Gianaris, Mamdani – Champions Of #FixTheMTA Package – Laud New Free Bus Routes Throughout 5 Boroughs

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani lauded the MTA’s announcement today of 5 free bus routes throughout the 5 boroughs. This was made possible due to an extensive advocacy campaign led by advocates and the two Queens legislators during the state budget process, which secured funding for this first-of-its-kind public transit initiative in New York.

Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said, "Free bus routes are exactly the type of innovation we need to revolutionize our approach to public transit and get more people back in the system. We have taken the MTA off the express track towards fiscal calamity and are delivering a better system for riders. I especially appreciate the partnership of the many advocates who stood up for these important and needed changes."

Assembly Member Zohran K. Mamdani said, “Fare-free buses will bring economic relief to working class New Yorkers at a time when they need it most. And it is those very New Yorkers who led the fight for this first-of-its-kind pilot - with more than 4,000 of them canvassing their local subway and bus stops, reaching out to their elected representatives, and rallying to make public transit across our City excellent, safe and universally accessible. In Boston and Kansas City, where fare-free buses have been implemented, they have sped up travel times, made buses safer, and increased access to essential services. I can’t wait to see these same outcomes for our neighbors along routes in each of the five boroughs and I am thankful for the work of all of my colleagues, Speaker Heastie, and the Governor in transforming this dream into a reality.”

According to the MTA, the bus routes included in the pilot program are:

Bx18 A/B:  Operating daily during daytime hours between Undercliff Avenue or Sedgwick Avenue and Grand Concourse/E 170 Street, the Bx18 A/B bus route travels along Macombs Road, Tremont Avenue, Undercliff Avenue/Sedgwick Avenue, 168 Street and 170 Street. It serves Morris Heights, Highbridge and Mount Eden neighborhoods and connects to the 4, B, D trains and several other bus routes. Major employers and institutions covered on the route include Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center and Bronx Community College.

B60: The B60 bus route operates between Williams Avenue/Flatlands Avenue in Canarsie and Williamsburg Bridge Plaza. The route operates primarily along Rockaway Avenue and Wilson Avenue and serves the Canarsie, Brownsville, Ocean Hill, Bushwick and Williamsburg neighborhoods. It makes connections to the 3, C, L, G, J, M, Z trains and several other bus routes. Major employers and institutions covered on the route include Brookdale University Hospital & Medical Center, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. 

M116: This bus route operates daily during daytime hours between W 106 Street /Broadway and E 120 Street/Pleasant Avenue. The route primarily operates along 116 Street, Manhattan Avenue and W 106 Street and serves the Harlem, East Harlem and Morningside Heights neighborhoods. The route makes connections to the 1, 2, 3, 6, B, C trains and several bus routes. Major employers and institutions covered on the route include St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University and the East River Plaza Mall.  

Q4 LCL/LTD: The Q4 LCL/LTD bus route operates between the Jamaica Ctr-Parsons/Archer E, J, Z subway station and Linden Boulevard/235 Street. Some buses operate as Limited-Stop during morning and afternoon rush hours on weekdays. The route primarily operates on Linden Boulevard, Merrick Boulevard and Archer Avenue and serves the Jamaica Center, South Jamaica, St. Albans and Cambria Heights neighborhoods. It makes connections to the E, J, Z trains, the St. Albans Long Island Rail Road station and several bus routes. Major employers and institutions covered on the route include Jamaica Center, York College and the St. Albans VA Hospital.  

S46/96: Operating between South Avenue, West Shore Plaza Shopping Center and the St. George Ferry Terminal, he S46 local route operates at all times and the S96 Limited route operates on weekdays only in the peak period, peak direction. The route primarily operates along Castleton Avenue, Victory Boulevard, Walker Street/Brabant Street and South Avenue. It serves the St. George, Tompkinsville, West New Brighton, Port Richmond, Elm Park, Arlington, Bloomfield and Chelsea neighborhoods and makes connections to the SIR and Staten Island Ferry. Major employers and institutions covered on the route include the NY Empire Outlets, Richmond University Medical Center, West Shore Plaza and the Forest Promenade Shopping Plaza.