The Bronx is set to open its inaugural dedicated busway on Tremont Avenue on September 26, 2026, in an effort to alleviate the chronic slowdowns that have plagued local bus service. The new lane will be reserved for buses, separating them from regular traffic and providing a clear path for public transit vehicles along the corridor.
Tremont Avenue has long been recognized for sluggish bus movement, with the BX36 route frequently crawling at an average speed of about five miles per hour during peak periods. The slow pace has been a persistent issue for commuters relying on the line for daily travel across the borough.
The dedicated busway represents the first instance in the Bronx where a specific lane has been allocated solely for bus traffic. By giving buses their own space, the city aims to improve the reliability and speed of service along the route, though no specific performance targets have been announced. The implementation follows broader efforts to enhance transit efficiency in New York City, but this project is unique to the Bronx as a stand‑alone improvement.
The busway runs along Tremont Avenue, a thoroughfare that traverses several Bronx neighborhoods and serves as a key artery for both local residents and commuters. Its introduction is expected to reduce the interaction between buses and general traffic, thereby allowing buses to maintain a steadier flow even during the busiest times of day.
Officials have scheduled the launch for late September, with signage and lane markings to be installed ahead of the opening date. Riders on the BX36 and other routes that use Tremont Avenue will be the first to experience the new configuration, which city planners hope will set a precedent for similar projects elsewhere in the borough.
The debut of the busway marks a notable milestone for Bronx transit infrastructure, offering a concrete step toward addressing the long‑standing issue of slow bus speeds on one of the area's most heavily used streets.