NEW YORK, NY – On Day 44 of his administration, Zohran Mamdani moved to revive several long-delayed street redesign projects across the Bronx and Brooklyn, signaling an early commitment to faster buses, safer bike lanes, and expanded transit equity.
Standing at a Bronx bus depot alongside New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynnand Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, Mamdani announced that four transportation projects shelved under the prior administration will now move forward.
Fordham Road Bus Lanes Return
At the heart of the announcement is Fordham Road in the Bronx, the borough’s busiest bus corridor, serving roughly 130,000 daily riders. Bus speeds there can crawl to nearly four miles per hour during peak congestion.
The city plans to install offset bus lanes, dedicated lanes positioned away from the curb, to reduce conflicts with parked and turning vehicles. Mamdani set a clear benchmark: increase bus speeds on priority corridors by at least 20%.
“Our goal is outcomes,” the mayor said. “A 20% increase in bus speeds is the North Star.”
Similar redesigns in Queens have reportedly boosted bus speeds by as much as 28%, and city officials say they will closely monitor performance and make adjustments if targets are not met.
The previous administration had scrapped a planned busway on Fordham Road after opposition from business owners and local officials. Flynn emphasized that the current administration would not allow political pressure to override public safety or data-backed street improvements.
Brooklyn Projects Back on Track
In Brooklyn, the administration will restart a long-delayed redesign of Ashland Place, transforming the block between Hanson Place and Lafayette Avenue into a shared street with expanded pedestrian space and a two-way protected bike lane. Officials describe it as the final missing link in a continuous north–south protected cycling corridor stretching from Sunset Park to Dumbo, with future connections toward Greenpoint and Queens.
Additional protected bike lanes are planned along Brooklyn and Kingston Avenues in central Brooklyn, an area near 10 schools that has experienced high rates of traffic injuries. The design includes a protected loop around a nearby park and new conventional bike lanes on adjacent streets.
A fourth initiative will expand cycling infrastructure across Midwood, Flatbush, and East Flatbush, creating a network of 16 protected and conventional corridors once completed.
For many residents in working-class neighborhoods without direct subway access, buses and bicycles are essential.
“For millions who live in neighborhoods without subway access, buses and bikes are how they get where they need to go,” Mamdani said.
Lieber underscored the MTA’s reliance on street-level improvements to improve service. “The buses can only move as fast as street conditions allow,” he said, welcoming the renewed focus on bus-priority corridors.
Free Buses Still Under Discussion
Mamdani reiterated his long-term goal of making buses fare-free but acknowledged that such a program would require replacement revenue and coordination with state lawmakers. For now, the administration is prioritizing speed and reliability improvements while continuing fiscal negotiations in Albany.
Budget Battle: Tax the Rich or Cut Spending?
The transit announcement comes amid a broader fiscal debate. The Citizens Budget Commission, a nonpartisan policy group, sent a letter urging the mayor to reconsider his call for higher taxes on corporations and high-income earners.
Mamdani has proposed a 2% personal income tax increase on the city’s wealthiest residents and a corporate tax hike to help close a projected $7 billion deficit over the next two years. The commission argued that the city’s financial strain stems more from spending growth than insufficient revenue, warning that additional taxes could weaken New York’s competitiveness.
The group recommended operational reforms, tighter overtime controls, improved efficiency, and technology-driven productivity gains instead of new taxes. It also called for clearer performance metrics, streamlined staffing, and better capital planning to reduce long-term debt burdens.
Despite pushback, including resistance from Kathy Hochul, Mamdani has remained firm in advocating for progressive tax measures, even as he reportedly seeks to preserve a cooperative working relationship with the governor to advance other priorities such as universal child care.
A Defining Early Test
As his first 100 days unfold, Mamdani’s revival of transit projects signals a break from the past and a willingness to accelerate long-stalled infrastructure plans. Whether the administration can deliver measurable improvements in bus speeds and street safety, while navigating Albany politics and budget constraints, may define the trajectory of his first year in office.
For now, the message from City Hall is clear: move faster, build safer, and measure the results.
By The Midtown Times Staff
February 14, 2026
