Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski Announces Victory for Rockland Commuters

In collaboration with County Executive Day, Senator Carlucci, Assemblywoman Jaffee & transit officials, the express bus route to Tarrytown will be included in the Lower Hudson Transit Link System

Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski (D-New City) announced today that the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) has decided to include the express route from the Palisades Mall to the Tarrytown Train Station once the Lower Hudson Transit Link (LHTL) replaces the Tappan Zee Express in October 2018. Assemblyman Zebrowski and his colleagues in county and state government, as well as transit officials, recently stood at a press conference urging DOT to restore the route. For months, officials have heard from countless Rockland commuters who were concerned when the list of proposed routes had eliminated the popular express route.

At the Lower Hudson Transit Link open house yesterday, on March 22nd, DOT officials displayed their latest route service which included the express bus to Tarrytown. Many residents were in attendance to advocate for the inclusion of the route and to check for an update on the most current service plan. Both officials and commuters were instrumental in ensuring that this route was preserved in the new bus system.

“Today is a victory for Rockland commuters. I am thankful for the Department of Transportation’s willingness to listen to the needs and concerns of residents. This was truly a joint effort between all levels of government and the collective community that advocated for this and made their thoughts known. Preserving this route will guarantee that commuters are afforded the most efficient service possible. We will ensure that this remains in the final schedule moving forward,” said Assemblyman Zebrowski.

“I am extremely pleased to see that the LHTL Project Team has restored the Express Route from the Palisades Mall to the Tarrytown Train Station in their latest draft service plan,” said County Executive Day. “Thank you to my fellow elected officials and to all the commuters who shared their concerns and made their voices heard. I will continue to keep the pressure on until the plans for this service are finalized and implemented in the best interests of our commuters.”

"Many Rockland commuters depend on express bus service to Tarrytown and to do away with the route would have been a mistake. I applaud the Department of Transportation for listening to residents’ concerns and keeping express bus service. Mass transit should be accessible to everyone," said Senator Carlucci.

“I applaud the New York State Department of Transportation for listening to those of us in Rockland – advocates and commuters – and for acting on our request to maintain the Tappan Zee Express Bus route from the Palisades Mall to the Tarrytown Rail Station in the new Lower Hudson Transit Link schedule. As elected officials and government agencies, our job is to listen to those we serve and to alleviate, not impose hardships. The DOT’s wise decision ensures Rockland commuters have access to a modern, efficient bus system that meets their unique needs and encourages ridership,” said Assemblywoman Jaffee.

“I am happy for our customers who use the Tappan Zee Express service to Tarrytown knowing that going forward it will continue to operate as it does now, and perhaps even with additional time savings,” concluded Randy Glucksman, Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council Chair & MTA Board Member.