File #: Res 1600-2012    Version: * Name: Install bus arrival time displays in bus shelters using data from the MTA’s Bus Time technology.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Transportation
On agenda: 12/10/2012
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Department of Transportation, and Cemusa to work together to install bus arrival time displays in bus shelters using data from the MTA’s Bus Time technology.
Sponsors: Brad S. Lander, Sara M. Gonzalez, Deborah L. Rose, Stephen T. Levin, Vincent Ignizio, Vincent J. Gentile, Gale A. Brewer, Margaret S. Chin, Mathieu Eugene, Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, Letitia James, G. Oliver Koppell, Karen Koslowitz, Rosie Mendez, Albert Vann, Jumaane D. Williams, Jessica S. Lappin, Ydanis A. Rodriguez
Council Member Sponsors: 18
Res. No. 1600
 
 
Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Department of Transportation, and Cemusa to work together to install bus arrival time displays in bus shelters using data from the MTA's Bus Time technology.
 
 
By Council Members Lander, Gonzalez, Rose, Levin, Ignizio, Gentile, Brewer, Chin, Eugene, Ferreras, James, Koppell, Koslowitz, Mendez, Vann, Williams, Lappin and Rodriguez   
      Whereas, In July 2005, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded a franchise to Cemusa, a Spanish street furniture company, to design, manufacture, install, and maintain the City's street furniture, including bus shelters, at no cost to the City; and
      Whereas, In exchange, the City allows Cemusa to sell advertising space on the structures within clearly defined limits; and
      Whereas, In 2011, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) introduced Bus Time in Staten Island and plans to have it in operation in all five boroughs by the end of 2013; and
      Whereas, Bus Time provides real-time information about bus arrival time and location to customers via text messages, smart phones, and the Internet using GPS technology and continuously updated information from the MTA; and
      Whereas, The Bus Time system cannot be utilized by bus riders, particularly many senior citizens, who do not have cell phones; and
      Whereas, Bus arrival time displays were in operation at bus shelters serving the M34 and M16 lines along 34th Street in Manhattan as recently as February 2011, but their use was officially discontinued by the MTA in April 2012 when it transitioned to the new Bus Time system; and      
      Whereas, According to testimony given by the MTA at a joint hearing of the Council's Committees on Transportation and Technology on October 24, 2012, the widespread introduction of bus arrival time displays in bus shelters would need to be accomplished through negotiations between DOT and Cemusa, since the current contract does not specify the terms of the installation of such displays; and
      Whereas, Other major cities, including Albany, Boston, Syracuse, Washington, DC and Paris, utilize electronic displays to inform passengers of bus arrival times; now, therefore, be it
      Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Department of Transportation, and Cemusa to work together to install bus arrival time displays in bus shelters using data from the MTA's Bus Time technology.
LS#4177
12/5/2012
JM