Rye Bus #76 Expected to be Granted Stay of Execution

Good news late last night from County Legislator Judy Myers about the expected closure of Rye Bus Route 76 (see story). Myers undoubtedly will be sharing the news this morning at 9:30am during her "Cup of Joe with George and Judy" citizens coffee (District Office Hours – 9:30 to 11 a.m. today (Saturday, January 30, 2010) at Ruby’s Oyster House, 45 Purchase Street in Rye).

Westchester Bee Line Bus # 76 will almost certainly be granted a lease on life pending a vote by the Westchester Board of Legislators in late February. Myers expects support for the vote. Funding would be restored for 2010 while a study (always a study…) is taken to look at funding alternatives in 2011.

Riders of Bus #76 should stay vigilant.

Here is the update from Myers:

"The Traffic Commissioner, Larry Salley (not new), has proposed supplementing the bus budget with a one-time addition of some alternative capital funding (originally planned for use in 2014) in order to keep several routes funded through the end of 2010. These include route 76 local service in Port Chester and Rye. Concurrently, the County Department of Transportation will undertake a comprehensive analysis of all long-term transit operating and funding alternatives, to be completed by September 2010. THIS information will be used in planning 2011 and beyond.
 
The administration agreed that this proposal will now go to the Board of Legislators for approval as a capital budget amendment (where my job will be to shepherd it through). If passed, there will be no additional bus cuts in June — which is when the PC/Rye cut would have occurred — and we'll have service through 2010. With some luck… and an upturn in the economy… we may see better bus revenues by the end of the year."