Westchester Starts Free Summertime Bee-Line Bus Rides

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Westchester County starts a summertime free rides program on its Bee-Line buses that will be in effect through Labor Day.

County Executive George Latimer will kick it off Wednesday.

"Now is a perfect time to try out the Bee-Line system if you haven’t already," he said in a news release. "We take great pride in the fact that our buses are safe, clean and accessible. Leave the driving to us and save some money this summer. From Yorktown to Yonkers, we have a robust system that can get you where you need to go."

With gas prices continuing to rise, and with gas prices traditionally peaking after the Memorial Day holiday for the summer, this is the second piece of Westchester officials' attempt to ease residents' pain at the gas pump.

In April, the county's Board of Legislators approved a measure to cap the sales tax on gas purchases at 12 cents per gallon — the equivalent of the tax drivers would pay if gas was $3 per gallon. SEE: Westchester OKs Temporary Cap On Gas Sales Tax

When Latimer proposed it, he said it was designed to help residents struggling with inflationary pressures and uncertainty in gas prices related to the war in Ukraine and other market factors.

"We really want to encourage people to use less gasoline altogether," Board Chairwoman Catherine Borgia said at the time. "I hope the bus fare holiday will inspire more people to leave their cars at home and try the county's terrific bus system."

The Bee-Line Bus System just offers a cleaner, greener, more cost-effective way for residents to travel around Westchester, county officials said. The bus system serves more than 27 million passengers annually, connecting residents to jobs, recreation, shopping and other regional transportation services. It is the second-largest transit bus fleet in New York State.

Over 65 percent of all Westchester County residents are within walking distance of a Bee-Line bus route, making the bus both close and convenient. The system has over 3,300 bus stops and almost 60 routes. All Bee-Line buses are accessible, and designed with many accessibility features including “kneeling” buses, ramps and lifts.

County officials said the fare holiday is expected to have no impact on the county budget because of federal transit support for the bus system.

For more information about the free rides program call 914-813-7777. An information agent is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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