How NYC Open Data Guided a Review of Initiatives to Improve Bus Speeds in New York City

Buses are the second-most important mode of transportation for New Yorkers and visitors alike, serving over 1.4 million riders daily. Yet, to no one’s surprise, they can be frustratingly slow. Traffic congestion, construction detours, double-parked vehicles, and limited dedicated infrastructure all contribute to sluggish bus speeds. In early 2025, the New York City Independent Budget Office (IBO) released a report analyzing city and state initiatives aimed at improving bus speeds, including one of the most ambitious efforts—the New York City Streets Plan. Enacted in 2019 through City Council legislation, the plan legally requires the NYC Department of Transportation to expand the city’s bus lane network, with a goal of building over 150 miles of protected bus lanes by 2026.

In this presentation, IBO budget and policy analyst Jan Mendez will guide attendees through some of the report’s biggest findings, including how New York City bus speeds compare to other major cities across the United States, bus ridership trends, a historical analysis of bus speeds across the five boroughs, the impact of funding and staffing challenges on implementation of the New York City Streets Plan, and more! We’ll also explore an interactive map with data on all New York City bus lanes, available to the public and created by the Independent Budget Office.

The New York City Independent Budget Office provides impartial, nonpartisan information and analysis of the NYC budget, and conducts policy research and analysis, particularly on aspects of City government with notable fiscal and direct human impacts on New Yorkers. If you’re interested in a complex and analytical discussion on bus speeds and bus service, or in transportation issues in general, we invite you to attend!