Gravesend residents rally against city's plan for B82 bus line

<p>Residents of Gravesend are rallying today against the city's new plan for Select Bus Service on the B82 bus line.</p>

News 12 Staff

Apr 9, 2018, 9:50 PM

Updated 2,433 days ago

Share:

Gravesend residents rally against city's plan for B82 bus line
Residents of Gravesend are rallying today against the city's new plan for Select Bus Service on the B82 bus line.
The city's Department of Transportation says it intends to make commutes faster and easier for the estimated 28,000 riders who use the line daily by adding dedicated bus lanes along Kings Highway.
For community members, that would come at the expense of parking spaces, which are already scarce. They say that losing more parking spaces could hurt nearby residents and retail shops that line the busy commercial corridor.
The DOT disputes that notion, pointing to other Select Bus Service lines that it says encouraged more retail activity.
Demonstrators are also criticizing the city for what they say is a lack of communication about the bus plan. The DOT says it has made dozens of outreach efforts over the last three years.
In a statement, an MTA spokesperson said the MTA takes local needs into account when tackling transportation issues.
"This is one of the busiest bus routes in Brooklyn, and we want to be partners with the communities we operate in," the spokesperson said. "We're in discussions with local elected officials about this route and are committed to addressing community concerns while also serving the area's public transit needs."
If the plan moves forward, the Select Bus Service will launch this July.