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BOROUGH PRESIDENT'S STATEMENT ON THE PRESERVATION OF WEEKEND EXPRESS BUS SERVICE

“During these very difficult fiscal times, everybody is learning to do more with less. But some City services, like weekend express buses, are just too important to eliminate, and that is why I have been fighting so hard over the past couple of weeks to keep the buses rolling. While I would have preferred not having the fare raised, I want to commend Mayor Bloomberg for saving this vital public transportation option that thousands of Brooklynites rely upon every weekend to get into Manhattan. These express buses serve many areas where there are no subways or buses, so cutting this service would have been an incredibly painful financial burden for many Brooklynites on fixed incomes who depend on them to get to work, see a doctor or enjoy an afternoon in Manhattan. Previously, the fare was increased to $4, but later rolled back to $3. That certainly sets the precedent, once the City’s finances improve, to again lower the fare in the future. Also, if the MTA does take over the express bus service, I hope it considers expanding it to Sundays and the creation of new routes in underserved areas in Brooklyn. Thanks to the hard work of the riders who made their voices heard and all of Brooklyn’s elected officials who joined me in this fight, my New Year’s resolution that the express buses will once again be hitting the streets this Saturday in Brooklyn is going to come true.”