New York City's Bus Riders Finally Get a Seat: But At What Cost?
Mayor Eric Adams' administration has announced plans to install a seat at every bus stop in the city, giving commuters a much-needed place to rest while they wait for what often seems like an eternity. The proposal, which was made by Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, aims to add 875 benches at bus stops each year through 2035, eventually bringing seating to all 14,000 stops.
While some may see this as a win for the city's bus riders, others are questioning the true cost of these amenities. The $40 million plan includes benches with armrests designed to prevent people from laying down across them, in an effort to curb homelessness. However, critics argue that this is a misguided attempt to sweep away the root causes of homelessness.
"This is not a privilege," Rodriguez said. "This is a human right." He emphasized that addressing these small details can make a significant difference in people's lives. But what about those who are unable to access a seat? Will they be forced to wait even longer, or will alternative solutions be provided?
The bus situation in New York City remains one of the worst in the nation. Mayor Adams has repeatedly delayed or blocked bus lane projects aimed at speeding up service. The city is also responsible for maintaining traffic patterns that slow down buses.
As the administration moves forward with its plan to install seats, many are left wondering if it's a step in the right direction. While providing benches may alleviate some of the discomfort experienced by commuters, addressing the underlying issues that contribute to bus delays remains an ongoing challenge.
Mayor Eric Adams' administration has announced plans to install a seat at every bus stop in the city, giving commuters a much-needed place to rest while they wait for what often seems like an eternity. The proposal, which was made by Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, aims to add 875 benches at bus stops each year through 2035, eventually bringing seating to all 14,000 stops.
While some may see this as a win for the city's bus riders, others are questioning the true cost of these amenities. The $40 million plan includes benches with armrests designed to prevent people from laying down across them, in an effort to curb homelessness. However, critics argue that this is a misguided attempt to sweep away the root causes of homelessness.
"This is not a privilege," Rodriguez said. "This is a human right." He emphasized that addressing these small details can make a significant difference in people's lives. But what about those who are unable to access a seat? Will they be forced to wait even longer, or will alternative solutions be provided?
The bus situation in New York City remains one of the worst in the nation. Mayor Adams has repeatedly delayed or blocked bus lane projects aimed at speeding up service. The city is also responsible for maintaining traffic patterns that slow down buses.
As the administration moves forward with its plan to install seats, many are left wondering if it's a step in the right direction. While providing benches may alleviate some of the discomfort experienced by commuters, addressing the underlying issues that contribute to bus delays remains an ongoing challenge.
. And what's up with the armrests? Trying to keep people from sleeping? Isn't that just gonna push homeless folks around? 
They're already struggling to get by, now they gotta wait even longer for buses and maybe end up on the streets again.
. And what's with all these new tech things and gadgets? Can't we just fix the basics first?
, but like, have we considered the whole homelessness thing? 
It's one thing to help people sit comfortably while they're waiting, but is it really addressing the root cause of the problem? 
And what about those who can't afford the $40 million or don't have access to these seats? Like, won't they be stuck waiting even longer? 
And honestly, I think the whole armrest thing is just a band-aid solution 
... maybe we should be focusing on fixing the traffic patterns that make buses slow in the first place 
I mean, who doesn't love sitting down for like 10 minutes while waiting for their bus? But seriously though, it's crazy how some people think adding seats is gonna solve everything 
$40 million is a lil steep for me tho 
I mean, who doesn't love a comfy seat while waiting for their bus? But at what cost tho... is 40 million bucks really worth it? Interesting 
but is it just a Band Aid solution? People keep saying homelessness is a bigger issue and they're right, but this seems like a small step. What's the alternative solution for people who can't get a seat tho? 
. What about people who can't sit down, gotta wait even longer?! 
... I mean, who doesn't love having a place to sit while they're waiting for the bus? But at the same time, I'm worried about those people who can't get on a seat 
. What about the ones who don't have a way to pay for it or have mobility issues? It's not like just throwing money at the problem is gonna fix everything 
I think this is a good start but we need to go deeper than just adding seats 
I gotta say, I think installing seats at every bus stop is a solid move. It's about time our city prioritized comfort for its riders 
. The idea of armrests designed to prevent people from laying down sounds like a win-win. No more sleeping on the job (or waiting for the bus) 
. What if they provided alternatives for those who can't access seats? Maybe pop-up shelters or community centers near bus stops? That way, everyone wins 
. The city needs to think outside the box (or bus stop) when it comes to solving our transportation woes 
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. And also, what about all the other things that are slowing down buses? Like traffic patterns and stuff... seems like we should be working on those problems too 
... on one hand its amazing that ppl who rely on buses will finally get a seat to rest in 
. We gotta make sure that everyone has an equal chance to get where they need to go, not just sit on a bench and wait 
. They're installing seats at every bus stop, but what about those who can't even get a seat? It's all just a ruse to make them feel like they have a chance, while the real issue of homelessness and poverty remains untouched. And have you seen those benches with armrests? Like, what's next? Mandatory meditation sessions on every bus stop?