The B71 is Back (sort of)

The B71 bus has now been replaced by a van service (this is not an advertisement but a public notice) that runs the route or almost the same route as the B71 did for $2 a ride. If you took the B71 before, please take advantage of this van service (you can book a ride 15 minutes in advance by calling 718.676.0504. I used to ride the B71 all the time and hope this van service, which is being promoted, albeit poorly, by the city is the next best thing. Let's hope the program works otherwise the van service might go the way of other van services that took up other Brooklyn bus routes and promptly went out of business/service.

Good to know how this works. It's too bad that the van service company can't post a few flyers along the route to explain to us non-insiders how this works.

Is there a sched posted yet?

The B71 was the only way from ProspHts to my kids' school, so I am glad to hear the van service is running.....but lacking the ability to wait around forever at the former bus stop, where is a schedule? Must one call to reserve and do they really come 15 minutes later, like a car service? Please provide more info. Thanks!

Was this the bus that went up and down Union?

Yes

There is no schedule posted--I do not think one exists--but the man who runs the operation told me that they run a couple of vans up and down the route during peak times. Peak = 6 am to 10 am and the evening rush during weekdays. There are, however, signs posted by the city alerting us, the former B71 riders, that this new van service exists. So far, I have seen two signs--one at Union and 7th Avenue and the other across from the 2/3 at Eastern Parkway on the non-BKMuseum Side. I would HIGHLY SUGGEST that if you used the B71 in the past, you should call the number I listed and tell the dispatcher that 1. This van service is highly need. 2. They need more signs 3. If you can, book a van 4. Call 311 and tell them to post some more damn signs.

Not even considering taking it unless there is a sched. Who do they think we are? A bunch of lazy shift-abouts?

What does the van look like?

I called the number listed above last night to book a ride for this morning and the guy was right where we arranged when I needed him to be - I got from Prospect Heights down to Carroll Gardens in a few minutes and for just $2.

He is one of four owners and van drivers of their company. They apparently have a few regulars who take it to work and school each morning....I encourage everyone to use it so the van guys stay in business - and we have a cheap way of getting to otherwise difficult-to-reach parts of Brooklyn.

All the best!

Thanks for the great tip! Cutting the buses has hurt.

Any new updates on the van service? Good reports. Bad reports. Meh reports.