Legislator Shimsky Calls for Expanded Bus Service for Edgemont Residents

Westchester Legislator MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson) called this week for expanded service in Scarsdale during the morning rush hour on Route 65 of Westchester County’s Bee-Line bus system, which is used by residents of the Longview neighborhood in Edgemont to travel back and forth to the Scarsdale train station.

Recently, a petition with 70 signatures from Scarsdale residents was delivered to the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) requesting the addition of an 8:23 AM run on the Bee-Line’s Route 65. This would accommodate residents who are dropping their children off at the local schools and still need to catch the train to commute into New York City for work.

“I think it is entirely reasonable to ask if an extra run on the Route 65 bus line is possible,” said Shimsky, chair of the BOL’s Infrastructure Committee. “An added bus during rush hour will increase public safety—and peace of mind—for residents trying to catch a train to work.”

At a recent meeting of the BOL’s Infrastructure Committee, Westchester County Deputy Commissioner of Public Works and Transportation Patricia Chemka remarked that the normal process of expanding a bus route involves seeing how the proposed change would fit in the larger framework of service adjustments, and then the cost of the change would be factored into the decision. New or expanded bus service is discussed at a quarterly meeting of the Transportation Department and Liberty Lines, which the County contracts with the run its bus service. Route changes are deliberated also with input from the union representing the bus drivers.

A final decision about an added morning bus for Route 65 probably won’t be made until February 2015.

“I’m hopeful that the request from these residents will be taken up by the Administration as soon as possible,” said Shimsky. “This is yet another example of community members and county government working together to improve the quality of life here in Westchester.”

Legislator Ben Boykin (D-White Plains) said: “Using public transportation removes cars from our roadways and increases public safety. The extra bus from Edgemont will help alleviate traffic congestion at the Scarsdale train station, and since a significant number of residents are interested in this, let’s seriously consider its implementation.”