Facing Another Deficit, NICE Bus Propose More Route Cuts

With a deficit looming, NICE Bus, the operator of Nassau County's public transportation system, is proposing another cut to service routes.

According to Newsday, NICE Bus is proposing cutting routes that were just restored this summer after a previous round of eliminations in January.

The deficit, which could be as high as $7 million, is due to rising labor costs, a reduction in the county's subsidy to the transportation company, and uncertainty about state funding, Newsday reported.

In January, NICE bus was facing similar circumstances, and cut 11 routes that were plagued with low ridership. But due to outcry from the public and county legislators -- and a $3 million bailout from the county -- NICE restored many of those routes, although some were reduced.

The routes most likely to be cut, according to Newsday, are the ones that were already cut last winter, and service communities like Rockville Centre, Freeport and Elmont.

Head to Newsday for the full story.

Photo: Patch