Save Long Island Bus!
Long Island Bus is the public bus system for Nassau County on Long Island, and a lifeline for county residents and the county's economy. But Nassau is seeking to slash its contribution to the system to virtually nothing. LI Bus is currently operated by the MTA, but the agency and the county plan to end their relationship, and the county says it will turn operations over to a private company starting January 1, 2012. We need your help to make sure major fare hikes and service cuts aren't part of the plan.
Support a Nassau County Bus Riders' Bill of Rights!The coming privatization of Long Island Bus could be bad news for county bus riders. There are almost no details about what service and fares on the new system will be like after the first year. With bus riders at risk, state and county officials need to hold a formal public hearing and support a Nassau Bus Riders' Bill of Rights, which says that bus riders deserve affordable, efficient, and safe service. Tell state and county officials to support one here! |
 |
The FactsNassau County wants to cut local funding for the system by roughly 90 percent or more. The county has said it will contribute as little as $2 to 4 million to a privatized bus system. In 2010, the county and MTA funded the system at over $30 million a year ($9.1 million of that came from the county). Nassau's privatization math doesn't add up. Westchester and Suffolk County both have privately operated bus systems -- but they fund them at much higher levels than Nassau would. In 2010, Westchester contributed about $30 million to its system, which is roughly the same size as LI Bus. Suffolk, whose system is smaller than LI Bus, paid $24 million towards its bus system. Drastic funding cuts could mean drastic service cuts. Earlier this year, the MTA released a map showing what bus service would look if funding was cut (click to view). It's not clear what Nassau's privatized bus system will look like, but you can't pay a dime and get a dollar's worth of service. The county needs a realistic plan for Long Island Bus by the end of the year -- not one which will gut the system and cut off access to work, education, and social services for tens of thousands of riders. |
Spread the Word
Earlier this year, TSTC traveled to Hempstead to hear from bus riders, bus drivers, business interests, and local civic and advocacy groups. Not surprisingly, the answers that came back were grim: Workers who won’t be able to get to work. Students who won’t be able to get to school. People who will lose their mobility. These videos are free to embed. Please share them and help spread the word.
"Faces of Long Island Bus" - 2-minute video |
"Save Long Island Bus" - 30-second announcement This public service announcement ran on Long Island's News 12 in March. View the video directly on YouTube by clicking here. |
| 
