New bus routes planned for Queens. Maps show MTA's proposed changes.
NEW YORK -- New bus routes are coming to Queens, and riders have a chance to weigh in on the plan Wednesday night.
A public hearing was set to begin at 5 p.m. at Queens Borough Hall. It's a hybrid event, so people can participate in-person or virtually.
Click here for how to join the hearing.
Map shows Queens Bus Network Redesign
The MTA says the project is still in the design phase, but it's meant to create more reliable service, better connections and ease of use.
That includes creating 15 new routes, eliminating 10 existing lines, and modifying dozens more.
If approved by the MTA Board, the redesign will be rolled out in phases, which are expected to start in mid-2025.
Click here for an interactive map of the project.
Queens riders protest bus route changes
The MTA was set to host what figured to be a contentious public hearing.
For more than 30 years, Marjorie King has been taking the same city bus route around Queens Village, but the familiar trip could be changing.
"I don't feel good about it," King said.
If the senior citizen's route is modified, she may have to walk three extra blocks with her cane.
"They have to consider the older people," King said.
While waiting for a city bus, Charlton D'Souza, the president of Passengers United, said not enough public notice was gven by the MTA.
"The biggest issue is, they have not done a proper Title 5 analysis, where they have actually gone and looked at the data," said D'Souza, who protested by paying his fare in pennies.
Hours before the MTA's scheduled hearing, D'Souza took the bus with other angry Queens residents to a rally at Borough Hall.
Before state Sen. John Liu was to give testimony, he told CBS New York the MTA has not been clear about how its new plan will help.
"Many of the changes we have seen seem to be more along the lines of cutting costs, rather than actually improving service," Liu said.
However, city transit leadership said with confidence the changes will be in the best interest of riders.
"My mantra is about safety and service, and this is it," said Demetrius Crichlow, interim president of New York City Transit.