Free Rikers bus line starts up with service from Harlem, Brooklyn

[GojiMet86 4,721]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/free-rikers-bus-line-starts-service-harlem-brooklyn-article-1.3954904

 

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Free Rikers bus line starts up with service from Harlem, Brooklyn

BY REUVEN BLAU 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 7:45 PM

 

 

Visitors to Rikers Island have two new free travel options courtesy of the Correction Department.

The de Blasio administration Wednesday launched a free express bus service that leaves from designated spots in Harlem and downtown Brooklyn.

The two buses, driven by city Correction Department staff at a cost of $800,000 a year, will go straight to the jail complex. Currently, many of the 250,000 visitors each year rely on the Q100 bus accessible only in Queens.

Jail brass say there will eventually be six buses used to serve an estimated 900 visitors each day. The ramped up service will cost an estimated $1.6 million a year.

“These buses are not only going to make visiting Rikers more convenient, they are going to improve the lives of both staff and people in custody,” said Correction Department commissioner Cynthia Brann.

Inmate advocates were cautiously optimistic.

“I am delighted to hear about the new visit buses the city has added,” said Grace Price, a member of the Jails Action Coalition.

Price questioned if riders would be searched by jail staff.

The buses will leave from Lexington Avenue between East 125th and 126th Sts. in Harlem, and Jay St. between Fulton and Willoughby in downtown Brooklyn. They will run during normal visiting hours, Wednesday through Sunday.

It will likely take hours for each visit as jail staff require multiple security checks. Also, once on the island visitors must use buses to the 10 jails on Rikers.

 

 

[B35 via Church 9,489]

I'd rather make my way to QBP & pay the 2.75 for the baby mama express (Q100) to get to Rikers, than to ride from here in Brooklyn (Downtown) & feel like a criminal riding around in a corrections bus to get there.... But that's just me.

[Rafa 90]

Baby moma express Q100...LMAO

[Future ENY OP 1,513]

They could keep that bus. Another wasteful spending pet project by the city and you wonder why Andrew won't help the city out.  Carry on. 

[QM1to6Ave 1,721]

There was an article in the Times about some sort of amnesty program for people who take the Q100 and want to get rid of weapons or drugs before entering the facility. Anyone know more about that?