New York, New York – Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx), Chairman of the Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions with oversight of the MTA, circulated a letter among his colleagues calling for bus service to be included in plans to address the transit crisis. The letter was signed by 45 members of the New York State Assembly, and has support from a variety of transit advocacy organizations as well. Included are requests for an accelerated implementation of transit signal priority, the adoption of all-door boarding technology, and a collaborative effort between NYCT, DOT, and respective communities to reexamine bus routes and street-level infrastructure such as dedicated bus lanes and bus islands.

“Two and a half million New Yorkers depend on buses to get around every day, especially those with accessibility concerns and those in outer boroughs with limited transit options. I want to make sure that the concerns of all New Yorkers are heard, even if they don’t get the same amount of media attention,” said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. “Transit signal priority and all-door boarding are no brainer changes that could reduce bus travel times by 25% for minimal investment. Let’s not delay any more, and bring our bus system into the 21st Century.”

NYCT and DOT recently announced they would expand use of transit signal priority to 10 additional bus lines, but not until the year 2020. Average bus speed in New York City is seven miles per hour, even slower in high congestion areas, which lags behind most major cities in the United States. Bus ridership has steadily declined over the past decade despite a record population in New York City, as riders are forced to reckon with buses that are both slow and unreliable. Of notable exception is Select Bus Service, which has seen ridership increases of up to 30% after implementing changes that reduced travel times by over 15%.

"The Summer of Hell has made the dire state of the subway obvious, but that's just one part of the public transit meltdown riders face: buses have been in a state of slow-motion crisis for years," said Nick Sifuentes, Deputy Director of the Riders Alliance. "Fortunately, we know our state and city elected officials can fix bus service for millions of daily riders – and do it quickly and for a fraction of the cost to repair our subway system. We're glad that Assembly Member Dinowitz and his colleagues are prioritizing bus service, because riders need buses to work now more than ever."

“While the MTA recently presented new strategies to revamp citywide bus service, there is no timeline or work plan for implementing them. A top-to-bottom review, similar to what was undertaken for our ailing subway system, that examines operations, routing and technology is necessary to stop the decline in bus ridership,” said Veronica Vanterpool, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.

“At a time when New Yorkers should be able to turn to the bus during subway meltdowns and planned shutdowns, buses are instead getting slower and less reliable. As a result, bus ridership continues to plummet. We commend Assembly members for taking action and call on Governor Cuomo and Mayor De Blasio to join them in exercising the leadership that's needed to get NYC buses moving,” said Tabitha Decker, NYC Program Director of Transit Center.

"Amidst New York City's current transit crisis, the need for better bus service cannot be ignored," said Jaqi Cohen, Campaign Coordinator for the Straphangers Campaign. "Slow buses, circuitous routes, and unreliable service have caused bus riders years of misery. The time is now for the MTA to expedite a plan to turn around bus service for the millions of riders who depend on it."

"Buses are an integral part of our transit network, carrying millions of New Yorkers to work, school and appointments every day," said City Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez. "After a major drop in ridership over the past decade, we cannot ignore the slow and unreliable service the majority of bus routes provide. Luckily we have the solutions in hand: all-door boarding, transit signal priority and off-board fare payment can speed up commutes and bring New Yorkers back to buses and away from cars and cabs. This can be a big win for the MTA and New York City as a whole."

“New York will not be able to fix our current transit crisis without modernizing its NYC bus service. Simple changes like transit signal priority and all-door boarding technology, as well as new more efficient routes would make for faster and more reliable bus service for all New Yorkers. Too often, New Yorkers are forced to choose an inconvenient subway route for their commute over what should be a more convenient bus route, because of unreliable and slow bus service. Addressing the unreliable nature of these bus routes is critical to alleviating the congestion in the subway system and is vital to solving our current transit crisis,” said Assemblyman Robert Carroll (D-Brooklyn).

"As a representative of a district in Queens that does not have a single subway or train station, I know how challenging it can be to get around the borough and connect to other parts of the City when bus service is infrequent and unreliable. Any proposal intended to improve the status of our transit system should not neglect the value of quality bus service and the difference it makes in neighborhoods that lack access to an expansive network of transit options," said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows).

“We owe it to the millions of New Yorkers who use the bus to commute to work, get to school, medical appointments, or for other activities, to update the antiquated system. The majority of subway stations are not ADA accessible, and MTA buses provide an accessible transportation option for people with disabilities and the increasing population of older adults in the city. It is also the mode that is most easy to improve, and which brings mass transit to areas where subway service is either inadequate or nonexistent. There is no time like the present to fully investigate how to make bus service more efficient and comfortable,” said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon (D-Brooklyn).

“It is critical that we include buses in any discussions on improving our public transit system,” said Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou (D-Manhattan). “For my constituents, MTA buses are a lifeline, particularly in areas in my district without subway service, such as the Lower East Side. I stand with my colleagues and advocates in calling for better bus service, and I look forward to pushing for a more reliable transit system for all New Yorkers.”

“So many of my constituents, especially the elderly and those with disabilities, cannot rely on bus service to get them where they need to go and in a timely manner,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D,WF-Manhattan). “Because of MTA NYCT decisions to implement frequent service cuts coupled with delays and failures to prioritize bus service, this essential mode of transportation has been rendered ineffective for many. Especially with the subways in such disarray, it is vital that we do all we can to prioritize bus service. I stand with Assembly Chair of the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee Jeffrey Dinowitz and all my colleagues in demanding improvements for all New Yorkers.”