Senior bus services to Nassau County vetoed

Queens residents who use the Access-A-Ride and Able-Ride bus services will have to continue using alternative measures to take them to across the Queens County and Nassau County boundaries after Governor George Pataki recently vetoed legislation that would have allowed short trips of five miles or less across county lines.
&#8220It is ridiculous for transportation services for the disabled to stop at the county line,” said Assemblyman Mark Weprin, who introduced the legislation Pataki vetoed. &#8220It is inconvenient and unsafe for disabled passengers to exit at the county line, cross a major thoroughfare, and wait for another vehicle. This bill would rectify a longstanding problem.”
New York City and Nassau County provide the Access-A-Ride and Able-Ride transportation for their respective constituents; however, vehicles cannot cross county lines which often causes problems.
Northeastern Queens has a high population of senior citizens, who often are the ones that utilize the Access-A-Ride service. Many times the residents want to travel to doctor appointments, senior centers or visit family right across the Nassau County line, but cannot take Access-A-Ride under the current legislation. Therefore, Queens residents who want to travel just over the Nassau border must make alternative plans including paying the high cost of taxis in order to keep their appointments.
&#8220I am angered that the governor failed to listen to the thousands of seniors who truly need the service that the bill would have provided,” Weprin said. &#8220I will continue to fight to get this bill signed into law, even if it happens next year with a new governor in office.”