MTR 308, Familiar Story: Bigger Buses, Fewer Buses

Issue 308

March 12, 2001

Familiar Story: Bigger Buses, Fewer Buses

Staten Island and Brooklyn express bus riders are speaking out at longer waits and more crowded buses caused by NYC Transit's replacement of older buses with new, larger coaches. The MTA contends that the new buses serve the same number of people because they seat 57 rather than 40 people. Thus, the agency says it can reduce the number of buses on the road without bus capacity. The debate mirrors that seen on NYC Transit local routes where big articulated buses are replacing ordinary transit buses, with a reduction in frequency and agency claims that "seats" on the routes have not been eliminated (MTR #259).

Express bus riders say that on the old buses, they could stand. But on the new buses, passengers are not supposed to stand, and there are no poles hang onto. In fact, the over-the-road coaches being used have the least capacity of any bus in NYC Transit's fleet - only the 57 seated passengers are supposed to ride. Other buses' capacities range from 65 to 145 (the articulateds) with 32 to 62 seats.

Capacity issues aside, riders are angry that they have to wait longer for the bus as runs are cut back. Bay Ridge NYC Council member Marty Golden held a public hearing last week attended by more than 300 outraged bus riders. The X15, X14 in Staten Island and X27 in Brooklyn have all had schedule reductions of between 13% and 18%.