AFTER SCHUMER’S PUSH, MTA WILL WAIVE B70 BUS FARE FOR VETERANS COMMUTING FROM STATEN ISLAND TO BROOKLYN VA HOSPITAL
With Manhattan VA Closed, Many Veterans Have Been Taking Three Buses from Staten Island to Travel to the Brooklyn VA Hospital; Vets Not Living in S53 Two- Fare Zone Pay Extra Fares
After Superstorm Sandy, Schumer Urged MTA to Waive B70 Bus Fare to Brooklyn VA Hospital for Vets; Schumer Lauds MTA's Responsiveness to SI Vets
Schumer Announces that MTA Will Allow Veterans on the B70 Bus to Ride Free to the Brooklyn VA Hospital
Last week, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will allow veterans a free transfer to the B70 bus from the S53 bus to provide access to the Brooklyn VA Hospital. After Superstorm Sandy, the Manhattan VA Hospital was forced to close and many veterans on Staten Island must utilize the Brooklyn facility for their medical needs. A trip from Staten Island to the Brooklyn VA Hospital may require at least three buses, and because the MTA only allows for one free transfer, many veterans were forced to pay extra fares. In early December, Schumer called on the MTA to waive the fee on the B70 bus, which connects the S53 bus line to the Brooklyn VA Hospital, so that veterans could commute to this hospital without facing additional economic hardships after Superstorm Sandy.
“After having gone through a difficult time on Staten Island, this is finally some good news. Our veterans sacrificed for this country and now many have been faced with additional hardships because of Superstorm Sandy’s impact on Staten Island,” said Schumer. “With the Manhattan VA closed, this free bus transfer will allow Staten Island vets a less costly commute to the Brooklyn VA Hospital to get the medical care they need. I am relieved that the MTA heeded my call and now these veterans can travel to their doctors without having to pay double the bus fare. The MTA were responsive, common sense and compassionate -- I applaud them for doing the right thing for our vets."
The Manhattan VA Medical Center was severely damaged after Superstorm Sandy. There was extensive damage to the electrical systems, building circuitry, heating, elevator and water pumping of the center and the date of reopening is unknown. There were 2,100 Staten Island veterans using the Manhattan VA Hospital before it closed. It is estimated that, with the closing of the Manhattan VA facility, nearly 6,000 veterans now travel from Staten Island to the Brooklyn VA Hospital.
There is no direct mode of public transportation from Staten Island to the Brooklyn VA Hospital. Many veterans must take at least three buses, including the S53 bus line which terminates at 92nd street and Gatling Place in Brooklyn. The B70 bus line connects the S53 bus with the Brooklyn VA Hospital. The MTA normally offers only one free transfer and because the Staten Island commute to the Brooklyn facility calls for at least two transfers, many veterans have been faced with paying $9 to $10 in fares for each round trip visit they make to the Brooklyn VA Hospital.
Schumer today announced that, after his push, the MTA will allow veterans a free ride on the B70 bus line to the Brooklyn VA Hospital so that they do not have to pay additional fares outside the two-fare zone. The MTA will add a free transfer to the B70 bus from the S53 bus to provide Staten Island veterans access to the Brooklyn VA Hospital without having to pay an additional fare. The change in fare box machines will allow a free transfer to and from any Staten Island bus route to the S53 and another free transfer to the B70 bus line. This transfer change will continue until the Manhattan VA Hospital reopens.
A copy of Schumer’s original letter can be found below:
December 3, 2012
Joseph J. Lhota
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
347 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017-3739
Dear Chairman Lhota,
I write to you today to urge you to accommodate Staten Island veterans who show valid identification with a complimentary ride on the B70 bus route to ensure easier access to the Brooklyn Campus of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System at this time. It is essential that the MTA do all that it can so that Staten Island veterans have an easier and less costly commute to receive the medical services they need.
The VA New York Healthcare System (VA NYHHS) has three campuses located in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn; the East Side of Manhattan; and in St. Albans, Queens. However, due to significant damage incurred during Superstorm Sandy, the VA’s Manhattan facility is currently closed. As a result, veterans who live in Staten Island must now travel to the VA campus in Brooklyn in order to receive necessary medical services. In doing so, many veterans face paying $9-10 in fares for each round trip visit they make to the Brooklyn campus.
It is estimated that nearly 6,000 veterans are currently traveling from Staten Island to the VA NYHHS in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. While the MTA offers one free transfer, many of these veterans must take at least three buses in order to reach the VA’s Brooklyn campus from Staten Island. In doing so, veterans must foot the bill for the extra transfer. By accommodating Staten Island veterans who show valid identification with a complimentary ride on the B70 bus route while the Manhattan campus is still closed, the MTA would be saving economically-strapped veterans much needed relief from the fare box.
Thank you for taking this request into consideration. If you have any additional questions or concerns, feel free to contact my staff at your earliest convenience at (202) 224-6542.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator