The depot will house up to 250 diesel express buses with the ability to adapt to CNG fueling in the future. Islanders have urged construction of more depots for the growing S.I. express bus fleet. Staten Island express bus ridership - which accounts for 71% of the city's total - grew almost 13% in 1999.

Although the new depot is likely to be in the Community Board 3 area, none of the express buses to be housed there are slated to serve South Shore residents. The few express bus routes that run through communities south of Huguenot Avenue are now operated by private bus companies.

This may change if a bill (A10168) sponsored by Assemblywoman Elizabeth Connelly, requiring the MTA to begin at least 4 new express bus routes in the South Shore by Sept. 30, passes the Assembly. The Advance reported last week that its companion bill (S7130) championed by Senator John Marchi was approved by the State Senate.