New Report Presents Transportation Plan for New York City’s Future

Nicole Gelinas outlines areas the next mayor can build upon to increase public transportation ridership

New York, NY — A year into the COVID-19 pandemic subway, bus, and commuter-rail ridership remain at near record lows. Though it’s possible commuting and other travel will not return to 2019 norms for some time to come, the next mayor should work to increase ridership by alleviating fears for public health and making our current systems more safe and user friendly. Fortunately, the city can build upon the pre-pandemic successes which were the result of decades of investment in public transit. A new Manhattan Institute (MI) report by senior fellow Nicole Gelinas outlines improvements that can be made to previous progress and suggests additional areas for growth.  

Among the report’s recommendations are:   

• Rebuild confidence in mass transit;

• Manage motor vehicles by monetizing the streets;

• Build better bus infrastructure;

• Create safer spaces for cyclists and pedestrians;

• Rethink highway usage especially for trucks;

• Re-establish 24-hour subway service;

• Adjust enforcement tasks between civilian agencies and NYPD.   

Though the mayor does not control the MTA, de Blasio’s successor should take action in the areas the mayor does oversee. Recovery from the pandemic presents an opportunity for the next mayor to continue building out bus and bike lanes more efficiently and effectively and to consider new approaches and more enforcement when it comes to pricing of valuable street space and traffic laws. But the single biggest goal for the new mayor should be keeping the transit system running at full capacity.  

About New York City: Reborn 

New York City: Reborn is a Manhattan Institute project that encompasses research, journalism, and event programming. Through this initiative, the institute convenes business, civic, academic, and civil-society leaders from around the city with MI scholars to discuss issues key to the city’s recovery. Post-coronavirus, MI envisions a growing New York City with a thriving economy, healthy finances, accessible housing, effective infrastructure, flourishing education, safe streets, and increasing competitiveness. New York City: Reborn will help turn that vision into reality. Click here to learn more. 

Click here to read the full report.