MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES EXPRESS BUS FARE REDUCTION FROM $4.00 TO $3.00 AS PART OF "ONE CITY, ONE FARE -- ONE METROCARD" PROGRAM
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced the start of the Administration's "One City, One Fare -- One MetroCard" program, as the basic fare on all City-subsidized express bus routes franchised by the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) will be reduced from $4.00 to $3.00 per trip. Effective March 1, 1998, riders will be able to use MetroCard Gold to travel at this discounted rate. Joining the Mayor at today's press conference was Queens Borough President Claire Shulman and the Administrative Vice President of Queens Surface Corporation, Peter K. Greenberg.
This initiative, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) plan for its express bus service, saves average riders of seven bus companies -- Command Bus Company, Green Bus Lines, Jamaica Buses, Liberty Lines Express, New York Bus Service, Queens Surface, and Triboro Coach Corporation -- $500 a year. These companies, with over 45,000 riders daily, provide more than two-thirds of the City's express bus service, serving every borough except Staten Island.
"Today, I am happy to announce the start of our "One City, One Fare -- One MetroCard" initiative," Mayor Giuliani said. "The fare on all express bus services franchised by the City's Department of Transportation will be reduced from $4.00 to $3.00. These express buses are an essential component of our City's mass transit system, providing a convenient means of travel for more than 45,000 riders daily. Now, as part of our "One City, One Fare -- One MetroCard" program, this reduction will further make mass transit more attractive and affordable as more New Yorkers will save money in their daily commute."
Currently, express bus riders of the NYCDOT-franchised companies are able to purchase a 10-trip Travel Card for $35.00, or $3.50 per ride. Commuters who use the MetroCard Gold pay $4.00 per ride, but get a free transfer to other buses and subways. Starting March 1, 1998, with the new fare reduction, the seven City-subsidized operators will have the same express bus fare policy as MTA New York City Transit, thereby helping to ensure a seamless transportation system.
To accommodate this fare reduction, the red and white Travel Cards will be discontinued. Riders can purchase a special $30 Express Bus MetroCard Gold by mail that offers the same benefits as the regular MetroCard Gold sold at subway stations and retail outlets throughout the City. The new Express Bus MetroCard Gold will give users the same free bus-to-subway transfer privileges as the regular MetroCard Gold, along with a bonus value of 11 trips for the price of ten.
In addition, the half-fare program for senior citizens and disabled persons will remain in effect during the same schedule of off-peak hours, but the express bus fare will now decrease from $2.00 to $1.50.
For more information about the rules and restrictions concerning MetroCard Gold, riders can call MTA New York City Transit at (212) 638-7622 or call NYCDOT at 212-CALL-DOT.
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