.
Feedback

Nassau Notebook: New Bus Service Launched, LIRR Smoking Ban

A weekly look-in at the news of Nassau County.

Mangano Launches "NICE" Bus Service

On Thursday, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano announced a contract agreement with Veolia Transportation to manage and operate Long Island Bus under a new name – Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) – starting Jan. 1, 2012. The contract maintains current fares and the Able-Ride service area. The contract, which saves taxpayers more than $32 million annually, was submitted this week to the Nassau County Legislature for review and approval. The legislature is expected to hold a public hearing on the contract prior to voting on the agreement.

“Nassau’s public-private partnership with Veolia symbolizes a new, smarter and more efficient way of providing services in Nassau County. No longer will the choices be limited to demanding more subsidies from taxpayers or slashing service. Today marks a new era of reliable service for riders, job opportunities for employees and reduced costs for local taxpayers,” Mangano said.

The contract outlines a fully transparent, business-minded process with public oversight for development of an annual budget based on available funds and service demands. According to Mangano, this approach was specifically designed to avoid the upheaval and unpredictability that occurred just this past spring when the MTA held public hearings to eliminate more than half of the Long Island Bus routes, strand disabled riders, lay off hundreds of workers and increase by $26 million the burden which residents must pay through property taxes. Nassau’s NICE Bus plan:

  • Saves taxpayers $32.4 million annually when compared to the MTA’s demand.  The annual taxpayer direct subsidy will decrease from $9 million to $2.62 million, saving local taxpayers $6.38 million in addition to not having to pay the MTA $26 million a year.
  • Maintains current fares.  Fares cannot be raised unless approved by a 100 percent Nassau County Resident Transit Committee rather than the MTA Board with only one Nassau County representative.
  • Preserves the Able-Ride service area for 2012 and 2013, rather than implement the MTA’s proposed cuts.
  • Restores the MTA’s proposed route cuts.
  • Increases transparency and oversight through the establishment of a Transit Committee, comprised of public transit professionals accountable to Nassau County, to provide quarterly and annual reviews of the private management and operation of the transit system.
  • Insures customer satisfaction through an annual customer scorecard that measures time performance, service reliability, trips that are missed and bus cleanliness.
  • Consolidates duplicative work and inefficiencies.

DA Rice Speaks Out About Crime Lab

In February, Gov. Andrew Cuomo appointed State Inspector General Ellen Biben to lead an investigation into potential impropriety at the Nassau County crime lab.

This week, District Attorney Kathleen Rice released a statement regarding the inspector general's investigation. Rice said:

“Last December, I first learned of serious problems at the Nassau County Police Department’s crime lab. In February, after a review of the circumstances, I requested the closure of the lab to ensure the integrity of evidence my office relies upon to prosecute accused defendants. I called for an independent investigation into the lab, and Governor Cuomo appointed New York State Inspector General Ellen Biben to lead that probe. Inspector General Biben’s independent, painstaking investigation was both comprehensive and appropriately swift. This report highlights the need for an independent civilian-run crime lab, state accreditation agency reform, and offers a welcome blueprint for returning the necessary credibility to our county’s testing of forensic evidence.

“The inspector general’s report today details troubling failures in the lab and with the regulatory system that allowed these problems to persist for years with no notice to my office or the public. In the wake of the lab’s closure, I requested extensive retesting to ensure the integrity of convictions which relied upon evidence tested in the lab, and that process remains ongoing.

“I thank the inspector general for her comprehensive investigation and insightful recommendations. To ensure my office remains informed about the accreditation process, I have appointed my Chief Assistant District Attorney as liaison to the New York State Forensic Science Commission. I stand ready to work with Mangano and the Office of the Medical Examiner as we move forward toward a new, state of the art, independent, civilian-run crime lab.”

Smoking Ban to Begin on LIRR Platforms

Lighting up a cigarette while waiting for the train to arrive will no longer be allowed on Long Island Rail Road platforms beginning Sunday.

New York State's new smoking ban will go into effect on Nov. 13 for the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad. The current rules prohibit smoking on any train and in any indoor area within a terminal or station, but the new state law extends the prohibition to the outdoor railroad platforms, ticketing and boarding areas, according to a notice on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's website.

Gerald Cymbalsky November 12, 2011 at 08:08 pm
I pay my way for everything, forced early retirement was not in my plans though. Some people are also pre-cluded from driving because of lawfully prescribed medications. There are 100,000 people using LI Bus. I would like to see a raised fare structure, a low fair for county residents awarded disability and for seniors. A tier for gainfully employed low wage and college students, and a higher tier for people with no Tax returns being submitted within the county of Nassau. Seniors and the disabled get break, and it encourages them to use public transportation. The woman who hit me should be on medication.
laocoon November 12, 2011 at 08:28 pm
So you'd like me to subsidize some more than others. The achievers, who work hard, you'd only take a little from me for. The underacheivers who don't like work at all, you'd make me pay more for them. And those who can't work -- I'd have to pay the full ride for them.
What happens after you bankrupt me and those like me who have earned their own way, have saved and work hard? What happens when you drive us all out? Guess you'll be eating cat food then. And maybe even learning to pay your own way. Wouldn't that be so quaint and old fashioned! It's your social programs that has our nation in the mess it's in, and I'm glad at least one party has the guts to tell you to pay your own bills.
laocoon November 12, 2011 at 08:31 pm
Marc, you asked, "...What gives YOU the right to decide?"
It's my money, that's what gives me the right. You want something? You pay for it! Don't you have any shame, groveling for handouts? Begging from the successful ones to support you? It's pathetic and disgusting. Your parents could have done a better job teaching you some pride.
Marc Rosen November 12, 2011 at 08:32 pm
So ensuring equal opportunity and equal access to public facilities and services is a "social program"? It's a "handout" to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and access that you enjoy? Thanks for showing what a bigot you are.
Marc Rosen November 12, 2011 at 08:37 pm
I have received less than 75% of the poverty line in your so-called handouts. Then again, every tax credit and tax deduction you get is also a handout. It's money from the government. Your public library, that's a handout, because everyone should buy their books from a private store and spend, spend, spend! Schools are a handout because if you aren't able to pay for your kids' tuition privately, you should send them off to work in a factory that no longer exists! Ensuring equal access in the classroom is a handout because those "cripples and retards" don't belong in society anyway in your OH SO HUMBLE opinion! Now, get a clue, and learn that not everyone has the same ACCESS or OPPORTUNITY that you do, even if they live right down the block. If you're not white, able-bodied, male, and heterosexual, your chances of getting hired for something that will keep you alive (even at minimum wage) are less than 5%.
Gerald Cymbalsky November 12, 2011 at 08:38 pm
The nations messed up because the banks will not lend out their bailout money. Iaocoon, when you go bankrupt, don't worry my real estate tax will contribute to your food stamps so you get eggs, potatoes, rice, beans, milk and it will be just enough for you to get by. And just hope, the Social Services office is just a bus ride away.
Gerald Cymbalsky November 12, 2011 at 08:53 pm
Iaocoon, frankly I am upset I can't work anymore. Some Doctor examined me and stated "unemployable". I even can't go back to college because my SS# is used to track me.
laocoon November 12, 2011 at 09:46 pm
Marc said:
"...If you're not white, able-bodied, male, and heterosexual, your chances of getting hired for something that will keep you alive (even at minimum wage) are less than 5%...." No excuse, dude. It's your choice: Cry and beg me to support you at "75% of the poverty level" or go out and become a productive citizen. Big bad White guys keeping you down? I don't buy that. I'm not White and I'm very successful. Never asked anyone for a dime. Nobody kept me down. Get some pride and some usefulness. Aren't you ashamed to come to me and beg that I support you? You're a disgrace.
Eddie November 12, 2011 at 09:53 pm
Laocoon makes a very valid point, one that is shared by the vast majority.
Mr. Rosen, there are a good number of folks with the same physical limitations as you who choose a more productive road, and aren't limited to the "75% of poverty rate" that you demand those "able-bodied Whites" to earn and hand over to you. Your entitlement attitude is a bigger crutch than your handicap. Open your eyes. Stop begging for some entitlement that is bankrupting this nation and develop a skill or talent and you'll break out of your chains of government slavery. It's only your attitude that makes you a little slave boy with a demanding, boring and very outdated mantra.
Marc Rosen November 12, 2011 at 10:46 pm
What is entitlement? By the definitions I've stated thus far, equal ACCESS and treatment is an "entitlement" in your eyes. Again, I'm not saying equal RESULTS, I'm saying equal ACCESS. That means that where needed, reasonable accommodations are made to ensure that nondisabled persons can fully utilize facilities, including but not limited to stores, BUSES (try getting a wheelchair-bound person on a bus that has no lift), SIDEWALKS (imagine trying to use a wheelchair to cross the street with no graduated curbs), PUBLIC TRANSIT, and more.
I haven't received a single check from the government, save for tax refunds, in over 3 years. You can make as many assumptions as you want, but I only stated the maximum I ever received, and that was a one-shot deal when I would have otherwise died. Furthermore, you have no way of knowing what barriers to employment the disabled face unless you yourself ARE disabled. I'd like to see you try to get a job when you're neurologically incapable of reading someone's facial expressions, catching vocal subtleties, or putting up with fluorescent lighting for 8 hours at a time without wearing sunglasses. Many employers will discriminate without openly stating that they are, by claiming that accommodations which don't actually require them to do anything but say "okay" are "unreasonable".
icarumba November 12, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Mr Rosen-
"once you posted," if your not white,able-bodied,male and hetero,you chances of getting hired are less than 5%" you lost my sympathy. that remark is complete bull. i know lots of people who arent in that category and they work-in some kind of capacity. there are plenty of people -like gerald- who got into a situation thru no fault of their own. he was an electrician-he put something into the system. you "work" for a nonprofit that would be probably be defunct if it wasnt for govt funding. getting back to the bus takeover-which is the main point of this article- suburbia runs on private cars and (formerly cheap)gas. LI bus riders CHOSE to live in an area where mass transit is substandard, if it all available. if i didnt drive and have access to a car, i would not have moved to nassau county. be glad that they arent totally shutting things down after 1/1. there will be some NICE busses running after 1/1- they just may not go to your neck of the woods. whats the old expression," dont bite the hand(s) that feed you.".
Marc Rosen November 12, 2011 at 10:57 pm
First, did you choose where you were born and raised? People don't always choose where they live, and if dependent on public transit, odds are good that moving's not a possibility. What money would you use to fund the move if you can barely get a roof over your head? Second, I get no government funding for the nonprofit I run. Ever. The funding doesn't exist for the arts, and most nonprofits are run entirely through fundraisers and public donations. Third, I don't state my occupation on my profile, but I am gainfully employed, have a car, and live the very life I said is most likely inaccessible to disabled persons. You would do well to ask yourself if you'd be willing to say something to my face before you post it on here.
laocoon November 12, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Like most liberal socialists, when the selfishness of your argument is exposed, you resort to threats.
Okay Tough Guy. We're done here. But let me add, you're going to have to beat up a lot of people before you find any who agree with your entitlement laced racist rant. Maybe in your heart, you really know we're right. No man really wants to be a slave, begging those more successful than they for meager sustenance.
TheGreek November 13, 2011 at 06:51 am
This whole comment thread disgusts me. All of you (both sides) take your blinders off and just TRY to see things from the other's point of view.
"No man really wants to be a slave, begging those more successful than they for meager sustenance" BECAUSE THOSE WHO ARE SUCCESSFULL SHOULD BE WISE ENOUGH TO SEE THAT OTHERS NEED HELP THAT ALLOWS THEM TO KEEP THEIR PRIDE. The real problem is that in America acheiving welth is too easy, and that many who have it do not realize that with it comes social responsibility. The "don't take my money for handouts" attitude is stereotypical of those who have small wealth and a smaller conscience. laocoon you are so transparent it is pathetic.
TheGreek November 13, 2011 at 06:53 am
PS Don"t bother to flame me, I will not return to this thread.
Nassau Taxpayer November 13, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Well stated; have a social conscience. If you are lucky to have even modest fortune, pay it forward proportionally.
Lloyd November 14, 2011 at 02:05 am
Hey The Greek!
So "achieving wealth in America is too easy". Hmmm. Have you accomplished that feat yet? And where is it written about their "social responsibility"? The wealthy are only obligated to pay taxes and their employees, and their creditors. Everything else is kinda voluntary. And what are the "social responsibilities" of the poor and middle class? Do YOU detrrmine that too?
James M. November 14, 2011 at 05:22 pm
Except knowing our wonderful gov't they will rubber stamp any increases for fear of Veolia cancelling the contract which means Nassau is paying more for less.
James M. November 14, 2011 at 05:45 pm
So let's increase taxes to force social responsibility to the companies and individuals that benefit the most from America's largess. IF you employ 200 people from the community and pay the bottom 95% minimum wage and the Top 5% about 300% of what you pay the bottom 95% perhaps there is a need to take a portion of that salary to reallocate it to the gov't since they are the ones that support the working poor when they jobs do not provide enough money to provide for basic needs.
Gerald Cymbalsky November 14, 2011 at 09:17 pm
You are all missing out on the 100,000 less cars on the road. Raise the fares. But to encourage older people and the disabled, give them discounts like they have know.
THE PAYROLL TAX is over! Samething for the LIRR.
James M. November 14, 2011 at 09:46 pm
Rarely does someone on LI have a car and take the bus.
John Rennhack November 15, 2011 at 12:29 am
It's to put Mangano's name all over the buses. I bet his name will appear as large or larger than the "NICE"logo.
icarumba November 15, 2011 at 02:55 am
Gerald Cymbalsky-
even if the NICE buses provided service equivalent to those in Queens, I doubt that there would be 100,000 fewer cars on the road. Id say 3000-5000 is more likely. What good is it if the buses dont take you within a block or two of your destination? Look at the distance between sunrise hwy and merrick road; in most parts of nassau its easily a mile,probably more. What is really needed- but the $$ isnt there- would be a light rail system connecting the north shore to the south shore.
Gerald Cymbalsky November 15, 2011 at 04:33 am
The buses are mostly occupied. It was from the MTA I got the 100,000 people a day. Some lines run every 15 minutes, and they are packed.
John Rennhack November 15, 2011 at 06:15 am
I've always advocated for a North-South light rail the connects to bus routes and LIRR stations. Possibly a light rail the runs up and down 135. Easy connect with buses on Sunrise or Merrick and Seaford LIRR in the south.
An tUasal Airgead November 15, 2011 at 11:51 am
Republican Nassau lawmakers Monday scheduled, and then canceled, a long-awaited public hearing on the county's plan to have a private company run its bus system -- further fueling criticisms that the privatization process has been bungled from the start.
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/public-hearing-on-nassau-bus-plan-canceled-1.3321581
John Rennhack November 15, 2011 at 01:28 pm
They don't want to hear what the public has to say and will delay and delay and finally accept public comments right before Schmitt closes the hearing.
Bob O'Brien November 16, 2011 at 04:07 am
In 1971 the MTA developed a rail plan for Nassau with 3 North South lines connecting with major East West existing routes. I believe Route 101, 106/107 and another N/S existing roadway. I have a copy of that plan and would like to see it get re-examined. Now is exactly the time for government to build infrastructure. We built highways and parks during the last recession, it is time to start building again.
An tUasal Airgead November 26, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Nassau County has moved up the date of a public hearing on its new bus system to Dec. 5.
The hearing will be held at 1 p.m. in the legislative chambers of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building on Franklin Avenue in Mineola. The county previously had set the public hearing for Dec. 12. Speakers will have the opportunity to weigh in on Nassau's plan to hire Veolia Transportation, of Lombard, Ill., to operate the county bus system, which will be renamed the Nassau Inter-County Express Bus, or NICE. The system, now known as Long Island Bus and operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, serves 100,000 weekday riders. Veolia is scheduled to take over the system on Jan. 1 pending approval by the county legislature and the Nassau Interim Finance Authority. The legislature's Rules Committee is expected to consider the contract Monday. The full legislature is slated to vote on the proposed contract Dec. 19. http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau-bus-system-hearing-moved-to-dec-5-1.3346989
An tUasal Airgead December 8, 2011 at 03:33 pm
Tuesday morning Veolia announced they are getting out of the transportation business, after standing next to Mangano at a Monday night public meeting for Nassau County residents, claiming they are the best solution for the Nassau bus system.
On Wednesday, Mangano is talking to the MTA about extending their service, while other bidders are now lowering their original bid price to get the contract. Mangano & the Nassau County Legislature are the true Keystone Kops of politics. http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/source-nassau-revisits-li-bus-deal-1.3374474

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Long Beach Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
BSM June 19, 2013 at 01:39 pm
While I agree there seem to be problems in the LB school district, I'm not sure this takes intoRead More account the financial reasons for opting for NCCC. For many families finances, not academic performance dictates the college. I think a more meaningful number would be the percentage of graduating seniors attending ANY college.
Richard Horn June 19, 2013 at 04:01 pm
The smart thing is going to NCC for two years and then transferring to a 4 yr school.. If they can'tRead More cut it at NCC, the parents save a ton of money. NCC is a pretty fine 2 yr school. You get out of it what you put in.
Fred Weintroub June 19, 2013 at 10:45 am
That STUPID Trapeze thing and the fence around it on the lot adjacent to the Boardwalk is going toRead More cost us Volley Ball players and Beach goers about 30 to 40 parking spaces. Whoever thought this thing up should get their Heads
Charlie Cheswick June 19, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Jimmy Two-Times here, going to get the papers, get the papers...
js June 19, 2013 at 12:18 pm
I SAW A SUV WITH ADVERTISING ON IT FOR A TRAPEZE IN LB--I WAS WHERE IT WAS--
awesome June 19, 2013 at 09:19 am
just when i thought i had seen it all
Penny Riordan June 19, 2013 at 10:51 am
Hi Nicholas. Thanks for using the boards. Your post may work better as a blog, where you can addRead More photos and have a headline. From the homepage, click the 'start blogging' button in green about halfway down. Fill in the fields and then your blog will appear on the homepage. Let me know if you have any questions: penny.riordan@patch.com. Thanks!
AEA President June 18, 2013 at 04:46 pm
yes - by sheer coincidence, their employees work more overtime than ever before in their last 3Read More years of employment before retirement (as it so happens, their pension is based in part on their last 3 years of employment).
Jack Kett June 18, 2013 at 07:41 pm
Bottom line re: LIRR is that people in suburbs who ride LIRR and Metro North are paying to subsidizeRead More the bankrupt NYC Subways and subsidize minority riders in the outer boros. Its the price we pay to not live in NYC. The subways charges a cheap fixed fare to subsidize low income NYC residents. Its a form of socialism.
Joe June 18, 2013 at 08:19 pm
Jack, racist much? Why don't you go have a tea party with the rest of the little Republican girls?
Eddie June 18, 2013 at 02:55 pm
Great photos, Richard. With joists like those, you could drive a firetruck up that thing!
Lobster June 19, 2013 at 07:38 am
The first one at LB Road, the second at National? or that's got to be one big ramp from LB Road toRead More National. Anyone proof read anymore ?
richard skinner June 19, 2013 at 03:33 pm
it's first one at long beach road
Eddie June 18, 2013 at 08:24 am
Sink hole repaired by the City by 6 PM. Great job by great guys.
Eddie June 16, 2013 at 09:53 pm
Because the Democrats fired all the engineers in City government and replaced them with politicalRead More friends.
Eugene Torres June 17, 2013 at 07:57 am
Heron St is like a bombed out war zone. Many of the residents drive the wrong way to avoid theRead More potholes at the beginning of the street.
AEA President June 18, 2013 at 06:45 am
Solomon why hast thou forsakeneth?
TJM June 18, 2013 at 12:56 pm
I'm glad I live in the Town of Hempstead No new taxes in Four years. The streets are clean and theRead More storm drains work. I had aead tree replaced for $170.00 byb the town. Read and weep Long Beac
Charlie Cheswick June 18, 2013 at 03:13 pm
"Working" storm drains like the one between Regent & Greenway on Lido Blvd?
jacqueline gay June 16, 2013 at 08:06 pm
Thank you for your comments... still looking
Dr. Sidney A. Stiebel June 18, 2013 at 07:40 pm
Paninis & Bikinis may still be hiring.
jacqueline gay June 18, 2013 at 09:18 pm
Thank you Dr Steibel
Susie Pennachio June 15, 2013 at 09:13 am
yeeeepppp i always see people trying to get thru it or go around it to get onto the beach
Jaime Sumersille (Editor) June 15, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Thanks for the notice, Ally! I posted this on Facebook to make people aware! - Jaime Sumersille,Read More Regional Editor, Nassau County
RackEmUp Gomez June 14, 2013 at 03:55 pm
Those murderers from Boston were students, right? How about importing some kids from Brooklyn thatRead More need help? Lets stop being patsys.
Eddie June 14, 2013 at 07:55 pm
More Patch Spam. Look up any charity on GuideStar and see their tax return. Then you can decide ifRead More you want to support their executives with your contributions.