In May , the DOT will seek Community Board 4’s support to make permanent Megabusinterim permit at 41st Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. But what started as a quality of life issue, is rapidly evolving into a much serious question: Are these buses safe?
Community Board 4 Transportation Committee, Megabus – 41st Stret Curbside Permit
Wednesday, May 16th, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Holland House, 351 W 42nd Street, Piano Room
In addition to using buses with illegal weight, Megabus NorthEast has a poor driver safety record : on a scale where 1 is the best and 99 is the worst , Megabus ranks 74.5 in driver safety on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Measurement System. The main reason for this poor ranking is the numerous citations for speeding at more that 15 miles per hour above the speed limit. In fact Megabus is flagged for possible intervention by the Federal Administration.
CHEKPEDS requested that a hearing be held at the Transportation Committee of the City Council . Megabus has taken a dim view of the request and sent an accusatory letter. You can see our response here which gives our sources.
In october 2011 The NTSB published a report on Curbside MotorCoach Safety showing that these types of buses, which typically pick up passengers curbside rather than at a bus station, are seven times more likely to be involved in deadly crashes than traditional terminal bus lines. One of the major contributing factors in these crashes, the NTSB ruled, was speed. “(Buses) pose a high risk of death and injury to occupants of passenger vehicles involved in collisions with them due to the disparity in size and weight; speeding makes that risk even greater,” the report states. Sign the Petition .
These buses are inexpensive and afford travel opportunities to people that would not otherwise be able to travel, but does this justify ignoring the risks? Can you imagine the uproar if the low cost cars were seven times more likely to be involved in deadly crashes? Sign the Petition .
Long Distance discount bus operator Megabus continues to obstruct our sidewalks. With the nice weather the crowds swell on sidewalks with no space left for pedestrians. Their three month interim permit is up for renewal this month and DOT will consult with the Community Board before doing so. Mark your calendar to speak up at the Community Board Transportation Committee.