The success of public transportation can be traced back to one of the late President Lyndon Johnson’s greatest accomplishments which continues benefiting many Americans today.
On July 10, 1964 he signed the “Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964” into law. Subsequently this has resulted in the investment over time of several hundred billion dollars into public transportation.
Millions of Americans including many residing in Great Neck, New Hyde Park, Herricks, Williston Park, Garden City, Manhasset and Roslyn along with other nearby neighborhoods in Queens, Nassau and Suffolk County today on a daily basis utilize various public transportation alternatives.
They include local and express bus, ferry, jitney, light rail, subway and commuter rail services. All of these systems use less fuel and move far more people than conventional single occupancy vehicles.
Most of these systems are funded with your tax dollars thanks to President Johnson.
Depending upon where you live, consider the public transportation alternative. Try riding a local or express bus, commuter van, ferry, light rail, commuter rail or subway.
As a elementary school student in Great Neck during the ‘60s, I remember going to the Flushing World’s Fair.
We rode Schenck Bus, a private bus operator. They extended their route from Glen Cove to downtown Flushing, right up to the World’s Fair entrance. In those days, the drivers made change and drove the bus at the same time.
Nobody would dare bring soda or food on the bus or leave any litter behind.
In the late ‘60s, I would ride the Universal Auto Bus route which ran down Middle Neck Road from Great Neck Plaza to the Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy.
There was also the Great Neck to Lynbrook route operated by Schenck Bus. Riding that route, I would switch for the Bee Line Bus and pay another fare taking me to either Hempstead or Freeport. There were no free transfers in those days.
Into the ‘70s, both Hempstead and Freeport were two major shopping hubs. From Hempstead, I could explore various other communities in Nassau County.
For a third fare, I could ride one of the many other buses operated by Hempstead Bus Corporation, Jerusalem Avenue Bus Lines, Stage Coach Bus Lines and others whose routes terminated at the old Hempstead Bus Terminal.
As time went by, the old Hempstead Bus Terminal evolved into a well worn facility badly needing upgrading or replacement. The new modern Hempstead Bus Terminal would not come into being until the 1990s.
Fast forward to today. Fortunately we have the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its various operating agencies, including New York City Transit subway and bus, Long Island Rail Road, Metro North Rail Road, Staten Island Rapid Transit Authority, MTA Bus along with Nassau County’s NICE bus system.
Chartered by the State Legislature in 1965 as the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority, it was created to purchase and operate the bankrupt Long Island Rail Road. The MCTA changed its name to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in 1968 when it took over operations of the New York City Transit Authority.
Previously, in 1953 the old New York City Board of Transportation passed on control of the municipal subway system, including all its assets to the newly created New York City Transit Authority.
In 1968, the MTA also acquired through lease the New York State commuter trackage of Penn Central’s Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines, contracting their subsidized operation to Penn Central. In 1976, they became part of Conrail.
In 1973, the MTA agreed to subsidize the existing Erie Lackawanna Railway Port Jervis service which also became part of Conrail in 1976.
In 1983 the Metro-North Rail Road was formed to take over all of Conrail’s New York State commuter operations. The MTA took over all service in 1983, as the Metro North Rail Road.
In 1971 the passenger operations of the former Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway Company, were acquired from the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road. The MTA created a subsidiary, the Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority, for the purposes of operation and maintenance. It is currently managed by the MTA New York City Transit’s Department of Subways.
In Nassau County, we have Nassau Inter County Express, formerly Long Island Bus and City of Long Beach bus systems. In 1973, Nassau County purchased equipment, routes and some facilities of numerous private bus operators most of whom were experiencing serious financial difficulties. These private bus operators included Bee Line, Rockville Center Bus Corporation, Utility Lines, Schenck Transportation, Inc., Hempstead Bus Corporation, Jerusalem Avenue Bus Lines, Universal Auto Bus, Roosevelt Bus Lines, Stage Coach Lines, Hendrickson Bus Corporation and others.
Their respective fare box income was becoming insufficient to cover current day to day operating expenses. They also lacked the funding for purchasing new modern replacement buses along with upgrading antiquated out of date maintenance and operating bus garages.
Nassau County followed up that same year entering into a lease and operating agreement with the MTA to continue providing local bus service. This resulted in creation of the Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority.
Later, Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority was followed by Long Island Bus and as of January 1, 2012 Nassau Inter County Express.
Many of the same routes operated by MSBA. LI Bus and NICE can be traced back to the various private bus operators.
Up until 1973, various private bus operators ran service on many of the very same routes customers patronize today.
Suffolk County has Suffolk County Bus, Town of Huntington Area Rapid Transit, Hampton Jitney and Hampton Luxury Liner. Suffolk County Transit was created decades ago to represent various private bus operators providing them with both capital and operating assistance in exchange for running various franchised routes within the county.
Some of these private operators have included during different times Utility Lines, Coram Bus, Alert Coaches, Suffolk Bus Corporation, EBT Bus and several others. There are other private bus and ferry operators along with many smaller suburban operators providing service.
The ancestors to MTA Bus that operated in New York City were eight private bus operators. These included Steinway Bus and Queens Transit, (which combined to become Queens Surface Bus Corporation along with Green Bus, Jamaica Bus and Triboro Coach.
They all who provided service in Queens, Command Bus (previously Pioneer Bus) ran in Brooklyn along with New York Bus and Liberty Lines Bronx Express operating primarily express routes from the Bronx to Manhattan. One could also travel around NYC using their services.
Several years ago, New York City took over the franchises and entered into long term leases for utilization of the facilities owned by these operators. The city between 2005 and 2006 entered into an agreement with the MTA transferring their routes and equipment to the newly created MTA Bus.
All of these private bus operators previously received capital and operating assistance from both the New York City Department of Transportation and New York State. There is also New Jersey Transit, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and New York City Department of Transportation Staten Island Ferry.
Using MTA Metro Cards provides free transfers between the subway and bus. This has eliminated the old two fare zones making public transportation an even better bargain. Purchasing a monthly Long Island Rail Road or MTA subway/bus pass reduces the cost per ride and provides virtually unlimited trips. In many cases, employers can offer transit checks which help subsidizes a portion of the costs. Utilize this and reap the benefits. It supports a cleaner environment.
Many employers now allow employees to telecommute and work from home. Others use alternative work schedules which afford staff the ability to avoid rush hour gridlock. This saves travel time and can improve mileage per gallon. Join a car or van pool to share the costs of commuting.
The ability to travel from home to workplace, school, shopping, entertainment, medical, library etc. is a factor when moving to a new neighborhood.
Economically successful communities are not 100 percent dependent on automobiles as the sole means of mobility. Seniors, students, low and middle income people need these transportation alternatives. Investment in public transportation today contributes to economic growth, employment and a stronger economy. Dollar for dollar, it is one of the best investments we can make.
Larry Penner
Great Neck
