STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After over a month of detoured buses as a result of repeated vandalism, Stapleton residents will soon see their routes return to their regularly scheduled service.
Starting Monday, Aug. 3, the S52, S74 and S78 will return to their regular routes following over a month of detours, an MTA source with knowledge of the situation confirmed.
In late June, the MTA detoured a handful of key bus lines -- the S51/81, S52, S74/84, S76/86 and S78 -- after a repeat offender within the service area continually vandalized MTA vehicles.
On July 14, the detours were reduced to three routes -- the S52, S74 and S78 -- and were adjusted to align more closely with the regular routes.
The prolonged detours sparked outrage from elected officials and community members alike, who described the move as “punitive” and “absolutely outrageous.”
“An entire community is being denied bus service by the MTA because of these unfortunate incidences,” Dow Kevin Buford, a resident of Stapleton, told the Advance last week. “This has taken place with no public notice, no public input, this is just something that the MTA decided to do.”
“Why should an entire community suffer because one person did something that was wrong? Because that’s exactly what is happening right now and it’s been going on for over a month,” he added.
Since then, the MTA has worked closely with the NYPD and Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore) to develop a plan in which the MTA Police Department and MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officers will work with the NYPD to safely restore the routes starting Monday, Aug. 3, according to an MTA source.
“After several one-on-one conversations with various parties, I convened a conference call Wednesday of all stakeholders, demanding that we work together toward a solution to restore all Stapleton bus routes while ensuring the safety of MTA drivers and passengers, following multiple incidents of rock throwing from one individual,” said Rose.
“We’re glad to be able to have the MTA Police and MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officers work with the NYPD to help provide a safe and secure environment for our bus operators and customers in Stapleton, and we’re grateful to the NYPD for arresting a serial attacker,” said Craig Cipriano, President of the MTA Bus Company and Senior Vice President of Buses for MTA New York City Transit.
On July 30, Johnny Ellison of Tompkins Avenue was arrested in relation to the repeated incidents of vandalism and was charged with criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, according to an NYPD spokesperson.
“These are not victimless crimes – our buses and paratransit vehicles carry people, including those with disabilities, whose personal safety is directly at risk by this individual. We’re lucky that this hasn’t resulted in a tragedy, and we can’t afford for there to be a ‘next time,‘” Cipriano added. “Prosecutors should treat this case as a grave public safety matter and ensure an effective remedy that stops a repeat offender from going through a revolving door and striking again.”
The return of regular service will be a welcome sight for Stapleton residents, many of whom have been forced to travel additional lengths to catch a bus during what’s been an incredibly warm summer.
“The pleas and demands of Stapleton bus riders have finally been heard. This detour was an extreme hardship on the residents in the Stapleton and Tompkinsville neighborhoods, punishing entire communities during a heat wave for the actions of one individual, who will be charged as a serial offender,” said Rose.
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Following month-long detours, Stapleton bus service to be restored Monday, Aug. 3 - SILive.com
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