With 24 Hours Left, Schumer Calls on Pataki to Immediately Sign Bill That Allows MTA Busses to Bring Staten Island Residents Directly to

With 24 Hours Left, Schumer Calls On Pataki To Immediately Sign Bill That Allows MTA Busses To Bring Staten Island Residents Directly To Bayonne, NJ Transit Hub

A Bill Passed in June Changes the State Law Which Currently Roadblocks Direct MTA Bus Access to Bayonne Hub

Connecting existing MTA Bus lines to NJ Transit's Hudson Bergen light rail system will reduce commuting time and ease congestion

Today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on Governor George Pataki to immediately sign a bill, passed by the Assembly and Senate in June to allow existing Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus lines to operate from Staten Island, NY to the Hudson-Bergen light-rail line in Bayonne, NY. Tomorrow is the last day that Pataki can sign the bill -- not to do so is a de facto veto. Under New York State law once a bill is sent by the legislature the Governor has 10 days, not including Sundays, to sign or veto. Schumer sent a letter to Pataki today asking him to sign the bill before it is too late.

"It's high time that we gave Staten Island commuters a faster way to get where they are going. This bill does just that by amending the state law that was the only legal barrier to make this bus service a reality," Schumer said. "With only twenty-four hours left to go, I hope that Governor Pataki realizes the importance of this legislation and signs it before it is too late.

This legislation - which passed in June in the Assembly and then the Senate - was introduced by Assemblyman Michael C. Cusick and Senator John J. Marchi and would allow Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus lines to operate from Staten Island, NY to the Hudson-Bergen light-rail line in Bayonne, NY. Schumer worked with Assemblyman Cusick and Chairman Peter Kalikow of the MTA to write and introduce the legislation. The new line would provide a much needed service to the citizens of Staten Island, who face an arduous commute to Manhattan with limited access to mass transit.

State law currently stands in the way of the MTA providing this service because current state law prevents New York City Transit (NYCT) from operating "open-door" bus service outside of New York City. Subsidiaries of the MTA such as Metro north have the authority to cross state lines to pick up and drop of passengers, while affiliates of the MTA like NYCT do not. The legislation amends the New York State Public Authorities law and allows NYCT to enter into a Joint Service Agreement with New Jersey Transit. This legislation will give NYCT all the tools it needs to extend existing bus-routes to the Bayonne transit hub.

Staten Island was the fastest growing county in the State of New York from 1990 to 2000, with significant population and economic gains expected over the next 30 years. At the same time, however, Staten Islanders have the longest average commute in the nation, averaging 43.8 minutes each way. Staten Island residents also endure the most frequent "extreme commutes" of 90 minutes or longer in the nation. Congestion and traffic hampers economic growth and creates an environment that businesses try to avoid.

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/record.cfm?id=261760&&year=2006&