Home Page > Editorial and Op-Ed
Provide a Permanent Funding Stream for Long Island Bus
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:29:00
Dear Editor,
While more Long Islanders ride on buses than ever before, the system is in danger of drastic cutbacks. Without adequate funding, many of the 54 routes that crisscross Long Island could be eliminated. The bus line is financed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Nassau County and the state. Without a dedicated stream, these groups will continue to quibble and disagree about their responsibility to fund Long Island Bus.
State legislation adopted in 1973 created Long Island Bus as a public authority under the umbrella of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Although the MTA is required to provide routes, set fares and develop services, this agency is not totally responsible for funding. Even though bus ridership on Long Island continues to increase each year, funding is woefully inadequate. While additional financing is needed now to prevent drastic cutbacks in bus service, planning for the future will require a permanent funding stream that will allow for the expansion of mass transit on Long Island.
Long Island Bus operates the largest all-natural gas-fueled bus fleet in the country and participates in the Clean-Fueled Bus Program administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The buses replace diesel fuel with natural gas. Utilization of these vehicles will significantly reduce harmful emissions into the air. This will be a welcome byproduct to an extensive rapid transit system serving Long Island residents.
This regional transportation network, besides providing widespread service throughout both counties, links with 47 Long Island Rail Road locations and five New York City subway stations. In an average day, 108,380 Long Islanders travel around Nassau and Suffolk and many continue their commute into New York City. The bus system serves seven major shopping malls as well as Long Island's colleges, hospitals, museums, industrial centers, recreational parks, government agencies, and even brings riders to Jones Beach during summer months. In addition, it operates an outstanding transit service for those with disabilities.
Buses provide a critical service to residents, and both Nassau and Suffolk Counties must work with the state and the MTA to ensure dedicated funding for this essential transportation network. Without a permanent budgetary solution, Long Island Bus, one of the largest suburban transit systems in the country, will continue to struggle each year for its existence.
John R. Durso
President of the Long Island Federation of Labor and Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW
While more Long Islanders ride on buses than ever before, the system is in danger of drastic cutbacks. Without adequate funding, many of the 54 routes that crisscross Long Island could be eliminated. The bus line is financed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Nassau County and the state. Without a dedicated stream, these groups will continue to quibble and disagree about their responsibility to fund Long Island Bus.
State legislation adopted in 1973 created Long Island Bus as a public authority under the umbrella of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Although the MTA is required to provide routes, set fares and develop services, this agency is not totally responsible for funding. Even though bus ridership on Long Island continues to increase each year, funding is woefully inadequate. While additional financing is needed now to prevent drastic cutbacks in bus service, planning for the future will require a permanent funding stream that will allow for the expansion of mass transit on Long Island.
Long Island Bus operates the largest all-natural gas-fueled bus fleet in the country and participates in the Clean-Fueled Bus Program administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The buses replace diesel fuel with natural gas. Utilization of these vehicles will significantly reduce harmful emissions into the air. This will be a welcome byproduct to an extensive rapid transit system serving Long Island residents.
This regional transportation network, besides providing widespread service throughout both counties, links with 47 Long Island Rail Road locations and five New York City subway stations. In an average day, 108,380 Long Islanders travel around Nassau and Suffolk and many continue their commute into New York City. The bus system serves seven major shopping malls as well as Long Island's colleges, hospitals, museums, industrial centers, recreational parks, government agencies, and even brings riders to Jones Beach during summer months. In addition, it operates an outstanding transit service for those with disabilities.
Buses provide a critical service to residents, and both Nassau and Suffolk Counties must work with the state and the MTA to ensure dedicated funding for this essential transportation network. Without a permanent budgetary solution, Long Island Bus, one of the largest suburban transit systems in the country, will continue to struggle each year for its existence.
John R. Durso
President of the Long Island Federation of Labor and Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW
