NYC Extends Madison Bus Lanes for Faster Trips

NYC extends Madison Avenue bus lanes to 23rd Street, benefiting 100,000 daily riders

Madison Avenue Adds Bus Lanes to East 23rd Street

Nearly 100,000 weekday bus riders will see faster trips as New York City extends double bus lanes on Madison Avenue from East 42nd Street down to East 23rd Street, officials said. The Department of Transportation began construction on the project, which was originally proposed last year but delayed. DOT expects to complete the work over the next few weeks, weather permitting.

Context

Madison Avenue currently has two bus lanes between East 60th and East 42nd streets serving 34 local and express bus routes, but these lanes don't extend below East 42nd Street. The gap forces buses to merge into mixed traffic, slowing speeds for riders from all five boroughs who use the corridor. Once complete, the avenue will feature two bus lanes and a travel lane between East 42nd and East 23rd streets. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the administration is choosing to build a city that works for the many, not the few.

Speed Improvements Expected

A previous double bus lane redesign along Fifth Avenue showed local bus speeds improved between 6% and 12%, while express bus speeds improved between 11% and 20%, according to DOT data. DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn emphasized that the slow pace of buses steals precious time from working New Yorkers that could be spent with their families and friends. The Madison Avenue extension is expected to deliver similar speed gains for the 34 routes that use the corridor. Officials didn't provide specific projections for how much time riders will save on individual trips.

Construction Timeline

The project was originally proposed last year with plans to start construction then, but it was put on pause, delaying critical improvements for transit riders. Construction has now begun, with DOT expecting to finish over the next few weeks. Officials said weather conditions could affect the timeline but didn't specify an exact completion date.

Rider Impact

The extension will provide more consistent bus speeds for commuters traveling through Midtown Manhattan, particularly during peak hours when traffic congestion typically slows buses to a crawl. Riders should expect some temporary disruptions during construction but can anticipate faster, more reliable service once the lanes are operational. Moovit provides real-time updates for Madison Avenue bus routes, helping riders plan trips and track buses during the construction period.