By Philip Newman
Queens patrons of MTA bus lines will see both cuts and additions in service with the arrival of spring, although the cuts in the borough will be fewer than the improvements.
Deidre Parker, a spokeswoman for the New York City Transit Authority, said the changes are a routine procedure throughout the year in regulating schedules to meet passengers’ needs at given times and to overall increase on-time service.
Twenty-four bus lines citywide would actually receive added service.
In Queens, the Q3 (Farmers Boulevard-John F. Kennedy International Airport) would get a 4.4 percent improvement in service, the Q4 (Linden Boulevard) a 5.1 percent reduction in service, the Q5 (Merrick Boulevard/Green Acres/Rosedale) a 2.4 percent improvement, the Q12 (Sanford Avenue/Northern Boulevard) would see a 5.9 percent improvement in service, the Q24 (Atlantic Avenue/Broadway) would get 4.9 percent increase in service, the Q26 (46th Avenue/Hollis Court Boulevard) would get a 1.5 cut in service and the Q33 (82nd and 83rd streets/LaGuardia Airport main terminal) would get a 0.6 percent service improvement.
The Q43 (Hillside Avenue) would get 1.25 percent more service, the Q44/Q20A/B (Main Street/Cross Bronx Expressway) would get a 7.23 percent improvement in service, the Q59 (Grand Street/Grand Avenue) would see a 1.1 percent reduction in service, the Q76 (Frances Lewis Boulevard) would get a 3.3 percent service cut and the Q84 (Merrick Boulevard/120th Avenue) would see a 2.5 percent service reduction.
Transit officials said the plan includes elimination of no bus lines.
Brooklyn would be the borough most affected, with 14 bus lines involved.
The plan, which the Metropolitan Transportation Authority calls its 24-month Look-Ahead Capital Program for July 2010 to June 2012, would become effective in April if approved by the MTA board Jan. 26.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-260-4536.
