Manhattan’s bustling 14th Street, especially the vibrant stretch often referred to as 14th Street East, serves as a crucial artery connecting iconic neighborhoods like the Lower East Side, Union Square, and the Meatpacking District. Recognizing its importance for both people and commerce, the 14th Street Busway was established to prioritize efficient and safe movement for everyone. This dedicated busway ensures reliable transit while maintaining essential local access for all road users along this vital corridor.
Understanding how to navigate 14th Street East and the entire 14th Street Busway is key for residents, commuters, and visitors alike. Whether you’re a daily bus rider, a local business owner, or simply passing through, this guide provides everything you need to know about using 14th Street effectively.
How to Use the 14th Street Busway
The operating rules for the 14th Street Busway are time-dependent, ensuring optimal flow during peak and off-peak hours. Here’s a breakdown:
Between 6 AM and 10 PM:
- Bus and Truck Priority: During these hours, the primary focus is on efficient public transit and freight movement. Only buses and trucks are permitted to travel through on 14th Street between 9th Avenue and 3rd Avenue. This is crucial for maintaining bus schedules and reducing congestion.
- Local Access for All: All other vehicle types can still access 14th Street East and the wider corridor for local purposes. This means you can reach businesses, residences, and parking garages. However, to maintain the flow of the busway, drivers must make the next available right turn after accessing their destination.
- Commercial Loading Zones: For businesses along 14th Street, short-term metered loading zones are available for commercial vehicles to load and unload goods efficiently.
- Passenger Pick-up and Drop-off: Passenger vehicles are allowed to drop off and pick up passengers anywhere along the 14th Street Busway corridor, ensuring accessibility for everyone.
Between 10 PM and 6 AM:
- Open to All Vehicles: During off-peak hours, all vehicle types are permitted to travel through on 14th Street. This accommodates different traffic needs during less congested times.
- Expedited Loading and Unloading: “No Parking” regulations are in effect during these overnight hours to facilitate quicker loading and unloading activities for businesses, contributing to efficient overnight operations.
Rules Applicable At All Times:
- No Left Turns: To enhance bus speeds and pedestrian safety, left turns are restricted from 14th Street at all times for all vehicles, with the exception of MTA buses at designated locations. This measure is in place to prevent bottlenecks and reduce pedestrian accidents.
Download the 14th Street Busway Map (PDF) for a detailed visual guide.
Background of the 14th Street Busway
The 14th Street Busway’s journey to becoming a permanent fixture on 14th Street East and throughout the corridor is a story of successful urban planning and adaptation. Initially launched as a pilot project, it has proven to be a transformative initiative for Manhattan’s transportation landscape.
Following a highly successful pilot phase, the 14th Street Busway was officially made permanent in June 2020. This decision was driven by the remarkable improvements observed during the pilot, and plans are in place to further extend bus lane priority eastward, enhancing connectivity across Manhattan.
The 14th Street Busway pilot, previously known as the 14th Street Transit and Truck Priority Pilot Project, garnered international recognition for its impressive results. It demonstrably increased bus speeds by up to 24% and boosted ridership by as much as 30%, showcasing the significant positive impact of prioritizing bus traffic.
The NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) initiated the Transit and Truck Priority design pilot on 14th Street on October 3, 2019, coinciding with the launch of the M14A/D Select Bus Service (SBS) on July 1, 2019. This coordinated effort aimed to optimize bus service and overall traffic flow on 14th Street East and beyond.
Serving approximately 28,000 daily M14 riders, the project strategically combines dedicated bus lanes and shared access blocks to provide bus priority stretching from 9th Avenue all the way to 1st Avenue, significantly improving commute times and reliability.
Learn more about the Busway’s development:
- Better Buses Restart: Mayor de Blasio Announces Major Projects to Speed Buses During City’s Phased Reopening (June 4, 2020)
- Mayor de Blasio Releases First 14th Street Busway Report (December 18, 2019)
- NYC DOT and MTA NYC Transit Continue Successful Rollout of 14th Street Transit Priority with New Bus Boarding Platforms and Sidewalk Widening (November 6, 2019)
- Mayor de Blasio Announces that 14th Street Busway Takes Effect Today (October 3, 2019)
- Statements from Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Trottenberg on 14th Street Busway (September 27, 2019)
- Mayor de Blasio Announces Project to Get New Yorkers Moving on 14th Street (April 24, 2019)
Community Outreach and Reports
Transparency and community engagement have been integral to the 14th Street Busway project.
Monitoring Report & Online Survey
An independent monitoring report and online survey of the 14th Street Transit & Truck Priority Pilot Project, conducted by Sam Schwartz Engineering, provides detailed analysis and public feedback on the initiative. Access the report here.
Stakeholders
NYC DOT and MTA actively engaged with community groups and local stakeholders throughout the planning process for both the 14th Street Transit and Truck Priority Pilot Project and the M14A/D SBS. Presentations were made to share information and gather valuable feedback, ensuring community voices were heard.
Brochure
For a concise overview, you can download the 14th Street Busway Brochure (PDF updated October 2019).
Frequently Asked Questions
To further clarify the rules and benefits of the 14th Street Busway, especially for those navigating 14th Street East, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Where can I be dropped off or picked up along 14th Street?
Pick-ups and drop-offs are permitted throughout the 14th Street Busway corridor. Drivers are responsible for adhering to all traffic regulations. For optimal convenience, especially during peak hours, arranging pick-up or drop-off on an adjacent avenue might be faster.
Why are left turns prohibited on 14th Street?
The ban on left turns is a safety and efficiency measure. Left turns often cause buses to get delayed behind turning vehicles and are statistically linked to a higher incidence of pedestrian accidents. Eliminating left turns improves bus flow and pedestrian safety.
Why are trucks allowed on the 14th Street Busway?
14th Street is officially designated as a truck route. Allowing trucks to use the busway helps to concentrate truck traffic on this corridor and reduce truck presence on smaller side streets, benefiting residential areas.
What types of vehicles are classified as trucks on 14th Street?
A truck is defined as any vehicle with more than two axles or having six or more wheels. These vehicles are essential for deliveries and services throughout Manhattan, including 14th Street East, and are therefore accommodated within the busway regulations.
Where is commercial loading permitted on 14th Street?
Short-term commercial loading zones are available along the 14th Street Busway corridor and are operational daily from 6 am to 10 pm. Parking meters in these zones are active Monday through Saturday.
How is the 14th Street Busway enforced?
Enforcement of the 14th Street Busway regulations is conducted using automated cameras strategically placed along 14th Street. Additionally, NYPD traffic enforcement agents may issue summonses for violations, ensuring compliance and smooth operation.
How are curb regulations enforced on 14th Street?
Curb regulations along 14th Street are enforced by NYPD traffic agents. It’s important to note that automated cameras are specifically used for bus lane enforcement and not for general curb regulation violations.
Contact Us
The Select Bus Service is a collaborative effort between NYC DOT and MTA New York City Transit (NYCT). NYCT operates the M14A/D Select Bus Service, similar to other bus services in the city. For inquiries or feedback regarding the M14A/D Select Bus Service, including bus schedules, fare matters, or general MTA services (like Metrocard or subway), please contact the MTA online or by calling 511.
For any transportation-related issues, comments, or questions specifically about the 14th Street Busway and its operation on streets like 14th Street East, please contact the Commissioner online or send a letter to the NYC DOT.
