Guided busways are prefabricated tracks equipped to handle only buses. While on the tracks, buses can move almost as fast as trains. Buses can leave the tracks and operate as a regular buses, accommodating local routes and off-track destinations. Guided busways cost about one-third less than light rail.

A guided busway along the Staten Island Expressway would probably optimally continue over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and up the Gowanus Expressway, providing Staten Islanders with a one-seat rapid transit ride into Manhattan. The Gowanus HOV lane, now clogged with cars (many of which are single-occupant cheaters) should first be converted to bus-only status.

The NY State DOT, however, is likely to propose building new car and truck lanes on the Expressway. The agency is under pressure to drop this option and elaborate on its bus-way analysis.