NICE bus and federal funding perfect together

Good news from Washington for residents who ride Nassau Inter County Express (NICE) Bus. Nassau County Department of Public Works Transit Division is in the process of applying for a $42 million grant. This includes the 2023 Federal Transit Administration funding under Sections 5307 & 5339.

Washington will provide 80% with the New York State Department of Transportation and Nassau County contributing 10% each to provide the 20% local share necessary to obtain federal funding..NICE attempts to schedule bus replacements on a 500,000-mile or 12year cycle, whichever comes first.

This is based upon Federal Transit Administration eligibility guidelines. Since 1973, buses operated by NICE under contract to Nassau County are now on the fourth replacement cycle. Most buses operated by NICE are under 12 years old. This was not the case decades earlier when the average age of the fleet was closer to 12 years

These funds will assist NICE Bus in the purchase of 24 replacement buses including associated spare parts; five replacement paratransit vehicles; five dispatch, patrol and service vehicles; maintain and refurbish operating facilities heating, ventilation and air conditioning, Compressed Natural Gas station dispensing system improvements and bus area operations refurbishments; engineering and design services, and preventive maintenance used to keep the bus, paratransit and facilities in a state of good repair. This year marks the 11th anniversary for Nassau Inter County Express Bus. Thousands of Nassau County, Long Island residents ride NICE Bus to jobs, schools and other destinations in Queens. Many transfer to the NYC Transit subway at Flushing, Jamaica or Far Rockaway stations.

Thousands of Queens residents travel via NICE bus to jobs, schools and other destinations in Nassau County. The viability of NICE benefits everyone. In 1973, Nassau County purchased equipment, routes and some facilities from numerous private bus operators, most of whom were experiencing serious financial difficulties.

These private bus operators included Bee Line, Rockville Center Bus Corporation, Utility Lines, Stage Coach Lines, Schenck Transportation, Inc., Nassau Bus Line, Hempstead Bus Cor-