Routes
Webster Avenue Select Bus Service
Webster Avenue is a major residential and commercial corridor in the Bronx, yet it is underserved by transit, with most of the corridor a long walk from the subway. The corridor was identified as a potential route for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) improvements in the BRT Phase II Study and received significant community support at a Bronx BRT workshop in May 2009.
Following the success of the Bx12 Select Bus Service along Fordham Road and Pelham Parkway, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) have begun development of the borough's second Select Bus Service route along Webster Avenue. The service will be based on the existing Bx41 bus route and will include many Bus Rapid Transit features including bus lanes, Select Bus Service-branded stations and buses, improved fare collection, and transit signal priority.
Project Update
Work will begin in late March to prepare for the implementation of Select Bus Service on Webster Avenue. DOT crews will repave the majority of Webster Avenue between East 165th Street and East Gun Hill Road, install red bus lanes, implement priority traffic improvements, and build selected medians and pedestrian refuges. NYCT and DOT will also make bus stop changes and install fare machines in preparation for launching Select Bus Service at the end of June.
Following the start of Bx41 SBS service, DOT and Department of Design and Construction will complete final design of the project’s capital elements, which includes the majority of bus stations (“bus bulbs”) along the corridor. Capital construction will begin in 2014 or 2015.
Learn more about the progress of the Webster Avenue Select Bus Service project. Download the Winter 2013 Newsletter (pdf) Download the Fall 2012 Newsletter (pdf)
Project Design
The proposed Webster Avenue Select Bus Service plan incorporates many Bus Rapid Transit features including:
- Offset bus lanes, which will be installed on Webster Avenue between East 166th Street and East Gun Hill Road. This bus lane design allows buses to move quickly while preserving curbside access and parking along the corridor.
- Bus bulbs, which will be constructed at most stations along Webster Avenue
- Transit signal priority for buses along the entire corridor
Additionally, the project will incorporate other elements, such as curb extensions, pedestrian refuges, and medians to improve pedestrian and motorist safety along the corridor.
Connection to LaGuardia Airport
The City and MTA have identified three potential new and improved bus routes to better connect three boroughs with LaGuardia Airport. One of the proposed routes is an extension of the currently proposed Webster Avenue SBS route, connecting the Bronx to the airport via the RFK Bridge. This new connection would improve transit travel time to this major employment center for many Bronx residents by as much as 50% from some locations. This proposal will be part of the Webster Avenue SBS public input and design process moving forward. Learn more about proposed routes to LaGuardia Airport
Project Benefits
- Provides faster and more reliable transit service in high density residential and commercial areas more than ¼ mile from the closest subway stations
- Connects to Bx12 - Fordham Road Select Bus Service
- Improves bus service for the 20,000 daily Bx41 passengers
- Provides an opportunity for transfers between the Bx41 and other types of transit, including to the 2/5 subway, Metro-North Harlem Line, Bx12 Select Bus Service, and other NYCT bus lines
- Supports development and growth in the many neighborhoods along the corridor
Community Outreach
Community outreach for the Webster Ave Select Bus Service project will include a Community Advisory Committee, open houses, Community Board presentations and outreach to specific stakeholders, such as local merchants and community institutions. Throughout the study, design, and implementation process, DOT will use this outreach strategy to foster a dialog between the stakeholders and the agency and ensure full community engagement.
Community Advisory Committee
DOT and NYCT convened a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to provide guidance for the Webster Avenue Select Bus Service project. The CAC is comprised of a broad range of stakeholders, from elected officials to Community Boards to major area institutions. The CAC will meet every few months during the project. The role of the CAC is to:
- Provide opportunities for input in project design
- Provide stakeholders with information to share with their constituencies about project details and outreach efforts
- Ensure that key issues are identified and addressed
The CAC first met on February 6, 2012 for a project introduction and discussion. Download the presentation (pdf) Download a summary of the meeting (pdf)
The CAC met on May 2, 2012 to discuss design ideas. Download the presentation (pdf) Download a summary of the meeting (pdf)
The CAC met on September 27, 2012 to discuss the draft corridor design. Download the presentation (pdf) Download the workshop materials (pdf) Download a summary of the meeting (pdf)
The CAC met on November 29, 2012 to discuss traffic analysis and bus service changes. Download the presentation (pdf) Download a summary of the meeting (pdf)
Open Houses
Public open houses will also take place at key points to involve the greater community.. The open house format allows the public to have one-on-one conversations with project staff, and to review and comment on design plans. Please check the DOT events calendar for upcoming open houses, or contact us to stay informed of when meetings occur.
The first public open house was held on May 16, 2012. Forty-five members of the community attended to learn about the project and to discuss three potential design ideas for the corridor. Download the presentation boards displayed at the meeting (pdf) Download a summary of the meeting (pdf)
The second public open house was held on January 8, 2013. Fifty-eight members of the community attended to learn about the selected offset bus lane corridor design, traffic analysis, bus service changes, and to view detailed designs for the entire corridor. Download the presentation boards displayed at the meeting (pdf) Download a summary of the meeting (pdf)
Community Board Presentations
DOT and NYCT presented the project to the all of the community boards along the Bx41 corridor. Download the presentation to Community Board 1 (pdf), given on February 11, 2013 Download the presentation to Community Board 3 (pdf), given on February 12, 2013 Download the presentation to Community Board 4 (pdf), given on February 6, 2013 Download the presentation to Community Board 5 (pdf), given on March 21, 2013 Download the presentation to Community Board 6 (pdf), given on March 7, 2013 Download the presentation to Community Board 7 (pdf), given on March 14, 2013
Project Schedule
- Fall 2011—Begin study and data collection along corridor
- Winter 2012—Convene Community Advisory Committee (CAC)
- Spring 2012—Hold an open house to present draft corridor concepts to the CAC and the community for feedback
- Summer 2012—Select preferred corridor concept; refine local details with stakeholders
- Fall 2012—Complete traffic analysis and environmental review
- Spring 2013—Finalize street markings and curb regulation plan
- Summer 2013—Implement service
- 2013-2014—Engineering design of capital work
- 2014-2015—Construct bus bulbs and other capital elements