Suffolk pols: Ramp up East End bus service

Saying the East End's economy needs seven-day-a-week public transportation, two Suffolk legislators will introduce a bill Tuesday to provide Sunday bus service on two routes that cover the North and South forks.

"The economy of the East End is built on a seven-day workweek," said Southold Supervisor Scott A. Russell, who along with Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter, a fellow Republican, came to a local bus stop with the county legislators Friday to support the bill. "Our businesses need workers to get there . . . this is a big, important step in the right direction."

Currently, no bus service is offered in Suffolk on Sundays, and only limited service is available on Saturdays. Edward P. Romaine (R-Center Moriches), one of the legislators introducing the bill, said no railroad service is offered on weekends on the North Fork.

Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk), a co-sponsor, said that even the limited service available was hard to use. One Riverhead woman who came to his office in Sag Harbor told him that she had to pay $45 for a cab, because her bus was late. "That was her food money," he said. The proposed bill also provides for special buses for people with disabilities on Sundays, with the new service expected to begin by July 3.

The two lawmakers tried late last year to add Sunday service for a dozen routes countywide, which would have been paid for by adding 50 cents to the current $1.50 fare. But it was vetoed by County Executive Steve Levy, who said the increase would not pay for the service. There was not enough support in the legislature to override Levy's veto because several western Suffolk lawmakers said riders in their districts would have to pay but get no extra service.

"I can't argue with that," Schneiderman said. He said the new proposal would add 50 cents only to the riders on Suffolk's two East End routes. He said it would raise about $300,000 a year -- enough to pay for the new service.

"I'd give them an extra dollar," said Diana Brown, 25, of Mastic, as she waited for a bus by the Riverhead County Center. "On Sunday, I have to ask someone for a ride."

Natasha Laird, 25, of Mastic, also was waiting for a bus. "I don't like to take the bus. It's a long process. But, it takes you where you want to go," she said. "Cabs can be very expensive."

The bus they were waiting for, the S-92, runs in a long loop starting in Orient, going through Riverhead, and ending up in East Hampton after a side trip to Sag Harbor. The first bus to make the full trip starts in East Hampton at 7:35 a.m. and arrives in Orient at 9:55 a.m.

Schneiderman said about 70,000 people a year ride the S-92, making it one of the busiest bus routes in Suffolk.