Queens Hopes MTA Takeover Leads To Better Bus Service

 > Celebratory fireworks may come early this year on July 1 to be exact for Queens bus riders, who will finally witness some long-awaited service improvements to the bus lines they depend on so much.
At a City Hall media briefing, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced this week the transfer of operations of the seven private bus companies that service the five boroughs to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA).
Currently, approximately 300,000 people in Queens use the private bus lines; another 350,000 ride Transit Authority bus lines.
Better Bus Service
The quality of bus service in Queens has long been a "disaster" according to Elaine Newman of Forest Hills. "Everybody has a demanding time schedule," Newman said. "In a day and age where every minute counts, we can always count on the worst from Queens buses."
The single mother of three says her job is in jeopardy because of continual lateness, due to poor bus service.
"People complain about the mayor and the raise in taxes," Newman said. "But maybe theyll shut up when they can get to work on time because of his efforts."
The deal forged between the city and the MTA will completely integrate existing transit services, providing dramatic improvements in service and efficiency, officials predicted at Mondays meeting. Any changes would particularly impact Queens, which is heavily-dependent on bus service, especially in its northeast section, due to the lack of a subway line in that region. Currently, four of the seven private bus companies involved in the takeover operate in Queens; they service 46 bus routes. Transit and elected public officials have said that bus line duplication did exist under the old system and that any restructuring should seek to eliminate redundancies.
However, officials also expressed concern about the potential for cutbacks in lines that have lower-than-average ridership, but that are still considered vital to a neighborhood or community.
Marshall Wants New Buses
Officials also hope the citys takeover will address the issue of Queens aging bus fleet. The average age of buses operated by the private companies is 15 years; the average age for TA buses, 8 years.
Borough President Helen Marshall said she expects to see new buses on Queens streets, soon, and she also underscored that "a number of important details" regarding the citys new agreement have to be resolved.
"Given this takeover, I want to see an immediate presence of new buses on Queens streets," Borough President Marshall said. "And there are a number of important details to be resolved. Outstanding pension costs, workers compensation, legal obligations of the private bus operators, and enabling State Legislation must all be addressed. I am sure that they will be."
City, MTA Partnership
Under the new agreement, the city will subsidize the MTA by financing costs which exceed those generated by State subsidies, fares and advertising.
For almost 400,000 riders in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx, the takeover represents a commute on antiquated equipment, and inadequate and unreliable service.
"The 390,000 residents…that use these buses deserve improved service and greater reliability," Bloomberg said at a press conference on Monday. "…The City will continue to fully subsidize the bus service. It will get a better bang for its buck."
Bloomberg went on to explain that the consolidation of services will result in the elimination of management and incentive fees paid to private operators.
Additional savings will come in the form of reduced maintenance and insurance costs and combined fuel purchases.
MTA Chairman Peter S. Kalikow thanked the mayor for his continued commitment to mass transportation. Kalikow went on to say that the "MTA provides the best and most efficient transportation service in the country and we look forward to bringing that same quality of service to more transit customers in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx."
All of the Citys bus-related assets will now be leased to the MTA including approximately 450 new buses scheduled to be purchased, and the two depots owned by the city.
The MTA will also honor a request by the City to propose amending their 2000-2004 Capital Plan to set aside $322.5 million in reserve from funding sources originally intended to be used for extending the subway at LaGuardia Airport. That reserve capital will now be earmarked for additional fleet replacement, facilities and other mandatory capital improvements.
Impact On Unions
All union employees will be picked up by the MTA and collective bargaining agreements and obligations in place will be honored, pending the formation of new agreements.
To ensure a smooth transition, meetings with union representatives are being scheduled, as are city plans to expedite negotiations between the MTA and private owners.
Roger Toussaint, President of the private bus drivers union, has already called for the protection of jobs, seniority, and pension rights of workers currently employed by the private lines.
The overall agreement guarantees the Citys support of MTA Capital Plan Amendments, which includes speeding up the plans to purchase new Metro North Railroad cars. In exchange for this consideration, the MTA has agreed to examine and address the Transit Authoritys traditional Capital Plan funding in the next program.
Victor Ross also contributed to this story.