Hassam Khan operates businesses in Staten Island, Queens, and Manhattan, including one that contracts with public transportation agencies. As a result, Hassam Khan takes an interest in upcoming improvements to the New York City transit system.

One such project is the proposed Brooklyn-Queens Connector, known colloquially as the BQX. The BQX would consist of a streetcar line running 16 miles through neighborhoods adjacent to the East River, starting at Sunset Park in Brooklyn and going north to Astoria in Queens. It would also offer a connection for commuters to the Long Island Rail Road.

Claiming the BQX would fill the transportation needs of underserved areas, supporters say it would carry 15.8 million passengers each year by 2035. They have estimated a construction cost of $2.73 billion, to be offset eventually by $30 billion in revenues.

The plan’s supporters say it would reduce travel time from Astoria to Long Island City by 30 minutes, spur economic growth in the outer boroughs, and lighten the load on overcrowded transit infrastructure.

However, opponents warn it would not attract enough riders to meet projections and would eliminate street parking. They suggest that renovating current bus and subway routes would be a better solution with less disruption to neighborhoods.

Assuming it passes these political hurdles, the BQX would open in 2029.