Hundreds of bus riders in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan are calling on Mayor Eric Adams to implement a busway on Fordham Road. A letter organized by the Riders Alliance and signed by 540 commuters demands the construction of a busway on Fordham Road to address slow and congested bus service. The area sees about 85,000 daily commuters, making it one of the busiest transit corridors in the city.
The city’s Department of Transportation had planned to build a busway on Fordham Road but backed off after objections from local politicians and businesses. However, supporters argue that the majority of visitors to the area arrive by foot or public transit, not by car. The letter highlights the consequences of inaction, with bus speeds on the Bx12 bus averaging just 9.4 miles per hour despite repainting existing bus lanes last year.
Mayor Adams has faced criticism for reversing decisions on bus and bike lane projects, with advocates accusing him of bowing to pressure from local business interests. The administration has also failed to meet legal mandates to build new bus and bike lanes across the city.
With turmoil at City Hall due to investigations into the administration and the mayor facing federal indictment, advocates see an opportunity to push for stalled street projects to be completed. Recent decisions to restore controversial bike lane projects indicate a shift in the administration’s approach. The signatories of the letter are hoping that their voices will be heard and that Fordham Road will finally get the busway it desperately needs to improve transit efficiency in the area.
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