Bus companies unite!
Believing there's no such thing as a free ride, a coalition of Port Authority bus companies have filed suit against the Department of Transportation for giving discount carrier Megabus a free spot to operate outside the station, DNAinfo reports.
The suit claims the free spot creates a non-competitive environment and violates city and state environmental and safety regulations.
The free spot for Megabus has been established on the south side of W. 41st Street, between Eighth and Ninth avenues. The three companies behind the suit, Greyhound Lines, Peter Pan Bus Lines and Adirondack Transit Lines pay close to $10 million annually to operate out of the bus terminal. But Megabus doesn't pay a dime because it operates on a city block.
The coalition of bus companies believes Megabus' location gives them all the benefits of a prime location without having to pay for it. The three companies specifically mention unsafe loading conditions for riders as they board the buses next to busy streets. The suit also claims there is no proper handicap access.
These complaints are basically the same Megabus faced in their previous location on Ninth Avenue. The company was forced to relocate after a request from Community Board 4.
For more on this story, visit DNAinfo.
