QUEENS - A new busway is now open in Flushing, and commuters are hoping it will speed up their commutes. 

It comes weeks after a judge said the city could go ahead with plans for a busway that runs northbound on Main Street from Sanford Avenue all the way down to Northern Boulevard.

The hope is to alleviate some of the traffic in the neighborhood. The area a big connection point for the 7 train.

“Today’s busway launch is a win for our customers and the communities in which we operate," said Craig Cipriano, president of the MTA Bus Company. "Enhancements such as bus lanes and busways, transit signal priority and camera-based enforcement are just some of the ways the MTA is working with our partners in government and local communities to improve bus service, which can be a boon for walkable downtowns with a lot of retail business. "

But business owners say they fear the elimination of cars will keep customers away.

NY1 spoke with one commuter who had mixed feelings about the busway.

“No, I drive also. Sometimes I come through here,” Errol Jones said, a busway commuter opposed to the bus-only route. “In reference to other aspects of driving, the commercialism around here and the pedestrian traffic, not having cars is good.”

Others said there is no proof banning vehicles from along the route will negatively impact business.

According to an MTA survey from 2015, just 19% of shoppers came to Main Street by car.  

The city’s southbound busway, which runs from 37^th Avenue to 40^th Road, saw a 23% increase in bus speeds since starting it's run, and the city hopes the new northbound busway will achieve the same results.

The northbound busway operates 24/7.