NYC Buses Improve Where Congestion Pricing Takes Hold
56% of NYC bus lines receive D or F grades, but congestion pricing zone sees improvement
NYC Bus Lines Get Failing Grades in New Report
More than half of New York City's bus lines are failing to meet performance standards, according to a new analysis released Thursday. NYC Comptroller Brad Lander's report found 56% of city bus lines received D or F grades, while only 8% earned a B or higher. The findings highlight persistent reliability challenges across the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's bus network, which serves millions of riders daily across all five boroughs.
Congestion Pricing Shows Measurable Impact
The report revealed a bright spot for Manhattan riders: buses operating in the congestion pricing zone are performing significantly better since the program launched in January. The 106 bus lines that travel through Manhattan's congestion zone—the area south of 60th Street where vehicles pay tolls—saw reliability improve by more than 9 percentage points, Lander said. Express buses showed the most dramatic gains in on-time performance. 'The data shows that congestion pricing is having a measurable impact on bus reliability within the congestion zone,' Lander told reporters Thursday.
Grading Methodology and System-Wide Challenges
The Comptroller's office analyzed bus lines across all five boroughs using performance metrics, though specific grading criteria weren't detailed in available materials. The report didn't publicly identify which specific routes received particular grades. The 56% failure rate underscores long-standing issues with NYC bus service, which has historically struggled with slow speeds and unreliable schedules. Bus speeds in Manhattan averaged around 7-8 mph in 2024, among the slowest in the nation, according to MTA data.
Context Behind the Numbers
Manhattan's congestion pricing program, which began January 5, charges vehicles $9 to $23 depending on type and time of day to enter below 60th Street. It's the first such program in the United States. The toll system aims to reduce traffic congestion while generating revenue for transit improvements. Similar programs in London and Singapore have shown comparable benefits for bus reliability, with London seeing approximately 6% faster bus speeds after implementing congestion charging in 2003.
What Riders Need to Know
The mixed results suggest riders can expect more reliable service on routes that travel through Manhattan's congestion zone, particularly express buses. However, the majority of city bus lines continue to face performance challenges. The MTA hadn't issued a public response to the report at time of publication. Riders can track real-time bus performance and get service updates through Moovit, which provides current arrival times and route information for all NYC bus lines.
