Attorney General James Secures $45 Million from Block for Enabling Fraud and Misleading Cash App Users

 

Block Falsely Promised Secure Accounts and Advanced Fraud Detection While Allowing Cash App Scams to Spread

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of 45 other attorneys general today secured $45 million from Block, Inc. (Block), the company behind the popular peer-to-peer payments app Cash App, for misleading its users and failing to protect them from scams and fraud. Attorney General James and the coalition allege that Block failed to help users when they were scammed, misled consumers about the safety of Cash App, and failed to provide the fraud protection and resolution that it promised and was required to provide by law. As part of the settlement with Attorney General James and the coalition, Block must implement changes to protect users from fraud, ensure users have access to live customer service agents, and stop all misleading marketing. Block must also pay $1.6 million in penalties to New York.

“New Yorkers were promised that Cash App was a safe and secure platform to send money, but in reality, the app exposed them to rampant fraud,” said Attorney General James. “For years, Cash App users lost money to costly scams because Block cared more about profits than protecting its users. I am proud that this bipartisan group of attorneys general came together to hold Bock accountable and ensure Cash App protects its users’ funds.”

An investigation by Attorney General James and the coalition found that Block misled Cash App users with advertising and that falsely implied the app worked like a bank with the same protections for customers’ funds that banks have. Block claimed in its terms of service that it had “cutting edge... fraud detection technology” when the company lacked a consistent fraud detection system. Block also did not have a functioning fraud hotline for users to report scams. 

Block knew fraud on its platform was rising sharply, but instead of warning users or strengthening protections, it doubled down on marketing. Block focused on drawing in new customers while allowing scam accounts to proliferate. Cash App accounts did not require a Social Security number or date of birth to create, and there was no limit on how many accounts one person could open, allowing one bad actor to operate an entire network of scam accounts. Cash App limited chargebacks on accounts while incentivizing the creation of new accounts, which caused fraud to proliferate.

Block made a particular push to reach unbanked and underbanked consumers by promoting direct deposits of paychecks and government benefits into Cash App. Users who relied on Cash App as their primary financial account were especially vulnerable to fraud, yet Block grew its user base without introducing security and fraud prevention measures that would protect these customers’ accounts.

While some of Block’s policies failed to stop fraud, others actively enabled it. Because Cash App had no phone number to call for support, users who got locked out of their accounts searched online for a customer service number and often ended up calling fake numbers run by scammers posing as Cash App customer service. Those scammers would then take over victims’ Cash App accounts or drain users' other financial accounts. Block knew this was happening and failed to warn users or set up a real phone line until 2021.

Block also ran a social media promotion called Cash App Fridays, encouraging users to publicly post their unique Cash App identifier for a chance to win a weekly prize. Fraudsters would then contact those users, tell them they had won, and trick them into handing over their login information. Attorney General James and the coalition’s investigation found that Block was aware of these scams but kept running the promotion, training staff to expect defrauded customers to contact them. 

Block’s failures to provide adequate customer service and fulfill its promise to protect users from fraud caused confusion and financial hardship for its users. Cash App users who experienced automated account locks for suspicious transactions were frequently locked out of their accounts for weeks without a way to access their money. Victims of fraud through the app were often left with no recourse. Block’s delays made it impossible to get stolen money back from scammers and Block failed to investigate unauthorized transactions or issue refunds when required by law.

As a result of the settlement, Block must implement responsible practices to resolve these issues, including:

• Maintaining customer support services that can resolve fraud complaints, account lockouts, and other problems.
• Offering live support 24 hours a day, with a real person available by phone at least 13.5 hours a day and by live chat at least 18 hours a day.
• Stopping false or misleading claims about Cash App's safety and how it protects users from fraud.
• Discontinuing marketing practices known to increase fraud on the platform.
• Directly educating consumers about common types of fraud.
• Fulfilling its legal obligations to investigate fraud claims and reimburse users for unauthorized transactions.

Joining Attorney General James in securing this settlement are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine Launches First-of-Its-Kind Dashboard to Increase Accountability on City Vendor Contracting and Payment Delays

 

The “Late Contracts Dashboard” Seeks to Provide Transparent, Real-Time Contract Registration Tracking

The Office of New York City Comptroller Mark Levine today released a first-of-its-kind Late Contracts Dashboard, providing the public with a real-time view of key performance indicators on contract registration delays, a key contributor to late payment issues for nonprofits.  This is part of the Office’s commitment to government transparency and accountability, and addressing longstanding challenges nonprofits and human service vendors have faced getting paid on time.    

“Nonprofits provide many of the vital services New Yorkers regularly rely upon – but the City’s delays in the contract registration process means we are pushing them to the brink — forcing them to wait for months, if not years, to be paid,” said City Comptroller Mark Levine. “Nonprofits should be incentivized to do business with the City because we can provide stability, not be dissuaded by our delinquency. This dashboard will give us a clearer picture of the needs of our nonprofit partners and the delinquency they are being asked to contend with.” 

“City government relies on human services providers to play an integral role in communities throughout the five boroughs, but longstanding delays in the contracting and procurement process have brought the entire sector to the brink,” said Michelle Jackson, Executive Director of the Human Services Council of New York. “The launch of the Comptroller’s Office dashboard is a major step in the right direction towards ensuring nonprofits are reliably paid on time and in full for the vital work they do. Transparency is a prerequisite for accountability and reform.” 

Delayed contract registration can contribute to payment delays, which can place significant financial burdens on nonprofit organizations and businesses, forcing vendors to rely on private financing to manage cash flow, meet payroll, and sustain operations while awaiting payment. The Late Contracts Dashboard was developed after nonprofit roundtable discussions earlier this year in which the Comptroller overwhelmingly heard about delays in the contracting process. 

Although City agencies have been subject to various accountability measures intended to reduce contract retroactivity, the Comptroller’s 2025 Caught in the Slow Lane report found that these efforts have not produced meaningful improvements for nonprofit providers. Unlike every other step in the City’s procurement and contract registration process, the role of the Comptroller is the only one with a mandated timeframe set at a maximum of 30 days, which has been halved in practice and is the final step in the process. 

The Late Contracts Dashboard uses live data sourced directly from Checkbook NYC, which allows vendors, policymakers, and the public to: 

• Access and Visualize Data by Contract Volume, Contract Value, or Average Days Late. Users can toggle between tabs, each of which includes respective data depicted in bar graph format. 

• Filter Data by Agency, Vendor, MWB/E Category, Industry, or Non-Profit Status. These filters can be applied in any combination for users to search for trends as they develop in real-time. 

• Compare Within or Across Fiscal Years. Data dates back to FY 2011, allowing users to analyze and visualize long-term and short-term trends alike. 

You can click here to access the Contracts Dashboard: https://www.checkbooknyc.com/late-contracts 

Speaker Julie Menin Announces Reopening of 71st Street Pedestrian Ramp, Reconnecting Upper East Side Residents to Waterfront

 

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced yesterday that the 71st Street pedestrian ramp connecting Yorkville to the East River Esplanade has reopened, restoring an access point for residents to the waterfront. Additionally, the stretch of the East River Esplanade between East 70th and East 78th streets will be completed and restored in stages through October. The pedestrian ramp has been closed to the public since July 2025.

The reconstruction is part of the Hospital for Special Surgery’s (HSS) project to advance infrastructure improvements along the East River Esplanade. The improvements, coordinated in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), will result in a contiguous esplanade from East 53rd Street to East 114th Street in late 2026.

Photos of the announcement can be found here.

“The East River Esplanade is a treasured public space for residents and visitors alike, and that’s why we pushed so hard to improve and restore access to this critical stretch,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “I’m thrilled we were able to open the 71st Street pedestrian ramp to ensure New Yorkers can connect to the waterfront. I thank Hospital for Special Surgery, Friends of the East River Esplanade, the Parks Department, Economic Development Corporation, and Community Board 8 for their partnership on this entire project.”

HSS’ restoration project includes structural repairs, including the remediation of a sinkhole near the base of the East 78th Street ramp and seawall improvements. It also includes surface upgrades, including pavers, landscaping, and the installation of fitness equipment in the area. As part of the overhaul, the 78th Street pedestrian bridge will be closed starting this month.

U.S. Attorney Announces Return Of Two Looted 8th Century Sculptures To The Republic Of Indonesia

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today the return of two antiquities which were stolen from the Republic of Indonesia as part of an organized looting network and sold by antiquities dealer Douglas Latchford to an American collector (the “Collector”).  In or about late 2021, the Collector voluntarily relinquished a total of 34 Cambodian and Southeast Asian antiquities purchased from Latchford.  The two antiquities were returned to Indonesia today at a ceremony celebrating their repatriation at the Indonesian consulate.

“Today, we celebrate the return of Indonesia’s cultural heritage to the Indonesian people,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “This Office is committed to thwarting the illicit trafficking of looted and stolen art and antiquities.  We will continue to partner with HSI to end callous profiteering from stolen artworks of cultural significance, and we thank the collector of these works for their voluntary safe return.  It is with great pleasure that we send these artworks on the final leg of their journey home.”

The antiquities returned to Indonesia today are two 8th Century standing bronze Buddhist sculptures depicting Avalokiteshvara, approximately 16 and 20 inches tall.  The sculptures were illicitly removed from archeological sites in Indonesia by a team of looters decades ago and then sold to Latchford, who was based in Bangkok.  Between 2003 and 2007, Latchford sold these and other Southeast Asian antiquities to the Collector.  Over the years, Latchford lied to and withheld information from the Collector to conceal that the pieces were stolen.  The two bronze sculptures returned to Indonesia were the subject of a civil forfeiture action filed in this District, United States v. A Late 12th Century Bayon-Style Sandstone Sculpture Depicting Eight-Armed Avalokiteshvara, et al., 22 Civ. 229 (JMF), and identified as “Sculpture-12” and “Sculpture-27” in the civil forfeiture complaint. 

Since 2012, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), has successfully investigated, identified, and repatriated dozens of stolen and illegally imported Cambodian and other Southeast Asian antiquities in the possession of individuals and institutions in the United States.  Latchford was previously indicted in the Southern District of New York in 2019 for orchestrating a multi-year scheme to sell looted Cambodian and other Southeast Asian antiquities on the international art market.  The Indictment was later dismissed due to Latchford’s death.  

Mr. Clayton thanked HSI for its outstanding work to recover and repatriate the stolen and looted cultural property. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit.  

Maryland Man Sentenced for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS

 

A Maryland man was sentenced today in connection with charges stemming from his attempt to join and fight for ISIS. 

U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson sentenced Michael Sam Teekaye Jr., 22, to 15 years in prison followed by lifetime supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Teekaye revealed his plan to join and fight for ISIS to an undercover officer (UCO).

“Mr. Teekaye sought to support a foreign terrorist organization that has committed unspeakable acts of violence and took real-world steps to carry out a terrorist attack in Maryland,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O’Hayes for the District of Maryland. “Today’s sentence underscores that those who seek to aid terrorist organizations will be identified, prosecuted, and held fully accountable. I commend the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and our law-enforcement partners for their exceptional work in disrupting this threat and protecting our communities before any harm could occur. There is no margin for error when it comes to terrorism.”

“This sentencing reinforces the gravity of Michael Teekaye’s crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “Undoubtedly, lives were saved because law enforcement thwarted Teekaye’s plan to join ISIS and murder Americans. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force works around the clock to protect our country by identifying threats like this and preventing them from being carried out and harming our citizens.”

According to court documents, between March and April 2023, Teekaye engaged in multiple conversations with the UCO. During these conversations, Teekaye told the UCO he wanted to travel to Africa to join ISIS as a “mujahid,” or fighter. Teekaye also told the UCO that his “plan B” was to carry out an attack in the United States against Jews and people who support Israel. He said that he researched buildings close to him that support Israel and thought about how to “gun down key members or anyone involved.” 

On three occasions in May and June of 2024, Teekaye purchased ammunition and range time at a shooting range in Severn, Maryland, which he later told the UCO was part of his “training.” Then in July 2024, Teekaye attempted to purchase a Kalashnikov K-9 9mm assault rifle, but since Teekaye was on probation in a state criminal case, the purchase was denied. 

Between August and October 2024, Teekaye told the UCO that he engaged with a Somali ISIS fighter regarding his plans to travel to Somalia to join ISIS. Teekaye explained that he would first fly to Turkey, then travel to Ethiopia, and then cross the border into Somalia. He sent the UCO screenshots of an Ethiopian e-Visa he obtained from the ISIS fighter. On Oct. 4, Teekaye told the UCO that he received airline tickets from the ISIS fighter. He also sent the UCO screenshots of his travel itinerary showing that he planned to depart from Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) on Oct. 14, and fly to Istanbul, Turkey, with a layover in London.

Then on Oct. 10, Teekaye sent the UCO a photo of himself wearing a black mask and holding a large machete, and he added, “Victory or shahada [i.e., martyrdom] … either you do it here or over there or both.” On Oct. 11, the UCO asked whether Teekaye was “sure” he wanted to join ISIS. Teekaye responded that he was “sure” because he had done “a lot of research” and “they are the only group that has the most true and sincere intentions.” 

On Oct. 14, FBI agents arrested Teekaye at BWI after he checked in for his flight and proceeded through security. After his arrest, Teekaye made the following unprovoked statements, among others: “I’m just gonna get out in 20 years and I’m just gonna do it here. Okay?  Okay?  It will never stop. Jihad will never stop. I’ll just do it here then, when I get out.”  He then made reference to a recent attack in which ISIS prison inmates killed four Russian penal colony guards, and threatened to kill a guard while in prison. He continued: “You think 20 years is something? I’ll be like 40 when I get out, then I’ll just do it. I don’t care. It will never stop. Jihad will never stop. I’ll come and I’ll kill your soldiers. I’ll kill you, and I’ll kill . . . .”  While making these statements, Teekaye kicked and spat on one of the arresting agents.

Following Teekaye’s arrest, the FBI searched his cell phone pursuant to a search warrant. The cell phone showed that he conducted multiple searches for specific Jewish and Israeli individuals and organizations in Howard County. Additionally, law enforcement discovered that Teekaye conducted searches about “how to break into a home” and “how to escape murder.” One of these individuals, a rabbi, submitted a victim-impact statement. The rabbi also spoke at the sentencing, detailing how Teekaye’s crime impacted him and the Jewish community.

On Oct. 24, 2024, a federal grand jury in the District of Maryland returned an indictment charging Teekaye with one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (i.e., ISIS), and one count of assaulting a federal officer. Teekaye pled guilty to the first count on January 30, 2026.

After Teekaye entered his guilty plea, and before he was sentenced, guards discovered two homemade weapons in Teekaye’s jail cell, including a large knife, as pictured below:

Image of homemade knife in Teekaye's cell.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI Baltimore Field Office for its work in the investigation and praised the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with the FBI’s Newark and Richmond Field Offices and New York Police Department, for their valuable assistance. 

Man Sentenced to 200 Months’ Imprisonment for Role in Large-Scale Meth and Fentanyl Trafficking

 

United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today that Juan Carlos Felix, 47, the lead defendant in a large-scale drug trafficking case that involved an extensive undercover operation, was sentenced to 200 months’ imprisonment. 

On November 18, 2025, Felix pleaded guilty for his role in an expansive methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking operation responsible for moving large quantities of narcotics from California into the Midwest.

According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating in September 2023 after learning that Felix was trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine from California to states in the Midwest, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. Investigators infiltrated Felix’s network, and from September 2023 through May 2024 an undercover officer coordinated nine controlled narcotics transactions with Felix that collectively contained nearly 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than a kilogram of fentanyl. 

Felix was formerly convicted of transporting controlled substances in Los Angeles in both 2015 and 2019, serving two and five years in prison, respectively. And here, Felix was not simply a member of a large drug trafficking organization responsible for facilitating shipments of illicit narcotics. Rather, Felix supervised and directed the activities of multiple Midwest-based members of the trafficking operation, including directing co‑defendants to collect payments and conduct drug exchanges on his behalf. 

“Juan Carlos Felix, a known Sinaloa Cartel affiliate, was operating out of Minneapolis with a network that spanned several Midwest states,” DEA Omaha Field Division Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie said. “There is truly no portion of the country immune to the threat of these drug trafficking organizations and the fentanyl, methamphetamine and other deadly drugs they are moving into our communities. The DEA is committed to dismantling these organizations cell-by-cell as we work toward eliminating these threats from the heartland.”

“The scale of Juan Felix’s operation was staggering,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. “Had these drugs reached Minnesota, the impact would have been devastating. Yesterday’s sentencing reflects our commitment to safeguarding the people of Minnesota by keeping dangerous drugs off our streets.” 

“This case highlights the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s commitment to keeping our communities safe from the scourge of methamphetamines and fentanyl,” said Inspector in Charge Bryan Musgrove. “Every day, Postal Inspectors work to protect the mail from being misused by criminals, including large scale Drug Trafficking Organizations. The sentence handed down today should serve as a reminder to other perpetrators that we remain vigilant, along with our law enforcement partners, to swiftly bring anyone who engages in this activity to justice.”

“Drug trafficking reaches far beyond those involved in the illegal drug trade,” said Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. “Traffickers fuel addiction, which victimizes families and threatens the safety of entire communities. The outstanding work of our agents and law enforcement partners ensured that Mr. Felix can no longer prey on the people of the Iron Range and Duluth areas. Their dedication and commitment to protecting Minnesotans have made those communities safer today.”

“The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have assisted our DEA partners in removing a repeat drug trafficker from our community, protecting our residents from the large quantities of dangerous narcotics he had spent time and effort transporting and distributing,” said Chief Deputy of Carlton County Sheriff’s Office Dan Danielson.

“This case reflects the strength of our partnerships across every level of law enforcement. Mr. Felix’s operation pushed significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl into our communities, and this sentence reflects the seriousness of that harm,” said Chief of Police of Cloquet Police Department Derek Randall. “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal, state, and local partners for their relentless work to hold him accountable and keep these drugs off our streets.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, US Postal Inspection Service, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, Cloquet Police Department, and other federal and local law enforcement partners.

Three Illegal Aliens Arrested Crossing the Border with Firearms in Texas

 

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested three illegal aliens who crossed the border while in possession of firearms.

On June 27, a U.S. Border Patrol agent encountered three illegal aliens – two who were armed with AK-style assault rifles – near Presidio, Texas. The third illegal alien who was arrested admitted to crossing the border with a firearm and gave agents the location of the weapon.

All three weapons were recovered, along with ammunition. Two of the weapons had serial numbers removed. The weapons will be transferred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

All three illegal aliens – Edgar Barrios-Najera, Misael Hernandez-Rodriquez, and Braulio Murrillo-Tevarez – were identified as adults from Mexico, and they now all face charges of illegal possession of a firearm.

The guns and ammunition that were recovered.

“These illegal aliens from Mexico illegally crossed the border with assault rifles and ammunition,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Thanks to the swift work of the U.S. Border Patrol and our partner agencies, these three criminals failed to get into our country and will not be able to threaten the American people. Under President Trump’s leadership, our borders are SECURE.”

Multiple agencies provided support to CBP, including the ATF, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Presidio County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of War.

Image

Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul Unveil Historic Plan to Build the Fastest, Best Bus System in New York City History

 

“Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service” identifies 50 priority corridors for speed improvements, including five next-generation rapid bus routes, saving riders as much as six minutes each ride 

 

Plan will install shelters and seating at hundreds of bus stops, roll out thousands of new buses, phase in all-door boarding in 2027 and deliver a new, world-class rapid bus route on Flatbush Avenue by 2030

   

Rendering of a future rapid transit corridor in New York City. Credit: NYC DOT

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service, a sweeping bus action plan to build the next generation of bus service in New York City.

The plan marks a historic partnership between the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to transform how New Yorkers experience the city’s buses — with investments that will make service faster, more accessible and more comfortable from curb to destination. The City has committed $254 million in expense funding and $628 million in capital funding over five fiscal years to carry out Next Stop.

Next Stop identifies 50 priority bus corridors for improvements across the five boroughs and launches the City’s next generation of rapid bus service along five key routes. Together, these investments will speed up buses by 20%, shorten commutes by up to six minutes each way, improve reliability, expand accessibility and create a bus system worthy of the city that depends on it.

“For working New Yorkers, every minute matters. But for too long, our buses have been stuck in traffic instead of keeping pace with the city that never sleeps,” said Mayor Mamdani. “When a commute stretches longer than it should, that’s less time with your kids, less time with your loved ones and less time enjoying the greatest city on earth. Together with Governor Hochul, we’re investing in faster, more reliable buses because New Yorkers deserve a transit system that respects their time. This plan will make it easier to get to work, school and home — and build a city that works better for the people who keep it running.”

“Every day, millions of New Yorkers rely on buses to get around this city, but for far too long, making their journeys faster and their lives easier has seemed out of reach. That all changes today,” said Governor Hochul. “New York is in the midst of a transit renaissance, with historic investments being made to improve the lifeblood of our city. Now, working with Mayor Mamdani, we are advancing a bold and ambitious plan to move buses faster, dramatically expand bus priority, reduce delays and make our bus system the envy of the world.”

“For years, we at MTA have wanted more bus lanes, more enforcement of cars and trucks blocking bus lanes. Faster buses. Congestion pricing. But it’s no secret we didn’t have support at the local level,” said Janno Lieber, Chair and CEO of the MTA. “That is not the case anymore. Our partners today — this Governor, this Mayor and this NYC DOT — all want to make sure that riding the bus is always faster than walking. They want to follow through on long overdue commitments to build bus lanes and busways. They will ramp up traffic enforcement to keep streets moving. Buses can only move as fast as traffic allows, so if you are a bus or a bus rider this is terrific news.”

“Next Stop represents a historic partnership to build the fastest, best bus system in our city’s history,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “The plan is designed to deliver for riders, to give time back to our neighbors and to make our bus system easier, more reliable and more comfortable for everyone. It represents a unique spirit of collaboration in which Albany and City Hall do not hesitate to work together to improve working people’s lives. The City has the streets, the State has the buses, and together, we are committed to delivering fast buses and better service for New Yorkers.”

“Too often, New York City’s bus riders have felt like an afterthought. The Mamdani administration is putting the city’s one million daily bus riders front and center through this historic partnership and investment,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “Bus service shouldn’t be treated as a second-rate option at the mercy of traffic congestion. It should be a world-class system for a world-class city: fast, comfortable, reliable and convenient enough that every New Yorkers sees the bus as a great way to get around. Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service provides the blueprint for transforming our bus system, and we are deeply appreciative of Governor Hochul and the MTA for their strong partnership.”

“The Mayor came in with a mandate for fast and free buses, and today he’s proudly delivering on fast, with a bold plan that will speed up buses for millions of daily riders,” said Elizabeth Adams, Senior Advisor for Fast and Free Buses for Mayor Mamdani. “Thanks to a historic partnership between the MTA and DOT, we are marking a new chapter for bus riders. These improvements will give people real time back in their day for what’s truly needed. The bus is a lifeline for countless New Yorkers and when someone is made late to work, school or to pick up their kids, it can have devastating impacts. Thank you to the advocates and partners who made this plan possible and helped bring this vision forward.”

New Yorkers take 2.75 million trips on New York City buses each day, making the system the busiest in the nation — carrying more riders than the bus systems of Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Philadelphia combined. But New York’s buses remain the slowest of any major U.S. city, averaging just eight miles per hour.

Improving bus service is central to Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul’s promise to make New York City more livable for working people. Bus riders are disproportionately working class, women and people of color and are more likely than subway riders or drivers to live in households earning less than $100,000 annually.

Fast Buses and the Next Generation of Rapid Transit

Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service identifies 50 priority corridors where NYC DOT and the MTA will target investments to address the city’s slowest and most delay-prone bus routes. Improvements along routes will begin this year.

Five corridors in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx have been selected as the first phase of New York City’s next generation of rapid bus routes: 

• Tremont/Cross Bronx, the Bronx 
• Northern Boulevard, Queens 
• Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn 
• Utica Avenue, Brooklyn 
• Kensington-JFK, Brooklyn and Queens 

These corridors were selected because they connect New Yorkers to jobs, schools, subway service and major destinations while supporting current and future housing and economic growth.

Beginning in 2026, NYC DOT and the MTA will advance these projects with dedicated, protected bus lanes, frequent all-day service, upgraded stations with sheltered waiting areas and public space improvements modeled after the best rapid bus systems around the world.

  

Reliable Buses

The MTA will work to improve service reliability by ensuring scheduled trips are completed, modernizing depot operations and strengthening bus maintenance.

Through the MTA’s historic $68 billion 2025-2029 Capital Program, fully funded by Governor Hochul and the State Legislature in the FY26 Enacted Budget, the authority will purchase approximately 2,500 new buses, replacing 40% of its aging fleet.

The MTA will also phase in all-door boarding in 2027 with the complete transition to tap and ride, reducing time bus riders are stuck at stops and helping buses move faster throughout the city.

Improving the Rider Experience

The plan recognizes that riders deserve more than a faster trip — they deserve a better one.

To make bus stops safer, more comfortable and more accessible, NYC DOT and the MTA will: 

• Expand the bus stop accessibility program to reach 65 stops per year by 2030. 
• Install 300 new bus shelters by 2028. 
• Add seating at 875 bus stops annually, ensuring every feasible stop has seating by 2035. 
• Plant 30 trees at bus stops in 2026 and pilot shelter design improvements for mitigating extreme heat at bus stops. 
• Install 90 new Real-Time Passenger Information displays in 2026 and expand to 2,900 displays citywide by 2030. 

Keeping Bus Lanes Clear

Keeping buses moving requires keeping bus lanes free of illegal traffic.

Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) has increased bus speeds by as much as 30% while reducing collisions by 20%.

To build on those gains:  

• NYC DOT and the MTA will expand bus-mounted ACE to 25 additional routes each year in 2026 and 2027.  
• NYC DOT will install 200 additional stationary bus lane cameras by 2027, an effective program to capture vehicles illegally driving in bus lanes.  
• The New York City Police Department (NYPD) will expand targeted bus lane enforcement from 14 to 20 corridors beginning in 2026.  

Putting Riders Front and Center

Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service also establishes a more robust, rider-centered approach to community engagement.

Working alongside the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement (OME) and other City agencies, NYC DOT and the MTA will hold community events, conduct surveys and partner with advocacy organizations and community groups before the projects begin. Public education campaigns will help riders understand upcoming improvements and service upgrades.

To ensure accountability, NYC DOT and the MTA will publicly release performance data within six to 12 months after projects are completed, measuring impacts on travel times, reliability and rider experience while identifying opportunities for further improvements.