Provides for the continuation of express bus service to the south shore of Staten Island

1 Co-sponsor

• Diane J. Savino

BILL NUMBER:S2304B

Title of bill

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the provision of express bus service to the south shore of Staten Island

Purpose or general idea of bill

To provide continued express bus Service to the downtown and midtown business districts of Manhattan.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1. Adds a new Section 1266-j, which directs the Metropolitan Transportation. Authority (MTA) to fund and operate existing express bus service routes servicing the South Shore of Staten Island within the city of New York to the downtown and midtown business districts of Manhattan.

Justification

According to U.S. Census data released in early March 2000, Richmond County (Staten Island) is ranked as the fastest growing county in New York State. The South Shore of Staten Island, specifically the communities of Tottenville, Richmond Valley, Prince's Hay, Pleasant Plains, Charleston, Woodrow and Rossville, is the only area of its size (in terms of population and geography) excluded from the MTA's full range of publicly provided surface transit services to and from Manhattan's downtown and midtown business districts.

The MTA operates 30 express bus routes in Staten Island, all north of Huguenot Avenue. Residents there can find and utilize an express bus route merely a couple of blocks from their residences. Yet, the MTA does not provide adequate service south of Huguenot Avenue in the South Shore area. Due to the lack of service, South Shore residents who currently opt for bus service must either take MTA local service to an MTA express stop and then transfer, or take private express bus or charter bus service through New Jersey. The MTA needs to establish express bus service throughout all of Staten Island to address the transportation inequities in the South Shore and grant its residents the same convenience afforded to the rest of the borough and New York City. In 2000 legislation was passed by the Senate and Assembly to add needed express bus service. This legislation was vetoed by the Governor because an agreement was made through the MTA to serve the residents of the South Shore with three express buses, two of which are operated by a private bus company.

Prior legislative history

2013: referred to Transportation/A4407 referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions 2012: S.7156 - Referred to Transportation/A.10435- Referred to Corporations 2010: S.509 - Referred to Transportation/A.2615.- Referred to Corporations. 2009: S.509 Referred to Transportation/A.2615- Referred to Corporations 2008: S.3038 - Referred to Transportation/A.2415- Referred to Corporations 2007: S.3038 - Referred to Transportation/A.2415- Referred to Corporations

2006: S.1842 - Referred to Transportation/A.3535- Referred to Corporations 2005: S.1842 - Referred to Transportation/A.3535- Referred to Corporations 2004: S.7542 - Referred to Transportation/A.11626- Referred to Corporations 2001: Veto94

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.