Comments on: Westchester on Regional Bus: Big Potential, Big Concerns

By: CARLOS

CARLOS — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:09:51 +0000

IN THE FUTURE OF ANOTHER STRIKE OF BEE-LINE BUSES JUST LIKE IT HAPPENED 3-4 YEARS AGO IT ONLY TOOK 6 WEEKS TO RENEW A CONTRACT AT THAT TIME. NOW WE HAVE A NEW CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF THE MTA AND PROMISED TO OVERHAUL THE MTA SYSTEM IF THERE WAS ANOTHER STRIKE ON BEE-LINE BUSES AND LASTS MORE THAN A MONTH I THINK THE BEST SOLUTION IS A TAKEOVER BY THE MTA AND THE BRAND SHOULD BE CALL “MTA METRO NORTH BUS” AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST IT WOULD BENEFIT THE CUSTOMERS JUST LIKE THE TAKEOVER OF THE 7 PRIVATE BUS LINES BACK IN 2005.

By: 2009 Election News Roundup | Mobilizing the Region

2009 Election News Roundup | Mobilizing the Region — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:26:55 +0000

[...] could Astorino’s support for government consolidation mean a shift in the county’s opposition to regional bus? Nassau executive challenger Ed Mangano has said little about transportation, but like incumbent [...]

By: Mike Heller

Mike Heller — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:12:26 +0000

This who issue of local control of Westchester buses is ridiculous. The borough presidents, who are legacy county executives have no local control. I’m wondering if this has more to do with people working for the Westchester county executive keeping their jobs, or keeping Liberty Lines owners happy. Salley — everyone recognizes your good work you would be likely become an exec within the MTA system and keep your pension, so drop your opposition. Liberty has one big, nicely run depot that could easily be transferred, and smaller private depots would go as well. The bus operators would be covered under the Taylor law, which is in the public interest. Having one big county hanging on their own makes no sense in terms of public policy.

By: Kate Slevin

Kate Slevin — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:17:15 +0000

Thanks for the comments, Larry, and for your participation on the panel.

We are just quoting what Richard Ravitch said at a public hearing last week. He said, “you have to participate in the RBA to get the RBA money.” He said Westchester doesn’t want to participate and Nassau does. Participate means giving up local control. It was very clear.

If there is another way to achieve improvements for bus riders, great, we are all for it. At the moment, however, it seems like you may be passing up an important opportunity to give your taxpayers a break and secure more funding for your bus system.

By: Lawrence C. Salley

Lawrence C. Salley — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:33:03 +0000

You still don’t get it. You selectively quote Mr Ravitch’s comment that we can’t receive funding from the RBA, unless we participate in the RBA which is true. Westchester is certainly interested in participating in the RBA as a way of gaining propertty tax relief for our residents. What we are not interested in is the MTA operating our system, and there is nothing in the Ravitch Report, or in any comment that he has made that requires it. You should check your facts with Chris Gilchrist in the Govenor’s office who oversaw the staff work to the Commishion.

By: James

James — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:41:36 +0000

I was at the event. Props to the TSTC panelist for pushing back on Westchester DOT’s chief and his claims that the Bee-Line bus fleet is energy efficient – having clean buses “on order” is not the same as having them in operation, and it’s ludicrous to think that Bee-Line could access the Ravitch funds while still remaining completely autonomous. As a NYC resident and frequent transit user, the chief’s claims that the buses are superior to those of NYC Transit are equally ludicrous. IMO, a lot of the anti-consolidation sentiment stems from fear of having to bring the Bee-Line up to something closer to NYC Transit’s level of service. The system just does not serve its riders as well as it should, given that many areas of Westchester are as densely developed as the Bronx as thus demand a similar level of service for users.

Great job on the event and keep it up.