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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 342-04
December 08, 2004

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH FRANCHISE BUS OPERATOR

Agreement with Liberty Lines Express Expected to Close At the End of the Year

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Liberty Lines Express Inc. President Jerry D’Amore today announced an agreement regarding the acquisition of Liberty Lines Express by New York City. This agreement is the first between the City and the seven operators of franchise bus lines.  Under the agreement, the City will acquire all of the real and personal property of Liberty Lines Express, including the bus depot (consisting of parking facilities, an operations building and a maintenance building), equipment, vehicles and other assets used by Liberty Lines Express in its business for a total price of $15.2 million.  The agreement is expected to close by the end of the year.

“This agreement is the next step in the MTA’s providing bus service in the areas served by the private bus lines,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Having the MTA provide this service will ensure coordinated and modernized bus service for riders and better value through efficiencies and improved management for taxpayers.” 

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the City of New York relating to our Express bus service,” said Jerry D’Amore.  “We are now looking forward to a smooth transition of our service and our employees to the MTA.  We are disappointed that we will not be providing Liberty Lines Express bus service in the Bronx going forward, but we are very pleased that the interests of our employees will be protected and that the express bus service will continue.” 

“The MTA welcomes the opportunity to expand its services in the metropolitan region and it will ensure a seamless transition of express bus service for our new customers in the Bronx,” said MTA Chairman Peter S. Kalikow.

Liberty Lines Express currently operates 86 City-owned buses on seven express bus routes between the Bronx and Manhattan.  The MTA will provide service in the areas where Liberty Lines Express operated immediately upon closing of the sale transaction.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Jordan Barowitz   (212) 788-2958




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