Queens, NY – Today, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) released a letter addressed to New York City Transit Authority (NYCT) President Andy Byford expressing opposition to upcoming service adjustments to the Q46 Bus Route.

Beginning in January 2019, NYCT plans to adjust Q46 service by reallocating trips to the local AM peak from the limited service, effectively decreasing limited service.

“The New York City Transit Authority needs to improve service and accountability across the system, and it must develop a plan for both improving and increasing bus service,” said Rozic. “Outer borough transit riders must be a priority and sadly at NYCT, that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

Stephanie Burgos-Veras, Riders Alliance Senior Organizer, said: “New York's two million daily bus riders need service improvements, not cuts. On busy routes through dense neighborhoods far from the subway, riders should be able to choose between frequent local and limited bus service. Cutting Q46 limited service will deny riders an efficient means of getting around, forcing them to have longer commutes and spend more time away from family.”

Nick Sifuentes, Executive Director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, said: “Public transit is this city's lifeline to opportunity. Our subways and buses connect residents to jobs, school, and critical services. We need to improve bus service citywide, but nowhere is more important than the neighborhoods that lack subway access and rely entirely on the bus as their main mode of public transit. As the MTA balances the needs of commuters, it's important to make sure they're not leaving anyone out – and that includes riders of the Q46, many of whom live far from a subway stop.”

Constituents that have reached out to Rozic and staff have reported lengthy delays and wait times for bus service. Rozic’s district does not include subway or train stations leaving constituents wholly reliant on bus service.

The full text of the letter can be found below.

Dear President Byford:

I am writing on behalf of my constituents in Eastern Queens to express my opposition to the upcoming service adjustments to the Q46 bus line scheduled for January 2019. As you may know, I represent a district that does not include a single subway or train station. We are entirely reliant on bus service on a daily basis.

Your agency’s “service adjustments” announcement regarding the Q46 bus line is unacceptable and will only serve to exacerbate the issues faced by my constituents who live in a transit desert. While I am a strong advocate for increasing local AM peak service, it must not be at the expense of riders who rely on limited service.

The New York City Transit Authority needs to improve service and accountability across the system, and it must develop a plan for both improving and increasing bus service. I am requesting that the proposed 2019 service adjustments be revisited to ensure no lines see decreased service.

If you would like to discuss this matter further, please feel free to call my office at 718-820-0241.