MTA Expanding Bus Service
Earlier tonight it was reported that, the MTA would be expanding bus service. The expanded service mainly focuses on Brooklyn but one part of the expansion involves a Queens bus route. The plans include sending the B83 to service The Gateway Center Mall. Also we will see an extension of the B61 & B77 to service the Ikea Store that is scheduled to open in Red Hook. Here is a brief article with all the details courtesy of AMNY:
New York City Transit will expand bus service to two shopping spots in Brooklyn and introduce 24-hour service along a Queens route.
The B83 route will carry shoppers to the Gateway Center Mall in East New York starting in November. The route now connects Broadway Junction, East New York and the Spring Creek Towers development in Brooklyn.
Residents of Spring Creek, also known as Starrett City, now have to transfer to other bus routes to reach the mall, separated from the complex by a canal. The almost one-mile extension will also connect commuters to five subway lines at Broadway Junction and the No. 3 line at Pennsylvania Avenue station.
Transit will extend service in January on the B61 to B77 lines to the Ikea store scheduled to open in Red Hook. The agency in January will also introduce 24-hour service on the Q59 line to serve passengers in Williamsburg, Maspeth, Elmhurst and Rego Park.
The line now runs from 4:30 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, and on a shorter weekend schedule.
This is exciting news for those who depend on these lines. I imagine this will be a big boost for the local economy in & around Starrett City.
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This is not new, I have written numerous times to the MTA about this but my complaints fall on deaf ears. I refer to the existing bus waiting stations. They are notoriously ineffective at sheltering people from the rain and any serious type of inclement weather. If you don’t believe me stand under one in a wind or rain storm and find out for yourself.Many times it’s better to stand outside the shelter to avoid getting wet. I recently sent a letter about this to the MTA and was advised they were just about to renew the contract for new stations. I was assured the safety and comfort of the riding public was primary. When the new stations hit the streets they were worse than thhe ones replaced. Doesn’t anyone check on these items or all decisions made from behind their desks?