White Plains to Suffern Bus Service Receives $10 Mil. Federal Grant

The state has secured a $10 million federal grant to update the Tappan ZEExpress bus line from White Plains to Suffern by 2018, according to officials.

The Journal News reports that the funding will go toward improvements to the Westchester to Rockland service, which travels over the Tappan Zee Bridge. Those improvements include new bus stops and other technology, and the new service will be called “Hudson Links.”

Additionally, the line might be expanded in the future to add more routes beyond White Plains-Suffern. The project, designed to speed travel between the counties, is expected to cost more than $90 million, of which state officials say they have secured about $60 million.

“Today is another major step forward in our efforts to improve transportation in the lower Hudson Valley,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a statement. “This funding will help us give commuters more mass transit options and ultimately reduce traffic congestion in the region. I thank our federal partners for working with us on this crucial project, especially Congresswoman [Nita] Lowey for her steadfast support, and look forward to seeing mass transit along the New NY Bridge for years to come.”

Added Rep. Lowey, “This $10 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation is critical to increase public transportation options on the New New York Bridge. By helping to implement bus rapid transit on the bridge, this federal investment will improve access to reliable, safe, and affordable east-west transportation for Westchester and Rockland residents. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue working with federal, state, and local officials to ensure our region’s transportation needs are met.”

From a press release from Lowey’s office announcing the grant:

The Hudson Links program will respond to unmet needs for better east-west travel options that residents and employees in the region seek, enhance the existing transit service across the Hudson River, and lay the foundation for Bus Rapid Transit on the New NY Bridge. Specifically, this grant will enable the development of:

• New, well-lit, weather-protected bus stations with Wi-Fi, real-time bus arrival information, and off-board ticket vending/fare collection;
• Signal upgrades along Route 59 and 119 with technology-focused improvements, including transit signal priority and intelligent signal control, helping drivers predict, adapt, and respond to changing traffic conditions;
• Comprehensive intersection improvements to increase pedestrian safety and access to bus stops;
• Ramp metering/queue jump lanes along I-287 to stabilize mainline vehicle flows and allow buses to move past vehicle queues, thereby increasing transit speed and reliability; and
• Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) technology and systems along I-287 in Rockland County, Route 59 and Route 119, including enhanced traveler information and advanced monitoring and control equipment to give the operators a greater awareness of what is happening along the enhanced transit corridor and the ability to rapidly respond to changing conditions.

“This federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation will allow New York State to make critical upgrades for public transit and pedestrians in Westchester and Rockland Counties across the New New York Bridge,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in a statement. “Investing in our transportation infrastructure helps to create jobs now, and lay the foundation for more jobstomorrow. Hudson Valley will be able to continue the development momentum generated by these investments.”

Click here to read the full story on The Journal News website.