MTA Revamps Queens Bus System
The MTA has kicked off a significant transformation of the bus system in Queens, which has prompted the deployment of trained “ambassadors” into the community to notify riders of the upcoming changes.
On Monday, MTA CEO Janno Lieber, along with these ambassadors, took the time to engage with local residents, just a day after the new redesign was put into action. This overhaul introduces 16 new routes, alters 67 existing ones, and eliminates five routes altogether.
“We invest $35 million annually to enhance bus services in Queens,” Lieber stated during a press conference held near the main bus stop at St/Kissena Blvd. “These changes bring tangible benefits to the people of Queens. This exemplifies what effective governance looks like.”
This initiative marks the first phase of the eagerly awaited Queens Bus Network Redesign Project, representing the most significant update to the borough’s bus routes since the 1950s.
Among the alterations are added rush hour routes aimed at transporting passengers from underserved areas to key transport hubs like Jamaica and Flushing, as reported by officials.
For instance, one of the new Q13 routes is set to connect travelers between Bell Boulevard and Flushing in Bayside.
These ambassadors have a lot on their plate—they’re tasked with reaching out to almost 800,000 commuters impacted by these changes, according to Lieber.
Yet the shift hasn’t been without its challenges. Language barriers and the adherence to long-standing habits among some commuters have caused a bit of anxiety for local residents.
While distributing pamphlets that detail the service changes to passengers on the Q20, Lieber encountered puzzled expressions from riders who weren’t fluent in English. Thankfully, Charlie Zen, a 27-year-old MTA employee proficient in both Mandarin and Cantonese, stepped in to help clarify the situation.
The pamphlet, which has been translated into Chinese, has made the information more accessible to certain riders.
“It’s fine. It’s better for me. I knew. Signs in my language,” expressed Xi Jin, a 67-year-old local resident.
Meanwhile, Omar, 22, voiced his relief at being unaffected by the changes as he was on his way to his job as a security guard in the Bronx for the Q44. “That’s good for me; nothing has changed. I don’t need to deal with more issues. With the heat, humidity, and crowds, commuting to work is trying enough,” he said.
Looking ahead, officials have indicated that the second phase of the redesign is scheduled for implementation on August 31st.
