MEDIA ADVISORY- THE B48 BUS LINE—FINALLY RESTORED!

STATE SENATOR ERIC ADAMS AND ASSEMBLY MEMBER HAKEEM JEFFRIES COMMEND MTA'S DECISION TO REINSTATE THE B48 BUS LINE IN THEIR DISTRICTS, AND SALUTE CONSTITUENT JACQUELINE CARTHEN FOR HER GRASSROOTS EFFORTS 

On Thursday, July 19, the MTA announced the restoration and extension of over 40 bus, subway and commuter rail lines, including the reinstatement of the B48 bus line in Brooklyn.  

The B48 bus route, extending from Greenpoint to Bedford Stuyvesant, experienced service cuts due to the MTA’s budget setbacks.  Ms. Jacqueline Carthen, a constituent of Senator Eric Adams and Assemblymember  Hakeem Jeffries, was one of the many people who were personally affected by the service cuts.  To date, Ms. Carthen has collected over 3,000 signatures from constituents.  The outcry from the community was overwhelming, which prompted Senator Adams and Assemblymember Jeffries, along with other elected officials, to support Ms. Carthen and others by writing a letter to the MTA Board expressing how much the service cut on the B48 was a grave inconvenience for their constituents.

Borough President Marty Markowitz states:  “I am thrilled that the MTA has restored B48 service for passengers in Prospect Heights, Crown Heights and Prospect Lefferts Gardens,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “Brooklynites rely on their buses more than any other borough, and for many, buses are the only transportation option available. The subway system’s lack of ADA accessibility for those who are elderly and passengers with disabilities makes cutting service on buses not only a bad idea, but a terribly unfair one to New York’s vulnerable populations.  Kudos to MTA chairman Joe Lhota, NYC Transit president Thomas Prendergast and the MTA Board for recognizing this and making Brooklyn a priority in this round of proposed service restorations.”

Senator Eric Adams states:  “Hard work does not go unnoticed.  I commend Jacqueline Carthen for bringing the issue of the restoration of the B48 bus line to the forefront and for collecting over 3,000 petition signatures in support of the restoration from members of the community.  Ms. Carthan is a prime example of how a community activist can make a positive marked difference. Through her efforts literally hundreds of her neighbors will have a better morning and evening travel commute.  And kudos to the MTA for listening."

Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries states: “As the cost of living continues to rise in New York, it is crucial that we provide more extensive, reliable, and affordable public transportation options across our borough,” said Jeffries. “The permanent extension of the G train and the restoration of key bus lines like the B48, will improve the quality of life for millions of outer borough New Yorkers.  I applaud Ms. Carthen on her strong leadership and civic participation on this very important community issue.” 

Assemblymember Karim Camara states:  "This MTA expansion truly shows the power we have as a community when we stand together with a unified voice,” said Assemblyman Camara. “With the B48 bus line restored, life will now be a lot easier for countless commuting Brooklyn residents. It is small steps like these that will slowly improve the standard of living in our urban communities."

Councilmember Letitia James states:  “I applaud the MTA for restoring these vital subway and bus lines,” said Council Member Letitia James. “Since the 2009 service cuts were implemented, I have been consistently critical the effect on elderly and mobility-impaired travelers.  Restoring the B48 bus line will improve the quality of life for many people in my district.” 

Transportation Alternatives states:  "This is a victory for residents of Prospect Heights, Crown Heights and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens who can once again benefit from access to the businesses and jobs on the B48 bus line. We're proud to have worked with Senator Adams to restore this vital transit service to his constituents," said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives.

Ms. Jacqueline Carthen states:  “I take this opportunity to thank Senator Eric Adams and Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries for supporting me in my effort to restore the B48 bus line by writing a letter to the MTA Board outlining the detrimental affects the service cuts had on our community.  I also want to thank the 3,000 individuals who signed the petition, and all of the people who I have met and who volunteered with me to collect signatures.  Special thanks to Ya-Ting Liu from Transportation Alternatives for her guidance and assistance in securing the restoration of this bus line, which is important for everyone, especially the senior citizens who rely on the MTA for transportation and the students who will return to school in September.  It was wonderful that our community was able to come together around a greater cause and form relationships that will extend beyond this issue.”    

The B48 bus line will be restored from Atlantic Avenue to Prospect Park station via Franklin Avenue and Classon Avenues.   Although the MTA has decided to restore the B48 bus line,  a town hall meeting will still be held in the respective elected officials’ districts to discuss having the B48 bus line restored within 60 days as well as other issues that affect constituents.  

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