In early June, Nassau County announced that Veolia Transportation will operate its bus system starting in January 2012, and claimed that there would be no fare increases and service cuts in 2012.  Since then, the County has failed to disclose any further information about levels of service, fares, free transfers or the cost to taxpayers over the long term.

But a look at how Veolia Transportation operates other bus systems throughout the country should raise red flags for bus riders and taxpayers from Massapequa to New Hyde Park.

While it’s true that Veolia Transportation has proven it can run public transportation systems effectively, it can only do so when heavily subsidized by local governments.  When this does not happen, Veolia has a track record of cutting service and raising fares, negatively impacting riders, students, seniors and businesses in the process.  For example, in Columbia, SC, Veolia took over operations of the Central Midlands Regional Transportation Authority in 2002.  Since then, fares have risen by 100%, downtown trolley service was cut and numerous other service cuts went into effect.

Because of this track record, Tri-State has repeatedly requested public hearings and details of the contract via Freedom of Information requests, but in each instance, Tri-State has been rebuffed.

This failure of transparency by Nassau County has led riders, students, local elected officials and various other groups to host a ‘People’s Hearing’ at the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island, 38 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY on Wednesday, August 31st at 6:30 pm.  Anyone interested in supporting LI Bus in Nassau County should come out and let elected officials know why Nassau County needs good transit service, what it means to you and what a privatized bus system will do to your wallet. (More details about the hearing to come.)