QM6 Bus Service - reliable, crowded? (Union, Glen: office, commute, schedule)

[NY Flo]

I am considering using the QM6 bus. How reliable are the departure schedules from Queens? What about Manhattan? I would get in at the stop after North Shore Towers (260th and Union Tpke). Other than rush hour a.m., are there seats available? What about return trips (say before 4 pm or after 7 pm weekdays), are there seats available? How reliable is the service on the weekends?

Also are the stops in Manhattan at sheltered bus stops (where you're not standing in the rain or snow)?

I am considering using this bus instead of the LIRR and subways.

Thanks.

[pierrepont7731]

I take the QM6 sometimes from Glen Oaks at the same stop to go into Manhattan. Never a problem getting a seat. You also have the option of taking the QM5 if there is a problem with the QM6. It is across the street from the QM6. It just goes up by Douglaston and Little Neck before coming through Fresh Meadows and then comes back onto Union Turnpike to join the QM6 again. Most riders alternate with the QM5, especially when service is only hourly, which is what I do.

The LIRR from Little Neck or Douglaston is a good option as well. Only thing that may not work for you is if you need some place other than Penn Station. The QM6 serves more of Midtown.

[NY Flo]

Originally Posted by pierrepont7731

I take the QM6 sometimes from Glen Oaks at the same stop to go into Manhattan. Never a problem getting a seat. You also have the option of taking the QM5 if there is a problem with the QM6. It is across the street from the QM6. It just goes up by Douglaston and Little Neck before coming through Fresh Meadows and then comes back onto Union Turnpike to join the QM6 again. Most riders alternate with the QM5, especially when service is only hourly, which is what I do.

The LIRR from Little Neck or Douglaston is a good option as well. Only thing that may not work for you is if you need some place other than Penn Station. The QM6 serves more of Midtown.

Does the bus stop at the same place it lets you off? Can you get a seat on the return trip?

[pierrepont7731]

Originally Posted by NY Flo

Does the bus stop at the same place it lets you off? Can you get a seat on the return trip?

Yes. If you take the QM5 to the last stop (260th and Union Turnpike), it lets you off where you get on the QM6 at to go to Manhattan. Going to Glen Oaks, the QM6 stop is just past the light at 260th and Union Turnpike. I have never had a problem getting a seat. The QM6 is usually not as crowded as the QM5. I only mention the QM5 because it runs more frequently than the QM6 during the week at times, so if for some reason you can't get the QM6, the QM5 starts right across the street in front of that dentist's office.

I forgot... You asked about sheltered stops. There are only about two of them along 6th Avenue. The rest are all unsheltered. The QM5 and QM6 stops are together for the most part in Manhattan, so you can take whichever comes first.

[Coolair]

No there is no problem getting QM56 . Getting seats for me was never a problem to Manhattan. I commute through it when i am in no mood of driving.