Move the B65? Yup It’s a Thing

screenshot of the current and proposed change of the B65 bus route.

MTA Bus Redesign

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is currently evaluating a redesign of the B65 bus line, which runs along Bergen and Dean Streets. This initiative is part of the MTA’s stated goals of “with the goal of meeting customers’ priorities: frequent service, faster travel, reliable service, better connections, and an easy ride”. According to the MTA’s website community outreach took place in the winter and spring of 2023 with a projected Review Draft Plan feedback to develop Proposed Final Plan in the summer of 2023- 2025.

The proposed plan for our community would move the B65 bus line from Bergen and Dean to Atlantic Avenue turning on Washington Avenue. See illustration below (gray is current route and green is proposed new route):

a screenshot of the proposed bus route from start to end. The current route is presented in gray and the new route is presented in green with white dots for stops.
Current and proposed route change for the B65 bus line

B65 Usage Overview

In 2024 there were almost 696,000 rides completed on this bus line. This number does not reflect the number of unpaid fair rides.

Here is a bit of a break down of who travels along this bus line:

Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan

As you may be aware, Prospect Heights and Atlantic Avenue will be undergoing major rezoning within the next few years. Although not recommended as part of City Planning’s proposals; a working group in collaboration with CP Crystal Hudson did list studying the movement of the B65 bus line as a point of agreement in their draft document.

AAMUP Hudson Steering Committee POAs – DRAFTDownload

$115 million is now allocated for a traffic study to the AAMUP area including looking at Bergen and Dean as part of the AAMUP legislation passed by City Council on May 28th, 2025 .

$115 million capital commitment from the City for a comprehensive redesign of Atlantic Avenue, including a traffic study to begin in 2025, immediate safety improvement projects at key intersections along Atlantic and surrounding areas, and bike infrastructure improvements along Dean, Bergen, and/or Pacific Streets after the results of the traffic study are revealed and in conjunction with the MTA’s soon-to-be unveiled Brooklyn Bus Network redesign changes.

Transportation Alternatives Bergen Dean Boulevards

Additionally, Transportation Alternatives has initiated a petition advocating for a bike boulevard to be created along the B65 bus line’s current route. The petition incorporates the MTA’s plan to move this bus route and lists creating protected bike paths as part of this design.

The proposed changes have sparked discussions among local stakeholders, including residents and commuters who rely on the B65 for their daily travel.

Take Action

The MTA has indicated that they will once again begin community outreach to discuss the bus redesign plan through CB8 starting in the fall of 2025. Please consider attending meetings of the Environmental Sanitation and Transportation subcommittee taking place on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm at 810 St. Marks Avenue.

In light of these proposals, it is essential for community members to voice their concerns. A call to action is being issued for residents and users of the B65 line to share their thoughts and experiences. You can:

  • Submit your comments on the MTA’s online form.
  • If you do not have access to the internet or comfortable with filling out the online form, leave a voicemail at ‪(929) 324-7363‬
  • Complete the form below (you may copy your comments from the MTA’s form) so we can compile community feedback and advocate on behalf of the community.

Your feedback is vital in ensuring that the needs of all transit users are considered in the MTA’s planning process. Make your voice heard today!