You are reading

Costantinides Calls on MTA to Add Busways as Part of Bus Network Redesign

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons via Tdorante10 CC BY-SA 4.0)

Jan. 14, 2020 By Kristen Torres

Council Member Costa Constantinides is urging MTA officials to add more busways, prioritize inter-borough travel and enhance public outreach as it works on redesigning the borough’s bus network.

Constantinides penned a letter to MTA New York City Transit President Andy Byford and DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg on Jan. 9 asking the officials to add additional elements to the Queens Bus Network Redesign draft plan after fielding resident complaints since its Dec. 31 release.

“While I understand the methodologies being used to develop the draft, there are components I disagree with and believe we can significantly improve on,” Constantinides wrote.

The Council Member called on officials to include bus-only streets in the redesign in order to expedite travel times, and pointed to the success of Manhattan’s 14th Street Busway Pilot Project—launched in October 2019—as evidence.

Ridership on Manhattan’s M14 Select Bus Service line has jumped 24 percent since the pilot launched, and cut average travel time along the route by more than five minutes, according to a preliminary report on the program. As part of the pilot, only buses and trucks are permitted on 14th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues from 6 a.m. through 10 p.m.

Constantinides called on DOT officials to work with the MTA on developing similar busways in Queens, though he didn’t specify what streets they should study.

“If we wait too long to seriously consider busways, our bus network could continue to suffer from decreasing ridership, lose the people’s trust, and fall short of meeting the needs of riders in transit deserts,” Constantinides said.

Constantinides also urged the MTA to put greater emphasis on travel within the borough.

The council member pointed to proposed changes on the Q18 bus line—which currently connects Astoria to Maspeth⁠ and whose peak wait time would increase nearly 12 minutes under the draft plan—to illustrate proposed changes to the current network that would hinder inter-borough travel.

“Our mass transit system was built to connect workers to Manhattan. It’s time to plan for how we connect people to one another within our borough, not just how we get to work,” Constantinides said.

The need for more public outreach surrounding the plan has been echoed across the borough by local officials and transit advocates since its release, and Constantinides mirrored the sentiment in his letter.

He urged transit officials to hold targeted community forums at senior centers and public housing developments, along with canvassing households that are not within walking distance to subway stations.

“These are the communities who would be most affected and they may not be members of their
Community Board or have access to many of the online tools the MTA has developed to discuss
this process,” Constantinides said.

The MTA’s community outreach plan surrounding the draft proposal includes community meetings to take place throughout the borough in January and February, with more to be announced, according to officials.

A final draft of the Queens Bus Network Redesign is set to be released in spring 2020.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

May races in Queens: JFK Airport 5K, Forest Park trail classic and a Queensborough 5K

May. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

The energy of May is on full display across Queens, with a lineup of local races that invite runners of all levels to hit the pavement and the trails. With mild temperatures and sunny skies setting the stage, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the spring weather before the summer heat sets in. From the Forest Park 4 Mile Road and Trail Classic to the festive Great Hawaiian Luau 5K at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, these events offer more than just a workout—they foster community spirit and personal growth. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before lacing up and heading out. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or new to the sport, these May races offer a chance to challenge yourself and connect with others in motion.

Mayor Adams marks one year of ‘Padlock to Protect’ with pizza and progress in Queens

Mayor Eric Adams marked the one-year anniversary of the launch of the city’s “Operation Padlock to Protect” initiative at a pizzeria on the Rego Park and Middle Village border on Wednesday and touted the significant progress in shutting down more than 1,400 illegal smoke shops across the five boroughs and seizing more than $95 million in illegal product since last May.

“The city was fed up. We heard it at every town hall. This time last year, there were thousands of illegal smoke shops plaguing our city with unlicensed cannabis endangering our children,” Adams said. “One year later, we are proud to announce that we have turned the tide. Thanks to the tireless efforts by our city’s law enforcement officers, we’ve padlocked thousands of illegal shops and created safer streets for children and families. But we’re not stopping there.”