Governor Pataki's proposed budget for 2000-2001 would give Westchester's Bee Line and Nassau County's Long Island Bus about $2 million less in state operating assistance than last year. Long Island Bus is already reeling from steep cuts proposed by Nassau County as a result of the county's fiscal melt-down.

Operators of NY's smaller transit systems say the Governor argues that regular aid has in fact grown, but that, much like the line on NYC Transit funding, a one-shot infusion of funds (included in the Governor's 30-day budget amendments last year) has expired. The bottom line is that the agencies, from Buffalo to Suffolk County (with the exception of Rockland County, which is held harmless), will get less state assistance than they did last year (some agencies say they have yet to see last year's 30-day amendment additional funding as well).

To address the problem of fluctuating state aid, the NY Public Transit Association, an Albany-based industry group primarily representing the smaller operators, has developed a proposal for multi-year state operating assistance. Transit advocates and interested legislators should obtain a copy of the plan from NYPTA by calling 518-434-9060.