NYC Transit Advocates Award 'Pokey Award' for Slowest Bus Amid Congestion Pricing Changes

Annual Transit Awards Announced

• 🏆 An advocacy group, including the New York Public Interest Research Group, has announced its annual awards, using humor to highlight serious transit issues.
• 💡 This year, they introduced a new distinction: the Most Improved Bus Route.
• 📌 The awards come as congestion pricing has recently taken effect in New York City.

The 'Pokey Award' for Slowest Bus

• 🐢 The M42 bus received the 'Pokey Award' for being the slowest bus in the city, averaging a mere 5.25 mph.
• 🚶 Critics suggest that some bus routes are so slow, people could walk faster than the buses travel.

Rider Wait Times and MTA Improvements

• ⏱️ The Q8 bus route was also recognized with the 'Shley Award' for riders waiting an average of 3.62 minutes longer than scheduled.
• 📈 The MTA reports that current programs are improving bus speeds on some routes by up to 30%.
• 📸 Initiatives like front-facing cameras ticketing vehicles in bus lanes and the implementation of congestion pricing are cited as key improvements.
• 🚪 Future enhancements include all-door boarding once 'omni everywhere' and proof of payment systems are fully in place.

Most Improved Bus Routes

• ✨ The 'Mausle Award' for the most improved bus routes was given to the M79 and Sim 32, both moving a few minutes faster.