LIT Commuter Bus Stays on Board in Glen Cove

Months of advocating by the Glen-Cove based Long Island Transit bus company and its supporters paid off on Tuesday night when the Glen Cove City Council approved a resolution that will give the company access to state subsidies.

The resolution allows Mayor Ralph Suozzi to enter into an agreement with Long Island Transit (LIT) which will allow them to participate in the Department of Transportation Statewide Mass Transit Operating Assistance (STOA) program, a subsidy program designed to encourage public transportation alternatives, when signed.  After the company is vetted, a formula based on ridership numbers will be used to calculate the amount of subsidies each quarter. 

“It is a win-win for all,” said Suozzi. “No cost to the city, collection of an administration fee, an additional escrow fee for an independent auditor and [Long Island Transit] can receive a subsidy that will help provide this welcomed service to Glen Cove and the North Shore communities who have come to rely on it.”

LIT – whose claim to fame is a direct ride to Wall Street – announced in February that it would be discontinuing commuter service from Glen Cove to Manhattan because of low ridership numbers. Concerned riders organized a campaign to save the company by contacting public officials and submitting a petition of over 300 names.

“As someone who used to take the LIRR but happily switched over to the bus, I save at least one hour a day and $1,200 per year by not taking the subway [to Wall Street],” said Susan Hoffman of Roslyn who helped organize the effort.

LIT General Counsel Eric Brodie attributed the low ridership to a bad economy and lack of publicity during the company’s fledgling years. Coupling an improved economy with the help of subsidies, he said LIT will be able to ramp up operations and increase ridership.

“With a lot of hard work on the part of Mayor Suozzi and Glen Cove’s City Council members it looks like we’ve turned a corner and have announced that LIT will continue to be able to run for the foreseeable future,” said Brodie.