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Staten Island Atlantic Express Takeover MTA |
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Posted by mta_si on Tue Sep 29 11:02:46 2009 Staten Island pols call on MTA to take over two privately-operated bus routesBy Staten Island Advance September 29, 2009, 10:31AM Advance file photo/Jan Somma-Hammel Atlantic Express currently has a contract with the city to operate two South Shore bus routes. A number of Staten island elected officials want that to change.A coalition of Staten Island elected officials are calling on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to take over two privately operated express bus routes on the South Shore of Staten Island. The x23 and x24 lines -- which are operated by Atlantic Express under contract with the MTA -- are the last non-publically operated routes in the city, the officials said. The MTA has previously said it would take over the routes, but likely are scrapping that plan altogether because of economic concerns. "Staten Island commuters are being taken for a ride by the MTA who are once again feigning poverty, literally at our expense. This is a shame," said Assemblyman Lou Tobacco (R-South Shore). "The state and federal government just gave the MTA $2.2 billion this year, which is on top of new revenue coming in from higher fares, fees and new taxes. Now is exactly the time when the MTA should be able to afford taking over these bus routes and allow the $12 million to be used to improve Staten Island's transportation system." Tobacco was joined by City Councilmen Vincent Ignizio (R-South Shore) and James Oddo (R-Mid-Island), state Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) and Rep. Michael McMahon in blasting the agency for renegging on an earlier plan. "I remind Jay Walder [the new head of the MTA] of those immortal lyrics from the Who's Pete Townshend, 'Meet the new boss; same as the old boss, '" Councilman Oddo said." "Same MTA. Same disdain for Staten Island. Same struggle by all of us to try and get fairness." The city is currently paying Atlantic Express $12 million to operate the routes, but the pols would rather that money spent on other transportation projects in the borough. "It is imperative that we persuade the MTA to comply with their obligation to provide additional bus service to Staten Island whom they have habitually underserved," Lanza said, and was echoed by Ignizio. "Its time to hold the MTA's feet to the fire when it comes to fulfilling their obligation," he said. "It's the MTA's job to provide bus service, and their failure in doing so doesn't go unnoticed. A deal is a deal." said Ignizio. The Charleston Annex -- the borough's long-awaited third bus depot -- is expected to open next summer, and will include outdoor parking for approximately 200 buses. "Staten Islanders have heard about the construction of a third bus depot for years now, and we are all pleased to see it's finally coming to fruition," McMahon said. "Having the MTA take over operation of these two express bus lines is a good first step and would demonstrate their commitment to the commuters and hard-working people of Staten Island." |
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