#BetterBuses are the vehicle to a more just, inclusive, and sustainable city.

What we’re fighting for

We’re fighting for fast, reliable, and convenient bus service that meets the needs of all riders, particularly those who live in areas with poor subway access. We have some key victories under our belt; now it’s time to build on those and ensure that bus riders are a priority on every busy street.

We pushed the Mayor to build a record amount of busways and bus lanes and secured commitments from DOT and MTA to implement features that make riding the bus more convenient, reliable, and comfortable for riders, such as bus shelters, countdown clocks, and all-door boarding. Our #BetterBuses campaign is working to make sure that these commitments are delivered equitably and quickly to best serve bus riders, particularly outer borough riders who rely most on buses. 

Why it matters

New York City buses are the slowest in the nation — you can check out your bus’s report card to see how it stacks up citywide. For many riders, this means spending far too much time waiting for the bus, commuting to work, taking their kids to school, and more. Spotty service also means that sometimes bus riders simply can’t get to where they’re going. This is especially true for bus riders who live outside more central or wealthy areas of the city, which lack subway access, and disproportionately experience long rides and unreliable commutes. Read stories we collected from 50 NYC bus riders in Bus Rider Blues.

Slow buses are not just a matter of convenience — they’re a matter of racial justice and transit equity. Bus riders are primarily from working-class communities of color. They have an average income of less than $30,000 a year, 55% are immigrants, and 40% of essential workers ride the bus. From the lack of sheltered waiting areas at bus stops (in comparison to comfortable waiting environments at commuter rail stations), to the antiquated bus routes that still follow old trolley paths and haven’t been updated for speedier, more efficient service, the legacy of racism in public transit is real. The result is stark inequity between local bus services used primarily by Black and brown city residents and other modes of transit, especially the rail services used primarily by white, 9-to-5 office workers shuttling in from the suburbs, to say nothing of highway users.

The fixes are not difficult. While not every part of the city is easily accessible by subway, buses can reach nearly every block, and busways can cost as little as a can of red paint. Faster and more reliable bus service would mean that no job, school, or doctor’s office would be out of reach. Riders in every borough and neighborhood deserve access to work, education, and healthcare - without the wait.

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