Deciding The Fate Of Long Island Bus

Nassau County refuses to increase its contribution to Long Island Bus, so the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is threatening to withhold its entire $26 million contribution.

"Long Island Bus is facing possible closure or at least very dramatic service reductions after years of chronic underfunding by officials in Nassau County. Even as ridership has grown dramatically in recent years, County officials have balked at contributing more to sustain service."

From Mobilizing The Region: Riders, Students and Advocates Mourn the Potential Death of LI Bus: "In the face of historic underfunding by Nassau County and a hastily proposed $26 million cut from the MTA, the LI Bus system is at a precipice. If Nassau County does not increase its contribution substantially and the MTA does not step back from its hard line on the funding cut, LI Bus will either cease to exist, or perhaps limp on as a shell of its former self."

From Tri-State Campaign Press Release: Groups Hold LI Bus Funeral: "The potential loss of LI Bus would be the direct result of the unwillingness of Nassau County to adequately fund its system and the MTA's hasty proposal to cut its entire contribution to what is arguably the largest suburban bus system in the country."

From MTR: No LI Bus Solution"

"With a structural deficit of $286 million, Nassau County has claimed poverty, perhaps rightfully so. But if Suffolk and Westchester Counties can find a way to fund buses in these tough economic times, so can Nassau."