MTA changes bus route without notifying riders

From CBS New York:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority calls it “streamlining” service, but residents and some bus riders call it a serious headache.

The Q41 bus in south Ozone Park is running on a new route, but it’s a change that proved an unwelcome surprise for some.

“I just woke up one morning, went to the bus stop, I”m standing and I”m like, ‘Where’s the signs?’ I was like, ‘I didn’t see any bus,’” Kissandra Bryan told CBS 2′s Tony Aiello.

For years the Q41 took a detour from residential 109th Avenue and ran for about 17 blocks on busy 111th Avenue. Last week the detour was eliminated and the bus now makes a straight shot down 109th Avenue.

The MTA insists it advised riders of the change, but that’s not what some riders say.

Bryan said there were no announcements and no posters. The new route has also upset homeowners on 109th Avenue, who suddenly have bus stops on their door steps.

“Hello bus stop and goodbye parking,” said one resident.

The changes mean that close to 90 feet, or enough space for 8 or nine cars, has been eliminated. The neighbors say it’s tough losing all that parking. “Very tough for us, so, where are we gonna park?” asked another resident.

The MTA said it eliminated parking spots as needed for bus stops and the new route with fewer turns will be safer and more efficient.

Residents are so skeptical, they are starting a petition drive to bring back the old route.