Bee-Line Bus System: Difference between revisions

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imported>Ex696
m Updated ridership source.
 
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| image_size      = 250px
| image_size      = 250px
| image_caption  = New Flyer XDE60 #364 operates on Route 21 limited stops towards Bedford Park.
| image_caption  = New Flyer XDE60 #364 operates on Route 21 limited stops towards Bedford Park.
| company_slogan  = The Way To Go
| parent          = Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation
| parent          = Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation
| founded        = May 1, 1978
| founded        = May 1, 1978
Line 23: Line 22:
| lounge          =
| lounge          =
| fleet          = 327 fixed route<br>91 paratransit
| fleet          = 327 fixed route<br>91 paratransit
| ridership      = 72,350 <small>(2023)</small><ref name=NTD1>{{cite web |url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/transit_agency_profile_doc/2023/20076.pdf |title=Bee Line Bus System 2023 Annual Agency Profile |website=Federal Transit Administration}}</ref>
| ridership      = 81,613 <small>(2024)</small><ref name=NTD1>{{cite web |url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/transit_agency_profile_doc/2024/20076.pdf |title=Bee Line Bus System 2024 Annual Agency Profile |website=Federal Transit Administration}}</ref>
| fuel_type      = [[Diesel fuel|Diesel]], [[Diesel-electric]] hybrid
| fuel_type      = [[Diesel fuel|Diesel]], [[Diesel-electric]] hybrid
| operator        =
| operator        =
Line 41: Line 40:
==Scope of service==
==Scope of service==
[[File:Valhalla Bee-line HQ jeh.jpg|thumb|left|The Cerrato Satellite Bus Facility in Valhalla]]
[[File:Valhalla Bee-line HQ jeh.jpg|thumb|left|The Cerrato Satellite Bus Facility in Valhalla]]
Most Bee-Line routes operate seven days a week. Before 2025, there was no service county-wide on two days of the calendar year, [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] (the fourth Thursday in November), and [[Christmas]] (December 25).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://transportation.westchestergov.com/images/stories/Schedules/2025holidayschedules.pdf|title=2025 Holiday Schedules|website=transportation.westchestergov.com|access-date=2025-05-17}}</ref>
Most Bee-Line routes operate seven days a week throughout the year. Until 2024, there was no service county-wide on two days of the calendar year: [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] (the fourth Thursday in November), and [[Christmas]] (December 25). Starting in 2025, Bee-Line will operate limited service on these holidays.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://transportation.westchestergov.com/images/stories/Schedules/2025holidayschedules.pdf|title=2025 Holiday Schedules|website=transportation.westchestergov.com|access-date=2025-05-17}}</ref>


===Within Westchester===
===Within Westchester===
Line 97: Line 96:
** First departure and last four departures from Manhattan
** First departure and last four departures from Manhattan
|}
|}
Bee-Line Bus started accepting MetroCard on April 1, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/metrocard/beeline.htm |title=MTA NYC Transit MetroCard – Westchester Bee-Line Buses |date=April 2007 |website=mta.info |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528165951/http://www.mta.info/metrocard/beeline.htm |archive-date=2007-05-28 |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=2017-05-15}}</ref> The fare for the BxM4C went down from $7 to $5. The regular fare was $2 for MetroCard, and $1.75 if paid in cash. Dollar bills, passports, and ticket books were no longer accepted for fare payment after this date.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westchestergov.com/currentnews/2007pr/metroAllAbout.htm |title=All About MetroCard in Westchester |date=April 2007 |website=westchestergov.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831194920/http://www.westchestergov.com/currentnews/2007pr/metroAllAbout.htm |archive-date=2007-08-31 |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=2017-05-15}}</ref> MetroCard Vans made stops on heavily used routes to help people get ready for the MetroCard.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westchestergov.com/currentnews/2007pr/metrocardvanschedule.htm |title=MetroCard Van Schedule |date=April 2007 |website=westchestergov.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901231800/http://www.westchestergov.com/currentnews/2007pr/metrocardvanschedule.htm |archive-date=2007-09-01 |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=2017-05-15 }}</ref> On July 23, 2019, it was announced that the Bee-Line bus fare system on all buses would be upgraded to the [[OMNY]] fare system in 2021–2022, replacing the MetroCard. The Westchester County Department of Transportation states that "OMNY is targeted for introduction on the Bee-Line Bus System beginning in 2022 at the earliest." OMNY hasn't been installed {{as of|2025|05|lc=y}}, but is expected to be installed in 2025 to 2026. MetroCard will continue to be accepted by New York City Transit subways and buses and Bee-Line service until 2026, enabling Bee-Line passengers to have the option of using MetroCard or OMNY during the transition phase. By 2026, MetroCard will be discontinued and all Bee-Line passengers will then use OMNY. The Reduced-Fare MetroCard Program will also be converted over to OMNY.<ref>{{Cite web|title=OMNY/Bee-line|url=https://transportation.westchestergov.com/omny|access-date=2025-05-17|website=transportation.westchestergov.com}}</ref>
Bee-Line Bus started accepting MetroCard on April 1, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/metrocard/beeline.htm |title=MTA NYC Transit MetroCard – Westchester Bee-Line Buses |date=April 2007 |website=mta.info |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528165951/http://www.mta.info/metrocard/beeline.htm |archive-date=2007-05-28 |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=2017-05-15}}</ref> The fare for the BxM4C went down from $7 to $5. The regular fare was $2 for MetroCard, and $1.75 if paid in cash. Dollar bills, passports, and ticket books were no longer accepted for fare payment after this date.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westchestergov.com/currentnews/2007pr/metroAllAbout.htm |title=All About MetroCard in Westchester |date=April 2007 |website=westchestergov.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831194920/http://www.westchestergov.com/currentnews/2007pr/metroAllAbout.htm |archive-date=2007-08-31 |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=2017-05-15}}</ref> MetroCard Vans made stops on heavily used routes to help people get ready for the MetroCard.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westchestergov.com/currentnews/2007pr/metrocardvanschedule.htm |title=MetroCard Van Schedule |date=April 2007 |website=westchestergov.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901231800/http://www.westchestergov.com/currentnews/2007pr/metrocardvanschedule.htm |archive-date=2007-09-01 |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=2017-05-15 }}</ref> On July 23, 2019, it was announced that the Bee-Line bus fare system on all buses would be upgraded to the [[OMNY]] fare system in 2021–2022, replacing the MetroCard. The Westchester County Department of Transportation states that "OMNY is targeted for introduction on the Bee-Line Bus System beginning in 2022 at the earliest." OMNY hasn't been installed {{as of|2025|05|lc=y}}, but is expected to be installed in 2025 to 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|title=OMNY/Bee-line|url=https://transportation.westchestergov.com/omny|access-date=2025-05-17|website=transportation.westchestergov.com}}</ref> MetroCard continued to be accepted by New York City Transit subways and buses and Bee-Line service until 2026. Although MetroCard sales ended on December 31, 2025, OMNY fare payments on the Bee-Line system {{Show by date|2026|01|04|will not be|were not}} implemented until January 4, 2026; in the meantime, passengers {{show by date|2026|01|04|use|used}} cash or their remaining MetroCard balance for fare payment. The Reduced-Fare MetroCard Program will also be converted over to OMNY.<ref>{{cite web | last=Rivera | first=Alexandra | title=Westchester NY Bee-Line buses to switch from MetroCard to OMNY system | website=lohud.com | date=December 31, 2025 | url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/transit/2025/12/31/westchester-county-ny-bee-line-buses-to-switch-from-metrocard-to-omny-system/87960310007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z116701p002450c002450u114101d00----v116701&gca-ft=26&gca-ds=sophi&gnt-djm=1 | access-date=December 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Bee-Line fare hike: OMNY to replace MetroCards on all buses in Westchester County | website=ABC7 New York | date=December 30, 2025 | url=https://abc7ny.com/post/bee-line-fare-hike-omny-replace-metrocards-buses-westchester-county/18333090/ | access-date=December 31, 2025}}</ref>


For certain periods during the summer and winter of 2022, the buses were fare-free.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.westchestergov.com/home/all-press-releases/9685-county-executive-george-latimer-announces-free-rides-on-the-bee-line-bus-for-the-holiday-season|title=County Executive George Latimer Announces Free Rides on the Bee-Line Bus for the Holiday Season|publisher=Westchester County|date=2022-11-16|accessdate=2022-12-23}}</ref> As of the summer of 2023, buses are fare free until Labor Day 2023.
For certain periods during the summer and winter of 2022, the buses were fare-free.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.westchestergov.com/home/all-press-releases/9685-county-executive-george-latimer-announces-free-rides-on-the-bee-line-bus-for-the-holiday-season|title=County Executive George Latimer Announces Free Rides on the Bee-Line Bus for the Holiday Season|publisher=Westchester County|date=2022-11-16|accessdate=2022-12-23}}</ref> During the summers of 2023 and 2024, buses were fare free until Labor Day.


==Fleet==
==Fleet==


===Active fleet===
===Active fleet===
This roster only lists buses and shuttle vans used in fixed route service. [[Paratransit]] vehicles are not listed. All buses are wheelchair accessible.
{{more citations needed|section|date=September 2025}}
{{as of|2025}}, the Bee-Line System had 325 buses in its fleet, of which 40 were diesel vehicles and the rest were hybrid or electric vehicles.<ref>{{cite press release | date=January 30, 2023 | title=Bee-Line System Receives Order Of 106 Hybrid-Electric Buses | website=www.westchestergov.com | url=https://www.westchestergov.com/home/all-press-releases/9750-bee-line-system-receives-order-of-106-hybrid-electric-buses | access-date=September 16, 2025}}</ref> This roster only lists buses and shuttle vans used in fixed route service. [[Paratransit]] vehicles are not listed. All buses are wheelchair accessible.


{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|+
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
Line 116: Line 116:
! width="50px" |Length
! width="50px" |Length
! width="50px" |Width
! width="50px" |Width
!Notes
!Engines
!Transmission
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|116–136
|116–136
(20 total)
(5 retiring)
|2005
|2005
|[[Image:Bee-Line Orion 136.jpg|150x150px]]
|[[Image:Bee-Line Orion 136.jpg|150x150px]]
|'''[[Orion Bus Industries]]'''
| rowspan="2" |[[Orion Bus Industries]]
|[[Orion V|Orion V 05.505]]
|[[Orion V|Orion V 05.505]]
|{{convert|32|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|32|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|96|in|m|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|96|in|m|abbr=on}}
|
|Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR
* [[Detroit Diesel Series 50]] EGR
| rowspan="2" |[[Allison Transmission|Allison]] [[Allison Bus Series|B400R]]
* [[Allison Transmission|Allison]] [[Allison Bus Series|B400R]]
|
 
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|801–830
|801–830
(30 total)<br>(19 active) retiring
|2008
|2008
|[[Image:Bee-Line System Orion V 05.501 suburban single door 801.jpg|150x150px]]
|[[Image:Bee-Line System Orion V 05.501 suburban single door 801.jpg|150x150px]]
|'''[[Orion Bus Industries]]'''
|[[Orion V|Orion V 05.501]]
|[[Orion V|Orion V 05.501]]
| rowspan="2" |{{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| rowspan="2" |{{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| rowspan="8"|{{convert|102|in|m|abbr=on}}
| rowspan="10"|{{convert|102|in|m|abbr=on}}
|
|[[Cummins]] [[Cummins ISL|ISL]]
* [[Cummins]] [[Cummins ISL|ISL]]
* [[Allison Transmission|Allison]] [[Allison Bus Series|B400R]]
|
* Suburban-spec buses
* Last diesel Orion V buses produced.
* 102 in (2.6 m)
828–830 were retired in January 2012 and sent to Downeast Transportation & Shuttle-Bus Zoom in Maine, 829 went to Downeast Transportation as a parts bus
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|205–299
|205-299
(95 total)<br>(all active)
|2009
|2009
|[[File:Bee-Line System NABI 40LFW (model year 2009).jpg|150x150px]]
|[[File:Bee-Line System NABI 40LFW (model year 2009).jpg|150x150px]]
|'''[[North American Bus Industries]]'''
|[[North American Bus Industries]]
| [[NABI 40-LFW|NABI 40-LFW HEV]]
|[[NABI 40-LFW|NABI 40-LFW HEV]]
|
|[[Cummins ISL9]]
* [[Cummins]] [[Cummins ISL|ISL]]
|[[Allison Transmission|Allison]] E<sup>P</sup>40 Hybrid System
* [[Allison Transmission|Allison]] E<sup>P</sup>40 Hybrid System
|
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|301–378
|301–378
(78 total)<br>(all active)
|2018–2020
|2018–2020
|[[File:302 XDE60 Bee Line.jpeg|150x150px]]
|[[File:302 XDE60 Bee Line.jpeg|150x150px]]
|'''[[New Flyer Industries]]'''
| rowspan="6" |[[New Flyer Industries]]
|[[Xcelsior|Xcelsior XDE60 articulated]]
|[[Xcelsior|Xcelsior XDE60 articulated]]
|{{convert|60|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|60|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|
|[[Cummins]] [[Cummins L9|L9]]
* [[Cummins]] [[Cummins L9|L9]]
|BAE Systems
* BAE Systems Hybridrive HDS300
HDS300
*
hybrid system
|
* Replaced 2000–03 AN460.
* First Hybrid articulated buses in the fleet.
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|100–106
|100–106
|2023
|2023
|
|
|'''[[New Flyer Industries]]'''
|[[Xcelsior|Xcelsior XDE35]]
|[[Xcelsior|Xcelsior XDE35]]
|{{convert|35|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| rowspan="2" |{{convert|35|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|
|[[Cummins]] [[Cummins B Series engine|B6.7]]
* [[Cummins]] [[Cummins B Series engine|B6.7]]
|BAE Systems
* BAE Systems Hybridrive HDS200
HDS200
|
hybrid system
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|141–144
|141–144
(4 total)<br>(all active)
|2021
|2021–2022
|[[File:XE35 bee line.jpg|128px]]
|
[[File:XE35 bee line.jpg|128px| ]]
|'''[[New Flyer Industries]]'''
|[[Xcelsior|Xcelsior XE35]]
|[[Xcelsior|Xcelsior XE35]]
|{{convert|35|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|rowspan="2" | Siemens HV1DB2016
|
|rowspan="2" |Siemens ELFA2
* Siemens HV1DB2016
* Siemens ELFA2
|
* First electric buses in the fleet
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|145–146
|145–146
(2 total)<br>(all active)
|2021
|2021
|
|
[[File:XE40BeeLine.jpg|128px|XE40 on the 66]]
[[File:XE40BeeLine.jpg|128px|XE40 on the 66]]
|'''[[New Flyer Industries]]'''
|[[Xcelsior|Xcelsior XE40]]
|[[Xcelsior|Xcelsior XE40]]
| rowspan="3" |{{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| rowspan="3" |{{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|
* Siemens HV1DB2016
* Siemens ELFA2
|
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|398–503
|398–503
(106 total)<br>(all active)
|2021–2022
|2021–2022
|
|[[File:BeelineXDE40.jpg|frameless|128x128px]]
[[File:XDE40BeeLine.jpg|128px| ]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Xcelsior|Xcelsior XDE40]]
|'''[[New Flyer Industries]]'''
|rowspan="2" | [[Cummins]] [[Cummins L9|L9]]
|[[Xcelsior|Xcelsior XDE40]]
|rowspan="2" |BAE Systems
|
HDS200
* [[Cummins]] [[Cummins L9|L9]]
hybrid system
* BAE Systems Hybridrive HDS200
|
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|504–515
|504–515
|2023–2024
|2023–2024
|[[File:XDE40 Bee-Line.jpg|frameless|128x128px]]
|[[File:XDE40 Bee-Line.jpg|frameless|128x128px]]
|'''[[New Flyer Industries]]'''
|[[Xcelsior|Xcelsior XDE40]]
|
* [[Cummins]] [[Cummins L9|L9]]
* BAE Systems Hybridrive HDS200
|
* Expected to retire all 2008 Orion V Suburbans
|}
===Past fleet===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-align="center"
! Year
! Builder and<br>model name
! Length<br><small>(feet)</small>
! Width<br><small>(inches)</small>
! {{access icon|20px}}
! Numbers
! Year Last Retired
! Notes
|-align="center"
| 1978
| '''[[General Motors Corporation]]'''<br>RTS-03 TH-7603
| 35
| 96
| rowspan="6" | [[Image:X mark.svg|15px]]
| 101–106,<br>189–190,<br>194–205
| 1996
|
* Originally ordered for 11 operators and buses were delivered with [[wheelchair lift]]s.
* Only 35' 96" foot buses ordered by the Westchester County Department of Transportation.
|-align="center"
| 1978
| '''General Motors Corporation'''<br>RTS-03 TH-8603
| 40
| 96
| 107–188,<br>191–193
| 1996
|
* Originally ordered for 6 operators and buses were delivered with wheelchair lifts.
* Only 40' 96" buses ordered by the Westchester County Department of Transportation.
|-align="center"
| 1983
| '''[[MAN SE|MAN]]'''<br>[[MAN SG 220|SG-310-16.5-2A]]<br>(articulated)
| 60
| 102
| 600–661
| 2002
|
* These were Bee Line's first articulated buses and were used throughout southern Westchester County.
* 661 was originally NYCTA demonstrator bus 8990.
* Replaced with 2000–03 AN460
|-align="center"
| 1986–<br>1987
| '''[[Motor Coach Industries]]'''<br>102A2
| 40
| 102
| 901–936
| 2009
|
* Last non-accessible Bee-Line buses on the active roster.
|-align="center"
| 1990
| '''[[Flxible]]'''<br>[[Flxible Metro|Metro-B]] 40102-6T
| 40
| 102
| 760–874
| 2007
|
* These were Bee Line's last buses without wheelchair lifts.
|-align="center"
| 1990
| '''Flxible'''<br>Metro-B 40102-6C
| 40
| 102
| 875–879
| 2001
|
|-align="center"
| 1994
| '''Startrans Supreme'''<br>Senator
| 25
| 96
| rowspan="12" | [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px]]
| 301–310
| 1999
|
* These buses were the first rail-to-bus commuter shuttles.
* These were also Bee Line's first buses to have wheelchair accessibility for the duration of their lives.
|-align="center"
| 1994
| '''[[Orion Bus Industries]]'''<br>02.501
| 25.92
| 96
| 311
| 2000
|
* This bus would be the only Orion 2 ever ordered. It was used on bus-to-rail shuttles.
|-align="center"
| 1995
| '''Advanced Vehicle Systems'''<br>AVS22
| 22
| 102
| 312
| Unknown
|
* This was Bee-Line's only electric-powered bus. It was used for the Shoppers Shuttle service within White Plains.
|-align="center"
| 1995–<br>1996
| '''Orion Bus Industries'''<br>05.501
| 40
| 102
| 401–484
| 2009
|
* Replacements for 1978 RTS stock.
* Replaced by North American Bus Industries 40LFW buses in 2009.
* Sold to the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority|MTA]].
|-align="center"
| 1997
| '''Startrans Supreme'''<br>Senator
| 25
| 96
| 313–332
| 2004
|
* These buses expanded the shuttle fleet.
|-align="center"
| 1999
| '''Startrans Supreme'''<br>Senator
| 25
| 96
| 333–361
| 2005
|
* These buses expanded the shuttle fleet, and were replacements for the first 11 shuttle vans.
|-align="center"
| 2000–2003
|'''[[Neoplan USA]]'''<br>AN460 "Transliner" articulated
|60
|102
| 501–578
| 2020
|
* 501 was a 2000 model
* Replaced all Man SG310 buses
* Replaced by New Flyer XDE60 buses<ref>{{cite web |last=Coyne |first=Matt |date=2016-08-01 |title=Westchester Legislators OK New Bee-Line Buses |url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/transit/2016/08/01/westchester-new-bee-line-buses/87924304/ |website=[[Lohud]]}}</ref> between 2018 and 2020.
* 577 as the last unit
* 14 units sold to Virginia Alexandria Transit Company's [[DASH (bus)|DASH]] for use on the [[WMATA]] [[Yellow Line (Washington Metro)|Yellow]]/[[Blue Line (Washington Metro)|Blue]] line shuttle bus service.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Malouff |first1=Dan |date=2019-07-08 |title=DASH Is Running the First non-WMATA Articulated Buses in Washington Area Transit |url=https://ggwash.org/view/72772/alexandria-has-the-first-non-wmata-articulated-buses-in-the-washington-area |website=Greater Greater Washington |access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref>
* Option to order AN440 buses there 40&nbsp;ft versions 601/602 test units until Neoplan announced a shutdown.
|-align="center"
| 2002
| '''DaimlerChrysler'''<br>Orion 05.505
| 32
| 96
| 101–115
| 2012
|
* Replaced older shuttle vans.
* Retired without replacement with 2012 budget cuts in maintaining the fleet and were sold to the following transit agencies:
** 4 units were sold to [[Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit]].<ref name="Community Buses Roll Into Maine">{{cite web|url=http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=DOT_Press_Releases&id=345524&v=article|title=Community Buses Roll Into Maine| work=[[MaineDOT]]|date=2012-01-24|access-date=2012-02-04}}</ref>
** 5 units were sold to [[Community Connector]].<ref name="Community Buses Roll Into Maine"/>
** 2 units were sold to [[South Portland Bus Service]].<ref name="Community Buses Roll Into Maine"/>
** 4 units were sold to [[Housatonic Area Regional Transit]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ct.gov/dot/lib/dot/minjan12.pdf |title=Connecticut Public Transportation Commission }}&nbsp;{{small|(97.9 KB)}}</ref>
|-align="center"
| 2005
| '''Coach and Equipment'''<br>Phoenix
| 25
| 91
| 301–318
| 2010
|
* Replacements for the Startrans vans.
* Retired without replacement with 2010 service cuts.
|-
|2006
|  '''Orion Bus            Industries'''
''07.501 (hev)''
|40
|102
|201–204
|2022
|
* Replaced with XDE40's and XE40ng
* First hybrid buses
|-
|2006
|  '''Orion Bus'''
'''Industries'''
''05.501''
|40
|102
|601–704
|2023
|
* Order was originally for 2005 AN440(oh) until Neoplan went bankrupt
* Replaced 1990 Flexible Metro B
* Replaced by XDE40 and XE40ng
|-align="center"
| 2007
| '''Coach and Equipment'''<br>Phoenix
| 25
| 91
| 319–320
| 2010
|
* Retired without replacement with 2010 service cuts.
|}
|}


Latest revision as of 17:51, 31 December 2025

Template:Use mdy dates Template:Short description Template:Infobox Bus transit The Westchester County Bee-Line System, branded on the buses in lowercase as the bee-line system, is a bus system serving Westchester County, New York. The system is owned by the county's Department of Public Works and Transportation.

History

The system was founded on May 1, 1978, by the then Westchester County Department of Transportation to consolidate the bus system with thirteen private bus companies and has been given control over the buses, fare structure, routes, and services. By the 1980s, the bus system had an identity problem in who was providing the service. On May 19, 1987, WCDOT officially named the bus service "The Bee-Line System" with a 'bee-in-flight' mascot drawn by cartoonist Jack Davis.[1][2]

The Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation currently contracts out to two private bus companies to provide service in Westchester County and the surrounding counties: Yonkers-based Liberty Lines Transit, Inc., the main company that either bought out or obtained franchises from the other twelve bus companies over the years, operates buses on all but three bus routes; and Cortlandt Manor-based P.T.L.A. Enterprise, Inc., a small company that operates buses on routes 16, 18, and 31.

Scope of service

File:Valhalla Bee-line HQ jeh.jpg
The Cerrato Satellite Bus Facility in Valhalla

Most Bee-Line routes operate seven days a week throughout the year. Until 2024, there was no service county-wide on two days of the calendar year: Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas (December 25). Starting in 2025, Bee-Line will operate limited service on these holidays.[3]

Within Westchester

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". The system's 64 routes are mostly concentrated in the more urban southern portion of the county, with the cities of Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, and Yonkers receiving a high frequency of service. White Plains, the county seat and most centrally located city, is a major transportation hub with many routes converging on the city's TransCenter.

Service in the northern portion of Westchester is sparse and is concentrated near slightly populated areas such as Mount Kisco, Ossining, or Peekskill. Areas such as Lewisboro, North Salem, and Pound Ridge receive paratransit service only. During the school year, special bus routes also operate. All but the county's smallest, most rural communities have at least rush hour service.[4]

Outside Westchester

Because Westchester County borders on the New York City borough of the Bronx, many of the Bee-Line's routes operate into the Bronx, offering Westchester residents connections to MTA New York City Transit buses and subways; at least one Bee-Line route connects to each subway route serving the Bronx. The Bee-Line System also operates an express route, the BxM4C from White Plains, Greenburgh, Hartsdale, Scarsdale, and Yonkers along Central Park Avenue to Fifth Avenue in Manhattan (return trips operate on Madison Avenue within Manhattan).

Bee-Line operates mostly closed-door service in the Bronx (local service is not provided solely for travel within the Bronx; appropriate MTA Regional Bus Operations service must be used instead). The only exceptions are:

In addition, Route 12 briefly enters Greenwich, Connecticut along King Street, in which it makes stops in Greenwich and Rye Brook, New York along the New York/Connecticut border; Route 16 briefly enters Putnam County to serve the Mahopac Village Centre; and Route 77 enters Putnam County to serve the US Route 6 corridor between Mahopac and Carmel.[4]

Fares

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". All fares require exact change or MetroCard. All transfers are free with payment of fare. Dollar bills are not accepted on any Bee-Line System buses.[5]

Route Full fare Senior/
disabled fare 		Transfer
All transfers good for 2 hours 		7-day unlimited ride MetroCard 30-day unlimited ride MetroCard
All except BxM4C $2.75 $1.35 $34
$17 with Reduced Fare ID 		$132
$66 with Reduced Fare ID
BxM4C $7.50 $3.75
(Off peak only)
  • No transfers accepted or issued
 No Unlimited-Ride MetroCards accepted
Notes:
  • All customers transferring to Hudson Link, CT Transit's 971 or Route 311/311B, or Putnam Transit must use a paper transfer.
  • There is a $1.25 "step-up" charge for customers transferring from CT Transit Route 311/311B to Bee-Line buses in Port Chester.
  • For the BxM4C, off-peak is:
    • first two and last two departures to Manhattan
    • First departure and last four departures from Manhattan

Bee-Line Bus started accepting MetroCard on April 1, 2007.[6] The fare for the BxM4C went down from $7 to $5. The regular fare was $2 for MetroCard, and $1.75 if paid in cash. Dollar bills, passports, and ticket books were no longer accepted for fare payment after this date.[7] MetroCard Vans made stops on heavily used routes to help people get ready for the MetroCard.[8] On July 23, 2019, it was announced that the Bee-Line bus fare system on all buses would be upgraded to the OMNY fare system in 2021–2022, replacing the MetroCard. The Westchester County Department of Transportation states that "OMNY is targeted for introduction on the Bee-Line Bus System beginning in 2022 at the earliest." OMNY hasn't been installed since May 2025Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., but is expected to be installed in 2025 to 2026.[9] MetroCard continued to be accepted by New York City Transit subways and buses and Bee-Line service until 2026. Although MetroCard sales ended on December 31, 2025, OMNY fare payments on the Bee-Line system Template:Show by date implemented until January 4, 2026; in the meantime, passengers Template:Show by date cash or their remaining MetroCard balance for fare payment. The Reduced-Fare MetroCard Program will also be converted over to OMNY.[10][11]

For certain periods during the summer and winter of 2022, the buses were fare-free.[12] During the summers of 2023 and 2024, buses were fare free until Labor Day.

Fleet

Active fleet

Script error: No such module "Unsubst". since 2025Template:Dated maintenance category (articles)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters"., the Bee-Line System had 325 buses in its fleet, of which 40 were diesel vehicles and the rest were hybrid or electric vehicles.[13] This roster only lists buses and shuttle vans used in fixed route service. Paratransit vehicles are not listed. All buses are wheelchair accessible.

Fleet numbers Year Photo Manufacturer Model Length Width Engines Transmission
116–136 2005 File:Bee-Line Orion 136.jpg Orion Bus Industries Orion V 05.505 Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "convert". Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR Allison B400R
801–830 2008 File:Bee-Line System Orion V 05.501 suburban single door 801.jpg Orion V 05.501 Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "convert". Cummins ISL
205-299 2009 File:Bee-Line System NABI 40LFW (model year 2009).jpg North American Bus Industries NABI 40-LFW HEV Cummins ISL9 Allison EP40 Hybrid System
301–378 2018–2020 File:302 XDE60 Bee Line.jpeg New Flyer Industries Xcelsior XDE60 articulated Script error: No such module "convert". Cummins L9 BAE Systems

HDS300 hybrid system

100–106 2023 Xcelsior XDE35 Script error: No such module "convert". Cummins B6.7 BAE Systems

HDS200 hybrid system

141–144 2021 File:XE35 bee line.jpg Xcelsior XE35 Siemens HV1DB2016 Siemens ELFA2
145–146 2021

XE40 on the 66

Xcelsior XE40 Script error: No such module "convert".
398–503 2021–2022 File:BeelineXDE40.jpg Xcelsior XDE40 Cummins L9 BAE Systems

HDS200 hybrid system

504–515 2023–2024 File:XDE40 Bee-Line.jpg

Future fleet

In February 2020, it was announced that Westchester County's Bee-Line Bus fleet would be expanding with 78 hybrid-electric 60-foot buses (all delivered by summer 2020), 106 hybrid-electric 40-foot buses and two 40-foot battery-electric buses – all built by New Flyer Industries – under a plan to have the entire transit bus fleet running on either fully electric or diesel-electric hybrid technology by 2025. As of July 2020, 106 40-foot diesel-electric buses and two 40-foot battery-electric are planned to be delivered between 2021 and 2025. Four 35-foot battery-electric buses are also planned to be delivered, totaling 6 battery-electric buses by 2025.[14][15][16]

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Fares and MetroCard
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Template:Sister project

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