Governor Hochul and MTA Announce Service Enhancements on Multiple Local Bus Routes Starting June 29

Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that bus service will increase on 14 local routes across Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island beginning this Sunday, June 29. This is in addition to enhanced express bus service on eight lines that went into effect earlier this spring and one that went into effect in January. The service enhancements  will decrease travel times, shorten commutes, and reduce wait times at bus stops. Frequency improvements were targeted to peak periods when buses are most crowded. Increased service will reduce wait times by as much as two and a half minutes on certain routes.

Queens bus riders will see the additional benefit of Phase One of the Queens Bus Network redesign that also launches on Sunday.

“Every New Yorker deserves fast, reliable, and accessible public transit and these enhancements will do just that,” said Governor Hochul. “Buses are already moving faster thanks to congestion pricing, and now we’re investing in even more service, giving time back to hardworking New Yorkers who keep our city moving. From Co-Op City to Staten Island, we are building a transit system that meets the needs of all New Yorkers.”

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “Increasing bus service on some of the City’s busiest routes is a no-brainer. These latest enhancements, along with the comprehensive bus network redesigns we’re knocking out borough by borough, are changing the game for the million-plus New Yorkers who ride with us every day.”

NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said, “With bus ridership steadily increasing due to the start of congestion relief, enhancing service on 14 local routes makes it easier for New Yorkers to have fast, frequent and reliable bus service whenever they need it. These routes are a vital lifeline for many people who don’t live close to subway stations.”

Senator Roxanne Persaud said, “I applaud Governor Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for increasing bus service routes in Brooklyn and Queens, especially in Senate District 19, said State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. These enhancements will provide faster service, equitable access, and improve ridership at the premium level.”

Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz said, "My office receives more complaints about the Bx10 bus than any other line in my district. It is heavily used, and it is massively overcrowded. This bus line goes through many of the neighborhoods in my district, so I am particularly happy that service is going to be increased on this line, something I have long advocated for."

Assembly Member George Alvarez said, “Reliable and accessible public transit is a lifeline for Bronx residents, especially in communities like ours that have long been underserved. I commend Governor Hochul and the MTA for investing in expanded bus service on routes like the Bx10, Bx17, and Bx23. These enhancements will make a real difference in the daily lives of working families, students, and seniors who rely on our buses to get where they need to go. This is a step forward in creating a more equitable transit system for all New Yorkers.”

Assembly Member Charles Fall said, “Service improvements on the S46/S96 line will go a long way toward easing the burden of long commutes for Staten Islanders. Less time waiting means more time with family and less stress getting to work, school, and healthcare. I commend Governor Hochul and the MTA for stepping up to meet the needs of our community.”

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said, “For many of our residents, buses are a vital lifeline, connecting us to jobs, schools, doctors, and loved ones. I want to thank Governor Hochul and the MTA for prioritizing our communities with these service enhancements, which will mean shorter wait times, faster commutes, and more reliable service. This investment in bus service is an investment in transit equity, access, and opportunity for Bronxites who rely on public transportation.”

New York City Council Member Darlene Mealy said, “The enhancement of service along the B17 bus line represents a meaningful advancement in public transportation for the residents of Crown Heights, East Flatbush, and parts of East Brooklyn considered transportation deserts. Reliable and efficient transit is essential to ensuring equitable access to employment, education, healthcare, and other critical resources. Council Member Mealy and District 41 are grateful to Governor Hochul and the MTA for advocating for transit improvements that support the needs and dignity of our communities.”

New York City Council Member Eric Dinowitz said, “Reliable and accessible public transit is essential for Bronx residents, and I welcome the MTA's upcoming enhancements to local bus service - especially the improvements to the Bx10, which so many of my constituents rely on every day. I thank Governor Hochul and the MTA for listening to our advocacy and taking this step toward a more efficient transit service in the Bronx and across our city."

New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers said, “As Chair of the Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I applaud this improvement in service for bus riders, particularly in areas with limited transit options. I will be monitoring the rollout closely to ensure that these enhancements meet the needs of Queens residents and reflect continued engagement with impacted communities."

New York City Council Member Kevin C. Riley said, “Reliable public transportation is essential for the everyday lives of Bronx residents—especially along key routes like the Bx23, Bx28, and Bx38, which serve not only Co-op City but several neighborhoods across my district– where access and connectivity are critical. These enhanced services on the Bx23, Bx28, and Bx38 lines in my district will shorten commutes, improve reliability, and ensure our residents can get where they need to go safely and efficiently. I thank Governor Hochul and the MTA for prioritizing equitable transit improvements that uplift working families and strengthen mobility in our district and beyond.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said, "The day is finally here — buses in Queens are about to get faster, make more sense and get our 800,000 daily riders to where they need to go in the most efficient way possible. With this weekend's launch of the Queens Bus Network Redesign and today's announcement of additional service enhancements, we are closer to transit equity than we have ever been before in our borough. I couldn't be more grateful to our partners at the MTA and the NYC DOT for their work alongside our communities in order to craft the best possible redesign for Queens, as well as their efforts to expand service along these select routes. I look forward to working with our agencies on a seamless transition to the new network in the days ahead."

Proposed by Governor Hochul in November 2024 in connection with the launch of congestion pricing, the service enhancements are one of the many ways stakeholders are working to give commuters better alternatives to driving. The following is a list of local bus routes that will benefit from the enhanced service. These lines have high ridership and, thanks to the success of congestion relief, allow riders to have expanded access to fast, safe, reliable transit service — especially in areas underserved by the subway system.

The Bronx:

• Bx10 (Riverdale-Norwood)
• Bx17 (Port Morris-Fordham Plaza)
• Bx23 (Co-op City-Pelham Bay Park Station)
• Bx28/Bx38 (Co-op City-Fordham Center)

Brooklyn:

• B17 (Crown Heights-Canarsie)
• B26 (Fulton St-Ridgewood)
• B74 (Sea Gate-Stillwell Avenue Station)
• B103 (Canarsie-Downtown Brooklyn)

Queens:

• Q13 (Flushing-Ft. Totten)
• Q28 (Bayside-Flushing)
• Q35 (Rockaway Park-Midwood)
• Q66 (Flushing-Long Island City)
• Q69 (Long Island City-Astoria)

Staten Island:

• S79 SBS (Staten Island Mall-Bay Ridge)

The following is a list of the express bus routes in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island that have already implemented expanded service:

• BM2 (Canarsie-Avenue H-Midtown/Downtown)
• BM5 (Spring Creek-Linden Blvd-Woodhaven Blvd-Midtown)
• X27 (Bay Ridge-Midtown/Downtown)
• QM15 (Lindenwood-Cross Bay Blvd-Woodhaven Blvd-Midtown)
• SIM1C (Eltingville-Hylan Blvd-Midtown/Downtown)
• SIM4C (Huguenot-Richmond Av-Midtown/Downtown)
• SIM23 (Annadale-Arden Av-Midtown)
• SIM24 (Prince’s Bay-Huguenot Av-Midtown)

The increased service is being funded with $8 million from the Outer Borough Transportation Account, which was established by the New York State Legislature in 2018 to improve transportation service outside of Manhattan.