Exciting!

And makes me happy I voted for Janette… I mean Mike.

The plans for 34th St. as reported in the Times.

I’d like to go on the record right now as saying their prediction of an “up to 35 percent” increase in crosstown bus speed as a vast underestimate (so they can gloat later). Mr. Astoria Bike predicts, if the plan goes ahead as described–dedicated bus lanes, ticket buying options (not as good as pre-pay), and light timing–the increase will be more than 50%. Currently the schedule lists an over 30-minute journey during rush hour and 20-minutes at night. It’s less than 2 miles! There’s no reason a bus couldn’t do this in 10 minutes (which is only an average speed of 12 miles an hour… But it sure beats the 4 miles an hour it’s going at now).

This will benefit, as Janette says, “the majority of the people who are actually using the street.” According to the city, only 1 in 10 people travel 34th Street by car or taxi.