Started a new job near Queens Plaza and I’ve been testing the Q32 from 59th/5th around 5:40. The bus lane looks clear for about three blocks, then turns into a line of double-parked trucks. Monday I bailed at 60th and walked to the N/W. Is this just a bad week or is evening 5th Ave always like this? The app kept saying “3 mins” for 25 minutes, which feels very New York. Do people actually trust the Q32 to get over the bridge at that hour, or should I just walk to Lexington?

I’m also new to this route. I tried the same bus twice last week from around 57th, and the driver got boxed in by delivery vans before 59th. One day he opened the doors and half the bus just walked. I’ve started walking across the 59th St bridge path when the weather is okay. It’s not terrible. But I think the Q32 might not actually stop at Queens Plaza? I ended up near Northern Blvd and was confused. Does the bus have a lane on the bridge or does it just merge with everyone?

I’m from Dyker but commuting to LIC now. The Q32 definitely lists Queens Plaza on the sign, but the stop can be on Queens Blvd and it’s easy to miss. Either way it is slow. Last Tuesday I waited at 57th and the bus just never showed, then the next one was packed. I ended up taking the E from Lexington and it wasn’t bad, but that walk is annoying. Is there an app that shows actual bus location without lying? The MTA bus icon just floated past me once.

Update: I tried the N/W from 59th/Lex tonight. It was packed but moved. Then I got off at Queensboro Plaza and had to do a weird walk over to Queens Plaza? It’s one stop, but the walk felt longer than the ride. I saw a Q32 pass maybe five minutes later. Maybe I should just trust the bus. But double-parked trucks are no joke. Does the bus get any priority on 59th St, or is that red-painted lane basically just for show before 6pm?

Tried Q32 again today because it was raining. Left my office at 5:35, got on at 5:50 after waiting. We sat through four lights just getting to the bridge approach. The driver kept honking. We finally got to Queens Plaza around 6:45. That felt crazy for maybe 2.5 miles. I think I could have walked faster. Is there a ferry from 34th to LIC? Or would I have to go down to 34th first, which kind of defeats the point? I’m still learning the lines.

I wouldn't do the Q32 at 5:30. The approach to the bridge is the part that kills it. I did it once and the bus just waited for a traffic officer who was on his phone. Lately I’ve been walking to Grand Central for the 7 to Queensboro Plaza, or if I’m closer to 59th/Lex I take the N/W one stop. It looks close, but getting from Queensboro Plaza to Queens Plaza is a little confusing under the tracks. Is there a hidden walkway? I always end up crossing Queens Blvd twice and dodging a Citi Bike.

Okay so I did the N/W walk from Queensboro Plaza. It’s not hidden, but I went under the tracks and crossed Queens Blvd twice, and I almost got clipped by a Citi Bike. People keep saying the Q32 goes to Queens Plaza, but I think the stop is actually further east on Northern Blvd? I need to look at the map instead of trusting the sign. Also the bus tracker did it again: it said the bus was arriving, then the little icon just drove by full and didn’t stop. Does that happen to everyone?

Yes. You have to flag the Q32 hard at some stops, especially if there are delivery vans blocking the curb. If the bus is already behind schedule, the driver might skip the stop. I learned that after standing there like a confused statue. I’ve also tried walking to 59th/Lex for the R or N/W, but in normal shoes the walk is longer than it looks. My feet hate me. Is there a direct bus that goes to Queens Plaza without using the 59th St bridge? Maybe the Q60? I might be mixing routes.

I think the Q60 also uses the 59th St bridge, so it would have the same approach. Someone told me it goes to Queens Blvd, but I might be wrong. I’m not great with bus routes. I walked to 5th/53rd yesterday and took the E from there to Queens Plaza. That was actually quick, maybe 20 minutes. But I’m still not sure if that station is really 5th/53rd or if I stumbled into the wrong entrance and walked to 6th. The underground passage is confusing. I might just get a bike at this point.

Wait, there’s an E train stop at 5th/53rd? I thought the E was on 6th and Lexington. I saw stairs at 53rd/5th once but assumed they led to the mall or something. Now I’m confused. I tried the R from 59th/Lex today around 6. It was local but not bad, maybe 25 minutes to Queens Plaza. It had a smell and no seats though. The Q32 is slower but you might at least sit. Has anyone actually stayed on the Q32 over the bridge after 6 and survived? Is it worse after 6 or better?

I just looked at a map. There is definitely a 5th Ave/53rd St station on the E/M. I didn’t hallucinate it. Wait, is the V train back? No, right, the M goes there now. I need to stop pretending I know trains. But I saw a Q60 stuck on 60th and decided not to try it. The R from 59th/Lex really is not bad if you just accept the smell. I think the Q32 stop at Queens Plaza is real, but the bus gets stuck in the same traffic as every delivery truck. I’d use it only if it’s already sitting there.

Thanks both. I think I’ll make the R from 59th/Lex my default, and only take the Q32 if it’s already at the stop and empty enough for a seat. The bridge view from the Q32 is nice when the bus finally moves, but it’s not worth an hour. The bus tracker still gives me fake hope, but at least now I know to flag hard and not trust the “3 mins.” Is the R more reliable after 7pm heading back, or does that construction alternate? I need to check weekend work too.