Disappointing news that the Community Board Transportation Committee okayed this bus stop. We understand the position:
NYC Department of Transportation tends to ‘rubber stamp’ bus stops despite over-saturation on the LES.It’s a larger NY STATE problem. If we don’t get them to sign ‘stipulations’ (controls on bus company behavior) the bus companies operate ‘freely’.
However, as park advocates we are opposed to granting this permit. Here’s why:
- This bus company moved from Pike Street here – still not sure why? They’ve been operating on Chrystie Street illegally and now want to go legit. We reward this?
- This company alone would have 10 trips daily from 10am to 12:15am.
- On Chrystie now: two bus ticketing/waiting areas though no one is supposed to be operating there. If you see buses leave a comment here?
95 Canal behind the school
147 Canal (Bowery Slip)
- A driver for this company was responsible for the death of an elderly pedestrian in CT in 2013. These buses will be navigating school kids and the many seniors here. http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/20160908/mass-bus-driver-found-guilty-in-mohegan-sun-workers-death The driver apparently had prior problems: http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20121207/news/312079324
- None of these buses, 6 of them, have pollution controls.
- It’s not optimal to have more exhaust from buses and more traffic here. We are the on ramp and off ramp to the Manhattan Bridge.
- Three schools opposite: Pace HS, MS 131, Emma Lazarus HS. These schools are majority immigrant, of color, and low-income. We think there should be an environmental study with any proposed increase in pollution and traffic – especially alongside parks or schools. For instance, what are the asthma rates in the schoolchildren here? We know adult asthma is almost a third higher than the Manhattan average in LES/Chinatown.
- One of the schools Administrators and a local children’s soccer organization are already opposed.
- The “L” train shut down is going to affect our area. 200 buses will make round trips from Williamsburg to Manhattan. A large number (they don’t know yet) will be coming across Delancey Street eventually making their way up Lafayette or 1st Ave.We are not opposed to bus services in general – we understand the need and that they bring customers for local businesses. But if bus companies want to earn money here they need to protect the children, park users, and elders here by:
- having a history of respect for local law
- hiring drivers with good safety records
- installing pollution controls on their buses (or buying new ones).
If you want a voice in this:
- Write an email/letter to elected representatives (email addresses below)
- Come to the full board meeting to speak – This is where the final vote will be taken:
Community Board 3, Full Board Meeting
Tuesday, June 27, 2017 – 6:30pm
PS 20 – 166 Essex Street (E Houston & Stanton Sts)
Email Addresses:
Send to:
Mayor de Blasio’s Office: Tommy Lin <tlin@cityhall.nyc.gov>
Community Board 3 Office: Susan Stetzer <sstetzer@cb3manhattan.org>
Senator Daniel Squadron’s Office: Fendi Linan <fendi@danielsquadron.org>
AssemblyMember Yuh-Line Niou’s Office: Mauricio Pazmino <mauricio@yuhlineniou.org>
Council Member Chin’s Office: Vincent Fang <VFang@council.nyc.gov>
Manhattan Borough President’s Office: Andrew Lombardi <andrewlombardi@manhattanbp.nyc.gov>
