Put transit back on the Tappan Zee.

That's message behind by BRTontheBridge.org, a new Web site and gateway to a grassroots organizing and public awareness campaign composed of a broad and diverse statewide coalition of residents, elected officials, transportation experts, labor, environmental and social justice groups (including NYLCV!).

Bus rapid transit moves many cities across the globe, including New York.The campaign is encouraging state officials to support a modern replacement for the Tappan Zee that meets the needs of their communities both now and in the future. The key demand is that the bridge includes Bus Rapid Transit from the start.

Through over ten years of study and 280 public meetings, the state arrived at the decision that transit, specifically bus rapid transit across the Hudson River and along the I-287 corridor in Westchester and Rockland, is a vital part of the project. Despite widespread agreement from local elected officials (including the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson just last week), Gov. Cuomo so far is proposing to rebuild the bridge without a firm commitment to mass transit. 

The state is scheduled to release the draft environmental impact statement on the Tappan Zee River Crossing Project soon. Citizens and organizations can learn more about the project, the DEIS and speak up for transit here.