The new Queens bus routes update plans presented in 2019 and savaged by critics. The effect on Roosevelt Island is a clear improvement, but once off the Island, the blessings are mixed.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
The New Queens Bus Map
The 2019 bus map displayed an extreme level of carelessness when it came to Roosevelt Island. For one thing, it was incomplete. Stops vanished, and it didn’t connect with the Tram. That’s all settled now.
Our new local service, the Q104, cruises Roosevelt Island with some changes. The most substantial is eliminating the swing down to Southpoint, rarely used and already well-served by RIOC Red Buses.
But then, there’s Queens…
Folks accustomed to riding a Q102 over to the complex at Queensboro Plaza, where multiple trains and buses converge, will be disappointed. The Q104 route now turns left after crossing the Roosevelt Island Bridge, heading up Vernon Boulevard to Broadway.
That’s good news for Costco shoppers, new and old, because the buses stop out front before heading east up Broadway. And Broadway is host to a lot of other stores and restaurants previously unavailable directly by bus.
Some will love the new routes, but others won’t.
Scrolling all the way through until landing on the Q104 takes time, but you can see the details on every new route here.
Public Comment on the New Queens Bus Routes
According to AMNY, which first reported this story, the MTA will host a series of public comment sessions, starting April 18th, with each Queens Community Board getting a visit. Roosevelt Island’s problem, of course, being a Manhattan outlier served by Queens buses, is that it has no such board. There are, however, options for commenting online.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
- Fatal Stabbing on J Train at Woodhaven Boulevard Spurs Subway Safety Concerns in QueensA fatal stabbing on J train at Woodhaven Boulevard raises fresh subway safety concerns in Queens, as NYPD investigates and riders reflect on recent incidents.
- J and M Train Weekend Service Changes: What Riders Need to KnowJ and M train weekend service changes will impact riders for five weekends as crews replace elevated track switches. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare for modified schedules across Brooklyn and Queens.
- Coastal Flooding Disrupts Southeast Queens Streets and TransitCoastal flooding disrupted streets and transit across Southeast Queens as a fall nor’easter brought heavy rain and renewed calls for resilience and improved drainage.
- Nor’easter Brings Slow Streets and Transit Delays Across Queens and NYCAfter the nor’easter, slow streets and transit delays across Queens and NYC greeted commuters. Utility crews continued repairs as normal routines resumed Monday.
- Nor’easter Brings Flooding and Disruption Across New York CityA powerful nor’easter brings flooding and disruption across New York City, with heavy rain, gusty winds, and coastal flooding impacting neighborhoods through the weekend.
Ten Years, or Another Temporary Fix?
Roosevelt Island was built through public investment, then expected to support itself through development. The ten-year lease extension gives RIOC a rare chance to replace short-term deals with a financial system designed to outlast the people approving them.
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