Assemblyman Zebrowski, County Executive Day, Senator Carlucci, Assemblywoman Jaffee & Transit Officials Call on NYSDOT to Preserve Express Bus Route to Tarrytown

Officials stood at the Palisades Mall bus station to urge DOT to include the express route to the Tarrytown train station in the new Lower Hudson Transit Link System

Today, Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, County Executive Ed Day, Senator David Carlucci, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, and Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council Chair and Vice Chairs, Randy Glucksman and Orrin Getz held a press conference to urge the preservation of the express bus route from the Palisades Mall to the Tarrytown train station. Officials called on the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to include the route under the new bus system, the Lower Hudson Transit Link (LHTL) that will replace the Tappan Zee Express beginning in October 2018.

In late 2016, DOT released a list of proposed routes for the new LHTL which eliminated the popular express route to Tarrytown, instead, redirecting commuters to the White Plains train station. Assemblyman Zebrowski, as well as state and county officials, has heard from many concerned constituents over the proposed elimination. Assemblyman Zebrowski has written several letters and spoken to DOT officials requesting that they keep the route in the new schedule.

“Given Rockland’s limited mass transit options to begin with, the proposal to eliminate this express bus service is extremely short-sighted and ignores the will of local commuters. Although the region will soon have an improved and modern bus system, Rocklanders will once again be shortchanged. Many people rely on the speedy service to Tarrytown and this elimination will add to the already long commute for Rocklanders, as well as cause a loss in ridership. I hope that DOT will listen to the input from those that use this service every day and recognize how critical this route is,” said Assemblyman Zebrowski.

“Nearly 30 years ago Rockland County, the State and the MTA forged a path to provide a fast, convenient connection to Metro-North’s Hudson line at Tarrytown. With our extremely limited, poor quality rail service West of Hudson, I must insist that express service to Tarrytown be improved with the Lower Hudson Transit Link – not sacrificed,” said County Executive Day. “I call on the LHTL project team to address this fatal flaw in the service plan before it’s too late, and on MTA Metro-North to speak up on behalf of our mutual riders, who will be severely impacted if express service to Tarrytown does not remain a priority.”

"Many Rockland commuters already have a long and traffic filled commute. By eliminating peak hour express bus routes to Tarrytown commutes will be longer, sending the buses to White Plains makes no sense. The Lower Hudson Valley Transit Link is supposed to make people's lives easier, not harder," said Senator Carlucci.

“I am disappointed that despite the limited mass transit options for Rockland commuters and the numerous concerns they have shared with me regarding the proposed elimination of the express route from the Palisades Mall to the Tarrytown Train Station, the new Lower Hudson Transit Link will instead redirect these commuters to the White Plains train station, “said Assemblywoman Jaffee. “As elected officials and government agencies, our job is to listen to those we serve and to alleviate, not impose hardships. The DOT’s efforts to create a modern, efficient bus system should ensure that Rockland commuters have access to mass transportation that meets their unique needs and encourages ridership. To that end, I once again urge DOT to preserve the express bus route.”

"The current morning and afternoon peak hour direct express service to Tarrytown from Lot J must be retained. To eliminate this service would be akin to taking something that is not broken and breaking it,” said Randy Glucksman, Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council Chair, MTA Board Member, and Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee Executive Committee 1st Vice Chair.

“It is very important to keep the express bus service from Rockland County to the Tarrytown Railroad station, rather than White Plains. Using the Tarrytown station is faster and more convenient than White Plains,” said Orrin Getz, Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council Vice Chair.

The NYS Department of Transportation is still finalizing the routes and schedules of the new Lower Hudson Transit Link. Officials encourage commuters and residents to attend the DOT’s next Open House for the project on Thursday, March 22nd from 6-8PM at the Adler Room (4th Floor) of the Palisades Center to urge the inclusion of the express service in the final schedule.