Bus takeover nets $132M windfall

Congressman Joseph Crowley has announced that $132 million for the purchase of new buses and improvement of service by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has been saved.
“With these additional funds, New Yorkers will enjoy more reliable bus services and better accessibility to the city’s widely used public transit system,” said Crowley.
The funds were previously allocated to New York City Department of Transportation through grants from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), but due to the MTA’s acquisition of certain NYC bus lines, this transfer of funds was required, and, according to Crowley, might have been lost.
“The federal allocation will be used to improve service for the thousands of people who use the MTA bus system,” said Mercedes Padilla, spokeswoman for the MTA.
On average, a diesel bus costs $400,000, while a natural gas or hybrid bus comes with a price tag of $500,000.
It is unsure exactly how the funds will be allocated between service improvements and new buses.
The transfer of funds was maintained in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery for Fiscal Year 2006 legislation that was passed by the House. It must now be passed by the Senate and signed by the President.