Crowded Buses Show Need For Rail Service
Dear Editor:
Bus service has always been an issue on the Rockaway Beach line – specifically the Q53 serving the Queens community. There is daily overcrowding with students and adults alike trying to get onto the bus so that they can get to their destination on time.
As a parent, I am very concerned about the safety of the students trying to push and shove their way into the bus so that they are not late to school. As a matter of fact, one of the schools just release an email to parents and students that they have noticed an excessive number of students coming into school late.
This not only affects their academic progress, performance, development and promotion; it is unacceptable to the school.
The large influx of commuters is at the Woodhaven Boulevard and Liberty Avenue stop, where the main arteries meet between buses, cars and trains. This is a very dangerous intersection to cross, walk or drive and to have so many students standing there waiting for a bus is a safety concern.
To avoid the crowds and the pushing and shoving, I drive my child to Myrtle Avenue everyday just to make sure she is able to get onto the bus without incident.
MTA needs to review all options available including the reactivation of the Rockaway Beach Line to acyour commodate rush hour traffic and alleviate overcrowding on trains and buses going to Rockaway. This is not only beneficial to the commuter; it will benefit MTA with increase ridership.
Queens needs a crosstown subway.
Lily Wong
Ozone Park
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