Albany, NY- Following a Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Transportation, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) and Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-State Island) are calling for express bus improvements in Queens and Staten Island.

In a letter addressed to MTA Chairman Thomas Prendergast, Rozic and Cusick cite similarities in their districts that create a dependency on express bus service as a primary means of commuting to and from Manhattan. With no subway lines operating in either of their districts, residents are faced with some of the challenges associated with relying on public transit for lengthy commutes.

“When your neighborhood is only serviced by buses, it is critically important that service is reliable,” said Rozic. “Any examination of current express bus service would build on the MTA’s recent Northeast Queens outreach to determine what changes would allow riders less time in transit and more time at home with their families.”

“As representatives for outer boroughs we understand that commuting to Manhattan is an unavoidable fact of life. However, we believe there are solutions to be found to significantly lower the amount of time our constituents spend on the bus, which can currently be up to 15 hours per week. I look forward to working with Assemblywoman Rozic and Chairman Prendergast to find answers for the tens of thousands of our neighbors reliant on express bus service on a daily basis,” said Cusick.

The recommendations in the lawmakers’ letter come from constituent experiences describing the proximity of stops that increase travel time and traffic conditions during rush hour. While the MTA is currently in the process of reviewing all bus service on Staten Island, the letter requests that a similar study be conducted in Queens to determine the effectiveness of express service during rush hour.

In addition, Rozic and Cusick are requesting that the MTA revisit the idea of constructing dedicated “park and ride” facilities for certain express bus routes. Such facilities exist as part of the Metro-North system with 34 of them in New York State. The implementation could effectively decrease commute times which can currently add up to 15 hours per week.

Neighborhoods in Northeast Queens and Staten Island commonly referred to as “transportation desserts” need investments that will positively impact commute times, frequency of service, and accessibility. The lawmakers push for better service comes in the middle of ongoing conversations regarding the future of MTA and funding for its capital projects. Rozic and Cusick want to ensure the transit needs unique to their districts remain a part of the discussion.