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Read the press release here.

New Buses With Wi-Fi and USB Charging Ports Hit Queens Streets

 Gov. Andrew Cuomo (far right) and MTA Chairman Tom Pendergast (second from right) test out the new USB charger and Wi-Fi on one of the 75 new buses expected to hit Queens streets by this summer.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (far right) and MTA Chairman Tom Pendergast (second from right) test out the new USB charger and Wi-Fi on one of the 75 new buses expected to hit Queens streets by this summer.
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Flickr/governorandrewcuomo

NEW YORK CITY — The first batch of a fleet of new city buses equipped with Wi-Fi and USB charging stations rolled out in Queens Tuesday.

Seven new buses went into service and 68 more will be brought online to serve passengers in Richmond Hill, South Jamaica, South Ozone Park, Springfield Gardens, Rosedale and Far Rockaway starting this summer.

 

Testing the new #WiFi and USB charging ports on the new #MTA buses that hit the streets today.

A photo posted by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (@nygovcuomo) on

The new buses are part of an effort by the MTA to modernize its fleet throughout the city.

In March, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the MTA would add more than 2,000 of the new buses over the next five years, replacing about 40% of the current fleet.

“Today, we are reimagining the MTA for the 21st century and creating a transit system that will meet the needs of the next generation of New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said during a launch at the Michael J. Quill Bus Depot in Manhattan Tuesday.

He said that some of the major transportation initiatives in the city include reducing overcrowding and bringing "new technology to our subways, buses and railroads.”

Cuomo also announced a new mobile app that will allow Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North riders to buy and access tickets on their phone. A beta version is currently being tested by 150 passengers, and is expected to be available to all LIRR and Metro-North riders by the end of the year.