New York City is moving forward with a major public transportation improvement in the Bronx as the city prepares to launch its first dedicated busway along Tremont Avenue. The project is designed to make bus service faster and more reliable for thousands of daily riders while improving pedestrian safety along the corridor.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) is working with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on the project. The Tremont Avenue busway is part of a broader effort involving the city and state to improve service across 175 bus routes.

Tremont Avenue Busway Expected to Improve Bus Travel

The dedicated busway is scheduled to begin operating on September 19. Between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. each day, general traffic will be restricted along the designated corridor.

According to the city, only buses, trucks with more than six wheels, Access-A-Ride vans, emergency vehicles and bicycles will be permitted to use the busway during those hours. The restrictions are intended to give buses a clearer path through one of the Bronx’s important crosstown corridors.

The Bx36 currently moves at less than 5 mph during rush hour along portions of the corridor, making congestion a significant challenge for commuters. By giving buses dedicated road space, the project aims to reduce delays and create more predictable travel times.

Thousands of Bronx Riders Could Benefit

Faster service could make it easier for residents to reach work, appointments, schools, businesses and other destinations throughout the borough. As transportation continues to shape how residents and visitors move around New York, major travel developments are also influencing the city’s broader mobility landscape, including the planned return of Disney Cruise Line to New York City.

The improved corridor is also expected to strengthen connections between local bus service and several major subway lines, including the 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, A, B and D trains. Connections to Metro-North Railroad and other bus routes could further improve transportation options for Bronx residents.

For communities that depend heavily on public transportation, reducing delays on a major crosstown route can have an impact beyond individual trips. More reliable buses can help commuters better plan their schedules and make transfers between different transportation services easier.

Pedestrian Safety Is Also a Key Part of the Project

The Tremont Avenue improvements are not limited to bus operations. The city also plans to add painted sidewalk extensions designed to shorten pedestrian crossing distances.

These changes are intended to encourage slower vehicle turns and create safer conditions for people walking along and across the corridor. Combining transit improvements with pedestrian-focused street design reflects a broader effort to make busy New York City streets safer and more accessible.

A Project That Was Previously Delayed

The Tremont Avenue busway has been under consideration for several years. According to city officials, the project had been prepared for a February 2025 launch but was canceled by the previous administration.

Its revival represents a renewed focus on improving bus transportation in the Bronx. City transportation officials have described the project as an important step toward upgrading a critical crosstown route and developing Tremont Avenue into a stronger rapid-transit corridor.

The project also fits into a larger city-state partnership focused on improving bus service throughout New York City. Rather than relying solely on subway expansions, dedicated bus infrastructure can provide a relatively direct way to improve mobility on streets where buses already carry large numbers of passengers.

What the Tremont Avenue Busway Could Mean for the Bronx

The success of the project will depend on how effectively the dedicated lanes operate once restrictions take effect. Enforcement, traffic patterns, pedestrian behavior and bus operations will all influence the corridor’s performance.

Still, the planned busway represents a significant change for Tremont Avenue. By prioritizing buses during the busiest daytime hours and incorporating pedestrian safety improvements, the project aims to address both transportation efficiency and street safety.

For Bronx residents and commuters, the September launch will provide an opportunity to see whether dedicated road space can deliver meaningful improvements to one of the borough’s busiest bus corridors.

Conclusion

The Tremont Avenue busway marks a significant investment in Bronx transportation infrastructure. With approximately 39,000 daily riders expected to benefit, the project is intended to reduce bus delays, improve connections to subway and commuter rail services, and make pedestrian crossings safer.

As New York City continues looking for ways to improve public transportation, the Tremont Avenue project could serve as an important example of how dedicated bus infrastructure can reshape a busy urban corridor. Its performance after the September launch will likely influence future discussions about busways and transit improvements across the city.

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