We, the undersigned residents, workers, and community members of Astoria and neighboring areas, urgently call upon the MTA to preserve the current Q101 bus route, which provides direct service between Astoria and Manhattan.

The MTA’s proposed changes would reroute the Q101 to terminate in Queens, eliminating the only direct bus service from Astoria to Manhattan. This decision will have serious and disproportionate impacts on our community, especially:

• Seniors and disabled residents who depend on the bus as an accessible, less physically demanding alternative to subways.
• Essential workers who rely on the Q101 for timely, affordable commutes to Manhattan jobs, including at hospitals and healthcare facilities.
• Low-income riders who cannot afford more expensive or complicated transit options.

This route is not just a convenience—it is a lifeline for many. For decades, the Q101 has connected our community to the heart of New York City. Removing this direct link would isolate Astoria residents, create undue burdens, and reduce equitable access to transportation.

We urge the MTA to listen to the voices of the people who use and rely on this route every day. We respectfully request that the Q101 continue its service into Manhattan.

The Q101 has been a vital part of Astoria’s transit network since 1939. However, the MTA’s proposed changes, set to take effect this summer, would cut off this crucial route to Manhattan—just as congestion pricing is introduced in the city. At a time when access to public transit to Manhattan is more critical than ever, these changes would make commuting harder for essential workers, residents, and all those who depend on this route. Now is not the time to eliminate a lifeline that has served our community for over 80 years.

Transit equity means leaving no neighborhood behind. Astoria needs the Q101.