POUGHKEEPSIE – Community
Voices Heard has asked the Federal Transit Administration to withhold
its approval of the application of the City of Poughkeepsie to transfer
its bus system to the County of Dutchess.
In reality, the city plans to end its service on June 30 and Dutchess
County plans on expanding its service on July 1.
The city’s common council meets in special session tonight in a
last ditch effort to fund a three-month extension of the city service.
That is not expected to be approved.
Together with a group called New York Civic Engagement Table, CVH has
enlisted the aid of a law firm to write to the FTA telling the agency
it should not approve the bus service transfer unless and until the county
modifies its plans “to eliminate the unjustified and egregious disparate
impact that its proposed service changes will have on minorities.”
Community Voices Heard maintains thousands of low-income Poughkeepsie
residents of color will be hurt by a county bus takeover in its current
form.
