Service cuts will no longer be coming to the Q44 bus line. (Wikimedia)
May 1, 2019 By Laura Hanrahan
The MTA will reverse its plans to cut service to two bus routes in Queens, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic announced on Monday.
The transportation authority and New York City Transit will restore full service on the Q46 and Q44 Select Bus Service lines, which run primarily along Union Turnpike and Main Street, respectively. The announcement comes just three months after service cuts were approved along the corridors.
“I am thankful that the MTA and NYCT listened to the concerns of Eastern Queens bus riders and restored Q46 and Q44 service —outerborough transit riders must not be neglected,” said Rozic. “These service investments will give riders more options to get where they need to go, more options during rush hour, and more reason to use subways and commuter trains instead.”
In January, the already limited service on the Q46 line was reduced throughout the day by reallocating several trips to the local AM peak times. Similar cuts had been planned for the Q44, but had not yet been implemented.
Rozic’s office says that following the cuts, they began hearing complaints from constituents about long delays and unreasonable wait times on the Q46 line, which services an area that does not have subway or train stations.
Rozic was able to reach an agreement with the MTA and New York City Transit that will restore full service to the Q46 and halt future cuts to the Q44 by funding the service with outer borough transit funds acquired by legislators. The funding has no impact on the MTA budget.
“We’re very pleased to be able to provide additional bus service along Main Street and Union Turnpike, allowing riders to get where they’re going quickly and effectively, in a way that doesn’t add costs to the MTA,” said Darryl Irick, President of the MTA bus company.
Riders Alliance Senior Organizer Stephanie Burgos-Veras thanked Rozic for her work providing Queens riders, who often have greuling commutes, with more reliable service.
“The restoration of bus service on the Q44 and Q46 represents a giant leap for riders,” Burgos-Veras said. “As advocates for better transit and congestion pricing, we argued that it wasn’t just about Manhattan nor just about the train. Today, the proof is in better bus service for eastern Queens.”
