MTA Proposes Forest Hills Bus Route Change

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — The MTA wants to re-route a Queens bus that runs through Forest Hills.

The plans would reverse the Q23 route bounded by Metropolitan Avenue, Woodhaven Boulevard, Union Turnpike and 71st Road.

The changes to the line are necessary as the MTA will be banning left turns on Woodhaven Boulevard in an effort to implement Select Bus Service along the road, according to the authority. The plans would also re-route the QM42 and QM12.

After heading south on 71st Road, the Q23 route currently leads down Metropolitan Avenue, takes a left turn on Woodhaven Boulevard and another at Union Turnpike before heading north on 71st Road.

The proposed plans would reverse this loop. Instead of turning left from 71st Road to Metropolitan Avenue, the bus would continue south before turning on to Union Turnpike, according to the proposal. It would then turn right on to Woodhaven Boulevard and then to Metropolitan Avenue, before heading north on 71st Road.

Bus stops on Metropolitan Avenue would also have to be relocated to the opposite side of the street, according to the MTA.

Community Board 6, which covers Forest Hills and Rego Park, has yet to review the specific proposals for the re-routing.

Lead image via changeschanging/Flickr

Planned bus route image courtesy of MTA