The city Department of Transportation revealed new details this week about its plan for a center-running bus lane on Flatbush Avenue — one of the busiest corridors in Brooklyn.
Bus riders in that stretch have long complained of extensive wait times, especially in bad weather, with some even reporting they’ve been fired or lost pay because of delays, according to the DOT.
The agency says center-running bus lanes would speed up commute times for the nearly 70,000 daily bus riders by keeping buses moving and cutting down on traffic.
The proposed plan has the lanes running along Flatbush Avenue between Livingston Street and Grand Army Plaza.
The DOT’s plan includes installing concrete bus boarding islands in the street to provide safe spaces for pedestrians to step on and off buses, and wait to cross the street.
Nearly 60% of households who live along Flatbush Avenue do not drive and are low income.
The DOT presented the proposal to Brooklyn Community Board 2 on Thursday, and says they plan on continuing to talk with residents and commuters to get more feedback in the weeks ahead.
Some of the New Yorkers NY1 spoke with supported the plan but others were skeptical it would improve the current traffic conditions.
The DOT says the bus lanes would also improve air quality and safety on one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous corridors.
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