MTA Capitulates, Restores Critical Bus Stops to M14 SBS Proposal
Winner, winner, chicken dinner…
Two months after the MTA surprised the community by axing numerous local stops on the M14 (A/D) bus line as part of its conversion to express SBS, the city has capitulated.
The announcement of reversal came Tuesday night at the Transportation subcommittee of Community Board 3, during a presentation by MTA and Department of Transportation. Here are the pertinents:
- Almost all stops are maintained along Grand Street (see graphic below)
- Bus stop stays at Columbia and Rivington Streets
- Southbound stops along Avenue A/Essex Street are removed and replaced with stops at East 5th Street and Houston Street.
Grassroots organizations and local politicians – from Margaret Chin and Carlina Rivera to the Grand Street Democrats – blasted the proposed changes to the crosstown bus line right out of the gate. There were protests, a flooding of social media, and meetings to strategize the opposition. A petition against the proposal also garnered more than 2,700 signatures in opposition. The community demanded supplemental service similar to the M15 route along First and Second Avenues rather than the complete purge of local stops, which largely cater to the senior population.
This is a significant victory.
We rallied, petitioned and organized and we won! The M14 Grand Street stops were restored. I want to thank everyone-especially the seniors-who marched, went to meetings and raised their voices to show @MTA the importance of an accessible bus system for all NYers. #SaveM14Service pic.twitter.com/3Oy0pMxnaH
— Margaret S. Chin (@CM_MargaretChin) May 15, 2019
M14 Stops Restored- We Won! Grand St Dems engaged local groups, participated in protests, championed petitions, spoke out on TV, led a hashtag revolt (#SaveM14Service), showed up @MTA mtgs, rallied our local electeds & WON significant (25%!) improvements for our #LES! 🙏 to all! pic.twitter.com/iCMVQ4PeON
— Grand Street Dems (@GrandStreetDems) May 15, 2019
The new M14 SBS plan will ensure faster service while providing better access for many of our NORCs, but @MTA and @NYC_DOT must do more to provide safe transit options for our seniors and NYCHA residents. Read my full statement below. pic.twitter.com/R7LdpkIXCw
— Carlina Rivera 利華娜 (@CarlinaRivera) May 15, 2019
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