Changes to Queens bus routes start Sunday as part of MTA network redesign project | What to know
QUEENS (WABC) -- After over six years of planning, timeworn bus routes in Queens are getting a major revamp for everyday commuters.
Starting Sunday, new routes will take effect boroughwide as part of the first phase of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Queens Bus Network Redesign project.
In the first phase, the MTA is launching 16 new bus routes, changing 67 routes and discontinuing five routes. In the second phase starting Sunday, August 31, the MTA will launch one new bus route, change 37 routes and discontinue one route.
The project is part of the MTA's broader effort to modernize New York City's bus network, better suit the needs of borough residents and reduce travel times.
"800,000 Queens residents depend on our buses every day, and we owe it to them to find new ways to speed service," said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. "No matter what else is going on in New York right now, the new MTA is listening to our customers and delivering bus speed improvements - whether it's by transformative redesign of the bus network, Automated Camera Enforcement, or congestion pricing."
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | MTA unveils proposed Queens bus network redesign
As part of the project, Queens bus riders who tap to pay using the same device or card will get a second free bus transfer on every trip.
The first transfer must be within two hours of the first tap and the second transfer must be within three hours. The MTA will pilot this additional free transfer for approximately six months while evaluating the new Queens bus network.
Meanwhile, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA announced that bus service will also increase on 14 local routes across Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island starting Sunday.
The following list of local bus routes are expected to benefit from the enhanced service:
The Bronx:
- Bx10(Riverdale-Norwood)
- Bx17(Port Morris-Fordham Plaza)
- Bx23(Co-op City-Pelham Bay Park Station)
- Bx28/Bx38(Co-op City-Fordham Center)
Brooklyn:
- B17(Crown Heights-Canarsie)
- B26(Fulton St-Ridgewood)
- B74(Sea Gate-Stillwell Avenue Station)
- B103(Canarsie-Downtown Brooklyn)
Queens:
- Q13(Flushing-Ft. Totten)
- Q28(Bayside-Flushing)
- Q35(Rockaway Park-Midwood)
- Q66(Flushing-Long Island City)
- Q69(Long Island City-Astoria)
Staten Island:
- S79 SBS(Staten Island Mall-Bay Ridge)
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