MTA: Bus ridership is down except along 14th Street

NEW YORK - When it comes to public transit, many New Yorkers are beginning to steer clear of the city's bus system. Ridership decreased for the sixth-straight year in 2019, hitting its lowest level in two decades, according to MTA statistics.

But it is a whole different story along 14th Street in Manhattan where ridership has increased by 19% on weekdays and up to 25% during the morning rush. Travel times have also dropped by 36%.

Why? The city partially banned cars on 14th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The street is known as a "busway." And transit advocates are pushing for more busway projects across the city.

The MTA has been working to combat declining ridership by redesigning bus routes across the boroughs, introducing all-door boarding and a convenient tap-and-go fare payment system.