MTA Chair Peter Kalikow and senior NY State legislators were on hand to celebrate with Long Island Bus managers and workers at a Garden City event marking the 10th anniversary of L.I. Bus’ compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel program.  The agency has one of the largest U.S. CNG programs, and expects to have all fixed-route buses powered by CNG next year.  At the event, L.I. Bus received the “Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition 2002 Achievement Award.”  The coalition is an international group of vehicle manufacturers and energy companies.

The CNG program has undoubtedly increased the appeal of bus service in suburban Nassau County.  L.I. Bus has not only run a successful clean fuel program, but continues to set ridership records. Despite the region’s flat economy, the system achieved another record high single-day ridership for the third consecutive year this fall. Daily bus use hit the highest level in Long Island Bus’ 30-year history on Sept. 3, when 115,630 riders used the system.

Monday’s accolades notwithstanding, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi and the county legislature reduced county operating support for Long Island Bus by $2 million in the budget they passed Tuesday evening.  County support for the agency was cut to the bone by the previous county executive, Thomas Gulotta.  Drastic service cuts were staved off only through emergency state funding in 2000 and 2001.The further county cut will leave the agency looking to plug holes once again.

It’s possible that the widely discussed MTA 2003 fare increase will fill L.I. Bus’ latest budget gap.  In that case, however, the higher fares paid by riders will essentially flow into county coffers to make up for past governmental mismanagement, rather than pay for transit necessities like more frequent service.

MTA Reshuffle: Reply Hazy 
(Oct. 15, 2002)

Again, Long Island Bus Registers Record Ridership 
(Sept. 23, 2002)

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