MTR 304, Fossella Questions MTA on Bayonne Buses

Issue 304

February 12, 2001

Fossella Questions MTA on Bayonne Buses

The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail waits for passengers at the 34th Street Station in Bayonne.

The Staten Island Advance recently reported that Representative Vito Fossella has launched another salvo against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority regarding its refusal to consider providing bus service between Staten Island and the southernmost stop on Hudson Bergen Light Rail line in Bayonne - a short hop over the Bayonne Bridge (MTR #271).

In a letter to outgoing MTA Chairman Virgil E. Conway, Representative Fossella disputed the agency's claim that it is not authorized to operate interstate service. He pointed to the MTA's registration with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Interstate Commerce Commission remains and to the trains and buses to and from Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey that MTA's Metro-North Railroad already runs in conjunction with transit providers in those states. The MTA has yet to respond or to explain publicly why NYC Transit could not do the same.

Other agencies are enthusiastic about the service. A New Jersey Transit spokesperson told the Advance that his agency would "welcome MTA buses" operating in Bayonne. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has offered to put up $300,000, an estimated 1/3 of the operating expenses for the line.

Demand among Staten Islanders for the service also seems to be growing. In addition to testimonials from people who now drive over the bridge to the end of the light rail line, a quick market study by the Advance showed that half the cars parked in the Bayonne lot were from New York.