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City Vows To Speed
Up Bus Service With New BRT Initiative Nicole Johnson Riding a city bus through a busy area is not a quick
experience. The MTA is looking at some ideas to make the speed of the bus
closer to the subway, while one state lawmaker is trying to make sure her
district is first on board. As For Betty Cooper Wallerstein, it's hard getting around on
the east side, an area of “We are terribly transportation challenged," she says. That's why the MTA and the city Department of Transportation are coming up with a plan to give riders relief. It's called Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT. State Senator Liz Krueger wants the east side to be first in line for the new bus service. “One of the reasons it is so needed here on the east side, of course, is we continue to have massive growth in population, tall buildings going up everywhere, and we are still probably 15 years away from a Second Avenue subway," she says. Krueger's office held a forum Tuesday night where residents could ask questions about the plan. BRT promises faster, more reliable buses by applying rail features to bus service, like synchronizing traffic lights so buses can go through them more quickly. Also promised; buses with GPS systems and low to the ground buses for easy access. But critics say the plan will take years, which is too long for riders to wait. “We are very concerned that this study has been delayed and delayed and delayed,” says Paul Steely White of the group Transportation Alternatives. “Riders are asking, ‘When are we going to see improvement on our bus lines?’” DOT says the plan will be implemented on the east side,
along with other busy areas throughout the city such as For Wallerstein, it couldn't come soon enough. “It makes good sense, and I'm happy to hear that one of
the routes will be First and The DOT says it will continue holding public forums starting in June to get public input. They hope to have the new buses on the road by 2008. |
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