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Q10 (New York City bus)

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For additional information on the current bus service, see List of bus routes in Queens.

q10
q10
Lefferts Boulevard−JFK Airport
A 2016 New Flyer XD60 (5386) on the JFK Airport-bound Q10 leaving Kew Gardens-Union Tpke in June 2018
Overview
SystemMTA Regional Bus Operations
OperatorMTA Bus Company
GarageJFK Depot
VehicleNew Flyer Xcelsior XD60 (main vehicle)
Orion VII NG HEV
New Flyer Xcelsior XD40
Nova Bus LFS (supplemental)
Route
LocaleQueens, New York, U.S.
Communities servedKew Gardens, Richmond Hill, South Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park
StartKew Gardens, Queens – Queens Boulevard / Kew Gardens Road & 80th Road
ViaLefferts Boulevard, Rockaway Boulevard
EndSouth Ozone Park, Queens – 149th Avenue & 150th Avenue
JFK Airport – Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain station
Length6.1 miles (9.8 km) (local)
4.1 miles (6.6 km) (limited)
Other routesQ37 111th Street
Service
Operates24 hours[note 1][1]
Annual patronage4,602,561 (2023)[2]
TransfersYes
TimetableQ10
← Q9  {{{system_nav}}}  Q11 →

The Q10 bus route constitutes a public transit line in Queens, New York City, running primarily along Lefferts Boulevard between a transfer with the New York City Subway in Kew Gardens to the AirTrain JFK's Lefferts Boulevard station at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Formerly privately operated by Green Bus Lines, the route is currently city-operated under the MTA Bus Company brand of MTA Regional Bus Operations.

Route description and service

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There are two variants of the Q10: a local-stop version making all stops, and a limited-stop service that skips certain stops. The limited-stop service runs every day from about 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.[1]

The southbound Q10 begins at the Kew Gardens–Union Turnpike subway station at Kew Gardens Road and 80th Road, where transfer is available to the E, ​F, and <F> trains. It then turns left on 80th Road, and then left onto Austin Street, heading southeast. Afterward, the Q10 turns right onto Lefferts Boulevard, where it continues south until Rockaway Boulevard. At this point, Q10 locals turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard to serve the South Ozone Park neighborhood, and then run southwest via 130th Street and east via 150th Avenue. The Q10 local turns right along 134th Street, then runs westward via Pan Am Road service road to the AirTrain JFK's Lefferts Boulevard station. Q10 limited-stop buses take a shorter route, continuing south via Lefferts Boulevard until they terminate at the Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain station. During the PM rush hour, some Q10 locals start at Queens Boulevard and 80th Road, running to 150th Avenue or the Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain station.[1]

The northbound Q10 begins at the Lefferts Boulevard station. Q10 limited-stop buses continue directly north, while Q10 local buses go east along Pan Am Road, north along 134th Street, west along 150th Avenue, north along 130th Street, west along Rockaway Boulevard, and then north along Lefferts Boulevard. Both the local and limited-stop variants continue north and then northeast until Kew Gardens Road, where they turn left and run to 80th Road. During the morning rush hour, some northbound Q10 locals start at 150th Avenue.[1]

Until 2006, an express service called the Q10A had run from the Kew Gardens subway station to JFK Airport Terminal 4, via the Van Wyck Expressway, operating non-stop from Kew Gardens to Federal Circle. There were six Q10A trips, all running toward JFK Airport during morning rush hours.[3][4][5][6][7] The service was replaced by the Q10 Limited.[3]

History

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Early operation

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The New York City Board of Estimate approved the establishment of the South Ozone Park–Jamaica bus route, running along Lefferts Boulevard and Rockaway Boulevard, circa 1921. The route ran from the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and 114th Street to the Richmond Hill Circle section of South Ozone Park, Queens.[8] In the 1920s, what is now the Q10 was part of the Lefferts–Bergen Landing route, which was operated by the New York City Department of Plant & Structure. The Lefferts–Bergen Landing route ran via Lefferts Boulevard, Rockaway Boulevard, and Old South Road.[9][10] The Richmond Hill Bus Corporation applied for a franchise to operate this route in 1925.[11]

The Q10 route number was assigned in 1931, traveling primarily along Lefferts Boulevard and Rockaway Boulevard.[12] Originally the Q10 had three destinations; one was at Old South Road, which is at the current intersection of the Belt Parkway and North and South Conduit Avenues at Lefferts, another was at Hamilton Beach, and the final destination was Richmond Hill Circle, which was located about a half-mile south of 130th Street and the Belt Parkway. The trips to Old South Road later went to Rockaway Boulevard. This branch received the most service, with buses running every two minutes during rush hours. Service to Hamilton Beach ran every eight minutes during rush hours. This branch did not run early in the morning, stopping at 1:40 a.m.[13][14]

On November 11, 1932, the Board of Estimate approved the forms of contract for nine companies, Travelers Bus Company, which had been incorporated on October 9, 1931, and was seeking the franchise for the Q10 bus route.[15] On December 30, 1932, Travelers Bus Lines obtained a one-year franchise for the bus route. The company received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the duration of the franchise which became effective on March 17, 1933.[16] On July 4, 1934, the route was extended 3 miles (4.8 km).[17] On June 5, 1935, the city granted a new franchise contract for the extended route for a period lasting between the expiration date of the first contract and a date no later than December 31, 1938.[18]

In 1936, Queens was divided into four zones, for bus operating franchise purposes. With the new zone setup, one company would be awarded the franchise in each zone, with any remaining smaller operations acquired by the larger company. The Q10 fell into Zone C, the zone for Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, and the Rockaways, and the route was awarded to Green Bus Lines.[19] On November 15, 1936, Q10 service began to be operated by Green Bus Lines, and on this date Travelers Bus Lines ceased operations.[20][18]

Subway and airport connections

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On March 19, 1941, the terminal loop of the route was changed to provide a safer connection to the Independent Subway System (IND) at Kew Gardens. Originally, Kew Gardens-bound Q10 buses traveled northeast along Lefferts Boulevard before turning left onto Austin Street, right on 80th Road, and then right at Kew Gardens Road, where the buses discharged passengers. Subway commuters had to dodge traffic at Kew Gardens Road, and three traffic deaths at the intersection had occurred during the past few years, leading Councilman James A. Burke to plead for a change in the bus route. As a result, the Police Commissioner, Cornelius O'Leary, changed the direction of traffic on Austin Street between Lefferts Boulevard and 83rd Drive (now Mowbray Drive), and reversed the direction of traffic on 80th Road. With the change, buses continued northeast along Lefferts Boulevard one more block to Kew Gardens Road, terminating on the north side of the street adjacent to the subway entrance. Buses entering service here turned onto 80th Road and then went along Austin Street to Lefferts Boulevard. This terminal loop has remained unchanged as of July 2018.[21]

In 1947, when Idlewild Airport opened, Green Bus Lines was awarded the exclusive transit rights to the airport. The bus was then extended from Richmond Hill Circle to Idlewild Airport.[22] On February 9, 1962, the Board of Estimate approved Green Bus Lines' petition to modify its franchise to create the Q10A express bus route to Idlewild Airport. The fare was 25 cents, and the route ended at the boundary line at the airport.[23] Q10A buses operated along the Van Wyck Expressway and ran only from Kew Gardens to JFK Airport, operating during weekday mornings.[24]: 13 

Through the late 20th century, many JFK Airport passengers used the subway and the Q10 as a low-cost alternative to taxi service.[25] According to a 2004 study conducted by Urbitran Associates, the Q10 route operated at a frequency of 12 buses per hour during peak periods. Urbitran's study recommended eliminating the Q10A route and adding a limited-stop variant of the Q10 along Lefferts Boulevard. This would increase the Q10's peak frequency to 18 buses per hour while also providing faster service between the airport and the Lefferts Boulevard corridor in both directions.[24]: 11–12 

MTA takeover

[edit]

2000s and 2010s

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A 2003 New Flyer D60HF (5604) on the Q10 Limited in 2014, after MTA Bus takeover

On January 9, 2006, the MTA Bus Company took over the operations of the Green Bus Line routes.[26][27][28] Under the MTA on September 3, 2006, Q10A service was discontinued, due to low ridership and parallel service from the AirTrain JFK. The Q10A was replaced by the Q10 Limited, which made limited stops along the entire route, and ran on weekdays and on Saturdays.[3][29] At that time, Q10 service to all JFK terminals except Terminal 4 was replaced by AirTrain JFK.[30] On April 6, 2008, limited service was expanded to Sundays and the hours of limited service on weekdays and Saturdays were expanded to increase ridership.[31]

Beginning on September 4, 2011, Q10 local buses on the Lefferts Boulevard branch were rerouted to remain on Lefferts Boulevard south of Conduit Avenue, and to continue along Lefferts Boulevard and Pan Am Road into JFK Airport, where they returned to their regular route along 130th Place. The Conduit Avenue branch of the Q10 was discontinued and Q10 buses stopped accessing JFK Airport at 134th Street.[32][33]

On May 30, 2012, due to construction at Terminal 4, the Q10 started terminating at a new stop at Terminal 5, near the former Terminal 6.[30][34]

On May 4, 2013, 60-foot (18 m) articulated buses began replacing the standard 40-foot (12 m) buses on the route. The Q10 was the second route in Queens to receive articulated buses, after the Q44. At the time, the Q10 was the third busiest route in the city and its buses were frequently overcrowded.[35] The use of articulated buses received positive feedback from commuters, but opposition from some local residents and business owners to potential traffic issues and loss of parking spaces.[36][37] With the change to articulated buses, in April 2014, the frequency of service was slightly decreased.[38]

On February 24, 2013, Q10 short-turn buses terminating at 150th Avenue and 149th Street stopped running via 150th Avenue. Instead, the bus route was changed, with buses running via South Conduit Avenue between 130th Street and 134th Street. The route was changed in order to avoid congestion at the sanitation yard on 150th Street. An additional reason for the change was to allow buses to avoid making a turn onto South Conduit Avenue from 132nd Street, because there is no traffic light at this intersection and vehicles often pass at high speeds, often causing severe delays. Additionally, 132nd Street is a narrow residential block.[39][40] On April 28, 2013, all Q10 buses that ran via Lefferts Boulevard south of Rockaway Boulevard became limited-stop only, discontinuing stops at Sutter Avenue, 133rd Avenue, and 149th Avenue. A limited bus stop was added at 150th Avenue. At this time, the hours of the Q10 Limited were expanded, running between 5:30 AM–11:30 PM weekdays, and 6:15 AM–11:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, similar to former Lefferts Boulevard branch local service hours.[41]

The Q10 Limited was one of several corridors proposed for conversion into a Select Bus Service route in the 2017 Bus Forward report released by the New York City Department of Transportation.[42]

On January 8, 2018, the Q10 was rerouted in JFK Airport in order to provide a more direct route. Two low-volume stops were eliminated as the route was rerouted from 150th Avenue and the Van Wyck Expressway service road to 134th Street.[43] In June 2019, the MTA proposed rerouting the southbound local route between 130th and 134th Street, so that it would run on South Conduit Avenue rather than on 150th and 149th Avenues, since the sanitation yard at 149th Avenue and 134th Street was not an optimal location for a bus stop.[44]

Queens bus redesign

[edit]

In December 2019, the MTA released a draft redesign of the Queens bus network.[45][46] As part of the redesign, the Q10 and Q64 buses would have been replaced by a high-density "intra-borough" route, the QT14, running from Electchester to the Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain station. The local routing, and the limited route south of the AirTrain, would have been eliminated.[47] The redesign was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City in 2020,[48] and the original draft plan was dropped due to negative feedback.[49] In February 2022, the MTA announced that the Q10 local and limited services would be truncated to the Lefferts Boulevard station the next month on March 27 to accommodate long-term construction at JFK Airport. The changes would remain in effect until at least 2026, when JFK's new Central Terminal Area was completed. The discontinued portion of the Q10 would be served by an extension of the Q3 service.[50]

A revised bus-redesign plan was released in March 2022.[51] As part of the new plan, the Q10 would become a "limited-stop" route, albeit with more stops than the existing Q10 Limited. The route would be extended north to Electchester via Queens Boulevard and Jewel Avenue, the same path as the QT14. The local routing in South Ozone Park would be discontinued, and the southern terminal would remain at Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain station.[52]

A final bus-redesign plan was released in December 2023.[53][54] As with the draft plan, the Q10 would become a limited route and would no longer serve South Ozone Park, but it would not be extended northward or combined with the Q64.[55]

On December 17, 2024, addendums made to the final plan were released. Among these, the Q10 local branch was retained, but it will become a “Rush” route with fewer stops. The “Limited” branch will be served by the new Q80.[56]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Limited Service operates only during the day

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d MTA Regional Bus Operations. "Q10 bus schedule" (PDF).
  2. ^ "Subway and bus ridership for 2023". mta.info. April 29, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "The MTA 2006 Annual Report: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2006 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2006" (PDF). mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. May 1, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  4. ^ "Analysis of Routes and Ridership of a Franchise Bus Service: Green Bus Lines" (PDF). utrc2.org/. City College of New York. October 2000. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  5. ^ "Appendix B: Route Profiles" (PDF). nyc.gov. New York City Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  6. ^ Urbitran Associates, Inc (May 2004). "NYCDOT Bus Ridership Survey and Route Analysis Final Report: Chapter 4 Operating and Financial Performance" (PDF). nyc.gov. New York City Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  7. ^ "January 2006 Q10/Q10A Timetable" (PDF). mta.info. MTA Bus Company. Archived from the original on April 14, 2006. Retrieved July 15, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ Minutes of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment of the City of New York. M.B. Brown Printing & Binding Company. 1921. p. 615.
  9. ^ Whalen, G.A. (1922). Motor Buses: The Only Solution of the Surface Transportation Problem. M.B. Brown Printing & Binding Company. p. 28.
  10. ^ Brooklyn Daily Eagle Almanac. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 1925. p. 76.
  11. ^ New York (N.Y.). Board of Transportation (1925). Proceedings. The Board. pp. 391–392.
  12. ^ "54 Bus Routes Win Approval By City". The New York Times. January 28, 1931. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  13. ^ Welsh, Frederick J. (February 27, 1948). "Only Mild Criticism from Q-10 Users" (PDF). Long Island Star-Journal. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  14. ^ Welsh, Frederick J. (February 27, 1948). "Q-10 Riders Mildly Assail Bus Service" (PDF). Long Island Star-Journal. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  15. ^ "9 Bus Routes In Queens Win O.K. Of Board". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. November 11, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved November 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ New York (State). Transit Commission. (1922). Annual report /. Columbia University Libraries. Albany, N.Y. : J.B. Lyon Co. pp. 116, 574.
  17. ^ Sixteenth Annual Report For the Calendar Year 1936. Department of Public Service Metropolitan Division Transit Commission. 1937. p. 633.
  18. ^ a b "New York Legislative Documents 1938 v.16". HathiTrust. p. 624. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  19. ^ "Bus Franchises For Queens Are Granted by City". Brooklyn Eagle. September 24, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved November 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Local Bus Route Taken Over By New Operator" (PDF). The Leader-Observer. November 19, 1936. p. 8. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  21. ^ "Burke Hailed As Champion Of Bus Riders: Traffic Rerouting to End Kew Garden Muddle Effective Today" (PDF). Long Island Daily Press. March 19, 1941. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  22. ^ "A Picture History of Kew Gardens, NY - 'YE Olde Route Delivery" by Alan Linsky". www.oldkewgardens.com. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  23. ^ "Express Bus to Idlewild OK'd by Board" (PDF). Long Island Star-Journal. February 9, 1962. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  24. ^ a b Urbitran Associates Inc. (2004). New York City Department of Transportation Bus Ridership Survey and Route Analysis. Technical memorandum. Urbitran Associates, Incorporated.
  25. ^ Lichtenstein, Grace (June 27, 1978). "Experimental Bus-Subway Route to Kennedy Planned". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  26. ^ Silverman, Norman (July 26, 2010). "The Merger of 7 Private Bus Companies into MTA Bus" (PDF). apta.com. American Public Transportation Association, Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  27. ^ Lueck, Thomas J. (April 23, 2005). "City to Buy Private Bus Company for Service in Three Boroughs". The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
  28. ^ "Mayor Bloomberg Announces MTA Takeover of Green Bus Lines". The official website of the City of New York. January 8, 2006. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  29. ^ "Fall 2007 Q10 Bus Timetable" (PDF). mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Transit Committee Meeting June 2012" (PDF). mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. June 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 13, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  31. ^ "MTA Bus Company Service Advisories". mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. April 2008. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  32. ^ "MTA Bus Operations Committee Meeting May 2011" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. May 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 12, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  33. ^ "Effective Sunday, September 4, 2011 Route changed in South Ozone Park". mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. October 1, 2011. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  34. ^ "JFK Airport Terminal 4 Bus Stop Relocation". mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. May 31, 2012. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  35. ^ Trangle, Sarina (March 31, 2014). "Kew Gdns. opposes Q10 bus changes". TimesLedger. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  36. ^ Rafter, Domenick (October 24, 2013). "CB 9 articulates ire on articulated buses". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  37. ^ Rafter, Domenick (February 20, 2014). "CB 9 still does not like Q10 artic buses: Residents, businesses say parking is an issue, but some commuters are happy". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  38. ^ "Transit & Bus Committee Meeting January 2014" (PDF). mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. January 2014. p. 6.1–6.4. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 27, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  39. ^ Rafter, Domenick (February 18, 2013). "MTA changes routes for three area buses". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  40. ^ "Effective Sunday, February 24, 2013 Route Adjustment and Bus Stop Change in South Ozone Park". mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. April 21, 2013. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
  41. ^ "Planned Service Changes Q10 Q10 LTD Effective Sunday, April 28, 2013 Lefferts Blvd Branch to be Limited-Stop Only". mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. April 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  42. ^ "2017 Bus Forward" (PDF). nyc.gov. New York City Department of Transportation. October 20, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  43. ^ "New York City Transit and Bus Committee Meeting" (PDF). mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. October 23, 2017. pp. 143–147. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  44. ^ "New York City Transit and Bus Committee Meeting" (PDF). mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. June 24, 2019. pp. 198–201. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  45. ^ Acevedo, Angélica (December 17, 2019). "MTA gives 'sneak peek' of transformative Queens bus network redesign plan". QNS.com. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  46. ^ "MTA Unveils Draft Proposal to Redesign Bus Network in Queens". Spectrum News NY1 | New York City. December 31, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  47. ^ "Draft Plan, Queens Bus Network Redesign". Metropolitan Transportation Authority. December 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  48. ^ "Queens bus network redesign remains on hold amid COVID-19 pandemic: MTA". QNS.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  49. ^ Duggan, Kevin (December 15, 2021). "MTA to release 'totally redone' Queens bus network redesign draft in early 2022". amNewYork. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  50. ^ Mohamed, Carlotta (February 14, 2022). "MTA announces bus route service changes to take effect in March amid JFK Airport terminal redevelopment – QNS.com". QNS.com. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  51. ^ Duggan, Kevin (March 29, 2022). "FIRST ON amNY: MTA reveals new Queens bus redesign draft plan". amNewYork. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  52. ^ "Draft Plan, Queens Bus Network Redesign". Metropolitan Transportation Authority. March 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  53. ^ Brachfeld, Ben (December 12, 2023). "MTA unveils final proposal for Queens bus network redesign". amNewYork. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  54. ^ Shkurhan, Iryna (December 13, 2023). "MTA unveils final plan to overhaul Queens bus network for the first time in decades". QNS.com. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  55. ^ "Final Plan, Queens Bus Network Redesign". Metropolitan Transportation Authority. December 2023. pp. 105–106. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  56. ^ "Queens Bus Network Redesign Proposed Final Plan Addendum". Retrieved December 17, 2024.
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