New York City will restrict most cars on a key stretch of East Tremont Avenue so 39,000 daily bus riders can travel faster, igniting a fresh fight over who the streets are really built to serve.
Story Highlights
- City launches the Bronx’s first busway to speed Bx36 buses for about 39,000 daily riders.
- Private cars get local access only during busway hours and must turn off at the next right.
- Officials cite big gains from prior busways; critics fear confusion, diverted traffic, and weak enforcement.
- Project was delayed, then revived, showing how politics, not people’s needs, can drive timelines.
What the City Will Change on East Tremont Avenue
City Hall says the Tremont Avenue busway will give buses and trucks priority most of the day, with private cars limited to local access. The plan aims to raise bus speeds and reliability for about 39,000 daily riders on the Bx36 route. Officials say the redesign will also improve safety for people walking and biking. The city’s release frames the corridor as a top priority and promises future upgrades as part of a wider transit push.
The Department of Transportation describes a two-part layout. An eastbound busway will run from Third Avenue to Southern Boulevard. A westbound busway will run from Southern Boulevard to Belmont Avenue. The city also points to a short “gateway” segment near Webster Avenue that uses an offset bus lane. The agency says the setup preserves local access to every block for pick-ups, drop-offs, loading, and on-street parking on the shorter westbound segment.
How Access and Enforcement Will Work
During busway hours, buses and trucks can travel through, while most other vehicles can enter only to reach a local destination. Drivers must then turn off at the next available right. The city indicates the restrictions run daily from early morning to evening. That structure is designed to stop through-driving and keep buses moving. It also puts pressure on enforcement to be steady and fair so rules are clear and consistent for everyone.
Officials promote a simple tradeoff: fewer cars using the corridor end to end means more reliable service for riders. They point to results from earlier New York busways, which the city says raised bus speeds by as much as 60 percent and cut injuries for people walking and biking. Those claims help explain why supporters see this as a win for safety and time savings. But opponents counter that promised gains may not match daily reality on this street.
Why Many Drivers and Merchants Are Pushing Back
Opponents argue the plan will sideline drivers, confuse deliveries, and push traffic onto nearby blocks. They say the design favors one group while shifting the costs to others. The public record here does not show a corridor-level study of business impacts. It also does not include a detailed diversion analysis for side streets. That gap gives critics room to ask how small shops and nearby residents will handle new patterns and delayed trips.
Enforcement raises more concern. The plan counts on camera tickets and police to keep cars out during set hours. Residents who have watched weak bus lane rules elsewhere worry the rollout will be uneven. Uneven rules can feel like another case where regular people get mixed signals while city hall moves on. Clear timelines for ticket data and compliance reports could help people track whether the rules are fair and actually working.
A Long, Political Road to Launch
The project’s path shows why many feel the system serves itself first. City leaders shelved the busway before, then brought it back later. That whiplash points to political timing more than steady problem-solving. Coverage in 2025 described the plan as stalled at City Hall. A year later, the Mayor’s Office and major outlets said it was advancing again, with construction starting and a launch date coming into view.
Across New York City, busways have increased bus speeds by up to 60% and reduced pedestrian and cyclist injuries by up to 45%.
In just a few weeks, the Bronx will get its first busway on Tremont Avenue. pic.twitter.com/35XbhEk01X
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) August 12, 2026
For riders, faster trips are a daily need, not a talking point. For drivers and shop owners, access is the same. Both sides see a city that often moves the goalposts. The cleanest next steps are practical: publish traffic diversion estimates, release early enforcement numbers, and run a before-and-after check on delivery times and sales on the corridor. Transparent facts can calm the noise and show whether the busway keeps its promises.
What This Fight Says About Trust in Government
New Yorkers know the pattern: leaders announce a fix, delay it, rebrand it, then rush it out. People on the left and right see elites calling the shots while everyday users of the street adjust on the fly. This busway could deliver real wins if buses move faster and streets feel safer. It could also fuel more anger if side streets clog and enforcement turns arbitrary. Straight answers and public scorecards will decide which story sticks.
Sources:
nypost.com, nyc.gov, gothamist.com, facebook.com, bronx.news12.com, amny.com
