New York to Enhance Bus Service in Outer Boroughs this Summer, Announces Governor Hochul and MTA

Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced an upcoming enhancement in bus service on 16 local routes across Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island set to begin June 29. This increase in bus frequencies aims to notably improve travel times, commute lengths, and sweating-it-out waiting vibes at your local bus stops.

"Every New Yorker deserves access to safe, fast and reliable public transit, and I'm investing in our buses and subways so we can deliver better service in every corner of our city," Governor Hochul said in a statement obtained by the Governor's office. Part of a larger scheme to address the hustle of city commutes, these service bumps come conjoined with the already in-place expanded express bus service on eight lines. The enhancements were initially prompted by congestion pricing efforts with a goal to, in essence, persuade folks to leave their cars for mass transit.

The neighborhoods due to benefit from the enhanced service include Riverdale to Co-op City in the Bronx, Crown Heights to Canarsie in Brooklyn, Flushing to Long Island City in Queens, and the Staten Island Mall to Bay Ridge for Staten Island dwellers. NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow touted the need for reliable service, especially for those not in proximity to a subway. In a release by the MTA, Crichlow shared, “Frequent, reliable bus service is essential for so many New Yorkers, especially for those who don’t live near the subway. By enhancing bus service on 16 local routes starting this summer, we can improve trips along critical corridors, especially where we have seen increased ridership since the beginning of congestion relief,” as noted by the Governor's office.

Local politicians have been quick to express their approval. Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson emphasized the importance of public transit in connecting people to essential services and opportunities. They also underlined the significance of these improvements as a step towards a more equitable transit system. State Senator John Liu expressed enthusiasm about the improvements, highlighting that the service enhancements represent a positive step for Queens residents who depend on the bus network for daily travel to school, work, and other important destinations, according to a statement shared by the MTA.

The cash fueling these bus route boosts – totaling $8 million – originates from the Outer Borough Transportation Account, established by the New York State Legislature in 2018 specifically to improve transportation services in the non-Manhattan boroughs.