Express Bus Advocacy Group

[Via Garibaldi 8]

8 hours ago, QM1to6Ave said:

Anyone know how reliable the 9:30 am QM6 to NST on Sunday mornings is? I may be doing some reverse commuting on sundays for a while, but never took the bus to queens that early

@Lil 57

@Via Garibaldi 8

I’ve taken it regularly to check service. Reliable it is... Bus gets a decent load and comes right on-time most of the time for the pick-up segment. Finishing on time is another story. Usually the bus is so late arriving at the North Shore Towers that I just take the same bus back to Midtown instead of getting off at 260th and Union Turnpike for the QM5. I’ve had a newbie driver or the Asian guy whose bus smells like cigarette smoke. Nice guy but he clearly smokes on the bus and I find it annoying. The newbie driver was over 20 minutes late finishing, and that’s with no traffic. If you expect to get there at the time stated, don’t bank on it. lol

When the new schedules come out, I’ll take so more trips to rate service.

[Union Tpke]

49 minutes ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

I’ve taken it regularly to check service. Reliable it is... Bus gets a decent load and comes right on-time most of the time for the pick-up segment. Finishing on time is another story. Usually the bus is so late arriving at the North Shore Towers that I just take the same bus back to Midtown instead of getting off at 260th and Union Turnpike for the QM5. I’ve had a newbie driver or the Asian guy whose bus smells like cigarette smoke. Nice guy but he clearly smokes on the bus and I find it annoying. The newbie driver was over 20 minutes late finishing, and that’s with no traffic. If you expect to get there at the time stated, don’t bank on it. lol

When the new schedules come out, I’ll take so more trips to rate service.

Smoking on the bus is illegal, and he should be written up.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

12 minutes ago, Union Tpke said:

Smoking on the bus is illegal, and he should be written up.

I know, but I don’t go crazy. Nice driver. Offered to let me sit on the bus when he heard what I was doing. I declined since I am not an  employee.

[QM1to6Ave]

1 hour ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

I’ve taken it regularly to check service. Reliable it is... Bus gets a decent load and comes right on-time most of the time for the pick-up segment. Finishing on time is another story. Usually the bus is so late arriving at the North Shore Towers that I just take the same bus back to Midtown instead of getting off at 260th and Union Turnpike for the QM5. I’ve had a newbie driver or the Asian guy whose bus smells like cigarette smoke. Nice guy but he clearly smokes on the bus and I find it annoying. The newbie driver was over 20 minutes late finishing, and that’s with no traffic. If you expect to get there at the time stated, don’t bank on it. lol

When the new schedules come out, I’ll take so more trips to rate service.

That is super helpful as always! What time does is usually arrive at NST? I'll probably be taking it pretty far down the line

[Via Garibaldi 8]

38 minutes ago, QM1to6Ave said:

That is super helpful as always! What time does is usually arrive at NST? I'll probably be taking it pretty far down the line

lol Around 10:40-10:45... Hardly under an hour as the schedule claims, that’s for sure... You would need a driver that knows how to move, otherwise forget it. We’ll see come next pick, but none of those 9:30 trips that I took clocked in under an hour, nor on-time. Usually late by the time we reach Main Street.

Edited April 2, 2019 by Via Garibaldi 8

[QM1to6Ave]

25 minutes ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

lol Around 10:40-10:45... Hardly under an hour as the schedule claims, that’s for sure... You would need a driver that knows how to move, otherwise forget it. We’ll see come next pick, but none of those 9:30 trips that I took clocked in under an hour, nor on-time. Usually late by the time we reach Main Street.

If you can't make good time on a Sunday morning going to Queens, forget ever making it on time lol!

[Via Garibaldi 8]

17 minutes ago, QM1to6Ave said:

If you can't make good time on a Sunday morning going to Queens, forget ever making it on time lol!

There were a few Queens bound trips that I actually got off early because the guy was so late.  There was a QM5 trip like that. I said forget it. This guy is already over 20 minutes late.  Recorded his time in my iPad and how late he was, then went to 188th and Union Turnpike and jumped on a QM6 since he was running hot.  Scared the crap out of the guy because he had seen me before with my iPad. LOL So I get on like all normal, then he looks because he probably realized that I was taking down his arrivals because I knew that 188th and Union Turnpike is a time point and of course Main and Union Turnpike is too. So he held there just in case because I could tell he likes to come early. lol When I take trips, I do post in the group and I do have eyes watching, just put it that way. lol

Edited April 2, 2019 by Via Garibaldi 8

[7-express]

So they finally installed a schedule box on the fancy new pole on 59th and Lex that can't show times for all 4 buses that serve the stop.  But here's the kicker...the schedule box now only shows the Q32 schedule while the other 3 panels show useless information.  Trying to use the QM2/20/3?  Go figure it out yourself.  Thanks DOT.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

4 minutes ago, 7-express said:

So they finally installed a schedule box on the fancy new pole on 59th and Lex that can't show times for all 4 buses that serve the stop.  But here's the kicker...the schedule box now only shows the Q32 schedule while the other 3 panels show useless information.  Trying to use the QM2/20/3?  Go figure it out yourself.  Thanks DOT.

They may come up with special timetables.  Not sure yet, but what they did at my bus stops is the following:

BxM1/BxM2 split with one timetable

BxM18 gets its own timetable

Hudson Raillink gets its own timetable

Before something was always left out so we would file complaints and then finally they came up with that.

[Bay Ridge Express]

11 hours ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

I’ve taken it regularly to check service. Reliable it is... Bus gets a decent load and comes right on-time most of the time for the pick-up segment. Finishing on time is another story. Usually the bus is so late arriving at the North Shore Towers that I just take the same bus back to Midtown instead of getting off at 260th and Union Turnpike for the QM5. I’ve had a newbie driver or the Asian guy whose bus smells like cigarette smoke. Nice guy but he clearly smokes on the bus and I find it annoying. The newbie driver was over 20 minutes late finishing, and that’s with no traffic. If you expect to get there at the time stated, don’t bank on it. lol

When the new schedules come out, I’ll take so more trips to rate service.

Any info on the X27/X37/X28/X38? I don't mean to use you as a guide lol, but I'm just curious.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

2 hours ago, Bay Ridge Express said:

Any info on the X27/X37/X28/X38? I don't mean to use you as a guide lol, but I'm just curious.

What kind of info exactly? Service has been a mess and we had a conference call with the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office on Friday discussing the issues... Overcrowding, buses breaking down everywhere, etc. I would elaborate but not sure what information you’re requesting.

[Bay Ridge Express]

5 hours ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

What kind of info exactly? Service has been a mess and we had a conference call with the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office on Friday discussing the issues... Overcrowding, buses breaking down everywhere, etc. I would elaborate but not sure what information you’re requesting.

Just in terms of how the service is in general.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

5 hours ago, Bay Ridge Express said:

Just in terms of how the service is in general.

It’s a mess and it needs fixing. I have to get back to the Borough President’s Office with all of the photos and information that was requested later today when I have a chance. Been buried with projects.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Northeast Queens to receive $3 million dollars for increased express bus service

Northeast Queens lawmakers announce upcoming transit improvements for outer-borough commuters

File photo/QNS

A Long Island Rail Road train arriving in Bayside

By Carlotta Mohamed/ cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com / Wednesday, April 3, 2019 / 12:30 PM

Transit improvements will be made in northeast Queens after state Assembly members Edward Braunstein and Nily Rozic reached an agreement during this year’s 2019-2020 state budget negotiations to offset the impact of congestion pricing on outer-borough commuters.

The lawmakers announced on Wednesday upcoming transit improvements including a 20 percent reduction for a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) monthly pass for commuters in northeast Queens, $3 million in funding for increased express bus service, and $6 million for first-mile/last-mile connections.

Rozic said relief in the outer boroughs is long overdue for northeast Queens transit riders who are far too familiar with increasing fares and travel times.

“As part of this year’s state budget, it was critical for us to ensure that the needs of our communities were not neglected and that our transit system is fully funded,” said Rozic. “I am grateful for Assemblyman Braunstein’s partnership and look forward to seeing these improvements through their implementation.”

The agreement includes a 20 percent reduction in the monthly pass for commuters traveling to and from the following stations: Auburndale, Bayside, Broadway, Douglaston, Flushing-Main Street, Little Neck and Murray Hill.

A commuter traveling to and from Penn Station will save nearly $50 a month on their monthly pass. The funding for this fare discount was allocated from the Outer Borough Transit Fund, which was created by the state Legislature last year to assist those who live in areas with limited transit options.

“A significant number of northeast Queens LIRR commuters pay over $200 dollars for their monthly pass to travel to Manhattan,” said Braunstein. “I am proud to have joined with Assemblywoman Rozic to secure a 20 percent reduction for these commuters, which will result in a savings of over $500 a year.”

https://qns.com/story/2019/04/03/northeast-queens-lawmakers-announce-upcoming-transit-improvements-for-outer-borough-commuters/?fbclid=IwAR3gAcJoqPaMnIncYbuzbUD5vxD7nn-xMomvYmycJIx70VD0n6r32gchXUE

@QM1to6Ave @T to Dyre Avenue @ViaWaterViaChurch

[Lil 57]

3 minutes ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

Northeast Queens to receive $3 million dollars for increased express bus service

Northeast Queens lawmakers announce upcoming transit improvements for outer-borough commuters

File photo/QNS

A Long Island Rail Road train arriving in Bayside

By Carlotta Mohamed/ cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com / Wednesday, April 3, 2019 / 12:30 PM

Transit improvements will be made in northeast Queens after state Assembly members Edward Braunstein and Nily Rozic reached an agreement during this year’s 2019-2020 state budget negotiations to offset the impact of congestion pricing on outer-borough commuters.

The lawmakers announced on Wednesday upcoming transit improvements including a 20 percent reduction for a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) monthly pass for commuters in northeast Queens, $3 million in funding for increased express bus service, and $6 million for first-mile/last-mile connections.

Rozic said relief in the outer boroughs is long overdue for northeast Queens transit riders who are far too familiar with increasing fares and travel times.

“As part of this year’s state budget, it was critical for us to ensure that the needs of our communities were not neglected and that our transit system is fully funded,” said Rozic. “I am grateful for Assemblyman Braunstein’s partnership and look forward to seeing these improvements through their implementation.”

The agreement includes a 20 percent reduction in the monthly pass for commuters traveling to and from the following stations: Auburndale, Bayside, Broadway, Douglaston, Flushing-Main Street, Little Neck and Murray Hill.

A commuter traveling to and from Penn Station will save nearly $50 a month on their monthly pass. The funding for this fare discount was allocated from the Outer Borough Transit Fund, which was created by the state Legislature last year to assist those who live in areas with limited transit options.

“A significant number of northeast Queens LIRR commuters pay over $200 dollars for their monthly pass to travel to Manhattan,” said Braunstein. “I am proud to have joined with Assemblywoman Rozic to secure a 20 percent reduction for these commuters, which will result in a savings of over $500 a year.”

https://qns.com/story/2019/04/03/northeast-queens-lawmakers-announce-upcoming-transit-improvements-for-outer-borough-commuters/?fbclid=IwAR3gAcJoqPaMnIncYbuzbUD5vxD7nn-xMomvYmycJIx70VD0n6r32gchXUE

@QM1to6Ave @T to Dyre Avenue @ViaWaterViaChurch

That sounds great, hopefully they don't try to cut service elsewhere with that $3 million dollars to upgrade NE Queens service.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Other announcements:

Transit Round Table with Senator Biaggi

-The Express Bus Advocacy Group was invited today to attend a Transit Round Table for Senator Biaggi's district this week. Senator Biaggi represents the following express bus lines: BxM1, BxM2, BxM3, BxM4, BxM6, BxM8, BxM9, BxM10, BxM11 and BxM18.  

-We will discuss the need for a express bus monthly pass. Express bus riders are the ONLY commuters that don't have a monthly pass option.  Subway riders, local bus riders have a monthly pass, as do LIRR and MNRR riders

-The DOT has also been invited to further discuss improvements such as bus shelters, more countdown clocks, bus lanes and Transit Signal Priority for express bus commuters.

Edited April 3, 2019 by Via Garibaldi 8

[Via Garibaldi 8]

3 minutes ago, Lil 57 said:

That sounds great, hopefully they don't try to cut service elsewhere with that $3 million dollars to upgrade NE Queens service.

We're likely going to be speaking before the board later this month to solidify the position of no service cuts to any express bus line, and to push for new express buses.

[7-express]

Well that's great news.  I do wonder what the money will be spent on to improve NE Queens express buses.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

19 minutes ago, 7-express said:

Well that's great news.  I do wonder what the money will be spent on to improve NE Queens express buses.

Expansion of express bus service for sure.  Nily Rozic has brought this up years ago and has done so numerous times, and she is responsible in part for the current funding. She had a press conference with another elected official about expanding the hours and frequency of lines like the QM3 and QM5 back in 2014 show below. The QM3 now ends at 7:30, but at that time, it ended at 7:45 in the morning, but I believe it would likely run later with this funding in place. 

Rest assured that we're going to be pushing hard as well. We had a long discussion about express bus improvements for Northeast Queens in the last meeting as well.  We still want the QM2 restored at midnight.

Pols protest lack of Douglaston bus service

Area does not get its ‘fair share’ of transportation choices, they say

PHOTO BY VICTORIA ZUNITCH

Rep. Steve Israel addresses the Douglaston bus situation on Monday. With him are Councilman Paul Vallone, left, Borough President Melinda Katz, fourth from left, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, state Sen. Tony Avella and area residents.

Posted: Thursday, January 30, 2014 10:30 am

by Victoria Zunitch, Chronicle Contributor | 1 comment

Residents of Northeast Queens may get expanded bus service if Rep. Steve Israel (D-LI, Queens), Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) and other area politicians get their way.

At a press conference at a bus stop in Douglaston on Monday, Israel said that four out of five routes to the area had experienced an increase in ridership in the past two years. He called for more money for a Federal Transit Authority Bus and Bus Facilities Formula Grant, which provides funding for capital projects to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses, vans and related equipment and to construct related facilities, such as bus stops.

Israel said he would argue in Washington, DC that the cost of the initiative could be offset by cutting subsidies paid to the oil industry as well as those given to farmers to keep them from growing crops.

Expanding bus service is both smart and a way of getting Douglaston, which is not served with subways, its “fair share,” Israel said.

“It’s smart because every bus takes 35 cars off of the road, which means less traffic for those who are in their cars,” he said at the podium, which was positioned on a hill overlooking the Long Island Expressway.

And increased bus service is good for the environment, Israel said, because every commuter who switches from driving a car to taking a bus reduces his or her personal carbon emissions by 10 percent.

In Douglaston, morning commuters who want to take an express bus to Manhattan get their last chance at 7:45 a.m., Rozic noted.

“So if you want to go to Manhattan at any other time, you’re trapped. You’re stuck,” she said. The only option at other times is to “hitch a ride” to the Long Island Rail Road station in Jamaica, as there is no area bus service to the station.

Douglaston residents Rosemarie Giudice and Sara Minsteris said the lack of later commuter bus service has been a problem for schoolchildren and their families. Neighborhood parents who need to catch the bus to Manhattan by 7:45 a.m. often leave their children in the care of grandparents, who see them off to school, they said.

But for the past few years, area school bus stops were moved off streets where children could be supervised from indoors and onto Douglaston Parkway. That requires families to make the choice of either sending young children alone to the bus stop on the busy street or asking caregivers such as Giudice to escort them up and down steep hills, to and from the school bus stop, in all weather conditions.

Israel and Rozic were joined at the press conference by a large group of area politicians and activists who also want expanded bus service, including Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) and Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Whitestone). City Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) sent a written statement supporting the initiative as he was unable to attend.

Jason Chin-Fatt, a field organizer for the Straphangers Campaign, said that one use of additional funding could be to implement the joint Department of Transportation-MTA plans for rapid-transit buses.

If Israel is successful in obtaining the increased bus funding, the money would not be directly earmarked for Northeast Queens. It would follow an indirect route through the MTA, which would then have to make the decision about using the funds for the area.

Israel and other politicians said that bus service to the area had been cut during a round of MTA budget cuts, but not restored when some MTA funding was increased in subsequent years.

An MTA spokesman said that it has not heard about this issue directly from either Israel or Rozic, but that some frequency and running time improvements have been made in the past year on some buses serving Douglaston.

He also said that some bus lines have been expanded to cover parts of the routes of buses that had been eliminated, weekend Q79 service has been restored and expanded, and restoration of Q31 weekend service is planned for this spring.

Source: http://www.qchron.com/editions/north/pols-protest-lack-of-douglaston-bus-service/article_6592bdea-14a5-5687-8ce8-a6fbd992a759.html

 

 

 

[Lil 57]

1 minute ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

weekend Q79 service has been restored and expanded.

The Q36 extension only runs on weekdays so this is not true.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

1 minute ago, Lil 57 said:

The Q36 extension only runs on weekdays so this is not true.

I posted the article for express bus reference ONLY, not the local buses, only to discuss which express bus lines would probably see improvements.

[Lil 57]

3 minutes ago, Via Garibaldi 8 said:

I posted the article for express bus reference ONLY, not the local buses, only to discuss which express bus lines would probably see improvements.

Alright, since the Article is talking about improving the QM3, would it be possible to change the AM routing so that it makes those drop-off stops in Jackson Heights. It can enter the BQE at 69th street and take that to the LIE in the morning.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

3 minutes ago, Lil 57 said:

Alright, since the Article is talking about improving the QM3, would it be possible to change the AM routing so that it makes those drop-off stops in Jackson Heights. It can enter the BQE at 69th street and take that to the LIE in the morning.

Anything is possible. We've been speaking with elected officials around the City, including in Queens.  We have people that are in the group that are QM3 riders from Douglaston that are baffled as to why there are only three trips, so they'll welcome more service from Douglaston for sure.  We have proposed more marketing for such lines anyway from the .

[Via Garibaldi 8]

@Lil 57 I first need to see what happens with our comments to the DOT. I just spoke with one of my  contacts today in fact about our DOT comments and he just wrote to the DOT and copied me with the Queens comments, so once we see what they can do with our suggestions, then we can see about other things, but first and foremost, these buses have to start moving again.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Who is Brandon in here?  I just approved you...