MIDTOWN — Dozens of buses were taken off the streets during a month-long crackdown against intercity coaches that flout the law, officials said.
Spurred by residents’ escalating complaints over the onslaught of buses that many fear are turning Midtown into a giant parking lot, police in the Midtown South Precinct teamed up with the State Department of Transportation to lay down the law.
The sweep, which DNAinfo first reported in September, resulted in the removal of 46 buses from the streets for violations ranging from faulty brakes to inaccurate paperwork and unpaid fines to the state DOT, Inspector Dennis DeQuatro, the commanding officer of the Midtown South precinct, told residents at a community council meeting Thursday night.
The crackdown also resulted in 150 summonses for issues ranging from idling to setting up illegal bus stops on city streets, he said.
“I think it was a very productive 30-day period of time,” DeQuatro told the group. He also said that at least three drivers were taken off the road for repeated infractions.
The companies impacted ranged from major carriers to those that aren't as well-known.
“You name it, they were involved,” said a source.
The DOT could not provide any further details Friday about the sweep.
Residents thanked police profusely for their efforts in addressing what has quickly become the top quality of life concern for residents and businesses in the blocks between Seventh and Ninth avenues around Penn Station.
To help alleviate some of the congestion, BoltBus recently began shifting some of its operations to the Port Authority.