-- Make sure you find your new route.
The
board has approved a complete redesign of the Staten Island express bus network, offering simpler and faster routes with additional service, set to take effect Aug. 19.
"Staten Islanders rely heavily on the
s express bus network and its ability to navigate congested streets to move tens of thousands of people every day," said
Chairman Joseph Lhota. "This reimagining of the Staten Island express bus network is thoughtful, collaborative and comprehensive."
The new network will consist of 21 express bus routes: 11 traveling to Midtown, eight traveling to Downtown and two traveling to Greenwich Village via Battery Park City.
"In Downtown Manhattan, five weekday peak hour routes will serve the Church Street/Broadway corridor, and three routes will use Water Street/Pearl Street. Two routes will travel to Greenwich Village, making stops in Battery Park City, Tribeca, and SoHo," according to the
"In Midtown Manhattan, four routes will travel to Midtown via the Gowanus Expressway, Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, and
Drive, with two routes using Sixth Avenue/Fifth Avenue and two routes using Madison Avenue/Fifth Avenue. Seven routes will travel to Midtown via the New Jersey Turnpike and Lincoln Tunnel, using 42nd Street and Madison Avenue/Fifth Avenue. In Midtown, buses to Staten Island will use bus lanes newly enhanced by
with greater capacity, resulting in more frequent return service," according to the
The previously used "X" routes have been dropped in favor of "SIM," or Staten Island to Manhattan, routes.
While the total number of routes has diminished, the number of buses operating on Staten Island will remain the same, resulting in an increase in service frequency.
"After a lengthy process, aggressive outreach, and robust public input, and a series of adjustments and improvements to the plan, this is the best iteration we will have. It's time to implement it and provide the most help to the most people possible," said Borough President James Oddo.
TWO-YEAR BUS STUDY
The new network is a result of the two-year Staten Island Bus Study, which analyzed trip performance data, ridership profiles and extensive customer input, to determine the must effective way to reconfigure the network.
The
solicited extensive public feedback throughout the process via onboard and online surveys, in addition to hosting six open houses and one public hearing.
"If you want to see how important faster and more reliable bus service is to New Yorkers, then look no further than the thousands of customer surveys and packed public hearings and open houses that we hosted while developing this comprehensive network redesign," said
Transit President Andy Byford.
The
will continue its extensive public outreach and marketing campaign in the coming months to ensure that all express bus riders are well-aware of the changes coming to their commute.
employees will be on the ground handing out informational brochures outlining the new network in the coming days.
PROBLEMS WITH THE CURRENT NETWORK
One of the major issues with the current express bus network was long, circuitous routes that made an average of 27 stops before leaving Staten Island. In the new network, the average express bus route will make only 15 stops before leaving Staten Island.
As a result, a number of stops on Staten Island will be eliminated based on ridership. According to the
72 percent of customers will continue using their current stop, with most others requiring a short walk of five minutes or less.
The new routes will service the same geographic areas of Staten Island as the previous, but with greater efficiency, reducing average route length by 23 percent.
Many rush hour routes have been extended from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to meet customer demands, and there has been a significant increase in off-peak and weekend service.
Four off-peak and weekend routes have been added on Staten Island, in addition to four park-and-ride routes that will offer non-stop service to Manhattan.
The redesign will serve as a model for an overhaul of the entire city's bus service, first announced in the
and now a focal point of the
to modernize all types of
Transit.
"Our goal for our customers is to improve service by simplifying the network and shortening commutes," said
Bus Company President and
Transit Department of Buses Senior Vice President Darryl C. Irick.
Customers can visit the Staten Island express bus redesign website for extensive details on the plan.