Rahul Somvanshi
Starting June 29, Queens bus riders will see the biggest changes to their daily commute in years. The MTA is revamping the entire bus network to make trips faster and more reliable for the 800,000 people who ride Queens buses every day.
The changes will happen in two parts – first in June, then in August. Riders will get seventeen new routes, bringing the total from 113 to 121. Think of it like adding new streets to a neighborhood – more ways to get where you need to go.
For most riders, their regular bus stop won’t change. The MTA says 84% of riders will keep using the same stop they use now. But buses will make fewer stops overall, which means faster trips. It’s like taking the express train instead of the local – you might walk a bit further to your stop, but you’ll get to work sooner.
“Queens depends on buses more than any other borough,” says MTA boss Janno Lieber. “These changes will give riders the modern bus system they deserve.”
The MTA is adding something new called “rush routes” – 25 special bus lines that make fewer stops to get people to train stations faster. They’re also planning dedicated bus lanes and signal priority at intersections on busy streets.
But not everyone is happy with the changes. “Far Rockaway residents are getting left behind,” says Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers. Some neighborhoods still want express buses to downtown Manhattan, more buses to JFK Airport, and the return of express routes that were cut earlier.
To help riders understand all these changes, the MTA is putting up new signs at thousands of bus stops. They’re also adding brightly colored “Guide-A-Ride” inserts to alert commuters about the changes.
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NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow explains why these changes matter: “Queens relies on buses like no other borough. We had to get this right.”
Before deciding on these changes, the MTA listened to local residents at 70 public meetings and read more than 18,000 comments. They’re using an equity evaluation process to ensure the new routes serve all communities fairly, especially in neighborhoods that historically had poor bus service.
The MTA’s board gave final approval to these changes on January 29, 2025. While we’re still waiting for exact dates for each route change, the MTA promises to keep riders informed every step of the way.
Looking ahead, these improvements could set an example for making bus service better across New York City. Getting more people to choose buses over cars could also help reduce traffic and pollution – a win for everyone, whether they ride the bus or not.
