Statement of the New York City Transit Riders Council
before the MTA Board Bus Operations Committee
July 26, 2010
I am William Henderson, Executive Director of the New York City Transit Riders Council (NYCTRC). The NYCTRC was established by the State Legislature in 1981 to represent the riders of the NYC Transit system.
In today’s committee agenda there are several bus service changes presented as information items. These come on the heels of a great many other changes that have occurred over the past year. Some of these changes have been made to improve service or operational efficiency, while others have been motivated by the MTA’s financial plight.
Increasingly, however, we are receiving reports that changes in bus service have made it necessary for riders to make at least two subway to bus, bus to subway, or bus to bus transfers in order to reach their destinations. For riders without time based MetroCards, this means that two fares must be paid. In the past, NYC Transit has responded to the splitting of routes by creating special transfer rules, but we understand that similar actions are not currently being considered. The NYCTRC finds this situation very disturbing and a reversal of longstanding policy against two fare zones.
We believe that riders who are forced to make a three or more legged trip to reach their destinations should not be further burdened at the farebox. We are confident that there exist feasible solutions to this problem. We intend to speak out further on this issue and are would be glad to discuss possible solutions with the MTA and its agencies.