Veolia contract unanimously approved

In a late-night session Monday evening, the Nassau County Legislature unanimously approved a contract with Veolia Transportation Inc. to take over operation of Long Island Bus. The decision came after hundreds voiced their concerns about the contract at a Dec. 5 public hearing.

Veolia will take over operation of the bus system, which will run under the name Nassau Inter-County Express, NICE, as of Jan. 1.

County Executive Edward Mangano, a Republican from Bethpage, praised the Legislature’s bipartisan effort to ensure that bus service would continue next year. “Nassau’s public-private partnership with Veolia symbolizes a new, smarter and more efficient way of providing services in Nassau County,” Mangano said in a statement. “I want to thank Presiding Officer [Peter] Schmitt and Minority Leader [Kevan] Abrahams for their tireless efforts to strengthen this contract.”

The new contract will maintain the current fare, $2.25, in the first year of service; after Veolia’s first year under the contract, all rate hikes would need unanimous approval by the five-member Transit Committee. The committee, which is yet to be formed, will comprise five members of transit professionals appointed by the county executive. The contract will also maintain Able-Ride service through 2014.

Throughout last week’s public hearing on the contract, many expressed concern that the contract would give too much control to the county. Abrahams and his fellow Democrats expressed similar concerns throughout contract negotiations. The revised contract accounted for some of those considerations.

Under the contract, the Transit Committee will be required to hold public hearings on proposed route and fare changes before moving forward. Riders will also have the chance to evaluate Veolia’s performance on an annual scorecard. The survey will allow riders to rate time performance, service reliability, missed trips and bus cleanliness.