Senator Diane J. Savino Rejects MTA’s Proposed Express Bus Cuts

Senator Diane J. Savino Rejects MTA’s Proposed Express Bus Cuts
 
Reports today indicate the MTA may cut express bus routes between Staten Island and Manhattan in order to balance their budget and to save local bus routes in Brooklyn and the Bronx that are near subway lines.    
 
The Bx10 would be saved by the reduction in express bus routes and a consolidation of several Island express bus routes.  In the Bronx, two other local lines, the Bx20 and the Bx7, mimic the Bx10 for most its route.  Furthermore, the 1 train is less than a mile away.  In Brooklyn, the express bus cuts would save the B25, which travels along the same route as the A train.  
 
This is nonsensical.  No other form of inter-borough conductivity exists between Staten Island and Manhattan except for the ferry.  Twenty four express bus lines serve 33,000 Islanders daily; express buses are a lifeline for tens of thousands of Staten Island commuters, especially in areas far flung from the ferry terminal.  There is simply no mass transit alternative. 
 
The MTA points out that express bus routes are more expensive to maintain then local bus routes, however it is nothing compared to the cost of building the infrastructure we deserve like an inter-borough subway.   The cost of an inter-borough subway constructed from Staten Island would be in the tens of billions. 
 
Senator Savino stated, “In addition to the toll on the V-Z going up to the ludicrous $11, a 50 cent increase on one-way express buses and an increase in unlimited express bus metro cards, means Staten Island literally gave already on their way to the office.   Any reduction in service on Staten Island will not be tolerated and is DOA should it hit the Senate floor.”
 
“Furthermore, we should be talking about expanding the BRT, as well as increasing early morning and late night commuting options for Islanders, not taking them away,” Senator Savino concluded.