NYC Shelves Bronx Busway — But Transit Solutions Still Evolving
NYC scraps Tremont Avenue busway plan, leaving 34,000 daily BX36 riders with delays
NYC Cancels Tremont Avenue Busway for 34,000 Riders
New York City's shelved plans for a Tremont Avenue busway leave 34,000 daily BX36 riders without relief from traffic delays and bus bunching. The Department of Transportation canceled the dedicated bus lane project that would've run between Third Avenue and Southern Boulevard in the Bronx, transit officials confirmed. Officials haven't disclosed why the project was shelved or whether alternative solutions are being considered.
Traffic Congestion Plagues Bronx Corridor
The Tremont Avenue corridor has long struggled with severe traffic congestion that causes significant delays for bus riders, according to the transit agency. Riders consistently experience bus bunching, where multiple buses arrive simultaneously after long service gaps, making travel times unpredictable. Busways are dedicated lanes where only buses and authorized vehicles can travel, designed to improve speed and reliability by reducing conflicts with general traffic. The reasons for shelving the project haven't been publicly disclosed by city officials.
Project Details Remain Unclear
Officials outlined the proposed busway's route along Tremont Avenue but didn't provide cost estimates or implementation timelines before canceling the project. The timeline of the project's planning and cancellation remains unclear, with neither the Department of Transportation nor the MTA issuing a public statement about the decision. NYC currently operates 14 busways across the city, making the Tremont Avenue cancellation notable as a departure from the network's expansion trend. The role of community feedback in the decision to shelve the project is unknown.
No Timeline for Alternative Solutions
City officials haven't announced alternative plans to address transit challenges on Tremont Avenue, leaving riders uncertain about future improvements. The decision was reported in late August 2025, though the specific announcement date wasn't provided by the agency. Transit agencies typically review service levels and infrastructure needs quarterly, but whether any such review is planned for the Tremont corridor wasn't disclosed.
Riders Face Continued Delays
The 34,000 daily BX36 riders will continue facing extended wait times and traffic-related delays without dedicated bus infrastructure on Tremont Avenue. Commuters can track real-time bus locations and delays through Moovit, which provides updates for all NYC bus routes including the BX36. Officials haven't said when or if they'll revisit transit improvements for this busy Bronx corridor.
