FAQs

Why did MetroCard® fares go up?

The MetroCard fares increased by 25 cents on March 3, 2013. For information regarding this change, please go to the Fares and Passes page of this website, under Passenger Information.

Where can I get updates and additional information?

The best place for information is this web site. We will continue to provide updates here as they are available and will provide as much detail as possible in a timely fashion. You can pick up new schedules for all routes on the bus you normally ride or in transit centers. In addition, we plan to make information available through flyers, posters, advertising in the buses, news articles, public meetings and other means. You can also call the Travel Information Center at 516.228.4000 from 7am to 5pm.

Why is Veolia replacing the MTA to operate Long Island Bus?

Nassau County decided that instead of having a county-wide bus system that is operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, it preferred to operate its own system. To support that approach, about a year ago the county began the process of identifying a transportation management company that had significant experience in working with municipal governments to run their transit systems. Veolia was selected as part of this process. Veolia brings private sector innovation, significant experience operating transit systems in other markets, proprietary technology and cost-saving techniques that will benefit both bus riders and taxpayers.

When will Veolia Transportation begin operating Long Island Bus?

The MTA will continue to operate the Long Island Bus system through midnight on December 31, 2011, at which time Veolia will assume responsibility. Veolia was selected by Nassau County to operate the bus and paratransit system under a five-year contract, with a five-year renewal at the conclusion of the initial contract.

Will I notice any changes to the Able-Ride Paratransit Program beginning Jan. 1, 2012?

The Able-Ride service area will remain the same through 2014 even if fixed route bus service changes. This is a contractual guarantee and is a very important aspect of the signed contract between Nassau County and Veolia Transportation. It was agreed to and approved by the Nassau County Legislature on December 12, 2011. This means that Able-Ride passengers can be assured that the service area will not be decreased for 36 full months.

It is the intention of the County and Veolia to preserve this service area even beyond this three-year time commitment, and all parties are committed to trying to find the funding to do so. We look forward to working with the Accessibility Advisory Committee and leaders and members of the disabled community to ensure excellent service and open lines of communication.

Who is Veolia Transportation?

Veolia Transportation is the largest private sector manager and operator of public transportation systems in North America. It manages transit operations under more than 200 contracts in the U.S. and Canada for bus, rail, paratransit, shuttle, and other modes. Locations include Boston, where it has operated the suburban rail system for more than eight years and New Orleans where it helped restore the bus system after it was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Others include Denver, San Diego, Phoenix, Baltimore, and suburban systems near Washington D.C., Atlanta and Toronto. Through effective scheduling, service design, advanced technology, fuel efficiency, bulk purchasing, centralized administration, and other advantages, we can operate more efficiently than municipal authorities. We bring best practices from operating similar bus and paratransit systems across North America.

Is Long Island Bus being privatized?

No. This is actually a public-private operating partnership, a hybrid approach that brings the best of both public and private sectors. Under this arrangement, the county will still own all the assets (buses, garages, transit centers, equipment, etc.), receive all the Federal and State transportation grant funds that it did previously, and retain ultimate policy control over fares and service levels. Veolia, as the experienced transit operator, brings expertise, technology and business processes gained from operating bus systems like this all over the world.

What did Veolia do to prepare for the transition?

Successfully transitioning a large, complex bus system like Long Island Bus to meet the goals of the Nassau County-Veolia partnership is no small task. For the past several months, Veolia has mobilized dozens of Veolia transportation experts from many disciplines, from across the country to prepare to execute this transition from the MTA.. Since early summer, our highly skilled professionals have been involved in learning every detail about Long Island Bus and the needs of its riders in order to plan for a smooth transition and successful future for the system.

What is the advantage of Veolia operating Long Island Bus?

Veolia brings over 100 years of experience in public transportation. We will be a partner to Nassau County and its customers, working together to build the system of the future. As many customers are aware, the MTA announced last year that they would have to make major service cuts as a result of the deficit faced by Nassau County. Veolia's biggest advantage is that we will do more with less. While we still expect that at times there will be some difficult decisions in the areas of service delivery and route performance because of the County's constrained financial resources, one of the biggest benefits Veolia brings is our experience and expertise. We will work closely with the County and passengers use the available funds in the best ways to maximize available service, and meet the needs of passengers to the fullest possible extent.