July 10, 2014 By Michael Florio
Residents of the Astoria Houses will now be receiving extra bus service.
The MTA has changed the Q19 route as a means to bring additional service to the Astoria Houses.
The Q19 bus route will now go all the way down to Astoria Blvd and 8th Street, then go across 8th Street to 27th Ave, and then down into the Astoria Houses. The Q19 used to run just down Hoyt Avenue to 21st Street—and then loop around to Astoria Blvd, before taking off to Flushing.
Meanwhile, the Q102, which used to include Astoria Blvd as part of its route (from 21st Street to 8th Street), will now run along 30th Ave from Crescent Street to 8th Street, before continuing on its previous route into the Astoria Houses.
The Q19 service will go down Astoria Blvd on the route previously covered by the Q102.
These changes went into effect on June 30 and are permanent according to State Senator Mike Gianaris.
“The extension of the Q19 and the streamlining of the Q102 are welcome improvements for Western Queens residents,” said Gianaris.
The MTA has also extended the hours of operation of the Q103 line (as previously reported), which connects Long Island City and Astoria via Vernon Blvd.
Throughout summer, as part of a trial period, the Q 103 bus will runs on weekends, operating northbound from 8am to 8 pm and southbound from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm.
Meanwhile, on weekdays the Q103 will operate northbound from 6:20 am to 9:30 pm and southbound from 5:40 am to 9 pm.
Gianaris said the trial expansion is a major step forward, adding “I urge the MTA to take this good idea and make it a permanent reality.”
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3 Comments
These changes are not for the benefit of Astoria Houses,
but for the new de luxe building going up.
The new building will have some “affordable” apartments, probably with a “poor door”. At that time the buses will go right ti the new buildings and Astoria Houses tenants probably will be required to sit at the back of the bus.
Its not dangerous anymore, and they built new condos by it. This is a great. The bus drivers I talk to are find with it.
Years ago bus drivers refused to even drive to the Astoria Houses. It was too dangerous. I’m sure they’re not thrilled about this.