Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE

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Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE
Posted by Gold_12TH on Wed Mar 28 00:04:08 2012 edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Can someone repost it here? Please
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Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE
Posted by N6 Limited* on Wed Mar 28 00:52:05 2012, in response to Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE, posted by Gold_12TH on Wed Mar 28 00:04:08 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Here you go: 'The operator of Nassau's newly privatized bus system says only 3 percent of riders will be significantly impacted by planned service changes next month. In a letter sent last week to county legislators, NICE Bus chief executive office Michael Setzer said that about 1,000 out of 35,000 unique daily riders will be affected by cuts on four routes that have some of the lowest ridership in the system. The cuts include the elimination of midday and Saturday service, and longer waits between buses. Those 1,000 riders may have to walk to different bus stops up to a mile away or travel at different times, according to NICE Bus operator Veolia Transportation. Veolia officials say that, in comparison, more than 11,000 riders will benefit from what it says will be the biggest improvements to bus service in Nassau. They include riders who will use new express buses to and from Jamaica, and restored service to Mercy Medical Center and to Jones Beach. Most NICE Bus riders -- nearly 23,000 of them -- will see little or no change to their bus service, other than "schedule frequency adjustments," most of which are 10 minutes or less, Veolia officials said. "This codifies what we've been saying," Setzer said. "These so-called service cuts are really part of a bigger thing where more people will benefit, or at least be unaffected." The changes are meant to close a reported $7.3 million budget gap for Veolia, which took over Nassau's bus system from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in January. Nassau County Legis. Francis Becker Jr. (R-Lynbrook), who last week expressed concern over the service changes in a letter to Veolia, said it was apparent the cuts would not affect most riders. Still, he urged Veolia to hold a hearing before the county's Transit Advisory Committee to more carefully review the changes and gather public input. "It doesn't seem to be severe, but these things are always in the eye of the beholder," Becker said. Setzer said Veolia has already done "everything we could think of" to communicate with riders about the service changes, including holding two community meetings last month. It's too late to undo the planned changes, he said, and any delay in implementation would only increase the deficit. For Jo Brennan, 74, of Hempstead, who rides midday buses to libraries and senior programs, the changes hurt. "I need these buses, and they're the ones that get cut," he said.
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Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE
Posted by grand concourse* on Wed Mar 28 01:11:40 2012, in response to Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE, posted by N6 Limited on Wed Mar 28 00:52:05 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d I wonder how many of those soon to be pissed-off riders will be angry at more: the Nassau politicians that said 'screw you MTA' or veolia?
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Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE
Posted by N6 Limited* on Wed Mar 28 13:21:59 2012, in response to Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE, posted by grand concourse on Wed Mar 28 01:11:40 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Good Question. It seems that everyone has forgotten that LIB was going to cut 50% of service, yet somehow it's awful and vile that NICE is adjusting service so that they don't have to "fully cut" any routes. Also, they're still running more service at a lower cost compared to the MTA. I guess people will see what they want to see.
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Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE
Posted by grand concourse* on Wed Mar 28 15:55:05 2012, in response to Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE, posted by N6 Limited on Wed Mar 28 13:21:59 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Because to some people, when the MTA does it = end of the world. But when it's someone else = 'adjustment'. MTA can't win and while it sucks for Nassau, this maybe a blessing in disguise as the MTA would probably not have been easily able to 'adjust' such routes without some outrage by the community.
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Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE
Posted by N6 Limited* on Wed Mar 28 17:12:39 2012, in response to Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE, posted by grand concourse on Wed Mar 28 15:55:05 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d The MTA can hardly "adjust" anything without outrage, and then people beg that their fares not be raised. And if their fare is raised they want increased service which would defeat the purpose of trying to fix their budget. If ridership is increased then service should be increased 1 to 1., etc, etc. (I remember when there was some buzz a few years go about NYC Bus ridership increasing but the MTA not increasing service on a 1 to 1 percentage match. Percentages mean nothing alone, If Ridership increases by 50% and previously there was only 10 riders per trip then NO service has to be increased at all!) Anyway, at the same time I doubt the MTA would have done these Adjustments, they would have simply cut routes. NICE is doing a hybrid of frequency reductions, with frequency increases and route modifications, 2 routes being reinstated (N17 & JB88), with some routes getting extended service hours/etc. (If you take one bus from Mid-day and tack it on the end, you increase service hours at the same cost essentially.) I think most of the outrage is just out of ignorance. It's like this is how I see it: Typically Interviewed Rider: I use the bus mid-day, how will I get around if they cut my service! Informed Rider: Well, do you use the N78 or N21? Typically Interviewed Rider: What? Where do they run? Informed Rider: Exactly.... Which route do you live by/use? Typically Interviewed Rider: N43. Informed Rider: Did you know that the N43 is getting increased mid-day service and an extension to the Hempstead Transit Center? Typically Interviewed Rider: Really?! Oh wow that's good. Informed Rider: Right..... or Typically Interviewed Rider: I use the N21 off peak, how will I get to my Doctor Appointments in Port Washington!? Informed Rider: Where is your stop? Typically Interviewed Rider: In Glen Cove, the last stop. Informed Rider: You can take the N27 and transfer to the N23 Typically Interviewed Rider: What? Informed Rider: Yes, you can just transfer at the Roslyn LIRR Station, as opposed to Port Washington Blvd as you do now. Typically Interviewed Rider: I guess that's not so bad Informed Rider:Is the bus crowded when you use it? Typically Interviewed Rider: No, I'm usually the only person on board. Informed Rider:Exactly... A little biased ;) but that's essentially what happens. Just like with FastTrack "I work at Herald Square but Live by Pacific Street, How Will I get home without the D train!!!" You're going to get on the Q train, ride to Atlantic Ave and STFU.
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Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE
Posted by grand concourse* on Wed Mar 28 17:35:56 2012, in response to Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE, posted by N6 Limited on Wed Mar 28 17:12:39 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d lol, +1
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Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE
Posted by caine515* on Wed Mar 28 20:01:31 2012, in response to Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE, posted by N6 Limited on Wed Mar 28 00:52:05 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d The one change i can see being redone will be the N24. I looked at the new schedule and the N24 will now replace the N78/N79 route between Mineola and Hicksville adding time on the line. I see this change TEMPORARY as people will complain the N24 is SRO, not on time and always caught in traffic. I'm surprised the N78/N79 didnt stay the way it was, but cutting N78 to rush hours only. Is NICE assuming there are riders who REALLY ride from Jamaica all the way to Hicksville on the N24?? B3-#5093-NOVABUS
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Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE
Posted by N6 Limited* on Wed Mar 28 22:20:07 2012, in response to Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE, posted by caine515 on Wed Mar 28 20:01:31 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d There are riders that ride from Hicksville to Jamaica on the N22, why not the N24? (Rhetorical question because Jericho Turnpike Sucks). Besides that, I don't get why people bring up arguments like this, how many people ride the N25 from Great Neck to Lynbrook? How many people ride the N15 from Long Beach to Roosevelt Field? How many ride the BX12 from the A train to Bay Plaza? The B46 from Kings Plaza to the Williamsburg Bridge? B44 from Emmons Ave to Williamsburg Bridge? Anyway, from what I see, I think this is what they were thinking: -The N24 off peak runs every 30 mins, and so does the N78/N79, also the services overlap between Mineola and RFM and all 3 routes have ample seating. -Old Country Road west of the Mall is over served.(N15,N22,N24,N78/N79). 30 Min headways on Old Country Road is acceptable West of Hicksville LIRR but not East of Hicksville LIRR. -Extend the N24, same people served with less buses, 30 min headway frequency maintained. Seats are available, more seats used. Some riders can access Old Country Road Immediately east of Roosevelt Field without Transferring.[I think The extension will generate a lot of trips around the holidays. Think about the Source Mall, all the dining restaurants, Walmart, Costco, Bestbuy, etc. and only taking one bus to Jamaica/etc.] -Riders from the N23 that would normally transfer in Mineola to get to the mall won't need to as it will go to Roosevelt Field. Demand between Mineola and RFM is therefore reduced and less service between the two points are needed. -East of LIRR, all that is needed is N79 off peak. The N78 is only needed for the Corporate Park it serves. LIRR Station is new terminal, problem solved. -Now that the bus is extended, there will be more passenger turn over and lower cost per trip. Instead of the bus emptying out as it gets closer to the Mall, people will be getting on also. Going from Mineola Terminal to Mall? now you have two choices N22/N24 Going From Mineola/West Old Country Road to Source Mall? Your only choice is the N24. As opposed to a N78/N79 with 3 people on board, you'll have to use some of the empty seats on an already existing N24 run. When it gets to the mall people will dump out, some will stay on, and others will board. We'll see how it pans out. Being that April 8th is a Sunday, the N24 and N23/N27 changes can be seen/bus fanned day one.
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Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE
Posted by N6 Limited* on Wed Mar 28 22:50:51 2012, in response to Re: Bus service cuts to affect 1,000 riders...NICE, posted by N6 Limited on Wed Mar 28 22:20:07 2012.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d I think this video I found supports the reason for the service adjustments
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