Mayor Adams Invests $40 Million for Universal Seating, Installing Seating at Every Bus Stop in New York City

NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced a $40 million investment to expand seating at the approximately 8,750 eligible bus stops - those on public property with sufficient sidewalk or island space - across the five boroughs that currently lack seating. Bus stop seating makes transportation more accessible for all New Yorkers, especially older adults, parents with young children, and people with disabilities. Beginning in November, seating will be installed, where feasible, at 875 bus stops every year over the next 10 years, while maintaining existing seating, to deliver monumental upgrades to bus stops across the five boroughs and provide universal bus stop seating to New Yorkers.

"To make New York City the best place to raise a family, and grow old in we have to take care of the big things and the small things," said Mayor Adams "This $40 million investment will ensure that every eligible bus stop across the five boroughs that lacks seating will be fitted, every year over the next 10 years, with either a bench or a leaning bar. I am proud that this effort will give New Yorkers a break and transform the bus-riding experience for thousands of people.

"In the hustle and bustle of the greatest city on earth, sometimes there's no better feeling than resting on a city bench while New York keeps moving around you," said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. "For many New Yorkers, having a place to sit at the bus stop is more than just a matter of comfort, it's a matter of whether they can take the bus at all. With more than 15,000 bus stops used by 1.4 million people every day, many of whom are seniors and people with disabilities, there has never been a better time to step up so New Yorkers can sit down."

Nearly two-thirds of eligible bus stops currently do not have seating while passengers wait for buses to arrive. To date, seating elements are installed at more than 5,000 bus stops across the city. DOT inspects and maintains seating at over 2,600 locations throughout the five boroughs on sidewalks and at plazas.

"Bus stop seating is essential to safe transit for our city's families. As the bus network is a vital mode of accessible transportation for us, we are excited that the city has secured funding to expand bus stop seating across all five boroughs," said Christine Serdjenian Yearwood, founder and CEO, UP-STAND. "Additional bus stop seating will decrease children's exposure to moving traffic and enable pregnant and disabled riders the respite they need to travel safely."

"Bus riders deserve a seat at the table and a seat at every bus stop," said Jolyse Race, senior organizer, Riders Alliance. "Bus riders work the jobs that make New York possible, and we have earned the respect of a safe, comfortable place to wait for service. Thanks to the Department of Transportation for holding the line on existing seating and making this new investment, an important step toward universal seating for millions of New Yorkers who take the bus."

While the introduction of more comfortable and efficient bus seating has enhanced the commuter experience, it is equally promising to note that these improvements have contributed to a significant decrease in traffic fatalities, reflecting broader strides toward safer roadways for all. The Safe Streets for Seniors initiative evaluates how older New Yorkers interact with the city's streets - studying crash data, conducting outreach, and developing and implementing mitigation measures to improve the safety of seniors and other pedestrians, as well as all road users, as part of New York City's Vision Zero initiative.

According to the recently released Mayor's Management Report, traffic fatalities decreased 24 percent and were down across nearly all categories in Fiscal Year 2025 - this includes fatalities related to motorized two-wheelers, which decreased by 39 percent from 99 to 60; motor vehicle occupants, which saw a 31 percent decrease from 54 to 37; and pedestrians, which decreased by 8 percent from 119 to 110 - making Fiscal Year 2025 one of the best years for Vision Zero's goals in recent history.

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