Greyhound Has Eyes for Essex; Locals in Opposition

Curbside bus lines like Bolt, Vamoose, and the reliable Chinatown stock have collectively given the big boys in Port Authority the proverbial run for their money. Well, as they say, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em…on the Lower East Side.

In a bid that already has the neighborhood irked, corporate operators Greyhound and Peter Pan are angling for a bus stop opposite 3 Essex Street – Seward Park near the entrance of the weekly Hester Street Fair. As it stands, the plan is to offer fourteen pickups/drop offs each day on the hour starting starting at 7:00 am, with service to Philadelphia only. Twenty-eight total trips in both directions, equating to two an hour. Strap in, it’s gonna get interesting…

Source: AngloInfo

Not surprisingly, pissed-off locals immediately organized in opposition, circulating an online petition and lamppost flyers around the community. Penned by CB3 board member and activist Linda Jones, the grassroots push doesn’t mince words, basically telling Greyhound to stay the fuck out. At latest count, more than three hundred signatures have been collected. Not bad for a holiday weekend!

The news comes a few weeks after the passage of new regulations for intercity buses by Governor Cuomo. Community Board 3 will officially hear the Greyhound/Peter Pan proposal later this month. Expect a further outpouring of opposition.