Bus commuters need our help - Tell Albany to act now!

Despite several hard-won improvements to NYC's public transportation, commuters are still facing unnecessarily long, frustrating commutes – especially bus commuters. But it doesn't have to be that way. Today we have a chance to get buses and other traffic moving faster, but we can't make it happen without your help.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a program that would make our bus system faster, greener and more accessible, creating bus service that runs efficiently like a "subway on the surface" on heavily used lines.

It's clear that Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has the potential to dramatically improve transit service in New York, but first, we need Albany to act on a bill that's key to bringing BRT to life and making buses move faster.

A key to ensuring BRT's success and making buses faster is making sure other vehicles don't drive in dedicated bus-only lanes where they delay buses and create traffic congestion. And yet Albany has stalled on authorizing legislation for better enforcing bus-only lanes.

That's where you come in: Tell your representatives in Albany to support BRT, better enforce bus-only lanes and bring better, faster transit service to millions of transit riders!

Subject:

(Edit Letter Below)

As one of your constituents, I'm writing to urge you, the State Assembly and the State Senate to stand up and pass legislation authorizing bus-mounted cameras to help enforce the traffic laws designed to prevent cars driving in bus-only lanes where they delay buses full of riders and create traffic congestion even for other cars. The proposed legislation would authorize a bus camera enforcement pilot program along a handful of routes in New York City (S. 2709-D / A. 862-C).

Bus camera enforcement of traffic rules is a proven tool for making buses faster and more efficient, and it's an important component of plans for bringing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to communities across New York that need better transit service.

Our buses carry more riders than any other system in the country - 2.7 million riders each day - but they are the slowest in the country, with average speeds of 7.5 miles per hour. Efficient and reliable bus service is essential as the City's population continues to grow, and as our economy adds more employment centers both within and outside of the Manhattan core.

Beginning in June 2008 with the launch of Select Bus Service on Bx12 along Fordham Road in the Bronx, the New York City Department of Transportation and MTA / New York City Transit have made significant progress toward the implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in New York City. Bus Rapid Transit combines dedicated bus lanes, traffic signal prioritization, off-board fare collection, and other features to enable buses to move their passengers quickly, reliably, and comfortably. Select Bus Service incorporates many BRT features, and has reduced travel time along the congested Fordham Road / Pelham Parkway corridor by 20%, increased ridership by 11%, and resulted in both operating cost savings, and greater rider satisfaction. 
But for BRT to fulfill its promise, bus lanes must be protected from blockage by unauthorized vehicles. The new BRT system will rely on a combination of signage, distinctively marked pavement, and enforcement. The use of bus lane cameras as provided in S. 2709-D / A. 862-C will complement enforcement by the NYPD. It will enable buses to operate quickly and reliably, speeding the trips of thousands of riders on each route.

Improved and increased bus service is crucial to meeting the growing transportation demands of our growing city and region. Improved bus service is the fastest way to grow the mass transit network that keeps New Yorkers moving. Camera enforcement is essential to enable buses to operate efficiently and reliably.

I urge you to help secure passage of bus camera enforcement legislation, and with Governor Paterson, to ensure that the bill can be enacted and signed into law as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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