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Are Express Bus Blue Lights Illegal?
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 18, 2010
Modified Oct 18, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 18, 2010
Modified Oct 18, 2010
Share
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The MTA's newish Select Buses may be illegal because they use flashing blue lights which, according to state law, are only supposed to be used by emergency vehicles. Computer consultant Eugene Falik has made it his mission to hold the MTA responsible for its wanton misuse of blue lighting, and he tells the Daily News, "The reason for standardizing these things is so driver reaction becomes subconscious. When you take that way, overall, it endangers public safety." Two years ago, when the lights first appeared on the Bx12 route, Falik called a police precinct to hold the MTA accountable. He also voiced his concerns via the 311 hotline. But his complaining has fallen on deaf ears!
One source at the MTA simply passed the buck, claiming that the blue light decision was made by the prior NYC Transit administration. And the MTA's scofflaw spokesman Charles Seaton shrugs off Falik's warnings, insisting the blue lights "have helped SBS ridership grow in the Bronx and will do so in Manhattan. I doubt whether there's anyone out there who will mistake a 60-foot bus for a volunteer firefighter's vehicle." True, but what about all the confused bus riders trying to swipe their MetroCards to board a fire truck? This is anarchy!
Tagged
blue lights
express bus
select bus
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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