DOT proposal to add bus lane eases traffic on Bronx’s Fordham Road upsets local business owners

BRONX, N.Y. (WABC) — At least 62% of households on the Bronx’s busiest thoroughfare don’t own a car, according to city data.

Consequently, many of those who live on or near Fordham Road use public transport. But the city’s proposal to speed up bus service in the area prompted several business owners to write a letter to Mayor Eric Adams.

“Just because the DOT has some new tools in their toolbox and they wanted to update the area. It’s not as easy as it sounds,” said Wilma Alonso, president and CEO of the Fordham Road BID.

The proposal calls for just one normal lane or a car-free busway in one or both directions on Fordham Road. This would limit vehicular traffic between Morris and Webster avenues.

Some riders believe the proposal will help reduce the traffic they face on a daily basis.

“We always wait 20 minutes for these buses because of traffic,” said Amina Sabali.

Traffic that is sometimes caused by cars parked incorrectly in the bus lane.

The Business Improvement District believes the first step to a solution is better enforcement.

If traffic on Fordham Road worsens, business owners in Little Italy fear traffic on their side streets will increase as well. They think the proposal will hurt their business, as many customers drive into the neighborhood to dine.

“When the traffic is heavy, sometimes it takes us 20-30 minutes just from Fordham Road to get here. Imagine if you close the lanes? It would be a disaster,” said Anton Raja, owner of O’ccaffe.

But the proposal from the DOT is just that, a proposal. There are no official changes.

“We are committed to improving bus service and supporting businesses in the Bronx, and we are working closely with the community to achieve these goals,” the DOT said.

———-

* More Bronx news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or idea for a story we should cover? Submit it to Eyewitness News using the form below. When you attach a video or photo, terms of use apply.