Broadway Bus Lane Improves LaGuardia Commuter Experience, But Gaps Remain

The introduction of a dedicated bus lane along a key stretch of Broadway in Queens, New York City, is demonstrating positive impacts on journey times for the Q70 LaGuardia Flyer, a crucial service for thousands of daily commuters and travellers. The initiative, part of the city’s broader transit improvement plan, aims to alleviate chronic delays that have plagued the route, particularly for buses travelling between the 74th Street/Roosevelt Avenue transit hub and LaGuardia Airport.

Initial Successes on Broadway

Prior to the implementation of the bus lane in June, the Q70 bus frequently became stuck on a three-block section of Broadway between the Roosevelt Avenue station and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). During evening rush hours, buses were recorded moving as slowly as 2.7 miles per hour. The new infrastructure, which includes a red-painted, offset centre bus lane, has markedly improved the situation for buses travelling from LaGuardia Airport towards the transit hub.

Streetsblog NYC’s initial observations indicate that the Q70 bus now moves more freely along this segment of Broadway. The bus lane, covering predominantly residential blocks, has reduced the impact of general traffic congestion. The only noted disruption in this direction has been occasional mid-block pedestrian crossings.

The $160 million effort, a collaboration between the MTA and the city Department of Transportation, also incorporated traffic signal prioritization for Q70 buses on Roosevelt Avenue and Broadway, further contributing to reduced travel times. This investment seeks to benefit both tourists heading to LaGuardia and the numerous individuals who work at the airport.

Persistent Challenges on Roosevelt Avenue and Inbound

Despite the successes on Broadway, the bus lane’s effectiveness is diminished where it abruptly ends on Roosevelt Avenue. Here, the Q70 bus faces renewed delays due to pedestrian activity, taxis loitering for fares, and double-parked vehicles. The Q32 bus also shares this section, stopping midway through the block and adding to congestion. Extending the dedicated bus lane onto this short stretch of Roosevelt Avenue is suggested as a key improvement.

Furthermore, the bus lane’s protections are not mirrored in the westbound direction, towards LaGuardia Airport. After picking up passengers at the 74th Street-Roosevelt Avenue hub, Q70 buses turn right onto Broadway and often face significant delays due to taxis obstructing the path. While taxis are permitted to pick up passengers in the area, they are not supposed to occupy bus lanes or bus loading zones, or obstruct traffic flow, a rule that appears to be inconsistently enforced.

Beyond the taxi congestion, inbound Q70 buses encounter further traffic backups at the Roosevelt Avenue stop light. While traffic conditions can vary, the stretch past this intersection towards the BQE and then to the airport is generally smoother, with occasional issues from traffic or double-parked cars.

Commuter Feedback

Despite the operational shortcomings, passengers using the Q70 service have expressed general satisfaction. Ed Quinn, an East Village resident and frequent flyer, described the service as “great” and “efficient for the most part,” noting that it doesn’t seem significantly impacted by traffic. Felix, an American Airlines employee and daily commuter, found the Q70 “especially fast when coming back from LaGuardia.” His colleague, Sandy, agreed but highlighted a need for increased bus frequency on weekends, particularly noting that “Sunday nights are terrible” for travel back from the airport.

The issue of weekend frequency is a valid concern, especially as buses may run every 15 minutes late on Sunday nights. Increased traffic during these periods can lead to longer wait times for passengers. However, adjustments to the MTA’s schedule are beyond the direct control of the current city administration.

Key Facts

Implications for London

While this report focuses on New York City, the issues and successes of the Broadway bus lane offer valuable insights for urban planners and transport authorities in London. The development highlights the effectiveness of dedicated bus infrastructure in improving service reliability and passenger experience, a critical factor for London’s extensive bus network.

The challenges encountered at the termination points of the bus lane and in the opposing direction of travel underscore the importance of integrated corridor management. For London, this means ensuring that bus priority measures are not isolated but are part of a comprehensive strategy that addresses traffic signal coordination, enforcement of parking and loading regulations, and seamless transitions between different modes of transport.

The feedback from commuters also reinforces the need for reliable and frequent public transport, particularly during peak travel times and on weekends. As London continues to develop its transport infrastructure, learning from these real-world examples can inform the design and implementation of bus priority schemes that maximise benefits for all users. The success of such schemes often hinges on meticulous planning that considers the entire journey, not just segments, and robust enforcement to maintain the integrity of the priority measures.

Source: Streetsblog NYC – Eyes on the Street: Mamdani’s Broadway Bus Lane is a Hit Among LaGuardia Commuters (https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/07/16/eyes-on-the-street-mamdanis-broadway-bus-lane-is-a-hit-among-laguardia-commuters)