New York City launched its very first public transit program in 1827. The Omnibus was a horse-drawn carriage that could hold about 12 people and cost 12 cents (around $4 today). It ran over cobblestoned streets in lower Manhattan and was often crowded. According to the New York Transit Museum, the Omnibuses “were slow and bumpy, and the fare was still high for many city residents.”
Sound familiar?
Sometimes riding the bus in Brooklyn feels like riding in a slow, bumpy, horse-drawn vehicle — the buses in the fastest-moving city in the United States average a whopping 8 mph. The B46 on Utica Avenue is even slower. (Omnibuses seemed to average 5 mph.) Cobblestones aren’t the issue these days; now, traffic and illegally parked cars get in the way of buses running more efficiently.
Last week, Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul released a report detailing their $882-million plan to get buses up to speeds faster than the Omnibus — 20% faster, or 6 minutes per commute, to be specific. (The promise of free fares has been consistently thwarted in Albany. At least our buses are still cheaper than 1827’s!)
Mayor Mamdani at a July 8 press conference for the new bus action plan, “Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service.” Photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
More modern buses, longer green lights for buses, more dedicated bus lanes, better enforcement of bus lane violations, and major updates along 5 rapid bus corridors (3 in Brooklyn) all aim to speed buses up. The plan also proposes building hundreds more bus shelters and planting trees around bus stops to protect waiting passengers from extreme weather, as well as expanding back-door boarding to reduce time spent at stops.
Better buses won’t just mean a better experience for the 1 million New Yorkers who ride them every day — it’s also a commitment to a city with fewer emissions and better choices for getting around sustainably.
“Public transit is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions while lowering the cost of living and expanding economic opportunity for all New Yorkers,” said Alia Soomro, deputy director for NYC Policy at New York League of Conservation Voters. “By investing in faster, more reliable bus service, New York is making it easier for millions of people to choose mass transit over driving, which will reduce congestion and improve air quality in communities across the five boroughs.”
There’s plenty of skepticism. Enforcement of vehicles parked illegally in bus lanes — a major part of the problem on Utica Avenue — is a particularly difficult battle. But it’s an apt one, too: Will New York City be a city of cars or of public transportation?
I, for one, feel hopeful. I was raised to love buses even before I understood that they were a climate-friendly choice: My mom and I would sit up high in the back and happily watch the Brooklyn streetscape pass by. If it could only pass faster, we would have a shot at a city where the most sustainable transportation choice is also the best one.
– Ella Spungen, Editor, Bluedot Living Brooklyn
Climate News, In Brief
Data Centers Paused: Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order placing a moratorium on data centers in New York State for a year, giving lawmakers time to weigh the environmental and economic impacts.
Rodentmania: Have thoughts on rats? Share them this Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon at DSNY’s online public hearing about their proposed containerization program, which takes on the pest problem by getting trash bags off the streets. Here’s the virtual meeting link.
Red Sky by Morning: Wildfires in Canada and Minnesota sent a plume of smoke into New York City this week, alongside high temperatures. Here’s how to stay safe during smoke events.
Bloomin’ BQE: Volunteers have been taking care of plantings along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade for nearly 20 years. Now, they’re mapping the gardens in detail in case they’re dismantled for a BQE reconstruction.
Bad Lettuce: A multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a sickness caused by a parasite that can lead to severe diarrhea, has still not been traced to its source. In the meantime, learn how to avoid getting sick.
Rising Electric Bills: It’s already been a hot, hot summer, and New Yorkers are seeing spiking electricity bills. This comprehensive guide from The City Reporter explains why and how you can keep your energy costs down.
More Mount Prospect Park Skatepark Pushback: The Rachel Carson Council, a national environmental nonprofit, released a statement pushing back on a skate park planned for Mount Prospect Park in Prospect Heights.
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Con Ed ran a power plant on East 14th Street, July 25, 2023. Photo: Ben Fractenberg/The City Reporter
A line meant to bring clean hydropower from Canada to New York City when the grid needs it most — in a heat wave, for example — has been out of service for 15 days now.
The Champlain Hudson Power Express, a project that runs more than 300 miles below land and bodies of water from Québec to Astoria, can carry up to 1,250 megawatts of electricity generated from dams. At its full potential, the line could power about a million homes in the city and meet about a fifth of its energy needs.
After going down for a day starting on July 1 — the first day of its contract to deliver energy to New York and amid an earlier heat wave — the project encountered a problem on July 4 and has been out of commission ever since.
July is Parks and Recreation Month, making it the perfect time to spend more time outside. Whether you’re planning a trip to one of America’s spectacular national parks or simply enjoying a picnic in a neighborhood park, these thoughtfully designed finds help make every adventure a little more enjoyable.
Adventure-Ready Essentials
Beach trips, camping weekends, hiking trails, and afternoons by the lake all call for gear that can keep up. Nomadix’s quick-drying towels resist sand and odors, while insulated puffer blankets convert into sleeping bags for chilly evenings outdoors. Certified recycled materials and prints that evoke our national parks make these practical favorites even better. ($24.95+)
Gear Up
Scents of the Wild
Keep the spirit of your favorite wild places close, even after the adventure ends. Good & Well Supply Co.’s candles, soaps, and matchbooks are inspired by America’s national parks, iconic animals, and favorite outdoor scenes. ($12+)
Bring the Park Home
Dear Dot,
I have been looking for a way to recycle gently used books for over a year. Libraries no longer accept books, and I can’t find any place to donate them. If you have any suggestions, I would appreciate it.
– Connie K., Brooklyn, NY
Dear Connie,
Consult the Little Free Library app and set aside some time to restock a few of these neighborhood treasures. If you prefer one-stop dropping, try Goodwill or the Salvation Army. DonateNYC has a handy tool that will show you exactly where you can donate items in the city, including books. Rebecca Cohen, executive director and cofounder of the Brooklyn Book Bodega, would love to get her hands on any gently used children’s books you might have. What she (and her team) will do with those books is pretty incredible.
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BLUEDOT LIVING KITCHEN
Photo by Nicole Litvack
Each of these smoothie bowls is plant-based, packed with fruit, and sprinkled with fun toppings, like bee pollen, cacao nibs, and kiwi. Plus, they’re great for saving fruits and veggies that are on their last legs — just chop and freeze produce that’s almost past its prime for future smoothie bowls. You can also freeze liquids like fruit juice, coconut water, or leftover smoothie in ice cube trays to use later.
BROOKLYN WILDLIFE WATCH
The eastern phoebe first comes to New York as winter melts away. The flycatcher, known best for its tail that flicks up and down to deter predators, is one of hundreds of bird species that migrate to New York City for the summer, only to return south come early fall. According to the Audubon Society, 3.5 billion birds migrate south each year — but only 1.7 billion return. Writer William Gralnick shared the best places to find New York’s migratory birds and the organizations in the city helping them survive.
An eastern phoebe. Photo: Patrice Bouchard/Unsplash
The Bluedot Brooklyn newsletter is edited by Ella Spungen. If you have any questions, suggestions, ideas, or want to tell us what you’re doing, email [email protected].
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