Hochul's Transit Justice: Outer Borough Buses to Finally Get the Upgrade They Deserve

New York City thrives on motion. Its buses, snaking through crowded streets, carry the dreams of millions, from early-morning workers in the Bronx to students in Queens. On April 17, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a plan to supercharge 16 local bus routes across Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, starting June 29. This isn’t just a tweak to schedules. It’s a lifeline for communities long overlooked, a bold step toward a fairer, faster, and more connected city.

For too long, New Yorkers in the outer boroughs have endured sluggish commutes, packed buses, and endless waits. The subway doesn’t reach everywhere, and for many, buses are the only way to get to work, school, or the doctor. Hochul’s plan, paired with earlier express bus upgrades, promises shorter travel times and more reliable service. It’s a direct response to the needs of working families, seniors, and people with disabilities who rely on these routes daily.

This move comes on the heels of New York’s congestion pricing program, launched in January 2025. By charging drivers to enter Manhattan’s core, the city has slashed traffic and funneled billions into transit. The result? Buses move faster, riders spend less time waiting, and neighborhoods once cut off from opportunity are now within reach. It’s a policy that puts people over cars, and it’s working.

But this isn’t just about buses. It’s about justice. It’s about ensuring that every New Yorker, no matter where they live, has access to the city’s promise. The state’s investment signals a commitment to equity, and it’s a model for cities everywhere.

The numbers tell a compelling story. The $8 million from the Outer Borough Transportation Account will boost service on high-ridership routes like the Bx10 in the Bronx and the Q66 in Queens. These lines serve neighborhoods far from subway stations, where buses are often the only option. By adding more buses and cutting wait times, the MTA is making commutes more predictable and less stressful for thousands.

Recent data backs this up. In Chicago, a 12% ridership surge followed similar bus service upgrades in 2024. Boston’s MBTA shaved minutes off commutes by increasing bus frequency, and Minneapolis saw a 115% ridership spike after launching its METRO BRT system. New York’s enhancements are poised to deliver similar gains, especially in areas like Co-op City or Flushing, where transit demand is soaring.

Congestion pricing is the engine behind this transformation. Since its launch, vehicle entries into Manhattan’s congestion zone have dropped by 13%, and bus ridership has climbed 1.9%. The $15 billion in projected revenue is funding not just buses but subway signals, electric buses, and accessibility upgrades. This is what happens when bold policy meets real-world needs: a transit system that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.

Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz, representing the Bronx, called the Bx10 upgrades a game-changer for his constituents. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards echoed this, noting that 800,000 Queens residents rely on buses daily. These voices, grounded in the realities of their communities, underscore the stakes. This isn’t abstract policy. It’s about real people getting to work on time.

Not everyone is cheering. Some argue that congestion pricing burdens drivers, particularly those from neighboring states or outer boroughs. They claim the $9 toll is a tax on working people, a barrier to accessing Manhattan’s jobs and culture. But let’s be clear: the data paints a different picture. Most low-income New Yorkers don’t drive into Manhattan’s core. They rely on transit, and they’re the ones who benefit most from faster buses and shorter commutes.

Opponents also point to legal challenges, like those from nearby states, as evidence that the policy is divisive. Yet these criticisms miss the mark. Cities like London and Singapore have shown that congestion pricing cuts emissions, boosts safety, and funds transit without collapsing economies. New York’s early results—fewer cars, faster buses, cleaner air—prove the skeptics wrong. The real burden isn’t the toll. It’s the status quo of gridlock and underfunded transit that’s been choking our city for decades.

Then there’s the broader context. Public transit investments enjoy overwhelming support. In 2024, 86.7% of U.S. transit funding ballot measures passed, unlocking $25 billion for projects like this one. Voters, from urban cores to suburbs, see transit as essential to economic growth and fairness. Those who cling to car-centric policies are fighting a losing battle against progress and public will.

At its heart, this bus service expansion is about righting historical wrongs. For decades, communities of color and low-income neighborhoods have faced subpar transit, higher pollution, and longer commutes. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the ADA of 1990 set the stage for change, but progress has been uneven. Hochul’s plan, with its focus on underserved areas like Canarsie and Norwood, is a step toward transit justice.

State Senator Robert Jackson captured this urgency, calling the Bx10 expansion a recognition that reliable transit is a right, not a luxury. Assemblymember Charles D. Fall, advocating for Staten Island’s S46 line, emphasized the relief this brings to working families. These enhancements aren’t just about speed. They’re about dignity, about ensuring that every New Yorker can access jobs, healthcare, and education without breaking the bank or losing hours to delays.

Nationally, transit agencies are doubling down on equity. Rhode Island’s fare-free pilot saw a 40% ridership jump, proving that affordability matters. Federal grants in 2024 are restoring transit in communities split by highways, from Richmond to Madison. New York’s bus upgrades, funded by congestion pricing and state dollars, are part of this wave, a commitment to building a system that serves all.

New York’s bus service expansion is more than a policy win. It’s a vision for a city where transit is the backbone of opportunity. By investing in routes that serve the outer boroughs, Hochul and the MTA are betting on a future where no one is left behind. Shorter commutes mean more time with family. Reliable buses mean less stress for seniors and people with disabilities. Cleaner air means healthier communities.

This is what leadership looks like. It’s not perfect, and there’s more to do—expanding BRT, lowering fares, electrifying the fleet. But for now, New York is showing the world how to build a transit system that puts people first. Every bus that rolls out this summer will carry more than passengers. It will carry hope, fairness, and the promise of a better city.