Applause for MTA bus route restorations, and big plans for the future
Brooklyn bus riders are getting a break: As part of $29 million in service investments announced by MTA’s Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota, the state agency has restored some Brooklyn bus routes cut in 2010, including weekend service on the B2 between Midwood and Kings Plaza Mall and the X27 between Bay Ridge and midtown Manhattan. The MTA has also added a new Bay Ridge stop on the X17.
“It’s very important to Bay Ridge people,” said Paula Katinas, who works in Bay Ridge for the Bay Ridge Eagle. “The R train doesn’t run that great on weekends. There’s frequent track work; people have to take the train to another stop and change, and the routes are frequently disrupted.” Restoring the bus lines “will be welcomed by most people in Bay Ridge,” she added.
In addition, MTA proposes to bring back a half a dozen eliminated or truncated Brooklyn bus routes in January, 2013.
Some of the $29 million in funds will go towards service needs in growing and changing neighborhoods, Lhota said. In September 2013, MTA proposes to add brand new bus lines serving Brooklyn’s new “Tech Triangle,” plus Williamsburg and East New York.