New York City: the end of the line for route QM22

[WMAveteran]

The Sunday, May 23, 2010 edition of THE NEW YORK TIMES carried an article about MTA route QM22 that will be eliminated on June 25, 2010 "as part of a $93 million budget slashing" (www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/nyregion).  The route "makes two round trips daily from Jackson Heights (Queens) to Midtown Manhattan, with one running on Third Avenue and one on Avenue of the Americas."  This route started in 1988 and the regular riders have become like family to each other.  The MTA states the QM22 "costs $143,000 a year" to operate.  Based on the photos it seems like the MTA operates its comfortable MCI coaches on the route and it appears the regulars have made the route something of a private social club that's really open to anyone who boards.  Even the operators have such seniority that they pick the route all of the time and have become part of the social club. 

[Tristan]

It looks relatively well patronized from this picture.  NY people (Wayne), what kind of alternative(s) do these passengers have?

[WayneNYC]

It's one of those express routes that (In my opinion) should've been long gone.  I'm not suprised that each of the trips are well patronized, as those riders are enjoying that one-seat ride and willing to pay extra to not deal with the subway.  The problem for me is that the QM22 is a relatively short route and every part of the route is served by local bus or subway (some points have both).  I imagine the QM22 may get interlined with some other express route. Or it may be the case of where it's part of a run where the B/O does local service, and then at some point pull in to pick up a MCI for the express run. 

Tristan - To answer your question... The #7 and N trains along with local bus routes in Queens are alternatives.  Also, since it is very close to Manhattan the trip via subway and local bus (if needed) in most cases wouldn't take much longer 1 hour and in some cases less than 1 hour. 

I do believe that many of the MTAB and NYCTA express routes should stay.  These would include many Staten Island routes and then in other boroughs some of those which operate well beyond subway terminals (like in north, eastern and southern Queens).  I also believe express service to places like Starett City in Brooklyn and Co-Op City in the Bronx is very much necessary.

[WMAveteran]

It's one of those express routes that (In my opinion) should've been long gone.  I'm not suprised that each of the trips are well patronized, as those riders are enjoying that one-seat ride and willing to pay extra to not deal with the subway.  The problem for me is that the QM22 is a relatively short route and every part of the route is served by local bus or subway (some points have both).  I imagine the QM22 may get interlined with some other express route. Or it may be the case of where it's part of a run where the B/O does local service, and then at some point pull in to pick up a MCI for the express run. 

Tristan - To answer your question... The #7 and N trains along with local bus routes in Queens are alternatives.  Also, since it is very close to Manhattan the trip via subway and local bus (if needed) in most cases wouldn't take much longer 1 hour and in some cases less than 1 hour. 

I do believe that many of the MTAB and NYCTA express routes should stay.  These would include many Staten Island routes and then in other boroughs some of those which operate well beyond subway terminals (like in north, eastern and southern Queens).  I also believe express service to places like Starett City in Brooklyn and Co-Op City in the Bronx is very much necessary.

I quite agree with you about the need for Staten Island express routes.   The alternatives are long and painful: the #1 or #9 to South Ferry, the #4 or #5 to Bowling Green, then the ferry (when it is not running into the piers), then the SIRT or local buses in St. George.  My fingers got tired just typing this!