A Proposal for Investing in Bronx Bus Riders

The Bus Turnaround Coalition is encouraged by the MTA’s recent openness to investing more resources in the Bronx Bus Network, as part of the overall network redesign process. We would like to submit the following proposals as critical investments the MTA could make to improve the bus rides and lives of 650,000 daily Bronx riders.

Frequency: Increase the frequency of East-West buses in the Bronx

Increased operational revenue and savings achieved through efficiencies in redesigning the Bronx bus network should go toward greater off-peak, overnight, and weekend frequency on major East-West routes with 10,000 or more daily rides.

Examples of current high ridership and high frequency routes are the Bx36, Bx6 SBS/local, and Bx12.

• Expand peak hours start earlier in the morning and end later in the evening.
• All current and future East-West routes with 10,000 or more riders should have;
  ○ 3–5 minute peak hour frequencies,
  ○ 6–8 minute midday frequencies,
  ○ 20 minute overnight frequencies, and
  ○ 6–8 minute weekend frequencies
• All local bus routes should have frequencies under 30 minutes during peak and midday hours

Stop spacing: Increase the distance between stops

Bus stop consolidation should be more substantial

• No pair of bus stops should be less than 500 feet apart
• On each route with more than 10,000 daily trips, average stop spacing should be 1,300 feet
• MTA and the DOT should coordinate to ensure that remaining stops are equipped with amenities like shelters, benches, bus maps for wayfinding and countdown clocks.

Optimizing Routes: Combine duplicative routes and increase their frequency

More can be done to simplify certain routes, creating a more efficient network

• We strongly support optimization of the Bx7/Bx10/Bx20 routes in Riverdale, with cost savings redirected to additional frequency elsewhere in the network. We urge the MTA to identify other route optimizations that can open up resources for the service additions we’re seeking
• Routes that are duplicative should be combined and frequency on those routes should be doubled to 3–5 minutes during peak hours and 6–8 during midday

New routes: Create new routes connecting residents to jobs inside and outside of the Bronx

Cost savings from optimization should also be channeled to the creation of new routes that serve current and developing employment centers providing 9,000 or greater jobs per square mile. Strong contenders for new routes include:

• A connection from the Bronx to LGA airport using the Whitestone Bridge,
• A North-South route to Hunts Point,
• A West-East route to Co-Op City,
• North-South route into Mott Haven.