Legislation Would Limit Tour Buses On City Streets

DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Manhattan could see a limit to the number of sightseeing tour buses that roam the streets under new legislations, which proposes a strict cap on the number of sightseeing licenses that can be operational at any given time.

Council Member Margaret Chin introduced the legislation in City Council on Thursday. Chin, a Democrat who represents Downtown Manhattan in City Hall, proposed the restrictions with the support of Gale Brewer, the Manhattan borough president.

"For years, Downtown residents have demanded relief from seemingly endless lines of sightseeing tour buses – especially those that serve no other purpose than as oversized advertisements on clogged city streets," Chin said in a statement. "It is time that those serious safety and quality of life concerns are heard, and that reasonable limits on the number of double-decker tour buses are made."

Chin and Brewer said the legislation could also help mitigate anticipated gridlock during the L train shutdown, which is expected to increase the number of buses and cars on Manhattan streets.

The bill, which has been referred to committee, would cap the number sight-seeing bus license plates at 225. There is currently no limit on the number of licenses that the city can issue, according to Chin.

Community members in Downtown Manhattan have long complained about tour buses clogging city streets. Terri Cude, the chair of Community Board 2, said in a statement that the board had long asked for relief form the "overwhelming" number of tour buses in the area.

"They endanger pedestrians, pollute our air with emissions and noise, jeopardize our fragile buildings and narrow streets, and exacerbate congestion," Cude said in a statement. "The upcoming L-train shutdown makes placing controls on tour buses even more urgent."

Image credit: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images