MTA Bus Company
Encyclopedia
MTA Bus Company is a service of MTA Regional Bus Operations
used on routes previously controlled by the New York City Department of Transportation
(NYCDOT), and operated by private operators that provided service under contract to the NYCDOT. Currently, the public distinction between MTA Bus and New York City Bus
is only visible on the actual rolling stock and published timetables.
. The routes were taken over on a staggered schedule, beginning with Liberty Lines Express in January 2005 and ending with Triboro Coach Corp.
in February 2006.
MTA Bus started to operate the former Liberty Lines Express bus routes on January 3, 2005, Queens Surface Corporation
bus routes on February 27, 2005, New York Bus Service
bus routes on July 1, 2005, Command Bus Company
bus routes on December 5, 2005, Green Bus Lines
bus routes on January 9, 2006 and Jamaica Buses
bus routes on January 30, 2006. Triboro Coach Corporation
, the final remaining company, ceased operating and its routes have been operated by MTA Bus since February 20, 2006.
Currently, the only NYCDOT subsidized lines not consolidated into MTA Bus are those run by Atlantic Express
and were formerly run by Academy Bus
(Commuter Coach) until 2001. Although the X23, and X24 routes were absorbed by Atlantic Express, the X17J, X21, X22, and X30 routes were absorbed by the New York City Transit Authority
. NYCT discontinued service on the X21 months after the takeover. Recentlty, NYS Assemblyman Lou Tobacco and NYS Senator Andrew Lanza, along with U.S. Congressman Michael E. McMahon and NYC Councilmen Vincent Ignizio
and James Oddo
have asked the MTA to look into the possible consolidation of the remainder of the NYCDOT routes. Private Transportation (Bus Company) route B110 is franchised but not subsidized by NYCDOT. Atlantic Express also ran the AE7 express route from Travis, Staten Island
and Tottenville, Staten Island
in the same manner as the Private Transportation B110 local route. Citing low ridership and increased costs, Atlantic Express canceled the AE7 service on December 31, 2011. Councilmen Ignizio and Oddo as well as Congressman Michael G. Grimm
have called on the MTA to revamp that route also.
In spring 2008, the MTA streamlined bus operations such that MTA Bus Company, New York City Transit buses
, and Long Island Bus buses would be managed as a single entity, MTA Regional Bus
. The MTA Bus brand will continue to be used.
and Long Island Bus: $2.25 for local and limited-stop service and $5.50 for express bus service, payable in coins or MetroCard only.
MTA Bus currently operates the following routes:
formerly provided service.
, parts of Yonkers
, much of Queens
, and parts of southern and eastern Brooklyn
, MTA Bus provides service along a number of express bus lines running to downtown and midtown Manhattan
.
Like the local routes, these routes were also previously franchised by the New York City Department of Transportation.
Within New York City, similar to routes operated under New York City Bus
, the color of the route on a bus stop sign indicates the type of service run. Unlike the signs for the NYCT routes which were completely replaced by the mid-2000s, many signs for MTA Bus routes still sport 1970s-1990s era blue and red NYC DOT signage. Routes are branded on bus stop signs, which are normally located every 2-3 blocks apart in most cases, as follows:
Unless otherwise signed, bus stops are reserved for use of specified services at all times.
, Queens
and Brooklyn
. All of the garages are leased to the City of New York and MTA Bus, except for the Spring Creek and Yonkers garages which are owned by MTA Bus. They are distinct from the Bus depots of the New York City Transit Authority
.
The Baisley Park Depot, located on Guy R. Brewer Boulevard and Linden Boulevard in South Jamaica, in the New York City borough of Queens. It is currently owned by GTJ Reit Inc. (Green, Triboro, Jamaica) Realty Investment Trust, Inc, successor to the former operators. Jamaica Buses
was the former operator of this facility and is currently leased to the City of New York and MTA Bus. Some Q64 buses and all Q110, Q111, Q112, and Q113 local routes, and QM21 express route, are dispatched from this garage.
The College Point Depot, located on 28th Avenue near Ulmer St in the College Point section of Queens
, is a bus garage built and owned by the NYCDOT
and leased to MTA Bus, and formerly leased to Queens Surface Corporation
before it was taken over by MTA Bus. This garage dispatches the Q19, Q25, Q34, Q38, Q50 (most runs), Q64, Q65, and Q66 local routes, and the QM1, QM2, QM3, QM4, QM5, QM6, QM7, QM8, QM10, QM11, and QM20 express routes.
The Eastchester Depot is located on Tilotson Avenue near Conner Street off of the New England Thruway
(Interstate 95
) in the Eastchester, Bronx
neighborhood of The Bronx, New York. It is currently owned by Edward Arrigonni, former president of New York Bus Service
, and is leased to the City of New York and MTA Bus Company. This depot also contains a major storage facility along with the MTA scrap storage facility, as well as a major bus overhaul and repair facility/shops for various type of buses. Dispatched from Eastchester are the Bx23, and Q50 local routes and the BxM6, BxM7, BxM8, BxM9, and BxM10 express routes.
The Far Rockaway Depot is situated on Rockaway Beach Boulevard
and Beach 49th Street in Arverne, Queens
. On January 9, 2006, MTA Bus took over bus routes that had previously been operated by Green Bus Lines
. The garage is owned by GTJ Reit Inc, and formerly used by Green Bus Lines, Inc. It is presently leased to the City of New York and MTA Bus. The Far Rockaway Depot has two storage lots and a maintenance facility. Recently an annex has been built to support more buses. Far Rockaway Depot dispatches the Q11 (most runs), Q21, Q22, and Q35 local routes, and the QM15, QM16, QM17, and QM18 express routes.
John F. Kennedy Bus Depot or (JFK Depot) along with Far Rockaway Depot are the MTA Bus garages that were formerly operated by Green Bus Lines
and were assumed by MTA Bus on January 9, 2006. The garage is owned by GTJ Reit Inc, and formerly used by Green Bus Lines, Inc. It is presently leased to the City of New York and MTA Bus. JFK Depot is Located at 147th Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard near JFK Airport. Operated out of JFK Depot are the Q6, Q7, Q8, Q9, Q10, Q11 (some runs), Q37, Q40, Q41, and Q60 local routes, and QM15 (some runs) express routes.
Established on February 20, 2006, The LaGuardia Depot is located on 85th Street and 23rd Avenue in the East Elmhurst / Jackson Heights
neighborhood of Queens
, New York
near LaGuardia Airport
. It is currently owned by GTJ Reit Inc. Triboro Coach Corporation was the previous operator of this facility, and is currently leased to the City of New York and MTA Bus Company. LaGuardia currently operates the Q18, Q23, Q29, Q33, Q39, Q47, Q49, Q53, Q67, Q69, Q72, Q100, Q101, Q102, Q103, and Q104 local routes, and the QM12, QM24 and QM25 express routes.
The Spring Creek Depot is located on Flatlands Avenue east of Crescent Street in Spring Creek neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Originally leased to the Command Bus Company
, it was previously built and owned by the New York City Department of Transportation
before being sold to MTA Bus in early 2009. The B100 and B103 local routes, and BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4, and BM5 express routes are operated from Spring Creek.
The Yonkers Depot is located at 59 Babcock Place in Yonkers, New York
. Originally part of Liberty Lines Express, it is currently owned and operated by MTA Bus, and only operates express bus service between Yonkers, Western Bronx, and Manhattan on the BxM1, BxM2, BxM3, BxM4, BxM11, and BxM18 (peak service only) routes.
MTA Regional Bus Operations
MTA Regional Bus Operations is the surface transit division of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , created in 2008 to consolidate all bus operations operated by the MTA.-History:...
used on routes previously controlled by the New York City Department of Transportation
New York City Department of Transportation
The New York City Department of Transportation is responsible for the management of much of New York City's transportation infrastructure...
(NYCDOT), and operated by private operators that provided service under contract to the NYCDOT. Currently, the public distinction between MTA Bus and New York City Bus
New York City Transit buses
New York City Transit buses, marked on the buses MTA New York City Bus, is a bus service that operates in all five boroughs of New York City, employing over 4300 buses on 219 routes within the five boroughs of New York City in the United States...
is only visible on the actual rolling stock and published timetables.
History
MTA Bus Company was established in late 2004 to take over privately operated bus routes operated under contract to the NYCDOTNew York City Department of Transportation
The New York City Department of Transportation is responsible for the management of much of New York City's transportation infrastructure...
. The routes were taken over on a staggered schedule, beginning with Liberty Lines Express in January 2005 and ending with Triboro Coach Corp.
Triboro Coach
Triboro Coach Corporation was a bus company in New York City, United States, operating local service in Queens and express routes to Manhattan until February 20, 2006....
in February 2006.
MTA Bus started to operate the former Liberty Lines Express bus routes on January 3, 2005, Queens Surface Corporation
Queens Surface Corporation
Queens Surface Corporation was a bus company in New York City, United States, operating local service in Queens and the Bronx and express service between Queens and Manhattan until February 27, 2005, when the MTA Bus Company took over the operations....
bus routes on February 27, 2005, New York Bus Service
New York Bus Service
New York Bus Service provided express bus service between Midtown Manhattan and the Bronx from 1970 until MTA Bus Company assumed operations July 1, 2005. The company was founded in the mid-1940s under a different name to provide school bus service...
bus routes on July 1, 2005, Command Bus Company
Command Bus Company
Varsity Bus Company is a school bus operator in New York City, currently providing yellow school bus service. This company was established in 2003 when it acquired some of the school bus routes that had been operated by Varsity Transit...
bus routes on December 5, 2005, Green Bus Lines
Green Bus Lines
Green Bus Lines was a bus company in New York City, United States, managed most recently by Jerome Cooper , operating local service in Queens and express service to Manhattan until January 9, 2006, when the MTA Bus Company took over its routes.The company was incorporated on April 3, 1925 to...
bus routes on January 9, 2006 and Jamaica Buses
Jamaica Buses
Jamaica Buses was a bus company in New York City, United States, operating local service in Queens and express service to Manhattan until January 30, 2006, when the MTA Bus Company took over its operations....
bus routes on January 30, 2006. Triboro Coach Corporation
Triboro Coach
Triboro Coach Corporation was a bus company in New York City, United States, operating local service in Queens and express routes to Manhattan until February 20, 2006....
, the final remaining company, ceased operating and its routes have been operated by MTA Bus since February 20, 2006.
Currently, the only NYCDOT subsidized lines not consolidated into MTA Bus are those run by Atlantic Express
Atlantic Express
Atlantic Express may refer to:* Atlantic Express , a trading name for Atlantic Air Transport, a British airline* Atlantic Express , a public and school bus operating company in the United States...
and were formerly run by Academy Bus
Academy Bus
Academy Bus Lines is a bus company in New Jersey providing local bus service in northern New Jersey, line run service to/from New York City from points in central New Jersey, and contract and charter service in the northeastern United States from Boston to Northern Virginia.-Under contract to NJ...
(Commuter Coach) until 2001. Although the X23, and X24 routes were absorbed by Atlantic Express, the X17J, X21, X22, and X30 routes were absorbed by the New York City Transit Authority
New York City Transit Authority
The New York City Transit Authority is a public authority in the U.S. state of New York that operates public transportation in New York City...
. NYCT discontinued service on the X21 months after the takeover. Recentlty, NYS Assemblyman Lou Tobacco and NYS Senator Andrew Lanza, along with U.S. Congressman Michael E. McMahon and NYC Councilmen Vincent Ignizio
Vincent Ignizio
Vincent M. Ignizio is a member of the New York City Council representing Staten Island's 51st District. Before being elected to the City Council, he was a member of the New York State Assembly....
and James Oddo
James Oddo
James S. Oddo is a Republican politician from Staten Island, currently serving as Minority Leader in the New York City Council. He is one of five Republicans serving on the Council.-Early life and career:...
have asked the MTA to look into the possible consolidation of the remainder of the NYCDOT routes. Private Transportation (Bus Company) route B110 is franchised but not subsidized by NYCDOT. Atlantic Express also ran the AE7 express route from Travis, Staten Island
Travis, Staten Island
Travis is a neighborhood at the west-central shore of Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City. Some local geographers classify Travis as being on the island's West Shore, while others reckon it as a Mid-Island neighborhood.-Name:...
and Tottenville, Staten Island
Tottenville, Staten Island
Tottenville with an area of approx. , is the southernmost neighborhood of Staten Island, New York City and New York State. Originally named Bentley Manor by one of its first settlers, Captain Christopher Billop , after a small ship he owned named the Bentley, the district was renamed Tottenville in...
in the same manner as the Private Transportation B110 local route. Citing low ridership and increased costs, Atlantic Express canceled the AE7 service on December 31, 2011. Councilmen Ignizio and Oddo as well as Congressman Michael G. Grimm
Michael Grimm (politician)
Michael Gerard Grimm is the U.S. Representative for , which consists of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former FBI agent, businessman, and U.S. Marine, having served in the Gulf War....
have called on the MTA to revamp that route also.
In spring 2008, the MTA streamlined bus operations such that MTA Bus Company, New York City Transit buses
New York City Transit buses
New York City Transit buses, marked on the buses MTA New York City Bus, is a bus service that operates in all five boroughs of New York City, employing over 4300 buses on 219 routes within the five boroughs of New York City in the United States...
, and Long Island Bus buses would be managed as a single entity, MTA Regional Bus
MTA Regional Bus Operations
MTA Regional Bus Operations is the surface transit division of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , created in 2008 to consolidate all bus operations operated by the MTA.-History:...
. The MTA Bus brand will continue to be used.
Fare
The current MTA Bus base fare is the same as that of the New York City Transit AuthorityNew York City Transit Authority
The New York City Transit Authority is a public authority in the U.S. state of New York that operates public transportation in New York City...
and Long Island Bus: $2.25 for local and limited-stop service and $5.50 for express bus service, payable in coins or MetroCard only.
Routes
Local and Limited-Stop bus service
MTA Bus provides local bus service primarily in southern, western, and central Queens, with local and limited-stop bus service where private operators contracted by the New York City Department of TransportationNew York City Department of Transportation
The New York City Department of Transportation is responsible for the management of much of New York City's transportation infrastructure...
formerly provided service.
Express bus service
From the BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, parts of Yonkers
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is the fourth most populous city in the state of New York , and the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 195,976...
, much of Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, and parts of southern and eastern Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, MTA Bus provides service along a number of express bus lines running to downtown and midtown Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
.
Like the local routes, these routes were also previously franchised by the New York City Department of Transportation.
Bus stops
New York City Transit buses
New York City Transit buses, marked on the buses MTA New York City Bus, is a bus service that operates in all five boroughs of New York City, employing over 4300 buses on 219 routes within the five boroughs of New York City in the United States...
, the color of the route on a bus stop sign indicates the type of service run. Unlike the signs for the NYCT routes which were completely replaced by the mid-2000s, many signs for MTA Bus routes still sport 1970s-1990s era blue and red NYC DOT signage. Routes are branded on bus stop signs, which are normally located every 2-3 blocks apart in most cases, as follows:
Unless otherwise signed, bus stops are reserved for use of specified services at all times.
MTA Bus facilities
MTA Bus currently operates out of eight bus depots, all of which were formerly used by private companies, in The BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
and Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. All of the garages are leased to the City of New York and MTA Bus, except for the Spring Creek and Yonkers garages which are owned by MTA Bus. They are distinct from the Bus depots of the New York City Transit Authority
Bus depots of the New York City Transit Authority
The New York City Transit Authority and its subsidiary, the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority , operates local and express buses out of a number of bus depots in all five boroughs of New York City, United States...
.
Baisley Park Depot
Jamaica Buses
Jamaica Buses was a bus company in New York City, United States, operating local service in Queens and express service to Manhattan until January 30, 2006, when the MTA Bus Company took over its operations....
was the former operator of this facility and is currently leased to the City of New York and MTA Bus. Some Q64 buses and all Q110, Q111, Q112, and Q113 local routes, and QM21 express route, are dispatched from this garage.
College Point Depot
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, is a bus garage built and owned by the NYCDOT
New York City Department of Transportation
The New York City Department of Transportation is responsible for the management of much of New York City's transportation infrastructure...
and leased to MTA Bus, and formerly leased to Queens Surface Corporation
Queens Surface Corporation
Queens Surface Corporation was a bus company in New York City, United States, operating local service in Queens and the Bronx and express service between Queens and Manhattan until February 27, 2005, when the MTA Bus Company took over the operations....
before it was taken over by MTA Bus. This garage dispatches the Q19, Q25, Q34, Q38, Q50 (most runs), Q64, Q65, and Q66 local routes, and the QM1, QM2, QM3, QM4, QM5, QM6, QM7, QM8, QM10, QM11, and QM20 express routes.
Eastchester Depot
New England Thruway
The New England Thruway is a portion of the U.S. Interstate highway system and of the New York State Thruway, within and operated by the New York State Thruway Authority, linking New York City with New England, specifically with southwestern Connecticut...
(Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in New York
Interstate 95 is a part of the Interstate Highway System that runs from Miami, Florida, to the Canada – United States border near Houlton, Maine. In the U.S. state of New York, I-95 extends from the George Washington Bridge in New York City to the Connecticut state line at Port Chester...
) in the Eastchester, Bronx
Eastchester, Bronx
Eastchester is a working class neighborhood in the northeast Bronx borough of New York City in the United States. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 12...
neighborhood of The Bronx, New York. It is currently owned by Edward Arrigonni, former president of New York Bus Service
New York Bus Service
New York Bus Service provided express bus service between Midtown Manhattan and the Bronx from 1970 until MTA Bus Company assumed operations July 1, 2005. The company was founded in the mid-1940s under a different name to provide school bus service...
, and is leased to the City of New York and MTA Bus Company. This depot also contains a major storage facility along with the MTA scrap storage facility, as well as a major bus overhaul and repair facility/shops for various type of buses. Dispatched from Eastchester are the Bx23, and Q50 local routes and the BxM6, BxM7, BxM8, BxM9, and BxM10 express routes.
Far Rockaway Depot
Rockaway Beach Boulevard
Rockaway Beach Boulevard, opened in 1886, was the first major east-west thoroughfare on the Rockaway Peninsula in the Borough of Queens in New York City. Much of its route parallels the Rockaway Freeway and the IND Rockaway Line above the Freeway...
and Beach 49th Street in Arverne, Queens
Arverne, Queens
Arverne is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens, on the Rockaway Peninsula. It was initially developed by Remington Vernam, whose signature "R. Vernam" inspired the name of the neighborhood. Arverne extends from Beach 56th Street to Beach 73rd Street, along its main thoroughfare...
. On January 9, 2006, MTA Bus took over bus routes that had previously been operated by Green Bus Lines
Green Bus Lines
Green Bus Lines was a bus company in New York City, United States, managed most recently by Jerome Cooper , operating local service in Queens and express service to Manhattan until January 9, 2006, when the MTA Bus Company took over its routes.The company was incorporated on April 3, 1925 to...
. The garage is owned by GTJ Reit Inc, and formerly used by Green Bus Lines, Inc. It is presently leased to the City of New York and MTA Bus. The Far Rockaway Depot has two storage lots and a maintenance facility. Recently an annex has been built to support more buses. Far Rockaway Depot dispatches the Q11 (most runs), Q21, Q22, and Q35 local routes, and the QM15, QM16, QM17, and QM18 express routes.
John F. Kennedy Depot
Green Bus Lines
Green Bus Lines was a bus company in New York City, United States, managed most recently by Jerome Cooper , operating local service in Queens and express service to Manhattan until January 9, 2006, when the MTA Bus Company took over its routes.The company was incorporated on April 3, 1925 to...
and were assumed by MTA Bus on January 9, 2006. The garage is owned by GTJ Reit Inc, and formerly used by Green Bus Lines, Inc. It is presently leased to the City of New York and MTA Bus. JFK Depot is Located at 147th Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard near JFK Airport. Operated out of JFK Depot are the Q6, Q7, Q8, Q9, Q10, Q11 (some runs), Q37, Q40, Q41, and Q60 local routes, and QM15 (some runs) express routes.
LaGuardia Depot
Jackson Heights, Queens
Jackson Heights is a neighborhood in the Northwestern portion of the borough of Queens in New York, New York, United States. The neighborhood is part of Queens Community Board 3...
neighborhood of Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
near LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport is an airport located in the northern part of Queens County on Long Island in the City of New York. The airport is located on the waterfront of Flushing Bay and Bowery Bay, and borders the neighborhoods of Astoria, Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst. The airport was originally...
. It is currently owned by GTJ Reit Inc. Triboro Coach Corporation was the previous operator of this facility, and is currently leased to the City of New York and MTA Bus Company. LaGuardia currently operates the Q18, Q23, Q29, Q33, Q39, Q47, Q49, Q53, Q67, Q69, Q72, Q100, Q101, Q102, Q103, and Q104 local routes, and the QM12, QM24 and QM25 express routes.
Spring Creek Depot
Command Bus Company
Varsity Bus Company is a school bus operator in New York City, currently providing yellow school bus service. This company was established in 2003 when it acquired some of the school bus routes that had been operated by Varsity Transit...
, it was previously built and owned by the New York City Department of Transportation
New York City Department of Transportation
The New York City Department of Transportation is responsible for the management of much of New York City's transportation infrastructure...
before being sold to MTA Bus in early 2009. The B100 and B103 local routes, and BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4, and BM5 express routes are operated from Spring Creek.
Yonkers Depot
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is the fourth most populous city in the state of New York , and the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 195,976...
. Originally part of Liberty Lines Express, it is currently owned and operated by MTA Bus, and only operates express bus service between Yonkers, Western Bronx, and Manhattan on the BxM1, BxM2, BxM3, BxM4, BxM11, and BxM18 (peak service only) routes.
See also
- Transportation in New York CityTransportation in New York CityThe transportation system of New York City is a cooperation of complex systems of infrastructure. New York City, being the largest city in the United States, has a transportation system which includes the largest subway system in the world, measured by track mileage; the world's first mechanically...
- New York City Transit AuthorityNew York City Transit AuthorityThe New York City Transit Authority is a public authority in the U.S. state of New York that operates public transportation in New York City...
- New York City Transit busesNew York City Transit busesNew York City Transit buses, marked on the buses MTA New York City Bus, is a bus service that operates in all five boroughs of New York City, employing over 4300 buses on 219 routes within the five boroughs of New York City in the United States...