In October, Governor Cuomo announced plans to “fast track” the Tappan Zee Bridge’s reconstruction. But amidst all the hurry, something fell by the wayside: the planned bus rapid transit (BRT) line that was to run from Suffern to Port Chester. In a Journal News op-ed yesterday, TSTC’s Executive Director, Kate Slevin, urged public officials to put BRT back into the project:
“The bus rapid transit [line] must be put back in,” wrote Slevin. “Bus rapid transit is modern and affordable public transportation… The Tappan Zee system is expected to serve more than 50,000 rides a day…and would serve as a backbone for smart, transit-oriented development.”
Although the new plan has been found wanting, Slevin stressed that Governor Cuomo could still pull off an economic and environmental victory by restoring BRT’s place on the bridge:
“Promises for a more open, transparent and responsive government are a crucial part of Gov. Cuomo’s agenda. Ensuring the Tappan Zee Bridge incorporates the desires of local leaders who want mass transit would put the governor’s words into action,” wrote Slevin.
Click here to read the full op-ed.
It is time to scrap the BRT that won’t attract enough passengers and replace it with a rail line Suffern – Tappan Zee Bridge (mainly using existing rail right of way) – White Plains – Port Chester using public rights of way where feasible and providing transfers to both Metro-North Harlem and Metro-North New Haven Line. Adding to the M8 fleet may be the best way to do this. Trains and buses should be scheduled to connect (and thus bus routes serving a given stop will also connect with each other) AND the fare structure should treat the trains as if they were just another bus line. The trains will have lower operating cost, better environmental footprint and greater ridership. Trains can even use street running in some circumstances (See Oakland, California and Michigan City Indiana).
“…Suffolk to Port Chester.”
Indeed, whatever happened to the tunnel to facilitate that? Have not heard anything about it since the Spitzer sex scandal.
The plans must include eventual full rail, with a busway convertible to a truckway.