Open House participants and storyboards (photo by Ernest Skinner)

I was very pleased with how knowledgeable and open about the process representatives were. One of my major concerns was that in one section of the route on Bedford Avenue the SBS bus and bicycles run in the same lane. One representative explained that the thought behind this portion of the design was that a wider bus lane would be able to accommodate both buses and bicycles. Within the bus lane there would be lines dividing the spaces that the bus and bicycle would use. The representatives also acknowledged the problem with the design and openly admitted that it is still being discussed and possibly reworked.

The highlights of the event were the delicious snacks and a working SBS bus outside of the event!

SBS bus! (photo by Ernest Skinner)

Bus Rapid Transit is a cost effective, efficient and easy way to improve speed and reliability of bus service for commuters along major traffic corridors. The New York City Department of Transportation in conjunction with MTA New York City Transit is looking for public input about the design of the Select Bus Service plans on Nostrand and Rogers Ave. The open house allows the public to speak with the project’s staff individually and provides a venue to promote community engagement in the planning process.

(For more information and summary of the design and progress of the project check out this link!)

When
Monday, November 15, 2010
From 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm

Where
Brooklyn College Student Center (Campus Road and East 27th Street)
Bedford Lounge, 2nd Floor

Directions:
2 or 5 to Flatbush Ave/Brooklyn College, Q or B to Avenue H

Bus Rapid Transit

The B44, which runs from Williamsburg to Sheepshead Bay, has repeatedly been rated the least reliable bus line in all five boroughs, receiving the dubious honor of  Schleppie Award from Straphangers’ Campaign and Transportation Alternatives. Fortunately, this line has been chosen for major improvements: the DOT plans to upgrade the B44 to Select Bus Service, aka Bus Rapid Transit, which has been a hugely successful strategy for public transportation throughout the world. In New York City, Select Bus Service has already been implemented on the Bx12 route in the Bronx; these buses now run 20% faster than the Limited stop buses they replaced, and are attracting close to 5,000 additional daily riders.

Sustainable Flatbush was contacted by the DOT to help mobilize neighborhood residents’ participation in the Community Advisory Committee… so we are inviting YOU to be part of this process. The Community Advisory Committee will meet regularly to provide a venue for Community Boards, elected officials, and other stakeholders and institutions to provide input on how the project will be implemented. Let me repeat: public transit riders are usually under-represented at these meetings, so come and make your voice heard!! As difficult as it may seem to imagine, New York City buses can be efficient, attractive, and dependable… show your support for B44 Select Bus Service and be part of making the dream a reality! Here are the details:

WHAT:
Department of Transportation’s Community Advisory Committee meeting on B44 Select Bus Service

WHEN:
Tuesday, December 8th at 6:30 pm

WHERE:
Brooklyn College Student Center State Room (5th floor)
Campus Road and East 27th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11210
2 or 5 subway to Flatbush Avenue/Brooklyn College (last stop)
view MAP

A PDF of the B44 proposal can be downloaded here.