Jamaica Bus Improvement Study

Jamaica Bus Improvement Study Goals

  • Improve bus travel to/from Jamaica
  • Improve connections to subway and rail stations
  • Balance bus travel with pedestrian and vehicle traffic

Jamaica Center is one of the busiest business districts outside of Manhattan, with a very high concentration of mass transit service. More than 47 bus routes converge here, in addition to stops for the E, F, and J/Z subway lines. The area is also home to one of the busiest Long Island Rail Road stations and the AirTrain to JFK Airport. With such excellent mass transit options, transit riders can connect to many of the other major business centers in the city as well as numerous residential areas in the region.

The local community, in discussions with New York City Transit (NYCT) and DOT, has expressed concern about bus congestion within the central Jamaica area. While bus service to and within Jamaica is well developed, at times this service can be slow and unreliable for the thousands of daily passengers. Transportation issues are expected to intensify due to growth spurred by the rezoning of a large portion of Jamaica in 2007. Therefore, improving bus service will help to ensure that Jamaica can thrive and grow in a way that improves the quality of life for residents, workers, and visitors, and conforms to the City’s environmental sustainability goals.

In response to these concerns, NYCT and DOT have sought to improve bus circulation in Jamaica through the Jamaica Bus Improvement Study. Starting in 2009, this study has investigated ways to improve bus movement for the busiest corridors in Jamaica, as well as identify ways in which pedestrians, buses and drivers can be better coordinated. After detailed data collection and an initial Community Advisory Committee meeting, a series of preliminary recommendations were developed. These include:

  • Upgrading existing bus lanes with red paint, overhead signs and adjusted hours
  • Extending bus lanes where bus traffic is heaviest
  • Moving bus stops to smooth traffic flow
  • Improving intersections and other DOT operational adjustments

DOT has worked closely with local businesses, organizations and other key stakeholders to develop regulations for curb access and to educate on the rules and regulations of bus lanes. Download the Community Advisory Committee Presentation detailing preliminary study recommendations (March 25, 2011) Download posters describing preliminary recommendations, presented at an open house on May 12, 2011

DOT presented to Queens Community Board 12 on June 14th and June 15th to receive feedback on the preliminary study recommendations. Download a pdf of the presentation

Implementation of the proposed improvements will be completed in spring 2012.