CB7, residents have concerns about Brox Bus Redesign Plan
Community Board 7 discusses the propsoed bus redesign plan on Nov ember 26.
Schneps Media Jason Cohen
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, D 18 ECEMBER 6-12, 2019 BTR
Kelly King-Lewis speaks about the proposed
changes in buses at the CB7 meeting on November
26. Schneps Media Jason Cohen
BY JASON COHEN
The MTA’s Bronx Bus Redesign
Plan will have a major impact on Community
Board 7 and residents and the
board are not fans of the project.
On Tuesday, November 26, CB 7
passed a motion asking for the MTA to
reexamine the changes being made to
the Bx34, BxM28, BxM4 and BxM3 in
the redesign plan.
Earlier in the month, a letter was
presented to the Transportation Committee
chair Edgar Ramos from Fordham
Hill Owners Corporation Board
with their concerns over the BxM3 bus
change.
District manager Ischia Bravo
told the Bronx Times the changes to
the four bus routes affect seniors the
most.
Bravo explained that many seniors
live in the Tracy Towers at 40 W. Mosholu
Pkwy South, and by eliminating
stops after Fordham Hill; it will be a
challenge for them to get to the bus.
The proposed design plans to eliminate
stops on the Bx4, which affects
commuters going into Manhattan.
Bravo explained that changes to the
Bx34 would also hurt seniors because
many of them live in the Serviam Gardens
at 323 E 198th St, and take it to
Montefi ore Hospital.
If the stops are changed, then many
who have disabilities or physical limitations,
will have to walk further.
Changes to the Bx28 will impact seniors
as well.
“I think that is why we’re pushing
for a December meeting to be an opportunity
for them (residents) to ask more
questions,” Bravo said. A Transportation
Committee meeting was held December
5. “We’re going to make sure
the rest are heard.”
The MTA released The Bronx Bus
Network Redesign after analyzing
extensive data from the past couple
years.
The most recent collection of data
was acquired through Metrocard registration
during the months of May
and June, according to MTA offi cials.
Additional cuts will be made to
Bx4A, Bx6, Bx8, Bx11, Bx15, Bx18, Bx24,
Bx26, Bx29, Bx30, Bx35, Bx36, Bx38,
Bx40, Bx42, Q50 LTD, M100, M125,
BxM2, BxM5 (formerly BxM11), BxM8,
BxM10, BxM17, and BxM18 lines, and
additional buses on the Bx13, Bx22,
Bx23 and Bx41.
Throughout the meeting residents
expressed their displeasure with the
proposed plan.
Kelly King–Lewis questioned how
the MTA came up with their stats.
“It comes down to metrics,” King–
Lewis said. “On a lot of those routes
you see people who don’t pay a fare.”
One attendee felt the senior population
was being ignored with the bus
changes for the BxM3.
“We have a lot of seniors that rely
on that bus, ” she said. “That is their
sole means of transportation.”
Sirio Guerino said there are always
vehicles in bus lanes, pointing out that
the Bx41 route on Webster Avenue is
always blocked by school buses parked
in the bus lanes between 204th and
205th.
“If the city spent a fortune painting
those stupid lines out there and
people are parking out there, what are
you going to do about it?” he shouted.
Holiday Toy Giveaway
Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association and
Pelham Parkway Vision as we have our annual Holiday Toy Giveaway
Please understand that toys are limited, first come first served and one toy per child.
Thank you for your cooperation
When: December 14th 2019
Where: Pelham Parkway Vision, 735 Lydig Avenue
Time: 1 PM to 5 PM
Also look us up on Facebook!
Sponsored by Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association
(A not-for-profit corporation)
Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance
invites you to their
Christmas Tree Lighting
Sunday December 15th
at 4:00 pm!
Followed by Santa
giving presents to all
the children at
St. Dominic’s Convent,
1710 Unionport Road!
Meet on Van Nest Ave
between Unionport Rd
& Victor Street by the
big white cross—
the Convent Gardens.
And don’t forget
to bring your
flash light!