCY
Here's why very high bus frequency is so important.
The real frequency isn't what's on the schedule. It's what riders get in the worst case: when a bus gets delayed to bunching, when it breaks, when it disappears. In other words, it's 2x or even 3x the scheduled frequency.
1/2
Here's why very high bus frequency is so important.
The real frequency isn't what's on the schedule. It's what riders get in the worst case: when a bus gets delayed to bunching, when it breaks, when it disappears. In other words, it's 2x or even 3x the scheduled frequency.
1/2
Reposted by end bus slowness
Very pleasant take the bus as well
January 6, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Very pleasant take the bus as well
Reposted by end bus slowness
“Why are our buses so slow?”
January 6, 2025 at 12:02 AM
“Why are our buses so slow?”
This is what a magic toll avoidance key looks like. You can find them all over Manhattan for much cheaper than the toll. Stick it to The Man and use one.
January 6, 2025 at 12:13 AM
This is what a magic toll avoidance key looks like. You can find them all over Manhattan for much cheaper than the toll. Stick it to The Man and use one.
Reposted by end bus slowness
Reposted by end bus slowness
Congestion Pricing Program in New York - MTA
congestionreliefzone.mta.info
January 5, 2025 at 5:01 AM
NYC should do whatever it takes, from the congestion charge to hyperactive bus lane enforcement to designing new bus pathways, to get average speed of crosstown buses to 10 mph. It would revolutionize transportation inside Manhattan.
One benefit that has been promised is that traffic below 60th Street will be reduced, which will allow the bus service to meaningfully function as an alternative to the subways. NYC subways are extremely unfriendly to the elderly/disabled, but the buses move at 2 mph cross-town & 5 mph on avenues.
January 4, 2025 at 8:53 PM
NYC should do whatever it takes, from the congestion charge to hyperactive bus lane enforcement to designing new bus pathways, to get average speed of crosstown buses to 10 mph. It would revolutionize transportation inside Manhattan.
No number of billions of dollars will allow everyone traveling inside a city to use taxis. That's just geometric reality which can be understood with a bit of simple arithmetic.
Yet companies and investors keep acting as though they can bend urban space/time.
Yet companies and investors keep acting as though they can bend urban space/time.
Waymo is peak American innovation. With way less money they could have built a reliable public transport network, but instead someone was like "what if we could find a way for empty vehicles to contribute to traffic too? There's no reason we can't have more cars on the road than there are drivers"
January 1, 2025 at 6:33 AM
No number of billions of dollars will allow everyone traveling inside a city to use taxis. That's just geometric reality which can be understood with a bit of simple arithmetic.
Yet companies and investors keep acting as though they can bend urban space/time.
Yet companies and investors keep acting as though they can bend urban space/time.
Does anyone know of a US or Canadian transit agency that has a governing board with a majority of regular transit riders?
I'm not aware of one but I could well be missing something.
I'm not aware of one but I could well be missing something.
December 31, 2024 at 3:37 AM
Does anyone know of a US or Canadian transit agency that has a governing board with a majority of regular transit riders?
I'm not aware of one but I could well be missing something.
I'm not aware of one but I could well be missing something.
New Year’s resolution for every transit agency: plan and design your facilities for the benefit of your own services, not that of your area’s car drivers.
December 30, 2024 at 9:11 PM
New Year’s resolution for every transit agency: plan and design your facilities for the benefit of your own services, not that of your area’s car drivers.
The right atmosphere for any bus stop this time of year.
Some Christmas lights hovering over a Bronx bus in the Heights.
#Photography #NYCBus #Buses #Manhattan #NYC #Christmas
#Photography #NYCBus #Buses #Manhattan #NYC #Christmas
December 29, 2024 at 5:54 AM
The right atmosphere for any bus stop this time of year.
Reposted by end bus slowness
