Routes

Nostrand Avenue-Rogers Avenue Select Bus Service

B44 Select Bus Service began on November 17, 2013

Overview | Updates | Design | Community Outreach and Reports | Timeline

B44 Select Bus Service began

Overview

Nostrand Avenue Route map

The Nostrand Avenue-Rodgers Avenue Select Bus Service Corridor extends 9.3 miles between Sheepshead Bay and Williamsburg in Brooklyn, predominantly on Nostrand, Rogers, and Bedford Avenues. The corridor connects to the 2,3,5, A,C, G,M, J and Z subway lines, and over 20 other bus routes, serving Brooklyn College and Medgar Evers College along with Kings County and SUNY Downstate Hospitals.

The B44 Select Bus Service on Nostrand and Rogers Avenues was chosen for further development through the Bus Rapid Transit Study and Public Input sessions conducted in 2006. The line was identified as a cost-effective project that would improve bus service for daily riders and was selected for implementation beginning in 2008. Roughly 44,300 passengers ride the B44 on an average weekday, making it the fourth busiest bus route in New York City.

After a series of community input sessions, open houses, design reviews, and traffic analysis, the B44 Select Bus Service launched on November 17, 2013, making for a faster and more reliable commute for those travelling along the corridor.

Updates

NYCDOT and the MTA released an evaluation report for the project in June 2016. The report showed improvements in bus travel times of up to 31%, as well as reductions in crashes and maintenance of general traffic flow along the corridor.

Additionally, as of June 2016, all construction work along the project was complete, and DOT is currently installing additional real time passenger information signs along the route.

Select Bus Service stations    Select Bus Service stations

Design

In preparation for Brooklyn’s first Select Bus Service route, the New York City Department Of Transportation (DOT), New York City Transit (NYCT) and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC)resurfaced the street, painted red bus lanes, constructed bus bulb stations, installed new bus shelters, added new signage for rush hour lanes, truck loading and new metered parking, and installed off-board fare machines.

The Nostrand/Rogers Select Bus Service incorporates many SBS features including:
  • Offset bus lanes
    • Between Flushing Avenue and Farragut Road, running southbound on Nostrand Avenue and northbound on Rogers and Bedford Avenues (Bus lanes on Nostrand between Flushing and Atlantic Avenues coming in 2014). These bus lanes are in effect from 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays, and open to general traffic overnight and all weekend
    • Between Avenue X and Emmons Avenue, running both directions along Nostrand Avenue. The northbound lanes are in effect during morning rush hours and southbound lanes during evening rush hours. The lanes are open to general traffic at all other times
  • Bus bulb Stations between DeKalb and Newkirk Avenues on Nostrand Avenue and between Avenue D and Lafayette Avenue on Rogers and Bedford Avenues
  • Transit signal priority is in development between Flatbush and Emmons Avenues

Real-time bus information    New bus shelters

Nostrand and Church Avenues Before    Nostrand and Church Avenues After

Reconstruction of Nostrand Avenue between Flushing and Atlantic Avenues will continue throughout 2014 and includes new stations and bus lanes.

For questions about the construction process, please email Matt Kroneberger, Community Outreach Coordinator, at BRT@dot.nyc.gov or call 212-839-7289.

Community Outreach and Reports

Community Advisory Committee

MTA, NYCT, and DOT convened a Community Advisory Committee, a broad range of stakeholders, including elected officials, Community Board members, civic/neighborhood groups, business organizations, and major area institutions, who met every few months throughout the course of the project to assist in the planning and development of the B44 Select Bus Service:

June 19, 2012: Construction Schedule and Proposed Parking and Loading Regulations September 20, 2011: Project Update and Proposed Parking and Loading Regulations October 27, 2010: Traffic Conditions and improvements April 26, 2010: Proposed Station Locations April 26, 2010: Proposed Station Locations December 8th, 2009: Project Introduction

Community Boards

DOT and NYCT presented the project to the community boards along the B44 corridor:

Community Board 1
November 9, 2011: Meeting with the full board June 8, 2010: Meeting with the full board

Community Board 3
March 7, 2011: Meeting with the full Board

December 5, 2011 meeting with the full board

May 11, 2010: Meeting with the Transportation Committee

Community Board 8
October 13, 2011: Meeting with the full Board

Community Board 9
September 27, 2011: Meeting with the full Board

June 22, 2010: Meeting with the full Board

Community Board 14
November 30, 2011: Meeting with the Transportation Committee October 25, 2011: Meeting with the full Board

Community Board 15
May 17, 2010: Meeting with the Transportation Committee

Community Board 17
October 19, 2011: Meeting with the full board

Project Open Houses

Public open houses took place at key points throughout the project's development to involve the broader community along the corridor. These events allowed the public to speak one-on-one with project staff, ask questions, and provide input about the project. Handouts with the latest developments were provided at each open house for attendees to take home and share with neighbors, friends, and family.

Newsletters

Download the Fall 2011 newsletter (pdf) Download a summary of Select Bus Service improvements, including a map of the route and stations (pdf)

Timeline

2004
NYCT & DOT initiate New York City Bus Rapid Transit study

2006
Bus Rapid Transit Study and Public Input selects Nostrand & Rogers Ave as one of five Select Bus Service corridors for further development

2008
Nostrand & Rogers Select Bus Service identified for implementation

2009
First Community Advisory Committee meeting

Winter 2010
Community Advisory Committee tour of Fordham Road Select Bus Service

2010 through 2013
Ongoing Community Advisory Committee meetings

2012
Final design completed

2013
Street resurfacing, bus lane installation, and bus bulb station construction for most of the route.

November 17, 2013: Service begins on the B44 Select Bus Service

2014
Construction of remaining Select Bus Service improvements will be completed