Queens commuters who are nervous about the borough’s upcoming bus network changes will get a little help along the way from some MTA “ambassadors.”
The MTA announced on Monday a new way to help bus riders through the transition this month — launching a customer ambassador program in anticipation of the first phase of the Queens bus network redesign that includes various route changes beginning June 29.
From June 16 to July 12, select bus stops will be staffed with customer representatives who can answer questions related to the changes.
“Our past customer ambassador programs have been incredibly successful in raising awareness of upcoming changes and how the project aims to provide better, more reliable bus service through a modernized network,” NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said. “It also reassures riders that we are committed to making the transition to the new network as seamless as possible, with the opportunity to engage in-person with a staff member.”
Phase 1 of the redesign includes nearly 70% of the plan’s changes. MTA officials said the customer ambassadors will return when the second part of the redesign launches on Aug. 31.
The entire redesign includes 124 routes, up from 113, across the nearly 70-year-old bus system. Those routes include 94 local and 30 express lines.
The MTA said the redesign was done to modernize the bus network and improve bus service throughout the borough.
Among the changes is the end of service for the Q22 west of Beach 116 Street as of Aug. 31. It will be replaced by the Q35. To the east, the Q22 will extend to the Far Rockaway Long Island Rail Road station, and two extended trips per day will serve Bayswater. Some stops will be removed.
New “rush routes” will also launch, aimed at speeding up commutes for bus riders who live in neighborhoods with limited access to public transit.
The MTA’s website has an easy-to-use Route Look-Up Tool. This tool allows riders to select a bus route from a drop-down menu and see if any changes will be made.
The MTA said the redesign “touches nearly every route” in Queens and is one of the “most comprehensive” service changes in the agency’s history. After what agency officials described as an extensive outreach process that included over 250 events, a public hearing, and more than 18,000 comments, the final version of the plan was approved on Jan. 29 this year.
Visit mta.info to learn more about the Queens Bus Network redesign.
