NICE Bus cuts approved, 25 cent fare hike, 10 routes eliminated

[MTA Orion Bus]

Counting the n2/n8 and the n73/74 as one route each, a total of 10 routes are eliminated starting January 17th, 2016. Fare hike starts January 3, 2016.

 

Newsday Article:


Nassau County Thursday approved the elimination of several NICE bus routes, even as riders implored the agency to reconsider the cost-cutting plan they said would cut off vital access to jobs, education and medical care.

The riders spoke at a pair of public hearings in Mineola Thursday about the plan by the Nassau Inter-County Express to eliminate the n2/8, n14, n17, n46, n50, n51, n62, n73/74, n80, n81, and to reduce service on the n19.

NICE has said the measures, combined with a 25-cent fare increase for cash and GoMobile app customers, are necessary to shrink a projected $7.5 million gap in the agency's 2016 operating budget. After the hearings, the Nassau Bus Transit Committee, which oversees NICE, approved the measures.

NICE has said they are only targeting inefficient routes that carry relatively few riders and that were pegged for elimination by the MTA before NICE's parent company, TransDev, took over the system in 2012. But several bus riders said the low ridership figures belie how important the lines are for the people who use them.

"Instead of being called 'NICE,' they should be called 'Not-NICE,' and also 'Not-Clean,' " n46 rider Ken Brown said at one of the hearings. "They should concentrate on cleaning the buses and keeping the routes, not canceling them."

Sister Mary Alice Aschenbach, who works at Mercy Medical Center, told committee members that without n17, employees and patients would struggle to get to and from the hospital.

"It seems to me that something could still be worked out, not only for our staff and patients, but for the betterment of the NICE bus company," Aschenbach said. "I remain cautiously optimistic. Nuns tend to do that."

Responding to the upset riders, NICE chief executive said the service cuts and fare hike, which both take effect in January, are "forced choices" driven by increased labor costs and flat government aid levels. The measures are expected to generate $4.3 million -- still $3.2 million of the agency's goal.

To make up the difference, Setzer said NICE will "hope for the best" -- namely, increased aid from the county, state or federal government. But, even if it had more money, Setzer NICE would likely put the funds toward its busiest routes, where it could benefit the most riders.

"I hope it didn't sound as if we are saying that these bus routes don't matter because they're inefficient. They are vital to the people that do use them," Setzer said. "This is a resource problem. This is a funding problem . . . There are simply not sufficient dollars presently that we can foresee to maintain everything that we have. We would like to do that."

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/nassau-bus-transit-committee-to-hold-nice-bus-hearings-on-fare-hikes-service-cuts-1.11141514

[Amtrak7]

I wonder which of the proposed cuts received the most complaints.

[N6 Limited]

I would like to see the presentation. It would be nice if they recorded these.

[TransitJusticeForAll]

I went to the hearing today and people told Nassau County off.

[Missabassie]

Well, I guess Ed Mangano's dream of completely eliminating bus service in Nassau County is one step closer to reality.

[DS4Ever]

Well $2.75 is the base fare in the mta. ..yeah is kinda annoying but hey all goes up

 

Is not so vulture likeconneticut buses that the base fares are $1.50 and as low as $1.25 one bus ride on the PVTA of springfield, mass.

 

And for future referemces the PVTA dosent accept CT Transit transfers and vice versa

[NY1635]

I would like to see the presentation. It would be nice if they recorded these.

PinePower has a recording on his youtube page. I'm surprised that the n31/32 has about 4,900 passengers.

[MTA Orion Bus]

PinePower has a recording on his youtube page. I'm surprised that the n31/32 has about 4,900 passengers.

I found it:

 

 

[TransitJusticeForAll]

I also have a video of the conference, will be released later this morning. Ed Mangano has a lot of reflecting to do.

[mac5689]

If 10 routes are being cut, I'd like to know why News 12 has been reporting 9 so far this morning.

[FamousNYLover]

If 10 routes are being cut, I'd like to know why News 12 has been reporting 9 so far this morning.

News12 came to 6pm meeting.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

I also have a video of the conference, will be released later this morning. Ed Mangano has a lot of reflecting to do.

lol... What sort of reflecting will Mangano do when the majority of Nassau residents could care less about NICE and care mainly about their autos?  Sorry, but you don't move to Long Island to rely on local bus service.  I've said this time and again.  Most parts of Long Island are relatively expensive with high taxes, etc., and those who moved there were crazy to begin with because if they couldn't afford a vehicle, well then that kind of means that they couldn't afford to live there in the first place.  

[NY1635]

lol... What sort of reflecting will Mangano do when the majority of Nassau residents could care less about NICE and care mainly about their autos?  Sorry, but you don't move to Long Island to rely on local bus service.  I've said this time and again.  Most parts of Long Island are relatively expensive with high taxes, etc., and those who moved there were crazy to begin with because if they couldn't afford a vehicle, well then that kind of means that they couldn't afford to live there in the first place.  

 

Many low income residents in Nassau depend on the NICE Bus to get them to work, school, the mall, and home. Luckily, many of them are at least saavy enough to live in an area where bus service is plentiful and frequent. The wealthy parts of LI that you're talking about don't have bus service to begin with, or has a bus line in their area, but only one or two people use it.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Many low income residents in Nassau depend on the NICE Bus to get them to work, school, the mall, and home. Luckily, many of them are at least saavy enough to live in an area where bus service is plentiful and frequent. The wealthy parts of LI that you're talking about don't have bus service to begin with, or has a bus line in their area, but only one or two people use it.

That may be the case, but like I said, you don't move to the suburbs to ride the local buses.  I still can't fathom why anyone would and then complain about the service.  The suburbs have always been geared towards those with MONEY, not poor folks.  Just telling it the way it is. Mangano knows this and he's simply delivering to those who voted for him.  Those people want tax relief, and cutting service from NICE will provide just that.

 

Anytime I'm out on Long Island, it's the LIRR to either be picked up in a car by someone I know, or car service, and that seems to be the way that folks do things out there.  You don't ride the local bus unless you're flat out poor and have no choice.  I still remember the dinner I had at The Oheka Castle.  Those people were incredibly snobby.  They all waited for the drivers to bring their Audis, BMWs, etc. out to them while I waited for car service to drive me back to the LIRR station.  Granted it was a dinner for the who's who on Long Island, but still.

[NY1635]

That may be the case, but like I said, you don't move to the suburbs to ride the local buses.  I still can't fathom why anyone would and then complain about the service.  The suburbs have always been geared towards those with MONEY, not poor folks.  Just telling it the way it is. Mangano knows this and he's simply delivering to those who voted for him.  Those people want tax relief, and cutting service from NICE will provide just that.

 

Anytime I'm out on Long Island, it's the LIRR to either be picked up in a car by someone I know, or car service, and that seems to be the way that folks do things out there.  You don't ride the local bus unless you're flat out poor and have no choice.  I still remember the dinner I had at The Oheka Castle.  Those people were incredibly snobby.  They all waited for the drivers to bring their Audis, BMWs, etc. out to them while I waited for car service to drive me back to the LIRR station.  Granted it was a dinner for the who's who on Long Island, but still.

 

Some of the people who move to LI are coming from the city, where they are used to frequent bus service. They expect a suburban environment to raise their kids, and a bus line with urban levels of service to take them where they need to go. NICE has to provide service to those poor areas because of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The routes being eliminated carry no passengers or one-three passengers per trip, and won't affect anyone.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Some of the people who move to LI are coming from the city, where they are used to frequent bus service. They expect a suburban environment to raise their kids, and a bus line with urban levels of service to take them where they need to go. NICE has to provide service to those poor areas because of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The routes being eliminated carry no passengers or one-three passengers per trip, and won't affect anyone.

lol... Please... Those people aren't entitled to anything.

[mac5689]

News12 came to 6pm meeting.

Which still begs the question why 12 hours later (6 A.M.), were they reporting the incorrect number of routes being cut. 

[FamousNYLover]

Which still begs the question why 12 hours later (6 A.M.), were they reporting the incorrect number of routes being cut. 

NICE Bus kept changing the list. Current as of Nov 19th.

n2/8: Green Acres Loop: Elimination

n14: Rockville Cetre Loop: Elimation

n17: Rockville Cetre-Hempstead via Mercy Hospital: Elimination

n19: No service between Sunrise Mall and Babylon Station

n46: All service terminate/originate at Jerusalem Av-Rd/NewBridge Rd. No Bellmore Village service.

n50: Hicksville-Bellmore

n51: Roosevelt Field-Merrick

n62: South Freeport Loop (both routing)

n73/74: Hicksville-Wantagh

n80/81: Hicksville-Sunrise Mall

[MTA Orion Bus]

Here's another video I found:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIUsDI5dOpg

[N6 Limited]

The suburbs have always been geared towards those with MONEY, not poor folks. 

Time's are changing. "Millennials" prefer public transportation and walkability, this is why areas with transit are experiencing a boom in development and a rise in rents. People are moving back to the cities, the poor are being pushed outward into transit deserts.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Time's are changing. "Millennials" prefer public transportation and walkability, this is why areas with transit are experiencing a boom in development and a rise in rents. People are moving back to the cities, the poor are being pushed outward into transit deserts.

Right, but the desirable areas out in the burbs have a little bit of everything.  I'm one of those "millennials", and my neighborhood while not in the suburbs is in a suburban area and has GREAT transportation, walkability and amazing private schools (some of the best and most expensive in the country).  My point is that the suburbs that were already crappy will become crappier, so it's not as if these people are being pushed out into expensive suburbs.  Those areas are being replenished by middle aged folks, young families and young professionals who want to away from the city, but still close to it. The millennials are moving to the city, but coming back to suburbs once they start families, though some of course remain if they can afford to do so, but even those that can will sometimes still opt for the suburbs because of what they offer (more space, better schools, an escape from the filthy city, etc.)

 

The Larchmonts, Ryes, Bronxvilles, Scarsdales and Oyster Bays of the suburbs are doing just fine.

[DetSMART45]

Some of the people who move to LI are coming from the city, where they are used to frequent bus service. They expect a suburban environment to raise their kids, and a bus line with urban levels of service to take them where they need to go. NICE has to provide service to those poor areas because of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The routes being eliminated carry no passengers or one-three passengers per trip, and won't affect anyone.

Ohhhhhhhhh are you totally mistaken.

 

Before I light into your behind, read the EXACT wording of what you're trying to twist around to "justify" your thinking ......

(apologies of this is mentioned by someone later than Page 2 of this thread, this required almost immediate attention as I was going through this thread and responses)--

 

This is from PACE Bus, a "division" of the multi-county Chicago RTA (which includes PACE, CTA, and METRA).

Not going to quote it directly, you should be able to click the link and read it word for word --

SPOILER ALERT: NOWHERE does it say that any transit agency is REQUIRED to provide service in "disaffected", "minority" or other areas, as some may INTERPRET it to mean.  If you want the full Federal text, do like I did, and GOOGLE it..

TEXT: (in Espanol also, if you prefer): https://www.pacebus.com/sub/about/title_vi_policy.asp

 

Next RATIONAL argument, please.

[TransitJusticeForAll]

lol... What sort of reflecting will Mangano do when the majority of Nassau residents could care less about NICE and care mainly about their autos?  Sorry, but you don't move to Long Island to rely on local bus service.  I've said this time and again.  Most parts of Long Island are relatively expensive with high taxes, etc., and those who moved there were crazy to begin with because if they couldn't afford a vehicle, well then that kind of means that they couldn't afford to live there in the first place.  

LOL. I don't live in LI first of all. I was at that meeting. A lot of people told Ed Manago and the NICE Bus executives exactly how they felt. The only reason people can rely on autos than LI Buses because the bus service NICE provides SUCKS! Not sure about the living in LI (NOT MY CONCERN). My overall part is NICE Bus service is horrible and needs to change ASAP. It's like we're reliving the moments when MTA cut all ties with Long Island back in 2011. From what I heard from that hearing, people rely heavily for these buses to go to work, school, hospitals, doctor appointments, etc, for the young, old, disabled, etc. (like I said TRANSITJUSTICEFORALL!!!)

[DetSMART45]

LOL. I don't live in LI first of all. I was at that meeting. A lot of people told Ed Manago and the NICE Bus executives exactly how they felt. The only reason people can rely on autos than LI Buses because the bus service NICE provides SUCKS! Not sure about the living in LI (NOT MY CONCERN). My overall part is NICE Bus service is horrible and needs to change ASAP. It's like we're reliving the moments when MTA cut all ties with Long Island back in 2011. From what I heard from that hearing, people rely heavily for these buses to go to work, school, hospitals, doctor appointments, etc, for the young, old, disabled, etc. (like I said TRANSITJUSTICEFORALL!!!)

You're second on my list of responses.  Read my posts in the Random Thoughts--NICE here.

 

HINT:  You may not live in Nassau, and I may not live in Nassau, however what's in common is that I DO live in an area that HATES buses, and in many ways parallels Nassau.  Your overgeneralizations are, well, overBLOWN.  Just because Nassau is a "part" of the NYC demographic area does NOT mean that it conforms TO the NYC-based demographics.

 

Just wait .... and be prepared.

[Tom Meadow]

Transitjusticeforall aka Brett former moderater on nyctransitfourms welcome back I was wondering if you were gonna ever come back.