Just as they are phased out in London (Boris’ dreams notwithstanding), it would appear that the M.T.A. Might Bring Back Double-Decker Buses to NYC.

Of course there are such buses running in the city right now - tour buses. But honestly — those extra long buses do cause back ups and gridlock in and of themselves - so if they were replaced with double decker buses even on a handful of regular MTA routes - it might help traffic in certain intersections.

Speaking of traffic - and aren’t I always? - I conducted an informal experiment the other week. Circumstances were such that for several days, I had appointments on 5th Avenue - all below 59th. Now, I don’t know when the last time you, dear readers, were on 5th Avenue on any given weekday - say, 11:00am-ish? But it’s not a pretty traffic picture. People (or maybe it’s just me) are always heard muttering under the breath, “God! I could walk faster than this.” At last I felt it was time to see if this was true.

Each of the four days in question, I would wait at the corner of 79th and 5th (figuring that 20 blocks should be sufficient for my test and still allow me to get to my appointments on time). I would start walking when a M1, M2, M3 or M4 bus pulled up (testing a different one each time).

The limiteds did get a head of me and eventually so did the M4 though not by much. I can state for the record though that in the middle of a weekday on 5th Avenue, due to traffic conditions, you can indeed walk it faster than the M3 bus.

Two words people. Congestion charge.