Transit advocates welcomed the increase and predict that ridership will grow further as NYC Transit adds buses to these routes and continues to introduce new, larger express buses. But groups warned that booming bus use increases the urgency for the NY State Dept. of Transportation to develop a dedicated Staten Island-to-Manhattan express route for buses on the Staten Island and Gowanus Expressways.

"A rapid bus-way along I-278 could act as the 'subway' link that Staten Islanders have never had," said Dee Vandenburg of the Staten Island Taxpayers, Inc.

A DOT study based on data from several years ago showed that 80% of travelers in the Gowanus Expressway HOV lane are bus riders. The new NYC Transit ridership numbers likely indicate that bus riders' share is even higher today. The DOT study also showed that increasing car use of the HOV lane is bogging the buses down to speeds only 7 mph faster than those on the Gowanus general traffic lanes.

In December, 17 Staten Island groups wrote to elected officials in support of a bus-only route to Manhattan. Six Staten Island and Brooklyn elected officials have also called for a dedicated Gowanus busway. In January, the S.I. Chamber of Commerce also called for use of "guided busway" system along the S.I. Expressway.

Last week, City Councilmembers Stephen Fiala and James Oddo submitted a resolution supporting a state bill (MTR #262) that would force the MTA to extend express bus service to areas south of Huguenot Avenue.

According to Fiala, 80,000 people - 20% of all Staten Island residents - live in South Shore communities that have no access to express bus service. The state bill would mandate that four express bus routes be started by the MTA before September 30th, 2000. Mayor Giuliani, Borough President Molinari, and the Amalgamated Transit Union have all pledged support.