Comments on: Future Transit: Select Bus Service’s second phase

By: Queens pols back borough-based BRT plans :: Second Ave. Sagas | A New York City Subway Blog

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:37:56 +0000

[...] about the joint effort between New York City’s Department of Transportation and the MTA to expand the city’s nascent bus rapid transit program. As part of the planning for BRT Stage Two, NYCDOT is hosting seven borough-specific workshops [...]

By: rhywun

rhywun — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:53:34 +0000

Oh really? So the sponsored legislation and the task forces are a “joke”? Can we impeach these idiots for wasting our time and more importantly our tax dollars on this silliness?

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:49:35 +0000

I love the way the Suffolk County people complain that their representatives stink. Maybe the Bronx should leave the state too, with its representatives who’re categorically against bridge tolls.

By: Planner

Planner — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:10:19 +0000

SBS planner noting post.

By: Scott E

Scott E — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:34:22 +0000

Ben – I think the new leadership is significant. This needs to be someone who believes in BRT and is willing to advance that agenda. It has to be someone who is not afraid to put cash-handling Metrocard Vending machines on unprotected city sidewalks. Someone who is willing and able to run the required telecommunications infrastructure to all of these “remote” bus stop locations. And, perhaps most importantly, someone who’s willing to work jointly with the same city that it battles over cost overrruns on the #7 extension.

Rhywun – The Suffolk thing is a joke. The politician who is starting it even admitted to it being a publicity stunt. It’s a waste of effort, a waste of time, and a waste of money.

By: Steven Higashide

Steven Higashide — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:30:25 +0000

Hey Ben, I’m sure if you haven’t seen this yet you will soon, but we recently reported on the FTA’s Small Starts program and the Nostrand Avenue BRT looks extremely likely to receive federal funds, though it’s not clear whether that will happen this year:

http://blog.tstc.org/2009/05/1.....-from-fta/

By: Rhywun

Rhywun — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:50:45 +0000

Now Suffolk? They do realize their economy depends utterly upon functioning trains and subways, right…? If they think they can sail through the collapse of the region’s transit system unscathed, they’re deluding themselves. These poor counties crying “Wahhh!” are just embarrassing themselves.

By: Benjamin Kabak

Benjamin Kabak — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:37:38 +0000

Well, this is largely a DOT project The MTA already has the rolling stock — buses — needed to do this. If DOT can provide for the access, it’s a very minimal expense for the MTA to set up the pre-boarding fare payments and other physical aspects of it.

As for that vacant leadership role, I think that’s less of a concern. Sander is out on May 22, and then the fun and games begin. I’d be surprised if that hole stays empty for too long.

By: Benjamin Kabak

Benjamin Kabak — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:36:10 +0000

That would be a three-year delay beyond the current projected completion date. Would the MTA really announce that right now? They’d get slammed left and right.

By: Scott E

Scott E — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:20:35 +0000

Given all the financial and political BS that's been going on at the MTA lately, I find it hard to get excited about any sort of service expansion. Yes, it's a pleasant change from the negativity we've seen lately, and I recognize that this is just as much a DOT project as an MTA project. However, we've got an underfunded agency which two counties want to leave (and a third now wants to leave New York state over), a huge vacancy in its top leadership position, and politicians who probably couldn't reach an agreement on how to spell MTA. It's positive news, but it hardly seems credible right now.