New Waterfront Bus Route Coming Next Fall

The MTA’s announcement, last week, about the addition of a new bus line for the Williamsburg and Greenpoint waterfront was widely hailed throughout the community.

Local elected officials praised the MTA for finding the money to restore services cut in 2010 and for adding the new bus line. Assemblyman Joe Lentol expressed his pleasure that the MTA “acted to address our current level of inadequate bus service. The reality is that not only is Williamsburg an important destination in our City, but also that we have many new residents who use public transportation as their preferred method of travel.” State Senators Martin Dilan and Dan Squadron, Council Member Steve Levin and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz were also effusive in their praise for the MTA and agency head Joseph Lhota. “I commend MTA Chairman Lhota for making a little go a long way and responding to the needs of our growing Brooklyn communities,” said Dilan.

One question that remains unanswered, for now, is how buses will make their return trip to Williamsburg, although Wythe Avenue is the most likely route. As most Greenpoint drivers will attest, the trip to the BQE got complicated when Kent Avenue became a one way street in 2009. Wythe Avenue, which became the default western passage to the highway is flooded with car and bicycle traffic and frequently blocked by stopped school buses. Coupled with a slew of double-parked cars, it is unclear how buses will successfully navigate that route. The MTA said that they plan to design the new line in consultation with community stakeholders.

The new bus line is scheduled to begin operating in September 2013.

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