Q10 (New York City bus)
The Q10 bus route constitutes a public transit line in Queens, New York City, running primarily along Lefferts Boulevard between a transfer with the New York City Subway in Kew Gardens to the AirTrain JFK's Lefferts Boulevard station at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Formerly privately operated by Green Bus Lines, the route is currently city-operated under the MTA Bus Company brand of MTA Regional Bus Operations.
For additional information on the current bus service, see List of bus routes in Queens.
q10 
q10
Queens, New York, U.S.
Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill, South Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park
Lefferts Boulevard, Rockaway Boulevard
South Ozone Park, Queens – 149th Avenue & 150th Avenue
JFK Airport – Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain station
4,602,561 (2023)[4]
Yes
Route description and service[edit]
There are two variants of the Q10: a local-stop version making all stops, and a limited-stop service that skips certain stops. The limited-stop service runs every day from about 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.[3]
The southbound Q10 begins at the Kew Gardens–Union Turnpike subway station at Kew Gardens Road and 80th Road, where transfer is available to the E, F, and <F> trains. It then turns left on 80th Road, and then left onto Austin Street, heading southeast. Afterward, the Q10 turns right onto Lefferts Boulevard, where it continues south until Rockaway Boulevard. At this point, Q10 locals turn left onto Rockaway Boulevard to serve the South Ozone Park neighborhood, and then run southwest via 130th Street and east via 150th Avenue. The Q10 local turns right along 134th Street, then runs westward via Pan Am Road service road to the AirTrain JFK's Lefferts Boulevard station. Q10 limited-stop buses take a shorter route, continuing south via Lefferts Boulevard until they terminate at the Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain station. During the PM rush hour, some Q10 locals start at Queens Boulevard and 80th Road, running to 150th Avenue or the Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain station.[3]
The northbound Q10 begins at the Lefferts Boulevard station. Q10 limited-stop buses continue directly north, while Q10 local buses go east along Pan Am Road, north along 134th Street, west along 150th Avenue, north along 130th Street, west along Rockaway Boulevard, and then north along Lefferts Boulevard. Both the local and limited-stop variants continue north and then northeast until Kew Gardens Road, where they turn left and run to 80th Road. During the morning rush hour, some northbound Q10 locals start at 150th Avenue.[3]
Until 2006, an express service called the Q10A had run from the Kew Gardens subway station to JFK Airport Terminal 4, via the Van Wyck Expressway, operating non-stop from Kew Gardens to Federal Circle. There were six Q10A trips, all running toward JFK Airport during morning rush hours.[5][6][7][8][9] The service was replaced by the Q10 Limited.[5]
History[edit]
Early operation[edit]
The New York City Board of Estimate approved the establishment of the South Ozone Park–Jamaica bus route, running along Lefferts Boulevard and Rockaway Boulevard, circa 1921. The route ran from the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and 114th Street to the Richmond Hill Circle section of South Ozone Park, Queens.[10] In the 1920s, what is now the Q10 was part of the Lefferts–Bergen Landing route, which was operated by the New York City Department of Plant & Structure. The Lefferts–Bergen Landing route ran via Lefferts Boulevard, Rockaway Boulevard, and Old South Road.[11][12] The Richmond Hill Bus Corporation applied for a franchise to operate this route in 1925.[13]
The Q10 route number was assigned in 1931, traveling primarily along Lefferts Boulevard and Rockaway Boulevard.[14] Originally the Q10 had three destinations; one was at Old South Road, which is at the current intersection of the Belt Parkway and North and South Conduit Avenues at Lefferts, another was at Hamilton Beach, and the final destination was Richmond Hill Circle, which was located about a half-mile south of 130th Street and the Belt Parkway. The trips to Old South Road later went to Rockaway Boulevard. This branch received the most service, with buses running every two minutes during rush hours. Service to Hamilton Beach ran every eight minutes during rush hours. This branch did not run early in the morning, stopping at 1:40 a.m.[15][16]
On November 11, 1932, the Board of Estimate approved the forms of contract for nine companies, Travelers Bus Company, which had been incorporated on October 9, 1931, and was seeking the franchise for the Q10 bus route.[17] On December 30, 1932, Travelers Bus Lines obtained a one-year franchise for the bus route. The company received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the duration of the franchise which became effective on March 17, 1933.[18] On July 4, 1934, the route was extended 3 miles (4.8 km).[19] On June 5, 1935, the city granted a new franchise contract for the extended route for a period lasting between the expiration date of the first contract and a date no later than December 31, 1938.[20]
In 1936, Queens was divided into four zones, for bus operating franchise purposes. With the new zone setup, one company would be awarded the franchise in each zone, with any remaining smaller operations acquired by the larger company. The Q10 fell into Zone C, the zone for Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, and the Rockaways, and the route was awarded to Green Bus Lines.[21] On November 15, 1936, Q10 service began to be operated by Green Bus Lines, and on this date Travelers Bus Lines ceased operations.[22][20]
