Store owners along Fordham Road say an express bus is hurting holiday business by taking up parking along the commercial strip.

The owner of Audiomaxx says the Bx12 express bus parks in front of his store from Monday to Friday, depriving him of customers. The dispute over parking prompted the local community board to write the Department of Transportation requesting a temporary suspension of express bus service during the holiday shopping period.

But the DOT says it replaced the lost Fordham Road parking with metered parking on side streets and plans to add more. The DOT also points out that 89 percent of its passengers prefer the quicker service offered by the Bx12.

The DOT says a two-month moratorium on Bx12 express service is not an option. But store owners counter that about 12 stores have closed in six months on Fordham Road and urgent action is needed.