Comptroller report slams MTA bus service

<p>A new report by the New York City comptroller is slamming MTA bus service, one that happens to already be the slowest in the country.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 28, 2017, 1:00 AM

Updated 2,566 days ago

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A new report by the New York City comptroller slams MTA bus service, which happens to already be the slowest in the country.
The report by Comptroller Scott Stringer notes that the Bronx is home to one of the slowest average bus speeds at 6.5 mph. Stringer's report also says New York City is home to close to 6,000 buses, more than 300 routes and more than 15,000 stops - all serving 2 million passengers every day.
MTA buses have lost 100 million passenger trips since 2008, according to the comptroller. Stringer says bus ridership is plummeting because of deteriorating service, putting the blame on what he says are long, unreliable, confusing, congested and poorly connected routes.
In a statement, the MTA responded to Stringer's report by saying, "Traffic congestion and New York City's consistent inability to manage traffic flow and enforce existing traffic laws on its streets is killing our bus service and hurting bus riders."
The MTA also says it is the city government's responsibility to enforce laws prohibiting cars from blocking bus lanes. The agency says its fleet is quickly getting younger with brand-new buses, calling its current fleet the most reliable and advanced in recent history.
One of Stringer's suggestions for improved service is increasing the frequency of buses in off-peak hours.