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Zhong Hua Flushing-Chinatown Shuttle Van Service
Rating Details »
Category: Public Transportation [Edit]
Neighborhood: Downtown FlushingMain St & 41st Ave
Division St between Market St & Bowery, New York, NY
New York, NY 10002
- Nearest Transit:
-
Main St (7)
8 reviews for Zhong Hua Flushing-Chinatown Shuttle Van Service
The 7 train took us 45 minutes to go from Manhattan to Flushing. It was fine and all but 45 minutes can feel like forever when you're getting hANGRY, and all you have is dim sum on the mind.
On our way back, a friend told us about this shuttle service. $2.50 per person, takes you straight from flushing to china town. It took us 20 minutes, the seats were much more comfortable than the plastic seats on the train, and I'm not sure what "scary driving" everyone else is talking about, it was fine automobile handling in my opinion.
The only downfall is, the stops are unmarked, so it helps to be familiar with the area.
I happened to read the random wordings on the bus and even with my limited Chinese, was able to make it out as FLUSHING. The pick up spot is a little inconspicous if you are not familiar with the area. There are no signs etc, only a bus waiting for passengers at a random corner. On the bus are the Ctown Manhattan - Flushing wordings in Chinese. I happened to chance upon it when walking on Division street. $2.50 one-way takes you between Ctown Manhattan and Flushing.
While this journey only takes 20 mins (as opposed to the long subway ride), you'd have to buffer the time it takes you to Ctown. For me, it's probably the same distance from my home taking this bus or the subway.
My friend and I made the mistake of sitting at the back of the bus. Actually we didn't have much of a choice since we were the last to board. The ride on the highway was bumpy and uncomfortable. Many a time, I felt so unsafe and almost expected to be thrown off my seat. Not good considering I'm not a huge fan of rollercoasters. But hey, if you live in or close to Ctown, this is rather convenient and definitely an express service.
I'm not sure why there are these complaints I'm reading in the above reviews. I live in Flushing and I've taken this shuttle many times. You give the driver $2.50, you sit down, and you get a 30 minute ride. I'll admit it can be a bumpy ride, but I've never experienced this "scary driving", or rude drivers and passengers. It's a quiet ride except for the occasional loud talker on the phone. The seats are a lot more comfortable than the subway, and it's way less crowded than a 7 train ride. The only better deal you could get is if you're willing to pay more and wait longer for the LIRR, or if you're actually driving (and deal with the parking later).
I hunger for great Korean food and crispy Korean fried chicken. I covet $25 AYCE Sichuan hot pot and steamy soup dumplings. And I thirst for fun little po jang ma chas and hof joints that only Flushing can offer.
Flushing, unfortunately, is not a subway ride away. Well it is, if you take the 7 train, but i'd starve then have to endure the usually 1.5+ hour wait/commute time. The LIRR is a solid option, but runs on a timed schedule, and costs quite a bit on the weekdays. For a cheap and flexible option, the Chinatown shuttle is the way to go.
Yes, it's cramped and crowded, oft very bumpy, and unpredictable in rush hour traffic. The operator may or may not be a little on the rude side, and your fellow passengers may refuse to move to another seat so that you can sit with your traveling companion. I'm willing to endure the sullen attitudes in exchange for a $2.50 and 20 minute ride to one of my favorite eating and drinking locations in New York.
Hey, this commuter van sure beats taking that dreadful 7 train (that runs local on weekends) or taking the red/blue line to Penn Station (only to hop on the LIRR after). Whether you have a hankering for a cheap cell phone deal, soup dumplings, or taiwanese food, there's no cheaper and faster alternative than this. At $2.50 (each way, cash only), it's a steal. Bear in mind that they will not drive until every seat is occupied but that usually takes at most 10 minutes at any given time. Sure, crying babies and rude, unkept (and sometimes smelly) FOBs are a given, but that's what noise isolation earphones are for, SON! The Chinatown location is near the Confucius statue on the SW corner of Division Street. They drop you off in the heart of Main Street (near KFC), with several pit stops along Main St if you want to get off earlier. As you depart the bus, don't expect any courtesy, as if you are civilized like me, you will be the last one off. Yes, even if you sat in the front.
Note: As time is money, they find the FASTEST route, regardless of gas. One time there was traffic after the Billyburg Bridge so they went local and meandered under the BQE and ended up on Van Dam St. They then connected back to the BQE at that juncture. If you want to learn new roads, this would be the place to do it.
It's cheap, it's only $3 for a 20-30 min ride to Chinatown, but comes with the following cost
- Be aggressive - The line's a mess and no one cares, everyone tries to cut in front of each other and that seems to be the norm.
- Bad service - the bus driver will literally treat everyone like animals (sheep to be exact). They'll herd you in and my friend asked "does this go to Chinatown?" and the bus driver had a very disgusted look and just gestured him to shut up and get in. Some guy also tried to get in on the passenger's side and the bus driver yelled at him. Some guy was also told to sit on the ground and he was refusing.
- Comfort? - Well it has a seat but the bus sounds like it's about to fall apart all the way to Chinatown. Sit through it with a lot of people talking loudly on their cell phone + babies crying.
Even at this, $3 is cheap and they do what is promised (taking you to Chinatown). It would cost about $30 on a taxi ride.
very nice service, wish it was easier to figure out where they stop.
Inter Chinatown-Flushing Shuttle Van service from early bird morning till midnight (?). A safe fast commute making the most convenient personal drop offs along the route as long as you yell out your upcoming stop. Two and a half bucks a ride. Super fast, unless traffic on the Long Island Expressway. Real bumpy though, but makes for a funner ride in my opinion. One annoying thing though, sometimes depending on the driver you get to watch and hear annoying old Chinese people music shows. (It's okay, I'm Chinese American.) Plus, you won't get any annoying pan-handlers begging for change or praising the Lord, or spilling their tragic life story or playing the guitar, though that actually ain't so bad. Another plus though, heading into Flushing over the bridge at night there's always a pretty night time city skyline view on your right on which to reflect upon your day outting in the city - great way to end your night. : )
