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SCHUMER AND SUOZZI COMBINE FORCES TO SUPPORT USE OF STIMULUS FUNDS TO ENHANCE BUS SERVICE TO CENTRAL NASSAU


New Environmentally Friendly Busses Would Shave Significant Time Off Commuters' Trips

Would Ease Congestion and Create Direct Path Between Mineola Train Station and Coliseum


          United States Senator Charles E. Schumer and Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi announced today that they are teaming up to improve bus service between the Mineola LIRR train station and Nassau Coliseum.   The proposed enhanced N24 service, unofficially dubbed the "Coliseum Clipper", would transport riders from the Mineola Intermodal Center to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in roughly 18 minutes, thus shaving approximately 10 minutes off the current commute time.
 
            To implement this enhanced service, Nassau County has applied to the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) for $5.7 million in funding via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to purchase 14 environmentally friendly buses that would be dedicated for this service.  Senator Schumer and County Executive Suozzi are working closely with the FTA and other governmental entities to complete the required process and receive regional approval as expeditiously as possible.  In the meantime, the County and Long Island Bus are working to secure the necessary operating funds to support the enhanced service.
 
            Once approved, the Coliseum Clipper will run at 15 minute intervals between the Mineola Intermodal Center and the Coliseum, thus providing convenient connections with other Long Island Bus routes and the Long Island Rail Road.  The Clipper will also make limited stops at Roosevelt Field Mall, Nassau Community College and RXR Plaza.  The bus will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week.
 
            To help achieve the time savings, Nassau County will equip five key intersections along the route with lowpriority traffic signal preemption.  This is the first test of traffic signal preemption for transit within Nassau County, and if successful, the County may look to expand the program in the future.  Funding for this element of the bus service will come from a SAFETEALU earmark that Senator Schumer previously helped secure for the County.
 
            "Adoption of this service will be a gamechanger for the region," Schumer said.  "An improved bus route to this commercial center of the County will  both energize the local economy and speed commuters' trips.  I have already written to FTA Acting Administrator Matt Welbes to express my support for this project and I will continue to do all that I can to ensure that stimulus funding is available for the purchase of these environmentally friendly buses."
 
            The expanded bus route would be a much needed, positive step toward achieving the County Executive's goal of improving intracounty mass transit options.  "While Nassau County has reliable train service to New York City on select lines, we need to improve the interconnectivity of our mass transit system within the County," Suozzi said.  "The proposed enhanced service between Mineola and the Coliseum is the first step toward this end.  I will continue to work toward implementing this and other proposals that will encourage use of mass transit within the County, thus allowing residents to leave their cars at home."
 
            Before the Stimulus funds can be released to purchase the buses, the County must first have the project added to the regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  The County is working with local officials on this matter and hopes to receive this designation within the next month.   
 
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Dear Acting Administrator Matt Welbes:
 
I am writing to request that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approve Nassau County's proposal for the expansion and improvement of Long Island Bus' N24 service.  I ask that you do not incorrectly label this a "new route" when it is, in fact, an expansion of an existing route.  Nassau County has applied for $5.7 million from the transit section of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) and will use funding to purchase fourteen new environmentallyfriendly buses to add to their existing fleet.  The new buses will be used for an improved Central Nassau route that would create a new direct and efficient path from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Coliseum) to the Long Island Rail Road's (LIRR) Mineola train station. 
 
The enhanced bus hub route would be a muchneeded, positive step in the implementation of expanded modes of public transportation for all of Nassau County.  Once approved, the "Coliseum Clipper," as it is unofficially called, will run at 15 minute intervals between the Mineola Intermodal Center and the Coliseum, thus providing convenient connections with other Long Island Bus routes and the LIRR.  The Clipper will also make limited stops at Roosevelt Field Mall, Nassau Community College and RXR Plaza.  The bus will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week.
 
A key feature of this new bus service is that it will operate to/from the Mineola Intermodal Center and the Coliseum in roughly 18 minutes, thus shaving approximately 10 minutes off the current commute time.  To help achieve this time savings, Nassau County will equip five key intersections along the route with lowpriority traffic signal preemption.  This is the first test of traffic signal preemption for transit within Nassau County, and if successful, the County may look to expand the program in the future.  Funding for this element of the bus service will come from a SAFETEALU earmark that I previously helped secure for the County.
 
As you also know, before ARRA funds can be released to purchase the buses, the County must first have the project added to the regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  The County is working with local officials on this matter and hopes to receive this designation within the next month.  The County is also working with State and Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials to secure the operating funds needed to support this service.
 
Thank you for your attention to this matter.  I know that you share my enthusiasm for using ARRA funds in smart ways that will expand public transportation options for all of the United States.  If you have any questions or you need more information, please contact Gerry Petrella in my Long Island, New York office at 6317530978.
 
Sincerely,

Senator Charles E. Schumer