NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul are cooperating on an ambitious plan to improve bus service across the city.
Some of the goals have already been laid out — to increase speeds by 20 percent on priority routes across the city — but the 51-page report titled “Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service” details commitments from both the city and state — a feat of cooperation among the often sparring entities. The plans include dedicated and protected bus lanes, better traffic signals, speedier boarding through all doors with tap-and-pay fares and expanded enforcement to keep other vehicles out of the way of buses.
Mamdani was elected on a campaign promising free, fast buses, but he only has so much power over the bus system, which is run out of Albany. This year, he couldn’t get the money to eliminate fares. But the report shows that — at least when it comes to faster buses — top state and city officials want to be on the same page.
“Buses will run faster. Buses will run better,” the mayor wrote, hailing a “historic partnership” with Albany.
