Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Mamdani to revive Bronx bus lane killed by ex-Mayor Eric Adams
By
Stephen Nessen
Published Feb 13, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Ramsey Khalifeh / Gothamist
By
Stephen Nessen
Published Feb 13, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Friday announced plans to aggressively upend his predecessor’s legacy for killing street redesign projects.
The mayor joined MTA Chair Janno Lieber to unveil a plan to install an offset bus lane — painted in red on the street next to parked cars — along Fordham Road in the Bronx. Ex-Mayor Eric Adams notoriously killed a plan to bring more bus priority to the busy thoroughfare after facing pushback from local businesses and institutions.
Mamdani said he wants the redesign to speed up bus service on the street by 20%. The Bx12 select bus that runs along Fordham Road currently moves at an average pace of 9.2 miles per hour, according to data from the MTA. Under Mamdani’s order, that pace must increase to at least 11 miles per hour.
Transportation Commissioner Michael Flynn said the city is open to a more ambitious redesign if buses on Fordham remain sluggish.
City data shows 130,000 bus riders use four bus routes that run on Fordham Road. Bus ridership in the Bronx fell 33% during Adams' first three years in office.
The Bronx bus route was one of several redesigns announced by Mamdani, who declared last month that he wants to make the city’s streets “the envy of the world.” He also plans to extend a two-way protected bike lane on Ashland Place in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, which abruptly ends and sends cyclists into a two-lane road without a bike lane. Adams declined to add a bike lane there after also facing pushback from nearby businesses. That street is frequently blocked with trucks unloading goods for the local Whole Foods and for the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
He also announced plans to add more bike lanes in East Flatbush, Flatbush and Ditmas Park.
The whole package marks the Mamdani administration's first major push to physically change the city’s transportation network.
Mamdani made the announcement on a bus parked at a Bronx depot, which was outfitted with a podium in the rear.
“ In honor of Valentine's Day, we will show our buses and bikes the love that they deserve as we stand on this bus, not moving that much faster than it would otherwise,” Mamdani said.
The mayor noted that bus speeds on Hillside Avenue in Queens improved 28% after a conversion to an offset bus lane.
“ We expect to see a similar rate of success on Fordham Road,” he said.
Bronx bus riders welcomed Mamdani’s announcement.
“ I think it's very beneficial, especially during rush hour,” said Desean Ming, 29, who rides buses on Fordham Road daily. “It’s almost like a gridlock around the 3 to 5 p.m. hours. I think it'll, I think it'll really help.”
Nicole Pankin, a 50-year-old Bronx resident and special education teacher, hoped Mamdani’s move will speed up her commute. But she remained skeptical that would actually happen.
“ It's been kind of crazy. I don't know, weather-wise or what's going on. But any way that it could be easier for commuters I'm all for it,” Pankin said.
The bus lane isn’t going in overnight. The Mamdani administration said it’s working with the community and hopes to have a more specific plan in the coming months.
Tagged
bronx
new york city
transportation
Stephen Nessen
Stephen Nessen covers transportation. Since 2008 he has reported on everything from Occupy Wall Street, the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site, Hurricane Sandy, to Trump’s campaign for president. His transportation reporting has taken him everywhere from the MTA’s secret Rail Control Center to the gleaming subways of Seoul. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani plans redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue after nurse killed in hit-and-run
Sunset Park residents and street safety advocates have called on city officials to make the avenue safer for years.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Oct 28, 2026 at 4:00 a.m. ET
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
By
Samantha Max
Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations
By
David Brand
1 killed, 4 others injured at Elizabeth, NJ vigil shooting
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .