Early this morning, Councilman Chaim Deutsch was joined by his colleagues in government and community residents to call on the MTA to establish an SBS B44 bus stop at the corner of Avenue R and Nostrand Avenue.

For nearly a year, Councilman Deutsch, Councilman Alan Maisel, and Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein have been urging the MTA to include Avenue R along the new SBS route on Nostrand Avenue. The MTA had refused to implement this additional stop. Avenue R is situated between two SBS stops, one on Kings Highway and one on Avenue U. With over a mile distance between them, the logical midpoint to place another SBS stop is Avenue R.

Those who live, work, or frequent the multiple, large medical centers near this area are often forced to choose between waiting more than 30 minutes for a local bus or walking more than a half a mile to the nearest SBS stop. Moreover, Avenue R is a transfer point for two bus routes, the B2 and the B31, that take riders to the Quentin Road Q/B subway line.

“While waiting for a local bus at Avenue R, many commuters watch as three or four SBS buses drive by, often empty or nearly empty,” said Councilman Chaim Deutsch. “Meanwhile, when the local bus finally arrives, it is usually packed with passengers from previous stops. It is intolerable that anyone, especially a senior, should be forced to stand and wait for a local bus for so long, particularly in harsh weather such as extreme cold, heat, rain or snow. I appeal to the MTA to consider the community’s needs and eliminate the current situation that subjects commuters to extended wait times or a half-mile walk. I thank the Local 100 Transport Workers Union Vice President John Patafino, Christopher Greif of the Transit Riders Council, and my colleagues in government, Councilman Alan Maisel, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the NYC Council Transportation Committee, and Councilman Jumaane Williams for their support in this effort.”

“For far too long commuters in the outer boroughs, in communities like Homecrest, have dealt with a poorly connected public transportation system that has made it more of a hassle than a benefit to use. This all ends with the implementation and expansion of true Bus Rapid Transit.” said NYC Council Transportation Committee Chairman Ydanis Rodriguez. “A new B44 stop on Avenue R would ensure that our city work to not only reduce commute times, but incentivize the residents of Homecrest to ride public transit, a greener and soon to be quicker alternative to driving.”

“I am delighted to join with my colleagues, Councilman Chaim Deutsch and Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein. For too long, the MTA has ignored the pleas of our community to give us a Select Bus Stop at Nostrand Avenue and Avenue R. Many of our seniors cannot get to the other Select Bus Stops, and we have a very high concentration of elderly and disabled people who desperately need a more convenient means of accessing Select Bus Service,” said Councilman Alan Maisel (D-Brooklyn), Chairperson of the Council’s Ethics Committee

“I am fortunate to represent a district with one of the highest concentrations of seniors in New York City,” said Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein. “There is no reason why an elderly person, or an individual with a disability, should have to walk nearly half of a mile in order to take advantage of quicker bus transportation, especially in inclement weather. I urge the MTA to post an Select Bus Service Stop at Nostrand Avenue and Avenue R, which was both a Limited and Local Bus stop before Select Bus Service was instituted.”

Councilman Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn), Deputy Leader and Chair of the Council’s Housing and Buildings Committee also expressed his support for the effort, stating, “”I am proud to join my colleagues in calling on the MTA to increase much-needed services on the B44 bus line by adding a new stop at the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Avenue R. Countless working class families, our seniors and our youth rely heavily on the B44 for their daily commute. With limited service stops, the safety of our transit riders and their ability to get to work, school or their medical visits is severely compromised. It is my hope that our collective efforts, with the continued support of community members, will help the MTA realize that we need better, more consistent transportation.”

Community activist Alan Horowitz, who lives on Avenue R and attended today’s press conference, spoke out, saying, “I would like to thank Councilman Deutsch for his efforts. I take the B44 every day. I wait for as long as a half hour, while nearly empty B44 Select buses pass by. This past winter was horrible. We could really use a Select stop at Avenue R.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)