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Manhattan Community Board Five
Proposed Installation of Seventh Avenue ‘Bus-Only’ Lane
WHEREAS, As part of the Green Light for Broadway Pilot Program, vehicular traffic has been diverted to Seventh Avenue in the Times Square area; and
WHEREAS, More traffic congestion has been experienced during the weekday PM peak from 4:00 to 7:00 between Times Square and Penn Station due to the overall greater motor vehicle volume; and
WHEREAS, As a result of re-routing to the Seventh Avenue corridor, the number of bus lines has doubled from two to four, and the frequency of buses during the weekday PM peak also has doubled from 13 buses/hour to 26 buses/hour, creating higher bus volumes; and
WHEREAS, Heavier pedestrian crossings and more taxi pick-ups/drop-offs also slow traffic during the PM peak on Seventh Avenue; and
WHEREAS, The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) has proposed to create a 'Bus-Only' lane on Seventh Avenue from West 42nd Street to West 23rd Street from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, demarcated by painted 'Bus-Only' word messages on the pavement, 'No Standing' parking regulations signs, hanging signs from signal arms and a solid lane line; and
WHEREAS, Providing buses with a dedicated travel lane during this critical, high-traffic period will allow both buses and other vehicles to move more quickly, as buses will not be weaving in and out of general traffic from bus stops and vehicles will not be permitted to double-park in the lane when designated as 'Bus-Only' from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, The DOT expects that this 'Bus-Only' lane will increase rush hour capacity, shorten travel time south of Times Square and improve transit service during the weekday PM peak; and
WHEREAS, Parking spaces for night life and residents will be maintained at all other hours; and
WHEREAS, There will continue to be abundant commercial loading and usage on the east curb of Seventh Avenue and adjacent side streets; and
WHEREAS, This program will be evaluated by the DOT separately from the Green Light for Broadway Pilot Program; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Community Board Five approves the Seventh Avenue 'Bus-Only' lane as proposed by the DOT.
The above resolution passed with a vote of 32 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstaining.