Q27 (New York City bus)

The Q27 bus route is a public transit line in Queens, New York City. It runs mainly along 46th Avenue, Rocky Hill Road, and Springfield Boulevard. The route connects a big bus and subway stop in Flushing to the area of Cambria Heights. It is operated by MTA Regional Bus Operations as part of the New York City Transit system.

Service for the Q27 began in October 1928, first operated by the North Shore Bus Company. It originally went from Flushing to a neighborhood called Rosewood in Bayside. Over the years, the route was extended to Queens Village in 1950, then to Merrick Boulevard in 1956. In 2004, it was extended to Cambria Heights, replacing another route called the Q83. Some parts of the route changed in 2025, with service on certain streets stopping and new service starting on others.

Route description and service

The Q27 bus starts at the New York City Subway’s Flushing–Main Street station at Main Street and 39th Avenue. It travels south on Main Street and then Kissena Boulevard until Sanford Avenue, where it turns east. The bus continues on Parsons Boulevard, which becomes 46th Avenue, and then follows Rocky Hill Road. During weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., buses also loop through Queensborough Community College before returning.

There are extra buses on school days. Between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., additional buses run from 58th Avenue and Springfield Boulevard to the main terminals in Flushing and Cambria Heights. Some trips start at Hillside Avenue and 231st Street, while others begin at Corporal Kennedy Street and 33rd Avenue, making a few stops along Bell Boulevard before continuing south.

When school is in session, ten buses leave from 58th Avenue/Springfield Boulevard near Benjamin N. Cardozo High School between 1 p.m. and 2:33 p.m., going to both Flushing and Cambria Heights. Three buses leave Bayside High School for Cambria Heights at different times in the afternoon, taking a route via Corporal Kennedy Street and 35th Avenue. Four more buses start from Queensborough Community College, and two come from Martin Van Buren High School, also heading to Cambria Heights. One additional bus starts at Francis Lewis Boulevard.

History

Start of service

The Q27 bus route began its service in October 1928, run by the Z & M Coach Company. It connected the subway in Flushing to the Rosewood part of Bayside. Over time, the route changed hands and was supported by local groups.

Service extensions

The Q27 bus was later extended to reach Queens Village station and then further to areas like Cambria Heights. These changes aimed to serve more people and encourage bus ridership.

Changes in the 1980s

In the 1980s, the Q27 started using buses that people in wheelchairs could use. The route also changed to avoid some streets, using others instead.

Introduction of limited-stop service

In 2001, the Q27 began offering limited-stop service during rush hours to save time for passengers. This meant the bus only stopped at major points, making the trip faster.

Bus redesign

Plans to change the Q27's route were discussed over several years. The latest plan keeps the Q27 running from Flushing to Cambria Heights but with some changes to make the route better and faster for riders. These changes started in June 2025.