Testimony: MTA Public Hearing on Bronx Bus Redesign

Good Afternoon, 

I am here to express my great concern regarding the Bronx Bus Redesign Plan and its potential impact on a number of bus routes in and around my district. 

Hundreds of Bronx residents including many of my constituents reached out to my office with signed petitions expressing their strong opposition to the changes slated primarily for the Bx28 and the Bx34 bus routes. 

In fact, during a town hall meeting I hosted earlier this month, almost every person in attendance voiced their opposition to representatives of Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) about the proposed changes to the Bx34 and Bx28 bus routes. Therefore, and in echoing my constituents’ concerns, I am here to state my opposition to the Bronx Bus Redesign Plan as it is currently structured.  

As a representative of Senate District 33, making sure that the elderly and those who may have mobility restrictions have access to the buses is paramount. As you know, subway stops are not always accessible in my district, and in the Bronx in general. The buses are often the only form of transportation Bronx residents have available to commute. 

Currently, the Bx34 bus stops right in front of a senior center on Bainbridge Avenue. By rerouting this bus away from Valentine Avenue and Bainbridge Avenue onto Webster Avenue, it will make it inaccessible for certain populations. The walk from Webster Avenue to Valentine Avenue is incredibly steep, and for those with mobility concerns or the elderly, these changes will make it incredibly difficult for them to use this bus line. 

As for the Bx28 bus, the current route begins in my district on Fordham Road. It then goes up to Paul Avenue, and over to Gun Hill Road, ending in Co-Op City. The proposed plan would move this bus line off of Paul Avenue and Mosholu Parkway, cutting off access to an entire neighborhood.  

While balancing efficiency for our bus routes, improving the speed of bus trips, and reorganizing bus stops, I urge you to prioritize the needs of the communities I represent who heavily rely on access to bus service. By securing that service, the MTA will finally demonstrate that they are putting New Yorkers’ needs first.