Shortage of Bus Drivers Continues
Libery Line Bus Company, operator of the Bee-Line Bus Service for Westchester County, announced last week that it was reducing its trips and rides by 5% as a result of a 24% reduction in ridership since the pandemic. The reduced ridership is part of a national trend by many workers who have decided to stay home and not return to work.
Before the pandemic, the Bee-Line Bus Service had a weekday ridership of 85,000. In 2021, the number is closer to 65,000. The result has been a 5% reduction in service, with cuts to some routes, mainly in southern Westchester, where most of the buses operate. The cuts were made “in areas where it will have the least impact on ridership.”
The full statement reads, “Liberty Lines is launching the Choice Transportation Bus Schedule on Monday, October 11, 2021, in order to better meet the needs of Bee-Line passengers and provide dependable service.
The Bee-Line bus system is currently experiencing a reduction in ridership due to the pandemic. As ridership levels increase service levels will be reevaluated. The modified schedule will remain in effect for the remainder of the year. Saturday and Sunday service will remain on regular schedule and Paratransit service will not be impacted or modified.
Liberty Lines, like other transit operators nationwide, is also actively recruiting bus drivers. To find out more about working for Liberty Lines please visit our website at www.libertylines.com or calI (9l4) 969-6900. For a full list of the service changes please visit www.westchestergov.com/beelinebus.”
During the pandemic in 2020 ridership on mass transit across the country dropped by 75%. Ridership has returned to some extent but not to pre-pandemic levels.
Many bus drivers have also chosen not to return to work, resulting in a national shortage of bus drivers, including in Westchester where Liberty Lines has reported some driver shortages and school districts are also looking for school bus drivers.
About 15% of Westchester households do not have a car and require the Bee-Line buses or Metro-North, or taxi to get around the county.
Liberty Lines Modified Service Announcement
Liberty Lines is launching the CHOICE TRANSPORTATION BUS SCHEDULE on Monday, October 11, 2021, in order to better meet the needs of Bee-Line passengers and provide dependable service.
The Bee-Line bus system is currently experiencing a reduction in ridership due to the pandemic. As ridership levels increase service levels will be reevaluated. The modified schedule will remain in effect for the remainder of the year. Saturday and Sunday service will remain on regular schedule and Paratransit service will not be impacted or modified.
Liberty Lines, like other transit operators nationwide, is also actively recruiting bus drivers. To find out more about working for Liberty Lines please visit our website at www.libertylines.com or calI (9l4) 969-6900.
For a full list of the service changes please visit www.westchestergov.com/beelinebus
