Announcement on the NICE bus

Bus riders on Nassau County’s new Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) bus system gave advocates a heads up that the new operator is planning on holding a public meeting to discuss “NICE Bus Service and Proposed Service Changes.”

Despite a bus announcement urging riders to find [...]]]>  

Announcement on the NICE bus

Bus riders on Nassau County’s new Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) bus system gave advocates a heads up that the new operator is planning on holding a public meeting to discuss “NICE Bus Service and Proposed Service Changes.”

Despite a bus announcement urging riders to find more information at NICE’s website, as of this writing, no information about the meeting is posted there.

According to sources, however, the meetings will take place on February 22nd at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Uniondale and February 23rd at the Great Neck Library. Both meetings will run from 5pm-8pm.

In related news, TSTC sent a letter to NICE CEO Michael Setzer over a week ago that raised several questions about service levels on the newly privatized bus system. It also highlighted concerns about missed transparency deadlines and communication issues, such as the one that has arisen around this meeting.

The letter encouraged Setzer to continue to find innovative ways to improve service, such as pre-board fare collection and working with local municipalities and the New York State Department of Transportation to explore installation of dedicated bus lanes on certain routes.

However, the letter also called attention to the fact that the Customer Advisory Committee (CAC) has not yet convened, despite a promise that it would begin meeting in January.  This failure to form the CAC in the expected time frame appears to have affected the quality of public outreach for the upcoming meetings.  In addition, concerns about communication—questions about the lack of Spanish language information about service changes and the need for clarity about whether recent “minor adjustments“ to routes actually constituted service reductions—are raised in the letter.

It remains to be seen if NICE will deliver on its promises of better service, efficiency, and greater transparency. Finding solutions to the questions identified here, and more broadly advertising opportunities for riders and stakeholders to participate in shaping their bus system, would be good first steps.

As County Executive Steve Bellone settles into his new post in Suffolk, there’s reason to hope that he’ll usher in an era of sustainable transportation and land use.

During his time as Supervisor of the Town of Babylon, Bellone adopted Long Island’s first complete streets policy, pursued transit-oriented development [...]]]>

Steve Bellone. photo: stevebellone.com

As County Executive Steve Bellone settles into his new post in Suffolk, there’s reason to hope that he’ll usher in an era of sustainable transportation and land use.

During his time as Supervisor of the Town of Babylon, Bellone adopted Long Island’s first complete streets policy, pursued transit-oriented development in Wyandanch, secured resources to promote traffic-calming projects, and, along with Republican State Senator Charles Fuschillo, spearheaded the study of bus rapid transit (BRT) on Route 110.

TSTC urges County Executive Bellone to continue his commitment to transit and smart growth in his new role. Here’s a list of priorities for the new leader of Suffolk County:

• Support Suffolk County Transit: Almost 22,500 people ride Suffolk County Transit every day, and fares are set to rise by 33% this spring. While it’s hard to argue against the first fare hike in two decades, the sudden increase would place undue hardship on riders who make, on average, $20,000 less than those that drive to work alone. To ease the burden, Bellone should work with the Legislature to phase in the fare hike over three years. He should also work with elected officials in Albany to ensure adequate funding for the county’s bus system.
• Promote the MTA’s construction program: The future of Suffolk County’s transit system depends on the funds that pay for track work, station rehabilitation, new rail cars, and more. If the capital program is not funded, the double tracking of the Ronkonkoma line and future service levels could be at risk.
• Adopt a county complete streets policy: Suffolk County has some of the region’s most dangerous roads for walkers and cyclists. According to a TSTC analysis, 94 pedestrians were killed in Suffolk County from 2007-2009. A Newsday analysis found that 43 cyclists have been killed there since 2005. Many of these fatalities occur on county roads that aren’t subject to New York’s recent complete streets law, since they are not funded with state or federal dollars. To close this loophole, Bellone must build upon his success in Babylon and pass a Suffolk County complete streets law in 2012.
• Keep supporting smart growth: smart growth projects have been popping up all over Long Island, and Bellone should encourage the trend. The new County Executive should build on his work in Babylon and move Suffolk towards a more transit-oriented future.

“My prediction is that a year from now, we’re going [...]]]> The Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) approved Nassau County’s contract with Veolia last week, which sets the stage for the company’s takeover of Long Island Bus on January 1. Despite some misgivings, the five-member body voted unanimously in favor of the contract.

“My prediction is that a year from now, we’re going to look back and say this contract was a disaster,” said NIFA Director George Marlin. “We held our nose and approved this contract because it’s the last minute and we cannot permit there to be no bus service on January 1st,” he continued.

NIFA, which assumed control of Nassau’s finances earlier this year, also requested that State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli review the county’s contract approval procedure. “There have been instances where we’ve gotten phone calls and emails suggesting that the contract provisions aren’t being followed,” said NIFA Chairman Ronald Stack. “Apparently we’ve rejected some contracts and yet the work is still going on.”

George Marlin agreed. “The county is engaging in shenanigans with county contracts,” he said.

Photo: Kriston Lewis

A law firm that specializes in shareholder class action suits has announced an investigation into Veolia Environnement, the parent company of Nassau County’s new bus operator.

From the press release:

The investigation focuses on whether a series of statements made between February 5, 2008 and August 4, [...]]]>  

Photo: Kriston Lewis

A law firm that specializes in shareholder class action suits has announced an investigation into Veolia Environnement, the parent company of Nassau County’s new bus operator.

From the press release:

The investigation focuses on whether a series of statements made between February 5, 2008 and August 4, 2011, inclusive, regarding Veolia’s business, its prospects and its operations were materially false and misleading at the time they were made. Specifically, the investigation seeks to determine, among other things, whether Veolia engaged in improper accounting practices during the relevant period, and whether the Company maintained adequate internal controls. Recently, Veolia admitted that is prior financial reports for fiscal years 2007-2010 were materially false and misleading by at least €90 million.

Earlier this month, Veolia Environnement announced that it would be selling off its transportation assets in an effort to cut its debt. The company aims to drop $5 billion in assets by 2013.

Late Monday night, the Nassau County Legislature unanimously adopted an amended version of a contract with Veolia Transportation.

While the new contract still cedes much power to Veolia, the amendments and a new memorandum of understanding do guarantee that there will be no fare increases in 2012, no cuts to Able-Ride [...]]]>

Photo: Kriston Lewis

Late Monday night, the Nassau County Legislature unanimously adopted an amended version of a contract with Veolia Transportation.

While the new contract still cedes much power to Veolia, the amendments and a new memorandum of understanding do guarantee that there will be no fare increases in 2012, no cuts to Able-Ride service for three years, and no fare increases or service cuts without a pair of public hearings before the newly-formed Transit Advisory Committee. Any cuts or fare increases must go through a 45-day waiting period prior to implementation. By more clearly outlining the powers of the Transit Advisory Committee, the amendments protect the TAC from being weakened by the County Executive, and the changed contract requires that the County Executive and legislature agree on changes to the TAC’s purview.

These amendments, offered by the Democratic caucus, came after a heated public hearing and an announcement that Veolia’s European parent company is divesting from the transportation business. In an effort to reassure riders, Veolia representatives and Nassau’s Chief Deputy County Executive Rob Walker reminded the public that Nassau County can opt out of the contract at any time, so long as they give 90 days notice. There was no discussion of what would happen after a potential opt-out.

Though turnout for the final hearing was light—possibly because the vote was moved up a week from its original December 19^th scheduling—speakers were unanimously opposed to the adoption of the contract.  While the contract’s passage marks an end to the first phase of this privatization process, comments by speakers indicated that bus transit advocacy in Nassau County is just getting underway. Immediately after testifying, Charlene Obernauer, Executive Director of Long Island Jobs With Justice, announced the formation of a NICE Bus Riders’ Union, which will seek to protect riders from future fare hikes and service cuts.

In addition, Pat Bowden, President of Transport Workers Union Local 252, indicated that, while the deal between Nassau County and Veolia is done, the union has yet to reach an agreement with the company. This could pose a problem for Veolia, who is scheduled to take over on January 1^st. Ms. Bowden pointed out that the privatization contract means that Nassau County’s transit workers are no longer bound by the Taylor Law, which prohibits public employee strikes.

Newsday is covering the labor negotiations here.

Our friends over at the Long Island Index have launched a new website as part of their Build a Better Burb project. In addition to being really, really sleek, the website has tons of information about Long Island downtowns, short backgrounders on transit-oriented development, and lots of profiles of [...]]]>

Our friends over at the Long Island Index have launched a new website as part of their Build a Better Burb project. In addition to being really, really sleek, the website has tons of information about Long Island downtowns, short backgrounders on transit-oriented development, and lots of profiles of innovative development projects.  Take a break from the bad news and check out some of the good stuff.

Just one day after a heated public hearing on the proposed privatization of Long Island Bus, a surprise announcement has raised even more questions about the proposal’s viability.

Earlier today, Veolia Environnement—the European conglomerate whose subsidiary is vying [...]]]>

A crowd of Long Islanders looked on as County Executive Mangano spoke at Monday's public hearing.

Just one day after a heated public hearing on the proposed privatization of Long Island Bus, a surprise announcement has raised even more questions about the proposal’s viability.

Earlier today, Veolia Environnement—the European conglomerate whose subsidiary is vying to take control of Nassau County’s bus system—announced plans to get out of the transportation game altogether.  The heavily indebted French company with holdings in energy, water services and waste management, is looking to sell its 50% share of the company’s transit wing, Veolia Transdev.

Monday’s public hearing clarified the considerable public opposition to the proposed Veolia takeover. Despite the 1pm hearing’s inconvenient scheduling and a delay of almost two hours, some 200 Long Islanders stuck around to voice concerns about the privatization. By Newsday’s account, citizens were skeptical of the Veolia deal:

Speakers expressed concern that in its goal to make a profit, Veolia will cut service, raise fares and cut benefits and pay for workers.

Michael Ricca, who takes various buses to visit his girlfriend and mother, said if one of his lines was cut, he’d be left with few options.

“I’m left with walking, a skateboard or a mule,” Ricca, of Mineola, said.

Veolia Environnement’s planned divestiture only adds to the community’s well-documented concerns about the privatization deal, which will likely come to a vote on December 19th. The MTA has said that it can continue operating Long Island Bus into next year, which could give legislators more time to vet the contract.

Photo: Vision Long Island.

On Monday, the Nassau County Legislature’s Rules Committee voted 4-3 to support a much-maligned bus contract between Nassau County and Veolia Transportation.  The contract now will be the subject of a public hearing next Monday, December 5, at 1:00 pm at the Nassau County Legislature.

According to [...]]]>

(Click to download the report.)

On Monday, the Nassau County Legislature’s Rules Committee voted 4-3 to support a much-maligned bus contract between Nassau County and Veolia Transportation.  The contract now will be the subject of a public hearing next Monday, December 5, at 1:00 pm at the Nassau County Legislature.

According to the public notice and comments by Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt, a vote on the contract by the full legislature could take place as soon as the hearing is closed, which would prohibit the County from making any improvements to the contract or answer any of the numerous questions that have been raised about the contract. And there’s no need to rush, as the MTA recently said it could operate service into next year.

A recently released report by TSTC, Long Island Federation of Labor and Long Island Jobs With Justice raised additional questions about the contract, among them:

• Why does Veolia have ultimate authority to decide service levels in Nassau, when in other contracts the local government or transit authority dictate service levels?
• How will riders be protected from quarterly fare increases and service cuts if revenues come in under projections?
• How will taxpayers be protected from increased subsidy demands?
• Why is Nassau County assuming joint responsibility for future 13 (c) labor obligations?
• Why are there no representatives from the bus riding public or labor on the Transit Advisory Committee?

All of these questions, and more, need to be answered and addressed if the Nassau County Legislature is going to best protect bus riders, workers, businesses and taxpayers.  Luckily, elected officials have time.  The MTA has recently indicated that it would be willing to continue to operate LI Bus service into next year as a ‘Plan B’ if Nassau County requests it to do so and paid for the service.  This offer allows Nassau County Legislators to thoroughly vet the bus contract and to amend it to better protect their constituents.  Let’s hope that they do so.

Transit advocates and LI Bus riders have been demanding for months to see the final service contract between Nassau County and Veolia Transportation, the private bus operator selected by the county to begin providing service next year. The county refused until last night, releasing the contract two days after Election [...]]]>

Naughty or nice?

Transit advocates and LI Bus riders have been demanding for months to see the final service contract between Nassau County and Veolia Transportation, the private bus operator selected by the county to begin providing service next year. The county refused until last night, releasing the contract two days after Election Day and the day before Veterans Day, when county offices are closed. A first vote on the contract is scheduled for Monday in the County Legislature’s Rules Committee. You can’t make this stuff up.

The county also announced that LI Bus would be ironically rebranded the “NICE” (Nassau Inter-County Express) bus system. The county will name a five-person Transit Advisory Committee that must approve fare hikes, service cuts, and the annual bus budget, but as outlined below this committee appears to have very limited powers.

The contract (available here) has several troubling pieces:

• Veolia can cut six routes in the first 6 months and has the ability to reduce service as it sees fit without approval by the Transit Advisory Committee, as long as changes do not amount to more than a 25% service cut on any route;
• There is no guarantee of free transfers to NYC buses and subways, or MetroCard use.  Losing free transfers would be a de facto fare increase for the 30,000 riders that link into the NYC system;
• Fare hikes are not planned for 2012, but Veolia can propose fare increases next year if revenue projections are not coming in as anticipated;
• If the Advisory Committee does not approve fare hikes, service cuts, or county funding increases requested by Veolia, the company appears to be able to terminate its contract. While an Annual Plan and Budget will be approved, it appears that it can be amended quarterly, putting the County on the hook for increases in “Variable Fees” (scheduled to go up by about $21 million by the ninth year of the contract alone);
• Reasons which Veolia can demand a fee increase quarterly include: an increase in fuel costs, operating costs, or “any other circumstance reasonably requiring that [rates] be adjusted … in order to maintain for Veolia the opportunity to earn a reasonable margin for overhead and profit for Veolia.”
• All Transit Advisory Committee members must be county residents, but do not need to be bus riders. There is no designated seat to represent riders or workers.
• There are no clear provisions for public access to Transit Advisory Committee meetings, except those required by state law.

There is one shred of good news, which is that Able-Ride service coverage will not change for two years. But with fares and service uncertainty in the months ahead, will it remain affordable? Federal law allows paratransit systems like Able-Ride to charge fares up to double that of the regular transit fare.

The county will hold a public hearing on the new contract at the Nassau County Executive and Legislative Building at 1550 Franklin Street in Mineola at a date and time to be determined.

Image: Via Nassau County.

Today, the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council released its list of “transformative” projects that it will seek funding for as part of the statewide competitive process created by Gov. Cuomo. Its 13 picks show that the Long Island council understood the opportunities that [...]]]>

A rendering of the Wyandanch Rising project in Babylon, NY.

Today, the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council released its list of “transformative” projects that it will seek funding for as part of the statewide competitive process created by Gov. Cuomo. Its 13 picks show that the Long Island council understood the opportunities that investment in smart transportation and land use decisions present for economic growth and job creation.

If Long Island and state policymakers look closely at the efforts of one particular municipality, the Town of Babylon, and its ability to leverage funding from various sources, they could find a template for sustainable economic and environmental growth on Long Island and the potential to solve that age-old question of how to keep young people on Long Island.

Babylon has long looked to develop more sustainably around the Wyandanch train station, a station at the heart of one of the most economically challenged areas on Long Island.  Almost a decade ago, the Town announced its ‘Wyandanch Rising’ initiative, which aims to create a walkable downtown that includes retail, commercial and residential development.

Babylon was one of the eight initial recipients of Tri-State’s and the One Region Funder’s Group’s Transit Centered Development Community Assistance grants in 2009 and it has subsequently been putting the necessary infrastructure pieces into place to support TOD efforts.  Last year Babylon applied for, and received, $485,000 from the New York State Department of Transportation’s Local Safe Streets and Traffic Calming Grant Program to redesign Straight Path Road.  Straight Path Road runs through downtown Wyandanch and abuts the train station, and the Town hopes to remake it into a pedestrian friendly street that will create a walkable environment necessary to support TOD, and serve as Wyandanch’s new main street.  Late last year the state’s Environmental Facilities Corporation allocated close to $15 million in low-interest financing for sewer infrastructure, and the federal government provided an additional $2 million in Transportation, Community and System Preservation funding in August to establish bus pick-up and drop-off locations as well as bike storage adjacent to the train station.

These types of investments not only transform land use and transportation in the area, but also serve as a catalyst for job creation.  According to the US Conference of Mayors, sewer infrastructure generates $6.35 in private sector economic activity for every dollar invested, while a recent UMass-Amherst Political Economy Research Institute study has shown that investments in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure creates more jobs than any other road investment.  As a result, the project is expected to create 1,700 jobs in construction, retail, technical and professional services during Phase 1 alone.

The Council also selected other smart projects like the Ronkonkoma Hub (another TSTC/One Region grantee) and a Hempstead downtown redevelopment project by Renaissance Downtowns. The Governor’s Council should support initiatives like these that will put Long Island on a more sustainable economic and environmental path.

Image: Town of Babylon.