4 The Courier sun • september 25, 2014 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com New shuttle bus coming to Catholic Charities centers in southern Queens Curbside bus lanes heading to Ozone Park BY SALVATORE LICATA slicata@queenscourier.com @Sal_Licata1 The busy traffic corridor of Woodhaven Boulevard in Ozone Park will soon be home to new curbside bus lanes on both sides to help alleviate congestion and make for an overall smoother ride for passengers. Red painted bus lanes going southbound between 101st Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard and northbound between Plattwood Avenue and Liberty Avenue are set to be installed this fall, according to a DOT representative. The lanes will serve the Q11, Q21, Q52, Q53 and the QM15 bus lines. 1-800-382-HOME(4663) for Housing www.sonyma.org The exclusive lanes also help the buses reach subway connections more quickly without removing any travel lanes, according to the DOT. The lanes will be “bus-only” for specific periods. Between Liberty Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard going southbound, the lane will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All other sections, going in both directions, will be bus-only during rush hours, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. “This part of the boulevard is definitely a problem area,” said Jessica Nizar, a representative from Rider’s Alliance and an advocate for the Bus Rapid Transit program. “These lanes will help to alleviate some of the major problems that cause traffic here.” THE COURIER/Photo by Salvatore Licata THE COURIER/Photo by Salvatore Licata New bus lanes are coming to Ozone Park. Councilman Ulrich announces shuttle bus service in front of a Catholic Charities senior center. BY SALVATORE LICATA slicata@queenscourier.com @Sal_Licata1 Senior citizens may find it difficult to navigate around southern Queens, but that will soon change for many. A new shuttle bus has been funded by Councilman Eric Ulrich to transport the elderly to and from their homes to five Catholic Charities senior centers throughout the 32nd Council District. A total of $25,000 was allocated from Ulrich’s discretionary fund to pay for a driver, insurance and other vehicle-related expenses. “This is important for senior citizens in this district,” Ulrich said. “The bus will be a lifeline for them.” Along with transportation to and from the senior centers, where residents can participate in a variety of classes and workshops, the shuttle will provide rides to shopping centers and other local activities spots. Ulrich hopes to extend the service to more of his constituents in the future. “If this bus is successful now, I will do everything I can to extend it,” he said. Residents and Catholic Charities officials thanked Ulrich for the allocation. “We cannot tell you how much we appreciate this,” said Debra Hoffer, director of field operations for Catholic Charities. “Seniors will finally have the doorto door service they need.”
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