Despite a perky new name– the NICE bus, an acronym for Nassau Inter-County Express and a spiffy new paint job (according to Newsday), the bus service for the more than 100,000 Long Island Bus riders, overwhelmingly disabled and elderly who can’t drive, is not about to get any nicer.
Public Hearing December 12
A public hearing, scheduled to take place on November 19, 2011, had to be rescheduled because the public had not been given required notice of the hearing. The new hearing will take place December 12, less than three weeks before the new service is about to take effect, with the county legislature due to vote on the new contract December 19, only 12 days before the new private bus company is due to take over the MTA.
Potential Cuts in Service for Long Island Bus Riders
Newsday’s analysis of the new contract sets forth the circumstances under which the new bus company can make deep cuts in services. Should there be duplication in service, the bus company can eliminate 6 routes the first six months of 2012, provided there is another bus route within a mile. A mile can be a very long way for a disabled or elderly rider.
There can be further cuts in service or increases in fares.
Attend the Public Hearing December 12, 2011
The hearing will convene at the Nassau County Legislature and we should all let our legislature know how important it is to their constituency to keep service and fares the same.