The last time Roosevelt Island residents saw a fare increase for the Red Bus was in June 1995 from a dime to a quarter. Before that it had been in May 1991 when the first fare of a dime was imposed ending years of free shuttle service.
According to Stephen Shane, President of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, there are no current plans to increase the existing 25 cent fare but the possibility has been discussed. In today’s economy and the announcements regarding the proposed MTA service cuts and fare hikes one wonders how long RIOC can manage to keep the current 25 cent fare.
Some New Yorkers have stated the MTA should change the fare system to be distance based like Washington D.C. I can only imagine residents in Northtown arguing that their Red Bus fares should be capped at a quarter with Octagon residents being charged 50 cents.
Except for the Staten Island Ferry the fare for our Red Bus is probably the cheapest mass transit fare in the Five Boroughs. Let’s hope it stays that way for a long time to come.
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I'd prefer to see quarter waived and metro cards accepted on them. It's absurd that it's not already.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see the fare increased to a Dollar or so (leave it at 25c for senior citizens). That should motivate some folks to walk and solve the overcrowding issue during rush hours. Oh, I can hear now the shouts that this will put the "rich" folks at the Octagon at an advantage (again!)
ReplyDeleteRe the Metrocard idea - I thought a dollar would be controversial but taking the bus via a Metrocard would raise the rate to $2.50 per fare. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteOUR RED BUSES ARE NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE PART OF ANY MTA SYSTEM. RIOC CAN CERTAINLY AFFORD TO KEEP THE $.25 CENT FARE THE WAY IT IS. WOULD BE NICE TO SEE EVERYONE PAY THEIR FARE SHARE -- DRIVERS FREQUENTLY WAVE PEOPLE ON WHO DO NOT PAY OR EVEN TRY TO.
ReplyDeleteTHE OCTOGONIANS SHOULD HAVE THEIR BUILDING OWNERS PAY RIOC FOR THEIR OWN BUSES, AND IT WOULD NOT HURT TO HAVE A NORTHBOUND OCTOGON EXPRESS FROM THE SUBWAY SO THE REST OF US CAN ACTUALLY GET ON A RED BUS AT THE END OF THE DAY.
It wouldn't raise the fare at all if you had an unlimited metro card. I believe it's the only public bus not on using the metro cards. It's inconvenient always having to grab spare change. I agree with Anonymous that more people should walk. Did you see the letter to the editor from the lazy person who was worried about express buses not stopping at the church? Seriously, it would be faster to walk to the subway than to sit there waiting for a bus.
ReplyDeleteI walk a lot - pushing a stroller (yes I am a breeder!) with two kids. Leave the bus at a quarter. Accepting Metrocards would be a good idea but doubtful I'll see that happen before I get off the island.
ReplyDeleteActually what would be useful would be posting a schedule for the bus as it never seems to be on one.
On the subject of red busses - what about using the 4 or 5 buses have been parked on Main St. near Manhattan park for the past few weeks? They'll deteriorate beyond use if they're just left out in the cold all winter. Does anyone know why they're just parked on the street?
ReplyDeleteAva - the reason why the buses are parked on Main Street is because the lot that is usually used to store and park RIOC equipment has been under construction for quite a while now (it's right behind Motorgate). Some of those buses have been out of commission for quite some time because they are broken beyond repair.
ReplyDeleteI think we Roosevelt Islanders are spoiled. As soon as it is just a little frosty outside people cram into the red bus at the tram and especially at the subway station. If the RIOC would raise the fare I am very sure most of those people will think twice if a 10 minute bus ride similar to being in a sardine can is any better than a 20 minute healthy walk. $1 is a fair amount to charge.
And to that dude whose caps lock key was stuck: I am very sure that Becker & Becker is paying the RIOC some sort of money for the Express service during rush hours.
Sarah: I agree with you that this whole crowded red bus issue being such a hot topic is ridiculous. Folks that complain that they don't get into the bus at the church stop are the best. What the hell happened to just walking? Sure, some people need the bus but most don't. Use an umbrella or a raincoat when it's raining.
Red bus sucks. It's rarely there when you need it. I walk from 30 River road to the train station at 8:30 AM and many times I am faster than the bus. Use your legs if you can. The crowd in the trains is enough.
ReplyDelete