Westchester County Government is “recycling” its old buses to help save taxpayer dollars.

    “This is yet another element of our shared services program,” said County Executive Andy Spano, referring to the county’s program to share services with local governments, schools and other districts to save taxpayer money.  “We have identified 57 used shuttle and ParaTransit vans to give to local governments and districts to save them money.  The vans are done with their life as transit vehicles but now we have found a second use for them.”

    These vans will be used by local recreation departments, fire departments, police agencies and senior programs. This is an expansion of a program begun in 2004, in which the used vans were leased to communities.  

The following are communities with pending van sales:

Bedford
Buchanan PD
Eastchester EMS
Elmsford
Greenburgh PD
Greenburgh (Library)
Irvington PD
Mamaroneck Village PD
Mount Vernon
Mount Kisco

New Rochelle
New Rochelle PD
North Castle PD
Pelham (Town)
Port Chester PD
Pleasantville
Rye (Town)
Tarrytown
Yonkers PD
Yorktown PD

Briarcliff Manor FD
Dobbs Ferry
Dutchess County (3 vans)
Eastchester
Greenburgh
Greenburgh PD (2 vans)
Lewisboro
Mamaroneck Town
Mamaroneck Village
Mamaroneck Village PD
Mount Vernon (2 vans)
Mount Vernon FD
Mount Vernon PD
New Castle
New Rochelle
New Rochelle FD

New Rochelle PD
Ossining – Town
Peekskill
Port Chester
Port Chester FD
Pound Ridge
Sleepy Hollow
Somers
Tarrytown PD
Verplanck FD
White Plains FD
White Plains PD
Yonkers PD
Yonkers FD
Yorktown

    This is one in a series of initiatives that Westchester County government has implemented to reduce the costs shouldered by local governments and districts.  Last July, the county promoted cooperative buying by procurement officers of local governments interested in getting the best deals offered to the county. The county designated a “shared services coordinator” to continue to explain the procurement process.  It also provides training and information to those agencies that wish to generate the sale of surplus property.

    The county’s shared services program also provides free use of its mobile shredder, access to minority and women-owned businesses and many other services.
For more information, visit www.westchestergov.com/sharedservices.

        Westchester County’s Transportation Commissioner Lawrence Salley will say that Westchester opposes a plan that calls for the MTA to operate the county’s Bee-Line Bus System tomorrow when he speaks at a forum sponsored by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and Regional Plan Association.

        Salley is scheduled to speak before the regional transportation planning group at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 13) at the Radisson Hotel in New Rochelle.

        “Consolidation into a Regional Bus Authority will cost Westchester taxpayers more and give our riders less,’’ said Salley. “We agree with many of the points in the Ravitch Commission report: that there should be more resources for bus services outside New York City and that those services should be better coordinated. We already share services with the MTA such as the MetroCard fare collection system and inter-system transfers. But consolidation of services will not be cheaper, nor will it be more efficient, and it certainly won’t be in the best interest of Westchester riders.’’

        Salley said that contrary to some interpretations, the county does not believe that the Ravitch Commission Report calls for mandatory consolidation of local bus services into a single operating agency. He also disputed claims that there is feuding between counties over transportation funding and that a Regional Bus Authority would solve this problem as well as result in a more efficient and modern bus system.

        “Our system is better maintained, our fleet newer and our buses more technologically and environmentally advanced than those run by the MTA,’’ said Salley. “As far as feuding with other counties over funding, that is just not true. Westchester simply wants parity with Nassau when it comes to funding its bus system.’’

        The Bee-Line Bus System, with 32 million riders annually, has 66 bus routes from the Bronx to Putnam County line as well as an express service to lower Manhattan.

        Salley said the county is not philosophically opposed to most of the recommendations made in the Ravitch commission report, which advocates for better coordination and more funding for regional systems.

        “We just do not believe that eliminating local control is in the best interest of our riders or that the MTA can operate a local system more efficiently or cost effectively that we can,’’ said Salley.

To underscore his argument,
Salley made the following points:

• Westchester already shares services with the MTA and could expand those to include other areas such as joint procurement of buses and other equipment.

• MTA operation would be less efficient and data indicates that costs would rise with consolidation. In 2007, the Bee-Line’s cost per mile was $9.80, the lowest among Metropolitan Area operators (Bee-Line, MTA Bus, Long Island Bus and NYCTA). In the three years following the 2006 MTA takeover of seven New York City private bus operators, the combined operating deficit rose from $223 million a year to a projected $341 million for 2009.

• Safety would be potentially compromised since the MTA is not required to meet higher safety standards required by the NYS Department of Transportation. Bee-line has ranked number one in the metropolitan area in maintenance and employee safety training.

• A regional bus system would hamper Westchester’s ability to use buses to help evacuate residents in the event of a natural or man-made disaster such as an incident at the Indian Point Nuclear Power plant.

          In a continuing effort to make Westchester County Airport more environmentally friendly, the county today unveiled some of the 25 all-electric ground vehicles that are replacing motorized vehicles at the airport.

           County Executive Andy Spano was joined by New York Power Authority President and CEO Richard M. Kessel and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Vice President Robert G. Callender Wednesday to demonstrate the new vehicles and their recharging stations.

      “This is just another step in our program to make the airport and all our facilities more environmentally friendly in keeping with my policy to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions to fight global warming,’’ said Spano. “Not only will these new electric vehicles reduce noise and air pollution, but they will save us about $200,000 a year in fuel costs.’’
            In 2004, Westchester’s Airport’s Environmental Management System was among only three airports nationwide to be certified to the ISO14001 standard by an independent auditor. This means that the day-to-day management of the county’s airport meets an international standard for good environmental practices.

           The county has already received delivery on nine of the 25 vehicles, which include baggage and aircraft tractors, water trucks and baggage belt loaders. The $2.47 million cost for the new vehicles was paid for with assistance from the New York State Department of Transportation and a Federal Aviation Administration grant designed to encourage airports to voluntarily reduce emissions. Seed money for consultation to help obtain the grant and support was given by NYSERDA and the NYPA.
          “Westchester has been a valued partner in completing this project, which is another step in the state’s efforts toward reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions and enhancing energy security under Governor Paterson. Both are top priorities of the Governor to promote a clean energy economy,” said Kessel.
           Robert G. Callendar of NYSERDA, who also attended the event, said, “Today’s announcement reflects a successful partnership between NYSERDA, NYPA, and Westchester Airport officials in advancing Governor Paterson’s environmental and clean energy goals,” said Robert G. Callender, NYSERDA vice president for programs. 

“By leveraging federal dollars with technical experts and resources, tremendous environmental benefits will be realized.” 
          Robert G. Callendar of NYSERDA, who also attended the event, said, “Today’s announcement reflects a successful partnership between NYSERDA, NYPA, and Westchester Airport officials in advancing Governor Paterson’s environmental and clean energy goals,” said Robert G. Callender, NYSERDA vice president for programs.  “By leveraging federal dollars with technical experts and resources, tremendous environmental benefits will be realized.” 

         Westchester County is one of only nine airports nationwide to take advantage of the Federal Aviation Administration’s VALE program or Voluntary Airport Low Emissions program which is designed to encourage airports to reduce polluting emissions.
           The vehicles purchased by the airport include three Lektro aircraft tow tractors, nine Charlatte baggage tractors, five Charlatte baggage belt loaders, four stair trucks and four lavatory/water trucks. All 25 electric vehicles are powered by Deka industrial batteries and 13 advanced Minit-Charger fast charge stations.

Spano said that the latest vehicle purchase was part of a larger environmental management system at the airport, which strives to make sure that operations meet the highest environmental standards. He said the airport decided to purchase the new vehicles after its Environmental Management System determined that the gas and diesel-powered vehicles were the second largest contributors to air pollution there.

      “This new program is one of the many things we do to make sure we are good neighbors and good environmental steward,’’ said Spano.

           A spokesman for the FAA, which did not attend the press conference, praised the county for its participation in the VALE program.

          "Westchester County has demonstrated its commitment in helping improve the environment in the New York Metropolitan Area by its participation in the VALE program," said Pearlis Johnson, acting regional administrator of FAA's Eastern Region. "We would strongly encourage other eligible airports to join Westchester County in this innovative environmental program."

      Westchester County Executive Andy Spano today called on Congress to help mass transit as it works on a bailout of the country’s automakers.

       In a letter to Westchester’s Congressional delegation, Spano argued that thousands of Metro North and Bee-Line bus riders will be hurt by the 23 percent increase in fares proposed by the Metropolitan Transit Authority. He added that the federal government could help the environment not only by holding automakers to higher manufacturing standards, but by keeping fares down to encourage the use of mass transit.

         “We are all aware of the environmental benefits of mass transit and how much fuel and carbon emissions are offset by those who use it,’’ said Spano in the letter. “ It stands to reason that as Congress decides whether to bailout the auto industry, that it take a long and hard look to see what dollars can be identified to help mass transit and the millions who use it.  If $25 billion can be found to ensure the auto industry is preserved and the assembly lines are kept running, then unquestionably the same effort can be applied to those who travel via our rails and buses.’’

       MTA officials are scheduled to address the county’s Board of Legislators on Monday about the proposed fare increase and its impact on county riders. The county estimates more than 32 million people ride the Bee-Line each year. Another 81 million Westchester residents ride Metro North each year.

     “It seems ironic that at a time when we are trying to encourage people to use mass transit that we continue to ask the riders to bear more cost and inconvenience,’’ said Spano. “Rather than find new ways to create incentives to choose mass transit, service cuts and fare increases only punish the very users who responsibly look to it as an alternative to the automobile.’’

Montefiore Medical Center has responded to County Executive Andy Spano’s call for businesses to do their part to stop global warming – and on Thursday he will join employees and hospital officials as they kick off their effort.

The medical center has challenged its employees at the South Westchester Executive Park Yonkers location to carpool or take public transit for 12 weeks, beginning Nov. 24.  About 70 are expected to participate.

A kick off rally will take place Thursday at 100 Corporate Blvd., Conference Room 111A & 111B, Yonkers, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Spano will join Montefiore Vice President Steve Rosenthal to launch the “Go Green” effort at 10 a.m.

“I commend Montefiore for this effort to get its employees to be part of the grassroots effort to reduce our carbon footprint. Every one of us must do our part,” said Spano, who earlier this year released a comprehensive Global Warming Action plan for Westchester that involves all sectors: individuals, businesses, schools, governments, non profits.

Commented Rosenthal, “We are excited to be a leader in this effort to reduce our carbon foot-print, and the commute challenge enhances our other ongoing ‘Go Green’ agenda.

The commute challenge calls for employees to agree to “go green” in their commute at least two days a week for 12 weeks. Green commute means using public transit, carpooling, vanpooling, biking or walking.

Montefiore is the first business to take up the challenge  guided by Westchester County’s SMART COMMUTE Program. Others are expected to join up as the program is brought to other work sites.

At the end of the challenge, Montefiore hospital will be able to capture the total vehicle miles reduced as well as the carbon emission saved by this effort.

The hospital’s employee population at the Yonkers location is expected to increase to over 1,000 by early 2009, and the county’s Bee-Line is looking at ways to improve transit connection to this high density worksite.

The county’s Global Warming Action Plan available at www.westchestergov.com/globalwarming details what Westchester institutions and residents can do to meet the worldwide challenge of climate change.

The holidays will soon be upon us and that means a lot of people will be heading out of town. If you’re flying out of Westchester County Airport for this holiday season, get a ride. Don’t drive. With more flights to popular destinations than ever before and with thousands of people traveling in these next few weeks, there are simply not enough parking spaces for everyone.

           County Executive Andy Spano said, “Flying out of the county airport is such a breeze for both vacationers and business travelers. But because the holidays are traditionally the busiest time of year for air travel, there’s just not enough parking at the county airport to accommodate our passengers. Even under the best of circumstances, parking there is limited.  If you want the best traveling experience and want to be assured you won’t miss your flight, I strongly suggest you get a ride to the airport. Don’t drive.”

Last year, a cell phone waiting area was added to accommodate those passengers who get a ride to and from the airport. Now, motorists meeting arriving passengers can wait there until passengers call to say they are ready to be picked up at terminal curbside. The area has an electronic sign giving airline arrival times.

Spano said the cell phone lot not only gives motorists a convenient place to wait for passengers, it will also stop motorists from having to circle around the airport waiting for their passengers to arrive.

 “The cell phone waiting area has been a big help, but it’s still not enough,” Spano said. “The best advice is to plan ahead how you will get to the airport, get there early and expect longer than usual lines at security.”

Spano urged travelers to try AirLink, the bus service that was introduced about 18 months ago. The route runs between downtown White Plains and the airport. AirLink service departs from the White Plains Metro-North Railroad Station and the White Plains Bus Terminal for the airport approximately every 30 minutes, weekdays between 6:37 a.m. and 9:04 p.m.   Buses from the airport depart on a similar schedule between 7:11 a.m. and 9:36 p.m.  On Saturdays, Sundays and most holidays, AirLink service begins and ends at approximately the same times. More than 40,000 passengers  have used AirLink since the service began.

For information on parking alternatives, travelers can visit www.westchestergov.com/airport or call 914-995-RIDE.

Westchester County was recognized this week as a Clean Air Champion by the New York State Department of Transportation in its Clean Air NY initiative, in part because of its effort to encourage the use of mass transit and shared rides.

Clean Air NY is a collaboration of organizations and individuals in the New York metro area who are taking actions to improve air quality.

“The county is proud to lead by example, and is therefore encouraging county employees to use mass transit where possible,” said Spano. “Employees who have no easy access to mass transit can use the ride-share services of NuRide and Easy Street for carpooling and vanpooling.”

Clean Air Champions agree to notify employees on Air Quality Action Days and take additional steps to make a greater impact in improving air quality.  People are encouraged to combine errands into one trip, utilize mass transit, bike, walk, or share a ride by carpooling to work. These conscious adjustments in everyday travel will help make New York’s air quality cleaner and healthier.

Westchester County’s SMART COMMUTE program, in collaboration with MetroPool, a local non-profit transportation management organization that offers ride-sharing and other commute options, has been helping county employees and businesses ease their commute.  In an effort to expand the program, the county recently launched the Green Commuting program to help people make small changes in commuting behavior to help improve air quality and reduce the carbon footprint.

The county’s Global Warming Action Plan available at www.westchestergov.com/globalwarming details what Westchester can do to meet the worldwide challenge of climate change.  It suggested that the county, municipalities, businesses, schools, and households become a part of this Clean Air NY initiative.

For information the county’s SMART COMMUTE program, please call (914) 813-7741 or go to www.westchestergov.com/smartcommute.  For more information on Clean Air NY champion, please call 877-456-8247 or visit CleanAirNY.org.