Update On Changes To Roosevelt Island NYC Bus Route Proposed By MTA Queens Bus Network Redesign - RIOC Says They Don't Want Reduction In Service And Will Discuss With MTA, Resident Blasts MTA For Lack Of Knowledge About RI, LIC And Astoria Q102 Bus Riders

Reported yesterday on the new Roosevelt Island NYC Bus Route to replace the current Q102 proposed by the MTA's Queens Bus Network Redesign:

Roosevelt Island will be served with a new QT78 NYC Bus Route

Image From MTA

under the Queens Bus Network Redesign Draft Plan proposed by the MTA replacing the Q102 route currently serving Roosevelt Island.

The proposed Roosevelt Island bus route will travel on 36th avenue to and from Roosevelt Island bringing better access to Astoria but will no longer travel the current circuitous route to Queens Plaza.

It appears that the new Roosevelt Island NYC Bus Service does not cover area north of the Roosevelt Island Bridge including Coler Hospital and the Octagon Building or south of the Tram Station as the current Q102 service does

I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenhtal:

... Is RIOC giving any input to the MTA on proposed new route?

Any statement from RIOC on the proposed new MTA Bus route?...

RIOC Public Information Officer Terrence McCauley replied:

RIOC staff is in contact with the MTA to discuss these proposed changes. We certainly do not want to see any reduction in service. We also encourage our residents to contact the MTA directly to voice their concerns.... The map you got from their website certainly looks like there are changes to the route on the Island, but those maps aren’t always accurate.

The MTA asks for your online comments on the new Roosevelt Island bus route.

Longtime Roosevelt Island resident and retired Public Transit advocate Nina Lublin responded to the MTA's proposed new Roosevelt Island NYC Bus route:

My rage towards the MTA, Mr. Byford & the dopes who came up with this plan is the seemingly total lack of regard -- or knowledge -- of the Roosevelt Island community, and the many LIC & Astoria folks who depend on the Q102 to get to Queens Plaza (or RI) for both Bus & Subway access to Queens, Brooklyn, & especially the 3 buses that go to & from Manhattan.

Coler Hospital  employees without cars? Or the folks who visit them? I'm sure HHC & 1199 are not happy

What about the many folks from who depend on wheelchair-accessible / disability friendly bus service to & from Roosevelt Island -- especially when there is no F Train service?

The folks at the Queensbridge Houses will be impacted severely as for many of them the Q102 gets them to & from shopping, doctor appointments, the F train at 21st street & much more.

You too, can tell the MTA what you think of the proposed plan.

More on the proposed change to Roosevelt Island NYC bus service here.