A schedule adjustment to an express bus line in the Bronx may help its drivers get to their job destinations earlier and on time.
On Friday, March 20, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Councilman Andrew Cohen announced their efforts to adjust the schedule on the BxM4 express bus, which travels from East 242nd Street and Katonah Avenue to West 26th Street and 5th Avenue, and services the Woodlawn, Norwood, Fordham and Tremont neighborhoods.
The announcement followed the requests by numerous BxM4 commuters who rely on its service everyday who complained that the BxM4’s schedule was making them late for work.
Currently, the BxM4 arrives in midtown Manhattan at 7:05 a.m., which is already too late for commuters whose work shifts begin at 7 a.m.
However, after Dinowitz and Cohen contacted the MTA regarding the issue, the MTA agreed to adjust the BxM4 bus schedule – by having the earliest southbound bus depart from Woodlawn ten minutes earlier, at 5:40 instead of 5:50 a.m..
The same schedule change will affect the earliest northbound bus as well, as the bus that will depart from midtown Manhattan will leave at 4:35 instead of 4:45 p.m..
Both of these schedule changes will go into effect on Monday, April 6, and should allow commuters to make it to work on time and to their families quicker than before.
“This is an example of government in action,” said Dinowitz and Cohen in an issued statement. “After hearing from numerous constituents that the existing BxM4 bus schedule was making them late to work and delaying their return home, we urged the MTA to adjust their schedule to adapt to the needs of their passengers.
“We are pleased that the MTA has agreed to adopt our recommended changes in their spring bus schedule, as these small changes will make a big difference to the commuters who rely on this bus to get to work every day.”
“We believe that investment in public transportation can be a virtuous cycle – the more we invest in improving the system, the more people will use it, allowing for further investment. We will continue to advocate for changes that improve the daily commutes of our constituents.”
Community Board 12 was also pleased with the schedule change.
“Bronx residents that work in Manhattan have to leave their homes and be on the road early because of the distance and traffic,” said Fr. Richard Gorman, CB 12’s chairperson. “Any change to help Bronx residents get to work easier and on time is a good thing.”
