The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) formally announced the restart of the Bronx Bus Network Redesign process on Thursday, Oct. 28, with a final virtual public meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.

 

MTA officials said the virtual public meeting is aimed at further promoting public consciousness around the project and will allow riders one more opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed final plan. The meeting follows additional efforts by the MTA over the last two months, as reported, to reengage the community on the details of the proposed Final Plan, with implementation currently targeted for the summer of 2022. Officials said the plan was originally crafted after years of public input and was set to be taken to the MTA Board for a vote just weeks after what would become the start of the pandemic.

 

“The redesigned bus network establishes a strong foundation on which the Authority can continue to build a successful, high frequency network that serves the hundreds of thousands of customers who rely on the service,” officials said. “The plan demonstrates the MTA’s dynamic approach to providing service and will be able to adapt to the real-time travel patterns and needs of customers. It reallocates resources to the portions of the borough where they will have the greatest impact. The Bronx Network Redesign Final Plan is focused on improving Local, Limited and SBS routes. There are no changes to Bronx express routes at this time. The MTA has been meeting with local elected officials and community boards since last month to review the plan.”

 

Acting MTA chairman and CEO, Janno Lieber, said, “The bus system is truly an engine of equity in this city. Buses provide particularly important connections to many neighborhoods that don’t have subway stops nearby.” He added, “Countless numbers of New Yorkers rely on our buses, including seniors and people with disabilities, but this redesign effort will dramatically improve commutes for all Bronxites. I am thrilled that the proposed Final Plan is set to make its way to the board in the months to come.”

 

Additional Updates on the Proposed Final Plan

After publishing the proposed Bronx Network Redesign Final Plan during the winter of 2019, MTA officials said they listened further to feedback from customers, communities throughout The Bronx and Upper Manhattan, as well as community boards, elected officials and advocates. In doing so, they said the MTA determined that customers and community members value the existing routing of the Bx28 and Bx34 routes over the proposed alignment changes that were outlined in the Draft and proposed Final Plans. “With such strong community and customer desire to maintain existing route alignments, these routes’ alignments will now not be changed,” they said.

 

Due to the 18-month pause, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bx6 SBS implementation has also been delayed until 2023 to coincide with the retirement of the MetroCard, and the full deployment of OMNY across the city. Officials determined that the logistics and expenses associated with installing and then uninstalling fare machines along the future alignment in Soundview for just one year of use is not an effective or efficient use of resources. The associated changes in Bx6 local and Bx5 frequencies will also be postponed until the full deployment of OMNY when the Bx6 SBS realignment is implemented.

 

Those looking to learn more about the specific details of the plan or changes to particular route profiles are encouraged to review the project’s dedicated website at https://new.mta.info/bronxbusredesign. Those seeking to speak at the meeting can register to do so on the website as well.

 

 

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said he was pleased that The Bronx Bus Network Redesign was moving forward. “Although the pandemic has delayed the project, as we recover together, The Bronx Bus Network Redesign will provide necessary upgrades that will help New Yorkers get back to their day-to-day lives efficiently,” he said.

 

Diaz Jr. continued, “My office has been involved in the development of this plan from the very beginning to ensure that it meets the changing needs of our borough. The end result of this important process is a huge step forward in modernizing and upgrading the system for the hundreds of thousands of riders who rely on city buses every day. Thank you to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for their partnership throughout this process, and for the work that you are doing to prepare our borough’s critical bus infrastructure for the future.”

 

District 16 Council Member Vanessa Gibson said for thousands of Bronxites, public transportation is a necessity to move around the city. “They deserve fast and reliable service,” she said. “This Bronx Bus Network Redesign plan is a product of collaboration between the community and the MTA to ensure our residents receive fair and equitable bus service across our borough just as other parts of the city. I commend the MTA for listening to the voices of our community and for taking a necessary step forward in ensuring all New Yorkers have access to high-quality transportation.”