B25 Bus Route on Main Street
September 7th, 2011
A reader sent us this email that the B25 bus route has begun the routing down Main Street:
Did you know that the B 25 buses started today going down Main and Water 7 days a week from morning until late night? Apparently the concerns raised in July about this route and schedule change went unheard.
We previously posted about the B25 bus in July from another resident who thought buses turning into Main Street, then down Water Street would be too much for the cramped streets.
The original post from the resident said this about having the bus turn into Main Street: “it is extremely dangerous, and it is a terrible and unsustainable traffic-flow situation. I have seen fist-fights and many incidences of road rage. Many times busses careen onto the street hardly braking at all as they turn down from Front Street. I am worried no one is going to take this issue seriously until a pedestrian is killed or there is a serious accident.”
Most of the Water Street re-construction has been completed and paved with Belgian blocks.
[UPDATE: Robert Perris, District Manager for CB2 commented this update: CB2 took these concerns seriously and discussed them with New York City Transit (NYCT) and other stakeholders. One alternative that was considered was the viability of moving the bus loop to another street further east. NYCT informed CB2 that it was not able to consider an alternative route at this time but might re-visit the issue following implementation of the 24/7 Main Street loop." Thanks Rob for the update!]
September 7th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Seems like a useless detour.
September 7th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
As district manager for Community Board 2 (CB2), I can answer the question in the final sentence. (The “old media” would have phoned and asked, as opposed to posting the question on a blog, but that is another topic.)
CB2 took these concerns seriously and discussed them with New York City Transit (NYCT) and other stakeholders. One alternative that was considered was the viability of moving the bus loop to another street further east.
NYCT informed CB2 that it was not able to consider an alternative route at this time but might re-visit the issue following implementation of the 24/7 Main Street loop.
September 7th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Thank you Robert for your response, as always. And yes, old media is different than a neighborhood blog. I should’ve asked.
September 7th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Yes, thanks Robert for…your response…and for…”discussing” this with NYCT, who… “might revisit” this later. Go get ‘em, tiger.
September 8th, 2011 at 10:05 am
Uhm, fran, unless you have worked in government–and I am fairly certain from your comment, you have not–your comment is ignorant.
I could have written in stronger and more specific terms, but I would potentially lose allies I need to effect change and alienate NYCT, which has the exclusive power to make the change desired by some.
Don’t forget: both of the people who have shared their thoughts with dumbonyc, who have also been in contact with CB2, have taken a fairly strident tone and accomplished nothing.
September 8th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Robert –
Please don’t comment on things you really care nothing or know nothing about (i.e. the bus problems in Dumbo) or reference me in insulting ways on “blogs” (which you really don’t like to do, do you?) If you would like me to publicly express my opinion about your manner and conduct during our interactions regarding this issue, I certainly can (my favorite quote of yours to me is, “Don’t go there. Just don’t go there”).
We are still pursuing changes to this route with the MTA, which is a gross insult to the residents and businesses on Main St. and Water St, and my hope is it will be accomplished soon. I reference Fran Schmidt’s comment above. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Ethan Goldman
September 8th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
I don’t know what all this personal fighting is about but I live on Main St and it’s a very tiny street for so much bus traffic. Hope this is changed ASAP.
September 8th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Ethan, I read your several email messages, heard your comments at a public forum and spoke with you one-on-one, after which I tried to accomplish what you would like to see happen. I am not sure how that qualifies me as not caring or knowing nothing, but so be it.
I thought the statement, “fairly strident tone and accomplished nothing”, was objective and accurate and was not intended to be insulting. I apologize for the misunderstanding. Best wishes, Rob
September 8th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Neither of your statements are objective or accurate, and I don’t think there was any misunderstanding.
If meeting with our State Senator and now being in the process of arranging for a Dumbo community meeting with the MTA and city officials (TBD later in September) to discuss the B25 bus route is “accomplishing nothing”, then I guess I just didn’t study at your “how-to” school of local government.
BTW, this is something you and CB2 should have done months ago. Dumbo is included in CB2. Why you and others would want to treat this community in such a high-handed and totally inconsiderate way is beyond me, especially regarding an issue that could have been resolved so easily to everyone’s satisfaction. Hopefully, it still will be.
September 8th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
If you only looked out for the people you are supposed to be representing, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. But now all of Dumbo can see for themselves that you have only been obstructionist and arrogant in this matter.
I won’t bother to respond to your 7th grade comment.
September 9th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Ethan, as the site manager can verify by checking the IP addresses, that last comment came from some other than me.
I had nothing more to add after my comment at 2:48 pm yesterday. Best wishes for your meeting with the senator and MTA. Rob
September 9th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Ethan, stop, you’re coming off as a fool here.
September 9th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
I’m shocked by Mr. Perris’s latest response. Like Emery, I don’t know anything about personal interactions, but I do know by regularly reading this blog that Mr. Goldman has worked for years to advocate for this issue — one that certainly impacts the quality of life for hundreds of Dumbo residents. I cannot speak to his methods or his tone, but I certainly understand his frustration. It does appear that the issue has not been seriously considered even though the options proposed seem logical and simple. To blame city government for an unwillingness to pursue common sense solutions is cynical and useless. Is there anyone in power who actually cares about this problem and has the will and creativity to solve it? That is not a rhetorical question, I genuinely would like to know if there is a person — not a board, not a committee, not an agency — who can make a difference?
September 9th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Yes, the comment was not from Rob and removed.
As evident from the passionate comments, I think we all agree that the bus route needs to be addressed still and both residents and CB2 have done work towards resolving this. Let’s leave it at that and not air out personal differences on a blog.
September 9th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Mike –
I don’t know who you are, because you have not listed your full name nor any group affiliation, but if you would like to add to this important neighborhood conversation with actual facts or opinions about the issue, I would welcome that. Throwing silly spitballs from the sidelines is counter-productive.
September 9th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Rob -
If you really wish us the best, why aren’t you and CB2 helping us with the resolution of this issue, instead of either ignoring the problem entirely or actually hindering any resolution? Wishes are nice, but you and CB2 are actually in a position to help. How about it?
March 14th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
[...] week on the B25 bus route that goes through Main Street in Dumbo. We’ve posted about this several times in the past, and according to the Brooklyn Paper article, residents are saying the route causes “traffic [...]