The bright green flyers announcing “Petition Opposing New MTA Bus Route on Washington and Greenwich Streets” began appearing in the neighborhood after a March 7th CB2 meeting at which an MTA representative described the proposed new route.
The flyers listed the neighbors’ reasons for their objection to the plan and urged attendance at a meeting on March 21st when the full CB2 Board would vote on the Traffic and Transportation Committee’s response to the MTA’s proposal,
Prior to the Board’s vote on the 21st, several local residents took the microphone to elaborate on the drawbacks of trying to run buses on these narrow residential streets, where rush hour traffic congestion is already a problem. They also pointed out that, in view of its proximity to the northbound #20 and #11 routes, the proposed addition seemed redundant. It was noted, too, that in view of the recent extensive cuts in the MTA’s bus services, their proposal was somewhat oddly timed, but did present an opportunity for CB2 to try, yet again, to persuade the MTA to restore weekend service on the #M8 Crosstown.
Following the discussion, the Traffic and Transportation Committee’s Resolution was amended slightly to reflect the speakers’ comments, and the Board voted to pass it, 35 to 1, with 1 abstention.
The next step in the process will be a public hearing held by the MTA/NYCTransit, the date for which has yet to be announced.
