CBS New YorkIn December, the MTA unveiled its proposed final plan for the Queens Bus Network Redesign, part of a citywide effort to expedite bus service.
But some South Ozone Park residents say the elimination of key stops in their neighborhood is a problem, not a solution.
The Q10 bus serves as a link to JFK Airport and the subway. MTA's proposed plan would reroute riders, in some cases adding travel time.
"You're making people go from one bus to either two or three buses, for what reason? It doesn't make sense to me," South Ozone Park resident Nia Rollins said.
MTA's proposed plan would eliminate the 130th Street stop where she begins her daily commute to Midtown Manhattan, requiring her to pay double the fare for multiple bus transfers. She worries a consolidation of the Q9 and Q10 will intensify crowding on buses at rush hour.
Locals shared emotional testimony at the March monthly meeting of Community Board 10, objecting to proposed alternate routes they call unfamiliar, unsafe and unreliable.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the MTA told CBS New York: "The proposed reroute of the Q10 is designed for a faster and more reliable riding experience by improving speed and reliability on the Lefferts Blvd corridor. We encourage members of the public to continue to provide feedback on the Plan at upcoming outreach events."
"It feels like lip service," district leader Richard David said.
He says the neighborhood's trust in the MTA was lost last summer when a southbound bus stop at 130th Street and Sutter Avenue suddenly disappeared. Met with community outrage, the MTA vowed to reinstate the stop but has not yet done so.
David says a vague timeline for the potential bus route changes is keeping neighbors vigilant.
"To just keep an eye on the MTA and their process — and the potential that they might pull a fast one — is a full-time job," he said.
Here's how you can keep an eye of the regulatory captured MTA and let them know how devastating their reroutes and bus stop removals will be for commuters.
(Notice there are no pop-ups in Middle Village or Maspeth where buses are the only mass transit available. But you think they would do one by the M train on Metropolitan)
The Redesign team will be out in communities across Queens on the dates listed below from 4-7 p.m. In the case of extreme weather, events may be rescheduled so customers are advised to check the project webpage before heading out to an event.
Monday, March 25: 165 St Bus Terminal, underneath the canopy of the bus bays
Tuesday, March 26: Flushing-Main St , on the central mezzanine of the subway station
Wednesday, March 27: Queens Center Mall, the northwest corner of Queens Blvd and Woodhaven Blvd
Tuesday, April 2: Jamaica-179 St , on the central mezzanine
Wednesday, April 3: Myrtle-Wyckoff Pedestrian Plaza outside of subway station (between Gates Av and Palmetto St)
Wednesday, April 3: Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St (A) subway station main entrance
Monday, April 8: Diversity Plaza near Jackson Heights 74 St-Roosevelt Av (7) subway station (between Broadway & 74 St)
Tuesday, April 9: Woodhaven Blvd southbound bus median outside the Rockaway Blvd subway station (in front of PC Richard & Son)
Monday, April 15: Queens Village LIRR Station, at the corner of Springfield Blvd and Amboy Ln
Tuesday, April 16: Union Tpke and Utopia Pkwy, on the southeast corner
Wednesday, April 17: Lefferts Blvd AirTrain Station, near the Q3, Q10, and B15 bus stops
Wednesday, April 17: Queens Plaza South and 28 St, on the southwest corner of the intersection
In partnership with the MTA’s Mobile Sales team, the Queens Bus Network Redesign team will be on-site at five Mobile Sales locations this spring to meet with bus customers, talk about the Proposed Final Plan and routes proposed in their neighborhood, and receive feedback.
Monday, April 8 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Astoria at Ditmars Blvd and 23 Av
Tuesday, April 16 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Rochdale Village Senior Center
Thursday, April 18 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in Jamaica at the Allen Community Senior Citizens Center
Friday, May 3 from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. at the Rego Park Mall outside Marshall’s
Monday, May 13 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center (Bell Blvd and 24 Av)
16 comments:
It's spring ride your bike...
Welcome to a very expensive WASTELAND
The MTA is a black hole of revenue
They are forcing 15 minute zones within the city. Just watch.
Luckily congestion pricing will provide funding for more and better bus service.
Bring it on!
Buses are for communists, period!
Good for the Sheeple !
Having the Q31 come down Utopia Pkwy will be very interesting, since Utopia is extremely narrow from 33rd Avenue to Station Road. There will either be lots of broken car mirrors and scraped cars, or they will make it alternate-side parking. And forget about the garbage trucks, Amazon delivery vans, etc.
Some people enjoy triple the gasoline prices...
Some of these bus routes need a radical overhaul. Our local bus, the Q18 zigzags through unnecessary side streets in Maspeth. There's a bus stop almost on every block. If you walk the route during rush hour, you will get to your destination faster than taking this tortoise.
How long before they figure this out?
Hiden claimed that used to commute over the Francis Scott Key Bridge by car and by rail in his first remarks on the tragedy.
Ummm…what train tracks is he referencing? Because there are none on the Francis Scott Key bridge.
"it's Trumps fault" in 3..2..1...
I'm shocked, absolutely shocked . . . . Is what I'd like to say.
But I can't, because I'm not.
Just print more MONEY
Just jump on those Citibikes they have installed all over the Maspeth Plateau area. No need for the Q67 or Q18.
Maybe its way past time to move closer and get to work quicker so you will be available for any extra work at Overtime pay,
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You're making people go from one bus to either two or three buses, for what reason? It doesn't make sense to me," South Ozone Park resident Nia Rollins said.
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