Increased collisions on Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, attributed to substandard signage installed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for bus lanes.
In the heart of Staten Island, the bus lanes on Hylan Boulevard continue to cause confusion for drivers, leading to an increase in traffic collisions and enforcement challenges. The DOT has confirmed that signs indicating when vehicles can use the bus lanes are present, but local officials consider them poor and unclear.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) expanded Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) throughout the city in 2023, with the S79-Select Bus Service on Hylan Boulevard being the only service using ACE. However, the signs do not indicate when the cameras are in use or where they are located, causing further uncertainty for drivers.
Borough President Vito Fossella has publicly raised awareness about these confusing rules, perceiving an "anti-car culture" in NYC, citing numerous traffic cameras as a contributing factor. He has suggested more signage and clearer indicators to prevent accidents and improve safety. Fossella plans to discuss a plan for moving forward with the DOT.
The NYPD's commanding officer of Staten Island, Melissa Eger, has reiterated that improper turns have become too common in the borough. In July 2022, seven collisions occurred due to vehicles making a right turn from the middle lane, and in 2025, this number increased to 32.
The bus lanes on Hylan Boulevard are time-controlled only during weekday rush hours, adding to driver uncertainty. Specifically, they are in effect Monday through Friday, 6 to 9 a.m. (northbound) and intermittently on the southbound side, 3 to 7 p.m.
Despite the ongoing issues, the DOT spokesperson maintains that the bus lanes help riders on Staten Island's busiest route get to their destinations quickly and efficiently. However, as of August 2025, there have been no specific reports of improvements implemented yet to the bus lane signage on Hylan Boulevard.
The DOT has stated that they will explore additional measures to communicate the rule about private vehicles entering the bus lane to make right turns, as indicated by markings and signage. But, as of now, no publicly announced plan for signage improvements specific to Hylan Boulevard bus lanes has been mentioned.
This situation highlights a strong need for clearer, more intuitive signage to reduce driver confusion and improve safety. Official DOT project listings do not currently show targeted improvements on Hylan Boulevard’s bus lanes, leaving many drivers like Anthony from Eltingville avoiding the bus lanes due to automated camera enforcement.
The 122nd Precinct was the location of a public-service announcement about a dangerous traffic trend on Staten Island, emphasising the need for action. As the city moves forward, the focus must be on ensuring that all road users understand the rules and can navigate Staten Island's roads safely and efficiently.
[1] Staten Island Advance [2] Staten Island Advance [3] Staten Island Live [4] NYC DOT [5] NYPD
- To address the ongoing confusion and safety concerns, Staten Island's Borough President Vito Fossella proposes more signage and clearer indicators for bus lanes on Hylan Boulevard, aiming to prevent accidents and improve safety.
- In an effort to improve communication and reduce driver uncertainty, the DOT plans to explore additional measures for signage and markings to clearly indicate when private vehicles can make right turns in the bus lanes on Hylan Boulevard.
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