Senator Gianaris Advocates Inclusion of Western Queens in Upcoming MTA Service Enhancements

(Queens, NY) As the announcement of MTA service restorations appears imminent, Senator Michael Gianaris continued to advocate for mass transit options in western Queens by calling on the MTA to improve service in Queens neighborhoods. The area is notorious for transit troubles, as any local resident who rides the 7, N or Q trains or takes the bus to get around western Queens can attest.

“As western Queens continues to grow, our transit infrastructure becomes more strained. Anyone dependent on Queens subway lines has horror stories to share, and anyone who uses local bus service knows how inadequate it is,” said Senator Gianaris. “It is nice that service across the city will be restored, but I urge the MTA to take into account the struggles subway and bus riders face every day here in western Queens.”

Residents have complained for years that the 7 train – which is closed each year for a dozen or more consecutive weekends – needs improvement. The N and Q line has its share of consistent delays and service interruptions, which makes it overly difficult to get between Queens and Manhattan. In addition, buses like the Q69, Q104 and Q101 are all common subjects of complaint for not arriving frequently enough. Issues on the Q103, which runs from Hunter’s Point to Astoria, will continue to grow exponentially as the Hunter’s Point South development progresses and Astoria continues to thrive as a residential and business destination.

Since the MTA drastically reduced service in 2010, Senator Gianaris has advocated for the restoration of the QM22 Express Bus Line and the W train line, both of which were lifelines for western Queens residents and were ignored in a round of citywide restorations in 2012. This time around, Senator Gianaris hopes the MTA will see to it that the pressing transit needs of western Queens residents are met with much-needed service restorations and improvements.

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