Four new climate-resilient bus shelters have been installed along Pitkin Avenue in Brownsville as part of a pilot testing ways to make the busy commercial corridor cooler, greener and more comfortable for bus riders.
The project includes New York City’s first green-roof bus shelter, featuring native plants, grasses and wildflowers designed to add greenery, support native pollinators and help cool the bus stop.
Three additional shelters use a low-cost film designed to reflect sunlight and reduce temperatures around the shelters. The pilot is being carried out by the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice in partnership with Resilient Cities Catalyst, the Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District and JCDecaux.
“Climate change is already redefining what it means to live in New York City, and our response has to protect New Yorkers where they are, including at bus stops. We are turning everyday infrastructure into an opportunity to make our neighborhoods cooler, greener and more resilient,” said Mayor Mamdani.
The project focuses on Brownsville, one of the New York City neighborhoods most vulnerable to extreme heat. The initiative aims to improve conditions for residents who rely on public transportation while testing ways to address extreme heat and heavy rainfall. It is also part of broader efforts to strengthen Pitkin Avenue as a more climate-resilient commercial corridor.
The pilot is connected to Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to improve New York City’s bus system. The plan includes efforts to improve the overall bus experience through additional shelter, seating and other rider-focused upgrades.
The initiative is also part of Resilient Cities Catalyst’s Small Business Climate Resilience Program, which combines streetscape improvements, small business support and community-centered public space projects.
Brownsville residents can provide feedback through a community survey available in English and Spanish. Responses will help inform future improvements along Pitkin Avenue and other projects in Brownsville.
The city and its partners will evaluate the pilot to determine which climate-resilient shelter designs could be expanded to other neighborhoods across New York City. The green-roof pilot is expected to remain in place through at least November, while the reflective-roof shelters will be monitored through May 2027.
