Buses line up along Archer Avenue in Jamaica (Google Maps)
May 11, 2021 By Allie Griffin
The city will create two new busways in Queens, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) will construct a busway along Jamaica Avenue and another on Archer Avenue by the end of the year.
The two busways will be in place for at least one year as part of a pilot program. De Blasio didn’t reveal how long each busway would be nor where they would be installed.
The DOT aims to speed up bus service by putting down the busways, which typically involves banning cars.
Under the layout, only buses, trucks, and emergency vehicles can travel along a busway. Passenger vehicles are only permitted to use the busways for garage access and for pick-up or drop-off.
Most recently, the DOT created a busway along Main Street in Flushing. The DOT says that buses along the route are 29 percent faster during evening rush hours since the busways were installed.
However, a coalition of local business leaders remain opposed to the Main Street busway — arguing that people who drive no longer want to shop in the area. The Main Street busway is also a one-year pilot program.
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