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N2/8 bus route to be eliminated
On Jan. 17, the Nassau Inter-County Express bus system will end service for Elmont riders who use the N2/8 bus. That route, which stops in Valley Stream as well, is being cut, along with 10 others, in an effort to reduce the $7.5 million deficit the privately operated service is facing. Transdev is a private service provider that was selected by the county in 2011 through a competitive bidding process to serve as the operator of the system. Funding for NICE is provided from both the state and county.
On Nov. 19, the Nassau County Bus Transit Committee held a public hearing to address the budget deficit. At the meeting, NICE CEO Michael Setzer recommended that the board cut a number of routes and raise the price of a cash fare and the NICE Go Mobile App fare from $2.50 to $2.75, equaling the Metropolitan Transportation Authority fare. Despite these steps, there is still a $3.5 million gap that NICE must close, according to the county’s contract with Transdev. Wages will increase by 4 percent, and there will be a 6 percent increase in health care costs.
“While we understand the inconvenience it presents to a handful of riders, alternate routes are available,” said Sam Littman, counsel to the transit committee. “Traditionally, New Yorkstate provides additional transportation funds annually, and Nassau is seeking such for 2016.”
At a press conference on Jan. 7 in front of a bus stop on the corner of Meacham Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont, County Legislator Carrié Solages (D-Elmont) urged County Executive Ed Mangano to place a two-month moratorium on the impending service cuts. Solages, who was joined by commuters, voiced his concern about suspending service during the winter months.
“People who rely on public transportation cannot afford these cuts,” he said. “It would create an unreasonable hardship upon their lives.”
One such rider is Elmont resident Jerry Lemaine, a junior at Hofstra University. Although the N2/8 bus doesn’t make the trip to Hempstead, Lemaine still relies on it to get him to other buses on his way to class.
“I work at night, so I prefer to take my classes in the morning,” Lemaine said. “You’re allowed a certain amount of late time and absences, so now that’s another stress on top of getting my bachelor’s degree.”
