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Andrew Cuomo

While New Yorkers Abandon the Bus, Cuomo Trumpets Frills No One Asked For

The Cuomo approach to transit policy: Grab attention for superficial upgrades like on-board USB ports while squandering opportunities for tangible service improvements.

The Andrew Cuomo approach to transit policy: Grab attention for superficial upgrades like on-board USB ports while squandering opportunities for tangible service improvements.

Andrew Cuomo must not think much of New York City bus riders. Today the governor trumpeted the arrival of new buses with onboard Wi-Fi and USB ports -- literally the last thing bus riders say they need.

Here's a partial list of improvements Cuomo could deliver that -- unlike USB ports -- would substantially boost bus travel times and reliability:

What Cuomo has done is stiff straphangers time and again, making a shell game of the MTA budget as fares keep rising.

People are abandoning the bus because Cuomo has allowed service to deteriorate and fares to rise. Happy talk and frills aren't going to bring them back.

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