Changes at TransMilenio: part of a station closed and several routes modified

New York City has launched a new initiative aimed at improving public transportation efficiency through the implementation of dedicated bus lanes equipped with surveillance cameras. The program, known as “Faster Buses, Better Service,” marks a significant step in modernizing the city’s transit system. Announced this month, the initiative includes the enhancement of 50 corridors, featuring centrally located bus lanes, improved stops, and signal priority. It also involves the procurement of 2,500 new low-emission and zero-emission buses. This effort builds upon decades of infrastructure improvements, including the introduction of selective bus services (SBS) in 2007–2008 and the deployment of fixed and onboard cameras to monitor bus lane usage since 2010. The city's subway system, which opened in 1904, continues to play a central role in daily commuting, serving over 3.4 million passengers per day on its 399-kilometer network. However, the city's extensive bus fleet, comprising approximately 5,840 buses operating on 345 routes, carries nearly 2.75 million passengers each day. One of the primary challenges faced by these buses is their slow movement through traffic. To address this issue, New York began designating bus-only lanes in 1963. These lanes were further enhanced with painted red lanes and off-board payment systems starting in 2007–2008. Since 2010, the city has implemented fixed and onboard cameras to enforce the exclusive use of these lanes, resulting in a 30 percent improvement in average travel speeds compared to mixed traffic conditions and a 20 percent reduction in collisions. As of July 2026, the city’s exclusive bus lane network spans 270 kilometers, representing roughly 3 percent of the total road network. The success of these measures has led officials to expand the initiative, aiming to create a more efficient and reliable public transport system. Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani emphasized the importance of reducing travel times for residents, stating, “For working New Yorkers, every minute matters.” He highlighted the city’s commitment to delivering faster and more dependable bus service across all five boroughs. A key component of the new initiative is the use of both fixed and onboard cameras to monitor compliance with bus lane rules. According to reports, the average travel time for buses using these lanes could decrease by six minutes per trip. This approach offers a cost-effective and scalable alternative to building fully dedicated bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors. The new corridors are expected to serve residents and visitors within months, enhancing mobility and reducing congestion in one of the world’s busiest cities. In Bogotá, similar discussions have taken place regarding the potential implementation of camera-based monitoring for bus lanes. Legal authorization for such measures was granted in 2023 through the national development plan, driven by efforts from the administrations of Cali and Bogotá. Pilot projects were initiated along Seventh Avenue and Carrera 13 in 2025. However, these pilots were limited in scope, involving only a few cameras and vehicles, and did not significantly reduce travel times. They also sparked public debate, with some drivers viewing them as a trap. Despite these challenges, experts suggest that a more comprehensive and well-funded project could yield better results. María Fernanda Ortíz, the newly appointed secretary of mobility, brings valuable experience in managing regional transit operations, having previously served as TransMilenio’s manager. Her expertise could help drive forward the proposal for implementing camera-based monitoring in Bogotá. In particular, the potential impact on Seventh Avenue in Chapinero is being closely examined. Currently, a 5.2-kilometer stretch of the avenue takes an average of 20 minutes to traverse at 15 km/h. With improved speed averaging 22 km/h, the journey could take just 14 minutes. If implemented effectively, such improvements could save several minutes per trip, especially during peak hours. While constructing a full trunk route between Calle 99 and Calle 200 remains a separate initiative, the use of technology to enhance existing infrastructure presents a promising path forward.