'Select Bus Service' in Queens Doubles in Price

The planning process has revealed a "select bus service" proposal for Queens to require a lot more time and funding than originally thought.

1 minute read

March 4, 2016, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Mayor Bill de Blasio's plans to build the city's most ambitious fast bus service in southeastern Queens have grown a good deal more expensive than anticipated," reports Dana Rubinstein. "The project once was estimated to cost $200 million but now is expected to cost $400 million," adds Rubinstein.

The jump in price also brought a lengthening timeline, with construction now expected to last until the middle of the next decade.  

Rubinstein describes more of the details of "select bus service," as New York calls its version of bus rapid transit (which "lacks elements (like physically separated bus lanes) that have enabled bus rapid transit programs in other cities to approximate surface-level subway systems"), as well as the intended benefit of the new transit route for the Queens neighborhoods it would serve.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016 in Politico New York

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

April 17 - Momentum Magazine

Aerial view of large warehouses across from development of suburban single-family homes in Jurupa, California with desert mountains in background.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution

A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

April 17 - Black Voice News

Purple Phoenix light rail train connected to overhead wires at sunset.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension

The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

April 17 - Arizona Republic