Flatbush Avenue to get rapid bus route by 2030 under new NYC transit plan

Flatbush Avenue, a central artery in Brooklyn's Haitian community, is among five corridors selected for New York City's next generation of rapid bus service under a joint plan announced Wednesday by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul, according to The Haitian Times. The plan, called 'Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service,' is a partnership between the city Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. It targets 50 priority bus corridors across the five boroughs, aiming to speed up service by 20% and cut commute times by as much as six minutes each way. The city has committed $254 million in expense funding and $628 million in capital funding over five years. Flatbush is set to receive dedicated, protected bus lanes, upgraded stations with shelters and frequent all-day service. Work begins this year, with completion targeted for 2030. Brooklyn will also see priority corridors along Church and Utica avenues. Officials said city buses currently average about 8 mph, the slowest of any major U.S. system, though they carry 2.75 million daily trips. City Council Member Rita Joseph, who chairs the Council's Committee on Higher Education, said, 'Buses are not a last resort — they are a lifeline.' The plan also includes 2,500 new buses, all-door boarding starting in 2027 and expanded camera enforcement.