The streets of Queens are setting the stage for an extensive bus network transformation with the Phase 1 rollout that began yesterday. According to a CBS News report, around 800,000 residents will be impacted by the changes which introduce 124 routes – 94 local and 30 express, including 14 new routes and the so-called "rush" routes. However, some of the lines such as the Q15A, Q20A, Q20B, Q34, Q48, and QM3 have been discontinued or replaced.
Plans to adjust Queens' bus routes are still tentative. Launching 16 new routes, changing 67, and discontinuing five are the marks of Phase 1. Phase 2, slated to commence on August 31 as detailed by an ABC7 New York article, will see one new route get off the ground, with changes to 37 routes and one route termination. An enhancement in customer-oriented service seems to be the MTA's core goal, promising faster and more reliable bus operations across New York City's largest borough.
Transport advocates fear that individuals with disabilities might be left at the curb by this redesign. Jack Nierenberg, Vice President of Passengers United, expressed concerns, saying "They can provide no evidence that this would not create disproportionate burdens and barriers to access for people with disabilities," as CBS News reported. This sentiment is reflected in concerns about the reduced frequency of new routes like the Q82, which now runs only every 30 minutes.
Despite mixed reactions from the public, MTA leadership, helmed by MTA CEO Janno Lieber, insists that the redesign is a beneficial move. "800,000 Queens residents depend on our buses every day, and we owe it to them to find new ways to speed service," Lieber stated, as ABC7 New York pointed out. Queens bus riders can now use a second free bus transfer on trips paid with the same device or card. The impact of these changes on the commutes of 800,000 Queens residents will become clear as the MTA implements the new bus routes and adjusts traffic patterns in the area.
