Tremont Avenue Busway

How to Use the Busway | FAQ | Community Outreach | MTA Bus Schedule

On a summer’s day people wait to board a bus on Tremont Avenue in the Bronx.

The Tremont Avenue Busway in the Bronx aims to increase bus speeds and reliability for over 34,000 daily bus riders on the Bx36, improve truck movement and deliveries to local businesses, and make the street safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Busways in NYC have improved bus speeds by up to 60% and decreased pedestrian and cyclist injuries by up to 45%.

The Tremont Avenue Busway will be a half mile long: eastbound from Third Avenue to Southern Boulevard, and westbound from Southern Boulevard to Belmont Avenue.

Video description: Clips and animations of busways and bus lanes in New York City.

How to Use the Tremont Avenue Busway

Download the How to Use the Tremont Avenue Busway brochure (pdf) Descargue un folleto sobre cómo usar el carril de buses en Tremont Avenue (Spanish pdf)

The busway will be in effect every day from 6am to 8pm. During these hours:

  • Only buses, trucks with over six wheels, Access-A-Ride vans, emergency vehicles, and bicycles may travel all the way through, eastbound from Third Avenue to Southern Boulevard and westbound from Southern Boulevard to Belmont Avenue.
  • Passenger vehicles, including for-hire vehicles, may turn onto the busway from a side street but must make the next available right turn to leave the busway.
  • Passenger vehicles may drop off and pick up all along the busway.
  • No vehicles may turn left from the busway, except trucks may turn left at Third Avenue.

Parking will be allowed along the entire busway. Follow rules on parking signs.

Overnight, from 8pm to 6am:

  • Busway regulations are not in effect. All vehicles may drive all the way through Tremont Avenue and may make left and right turns unless otherwise posted.
  • Parking will be allowed along the entire busway. Follow rules on parking signs.

How to Reach Your Block Along the Busway

The maps below show drivers how to reach their desired block when the Tremont Avenue Busway is in effect. Green arrows show permitted route to enter and turn onto. Blue arrows indicate when drivers must turn to exit.

Driving Eastbound:

  • If you enter Tremont Avenue from Third and Lafontaine Avenue, you must turn right to exit on Arthur Avenue
  • If you enter Tremont Avenue from Belmont and Hughes Avenues, you must turn right to exit on Crotona Avenue
  • If you enter Tremont Avenue from Crotona Avenue, you must turn right to exit on Clinton Avenue
  • If you enter Tremont Avenue from Clinton, Prospect, and Mapes Avenues, you must turn right to exit on Marmion Avenue
  • If you enter Tremont Avenue from Marmion Avenue, you must turn right to exit on Southern Boulevard

Map showing drivers how to travel and when to turn when driving eastbound on the Tremont Avenue Busway between Third Avenue and Crotona Parkway.

Driving Westbound:

  • If you enter Tremont Avenue from Southern Boulevard and Marmion Avenues, you must turn right to exit on Mapes Avenue
  • If you enter Tremont Avenue from Mapes Avenue, you must turn right to exit on Prospect Avenue
  • If you enter Tremont Avenue from Prospect and Clinton Avenues, you must turn right to exit on Crotona Avenue
  • If you enter Tremont Avenue from Crotona Avenue, you must turn right to exit on Belmont Avenue

Map showing drivers how to travel and when to turn when driving westbound on the Tremont Avenue Busway between Crotona Parkway and Belmont Avenue.

Busway Signage and Street Markings

Signs alerting travelers that they are approaching the busway:

Tremont Avenue Busway sign with the hours the busway is in effect for buses, trucks, bikes and local access between 6 A M to 8 P M

Signs informing passenger vehicles when they must turn right to exit the busway:

All Traffic sign informing drivers that they must turn right at the next intersection when the busway is in effect.

The beginning and end of every block of the busway will be painted red with "BUS TRUCK ONLY" white markings, so drivers know when they are turning onto the busway.

Travel lanes on a roadway are painted red and have the works Bus Truck Only painted on them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will passenger vehicles, including for-hire vehicles, be allowed on the busway?

  • Yes, all passenger and for-hire vehicles will be allowed to enter the Tremont Avenue Busway to access any block. Vehicles may turn onto the busway from a side street, then must make the next available right turn.

How will I know the busway rules when I am driving on Tremont Avenue?

  • There will be red paint on the street whenever you turn onto the busway.
  • There will also be signage posted on Tremont Avenue and intersecting streets that explain the required turns and regulations.

Will parking be allowed on the busway?

  • Yes, parking will be allowed on the busway. Follow the posted parking regulations.

Why will left turns not be allowed from the busway?

  • Left turn bans prevent traffic from getting stuck behind turning vehicles.
  • These restrictions also improve pedestrian safety, as left turns are associated with high rates of pedestrian injuries.
  • Tremont Avenue already has numerous left turn bans.

Where will I be able to be dropped off or picked up?

  • Pickups, drop-offs, truck loading and parking will be allowed throughout Tremont Avenue.
  • Any vehicle will be able to expeditiously pick up or drop off a passenger along the busway.
  • Drivers are responsible for following traffic rules and posted signage.

If I cannot drive all the way down Tremont Avenue, what other routes may I use?

  • If you are traveling westbound, you may drive on 180th Street, 179th Street, 175th Street, the Cross Bronx Expressway, or other routes. If you are traveling eastbound, you may drive on 180th Street, Crotona Park North, the Cross Bronx Expressway, or other routes.

Which vehicles are considered trucks?

  • A truck is any vehicle that has more than two axles or six or more wheels.

Why will trucks be allowed?

  • Tremont Avenue is a designated truck route. Allowing trucks on the busway helps to limit truck traffic on side streets.

Where will trucks be allowed to load and unload on the busway?

How is a busway enforced?

  • NYPD traffic agents and automated cameras enforce regulations by giving warnings and summonses.
  • Violating bus lane rules may result in a $50 to $250 fine.

Can cyclists use the busway?

  • Cyclists will be able to ride in the Tremont Avenue bike lane for the full length of the busway.
  • Cyclists do not need to make any of the required turns.

Community Outreach

NYC DOT and MTA conducted more than 40 outreach meetings and events with elected officials, community boards, local businesses, shoppers, community stakeholders, bus riders, and members of the public. Feedback from these engagements helped shape the final busway. Tremont Avenue community board presentations

Contact

If you have questions or comments about MTA bus schedules, fare collection machines, fare enforcement, or general MTA issues (e.g., MetroCard, OMNY, subway service) please contact the MTA online or call 511.

If you have a transportation-related problem, comment, or question about the Tremont Avenue Busway, contact the NYC DOT Commissioner online.