Redesign Of Suffolk Transit Bus System Proposed

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A redesign of the Suffolk County Transit bus system was unveiled on Wednesday by Executive Steve Bellone.

The plan is part of the county's Reimagine Transit Initiative, which is meant to make sure the county is making the best use of its resources and helping the community meet its goals and priorities, according to the county.

The redesign's goal is to restructure services to offer a more effective transit system in tune with new technologies and trends. A second goal is to identify opportunities for the use of new tools, like on-demand transit services.

“[The plan reflects one of the most impactful investments we can make as a County to improve economic opportunities for residents of Suffolk by providing a high-quality transit system that expands access to opportunity, and in turn, increases the economic competitiveness of our region,” Bellone said via news release. “Through the Reimagine Transit initiative, we are working to create a transportation network that is far more useful for residents, workers, and visitors.”

The roll-out is expected by summer.

The redesign offers more direct bus routes, and the average county resident would be able to reach 48 percent more employment centers and opportunities within an hour via transit compared to the current system. Low-income residents will have access to 59 percent more employment, residents without cars will have access to 53 percent more employment, and communities of color will have access to 67 percent more employment, according to the county.

The plan seeks to reverse declining ridership on Suffolk Transit over the past decade and reflects a public desire for a more ridership-oriented mass transit service that will provide improved reliability, more frequent rides, longer operating hours, full service on weekends, more direct routes, and timed connections to ensure shorter waits between transfers.

The timed transfers would happen at Brentwood, Bay Shore, Central Islip, Smith Haven Mall, Patchogue, and Riverhead. Schedules will also be refreshed to reflect current travel times for more reliable trip planning.

The county also launched an online interactive tool allowing residents to explore the new network, along with a survey to give feedback on the proposed plan. Residents can click here to view the survey.

The initiative began in September 2020 and is funded through a New York Metropolitan Transportation Council Unified Planning Work Program grant of $175,000.

Bellone in 2015 first launched his Connect Long Island Initiative, a regional transportation and development plan that promotes long-term economic growth in Suffolk through increased access and mobility by other means of transportation rather than driving. The plan supports investments in regional mass transit systems, such as the Long Island Rail Road, the implementation of new transit modes, the creation of transit-oriented developments, and the connection of these transit-oriented developments and downtown areas to major research and educational institutions.