(ELMONT, N.Y.) – Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D – Valley Stream) proudly voted on Monday, Oct. 21 to approve a five-year sublease between Nassau County and the New York City Transit Authority that expands the number of bus bays serving Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) routes in Jamaica, Queens by 25 percent.
The unanimous vote clears the way for NICE to relocate to an interim facility located 90-01 168th Street, where they on Jan. 1, 2025 will begin leasing eight bus parking bays – two more than it has at the current Jamaica bus terminal.
NICE will remain in its current facility until the new site is operational, which is expected to occur by late spring of 2025. Thereafter, MTA officials stated the interim bus terminal will serve close to 12,000 daily riders who utilize 16 MTA Bus, NYCT, and NICE bus routes that currently operate from the existing 165th Street Jamaica Bus Terminal. The interim site will uphold all current transfer points between bus routes and maintain access to the Jamaica Avenue commercial district, officials added.
The move is occurring because a developer acquired the existing Jamaica Bus Terminal site, requiring MTA and NICE to end their lease on Dec. 31, 2024.
“Jamaica’s bustling transportation and commercial hub is a destination and a regionally significant resource for commuters throughout Nassau County,” Legislator Solages said. “Increasing the number of NICE Bus bays at this crucial facility will mean more buses and faster commutes for Third District residents that rely upon mass transit to access employment, entertainment, medical care, and more. I applaud NICE Bus, the MTA, and the Legislature for taking an important step to bolster the framework of our regional mass transit matrix.”