New Operator Takes Over TOR and TZx Bus Service Sunday

Brega Transport Corp. takes over as the new operator of Transport of Rockland (TOR) and TAPPAN ZEExpress (TZx) bus services on Sunday. The Rockland County Public Transportation Department made the announcement following Putnam County Judge Francis Nicolai’s ruling today lifting the temporary restraining order on the transition and dismissing the case against it.

The transition is scheduled to begin at the start of the service on Sunday with the first TOR Loop #1 at 7 a.m. The bus routes, service schedules and fares will remain the same.

"The Department of Public Transportation is pleased to know that it can continue moving forward with the transition process,” said Commissioner Thomas B. Vanderbeek.  “We continue to work around the clock with both bus operators to ensure a smooth transition takes place on Sunday, November 3rd.  We are reassuring riders that there will be no changes to their bus routes, schedules or fares, and that bus service will continue as usual."

According to a release from the Rockland County Public Transportation Department this is the first time that the County has changed operators in the history of the TOR and TZx bus services. It states that passengers should not have a significantly different travel experience although there could be some delays or minor service disruptions during the transition.

Department spokeswoman Susan Meyer said Brega reported there are 86 drivers on the roster and more than half, 52, has been drivers on the TOR and TZx routes.

Department employees and Brega Transport Corp. staff will be in the field during the transition period to assist passengers and the county’s Transit Information Center at 845-364-3333 will be staffed on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

“The reason we chose Sunday is it has the least amount of service operating,” said Meyer. “We wanted it (the transition) to have the least impact on the service possible.” 

TZx buses do not operate on Sunday. Seven of the 10 TOR routes are in service on Sundays. 

On Monday, November 4th, the first day when all routes will be in service under Brega’s operation, the center will have expanded phone hours from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m.

During other times of the day, passengers can directly call the Brega Transport Corp. Dispatch Office at 845-267-2828.

“Our goal is to implement a seamless transition, in which passengers may not even notice a change in their riding experience,” said Vanderbeek.

The county contracts with a private company to operate service on 11 bus routes serving all of Rockland and extending into Westchester County to serve Tarrytown Rail Station and the City of White Plains. Brega Transport Corp., based in Valley Cottage was awarded the contract to operate the bus services for five years through a competitive and controversial bidding process.

TOR and TZx buses provide approximately 3.4 million rides annually, operating seven days a week on some routes. Buses are on a “fixed-route/flexible stop” system, which means that passengers can board or disembark from the bus at any safe location along a route.

Bus schedules are online at www.rocklandbus.com, and transit inquiries can be sent to transithelp@co.rockland.ny.us.