City Bar Association examines the role of busses in post-pandemic NYC

June 28, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

An NYC bus navigating the city streets – a symbol of sustainable, efficient mobility in the post-pandemic era, and the focal point of the upcoming 'Buses & the City' conference. Photo: Business Wire/AP.

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It’s not your typical Tuesday in New York City. On June 27, an assembly of government officials, transportation policy makers, urban planners, lawyers, academics and leaders from the motor coach industry will convene at the New York City Bar Association. The event, titled “Buses & the City: The Future of the Motor Coach Industry,” promises to delve into the future of public and private bus transportation within the ever-evolving urban landscape.

As the city and the world at large continue to grapple with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, one fact remains clear: the mobility landscape is changing rapidly. This conference will provide an in-depth examination of how the bus industry must adapt to keep pace with the demands of an ever-changing city.

Key topics to be covered during the conference will include the electrification of buses and the necessary infrastructure, congestion mitigation and pricing, the intensifying battle for the curb, and innovative solutions for automated enforcement concerns.

The conference will kick off with opening remarks and keynote addresses by Matthew W. Daus, Chair of the New York City Bar Association Transportation Law Committee, Patrick W. Condren from the BUS4NYC Coalition, Hon. Ydanis Rodriguez, Commissioner of NYC Department of Transportation, and Hon. Selvena Brooks-Powers, Chair of NYC Council Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure.

Following the keynote addresses, a series of panel discussions will dive into a variety of subjects. These include the role of private buses in congestion mitigation and pricing plans, the shift towards electric vehicles and innovative enforcement programs, and the future of curb management to accommodate mobility hubs, layovers, electric vehicle charging and bus stop permit programs.

The conference will close with keynote remarks by Hon. Rohit T. “Rit” Aggarwala, Commissioner of NYC Department of Environmental Protection. This will be followed by a cocktail networking reception, providing attendees the opportunity to connect and engage with key players in the bus industry.

This conference, scheduled to run from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., will serve as a platform for dialogue, learning and collaboration, with the shared goal of advancing shared mobility services in New York City to be safe, affordable, efficient, equitable, and sustainable. The reception will follow from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

As the city continues to recover and redefine itself post-pandemic, buses remain a vital part of the solution, not the problem. Through this conference, stakeholders aim to work together to shape the future of the motor coach industry, shaping the city’s transit landscape for years to come.