Mayor Bloomberg signed a bill yesterday to extend contracts of seven private bus companies that primarily serve the outer boroughs.
Bloomberg wants the Metropolitan Transit Authority to take over those heavily subsidized routes, but the MTA is resisting because of the estimated $100-million-a-year price.
“I’m hopeful that such a successful arrangement can be reached,” Bloomberg said.
“In the interim, signing this legislation will enable the city to continue uninterrupted bus service for the nearly 395,000 daily passengers,” he added.
“I just want to thank the mayor for ensuring the ridership in the city that uses the private bus lines will not have to worry,” said Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-Queens).
Councilman John Liu (D-Queens), chairman of the Transportation Committee, urged the mayor to hasten the transfer.
Bloomberg said talks with the MTA are progressing but they have resource problems.
“The big issues here are pension liabilities that have been accrued over the years that nobody wants to take on,” Bloomberg said.