Westchester County Bee-Line System
New Flyer XDE60 #364 operates on Route 21 limited stops towards Bedford Park.
ParentWestchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation
FoundedMay 1, 1978
Headquarters100 East First Street, 9th Floor
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
LocaleWestchester County, New York
Service areaWestchester, New York, New York, and Putnam counties in New York, and Fairfield County in Connecticut
Service typeLocal, Limited, express,shuttle buses
Routes64
Fleet327 fixed route
91 paratransit
Daily ridership111,316 (2013) [1]
Fuel typeDiesel, Diesel-electric hybrid
Operator
Chief executiveHugh J. Greechan, Jr., P.E., Commissioner
WebsiteBee-Line Bus System

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.[2][3]

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

The Cerrato Satellite Bus Facility in Valhalla

Most Bee-Line routes operate seven days a week. There is no service county-wide on two days of the calendar year, Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas (December 25).

Within Westchester

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 every 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

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 $33.00
$16.50 with Reduced Fare ID		 $127.00
$63.50 with Reduced Fare ID
BxM4C $7.50 $3.75
(Off peak only)
  • No transfers accepted, transfers are issued as follows:
    • Cash: Valid on MTA buses, other Bee-Line buses.
    • MetroCard: Valid on MTA buses and subways, other Bee-Line buses.
 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 as of 2023, but is expected to be installed in late 2023 to early 2024. MetroCard will continue to be accepted by New York City Transit subways and buses and Bee-Line service until 2024, enabling Bee-Line passengers to have the option of using MetroCard or OMNY during the transition phase. By 2024, 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."[9]

For certain periods during the summer and winter of 2022, the buses were fare-free.[10] As of the summer of 2023, buses are fare free until Labor Day 2023.

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.

Fleet numbers Year Photo Manufacturer Model Length Width Powertrain Notes
116-136

(21 total)
(9 active)

 2004 Orion Bus Industries Orion V 05.505 32 ft (9.8 m) 96 in (2.4 m)
  • several units replaced with XDE35s and XE35s
801-830

(30 total)
(27 active)

 2008 Orion V 05.501 40 ft (12 m) 102 in (2.6 m)
  • Suburban-spec buses
  • Last diesel Orion V buses produced.
205-299

(95 total)
(all active)

 2009 North American Bus Industries NABI 40-LFW HEV
301-378

(78 total)
(all active)

 2018-2020 New Flyer Industries Xcelsior XDE60 articulated 60 ft (18 m)
  • Replaced 2000-03 AN460.
  • First Hybrid articulated buses in the fleet.
100-110 (5 delivered) 2023-2024 New Flyer Industries Xcelsior XDE35 35 ft (11 m)
141-144

(4 total)
(all active)

 2021-2022

New Flyer Industries Xcelsior XE35 35 ft (11 m)
  • Siemens HV1DB2016
  • Siemens ELFA2
  • First electric buses in the fleet
145-146

(2 total)
(all active)

 2021

XE40 on the 66

 New Flyer Industries Xcelsior XE40 40 ft (12 m)
  • Siemens HV1DB2016
  • Siemens ELFA2
398-503

(106 total)
(all active)

 2021-2022

New Flyer Industries Xcelsior XDE40
504, 508, 599 unknown number

(3 delivered)

 2023-2024 New Flyer Industries Xcelsior XDE40

Past fleet

Year Builder and
model name		 Length
(feet)		 Width
(inches)		 Disabled access Engine/Transmission Numbers Year Last Retired Notes
1978 General Motors Corporation
RTS-03 TH-7603		 35 96 Detroit Diesel 8V71N

Allison V730

 101–106,
189-190,
194-205		 1996
  • Originally ordered for 11 operators and buses were delivered with wheelchair lifts.
  • Only 35' 96" foot buses ordered by the Westchester County Department of Transportation.
1978 General Motors Corporation
RTS-03 TH-8603		 40 96 Detroit Diesel 8V71N

Allison V730

 107–188,
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.
1983 MAN
SG-310-16.5-2A
(articulated)		 60 102 MAN D2566 MLUM

Renk-Doromat 874B

 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
1986-
1987		 Motor Coach Industries
102A2		 40 102 Detroit Diesel 6V92TA

Allison HTB-748

 901-936 2009 Last non-accessible Bee-Line buses on the active roster.
1990 Flxible
Metro-B 40102-6T		 40 102 Detroit Diesel 6V92TA

Voith D863.3

 760-874 2007 These were Bee Line's last buses without wheelchair lifts.
1990 Flxible
Metro-B 40102-6C		 40 102 Cummins L10

Voith D863.3

 875-879 2001 These were Bee Line's first buses with four-cycle engines.
1994 Startrans Supreme
Senator		 25 96 Navistar T444E

Ford 4R100 4 speed

 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.
1994 Orion Bus Industries
02.501		 25.92 96 Navistar T444E

Allison AT545

 311 2000 This bus would be the only Orion 2 ever ordered. It was used on bus-to-rail shuttles.
1995 Advanced Vehicle Systems
AVS22		 22 102 Solectria AC55 312 Unknown This was Bee-Line's only electric-powered bus. It was used for the Shoppers Shuttle service within White Plains.
1995-
1996		 Orion Bus Industries
05.501		 40 102 Detroit Diesel series 50

Allison B-400R Gen II

 401-484 2009
  • Replacements for 1978 RTS stock.
  • Replaced by North American Bus Industries 40LFW buses in 2009.
  • Sold to the MTA.
1997 Startrans Supreme
Senator		 25 96 Navistar T444E

Ford 4R100 4 speed

 313-332 2004 These buses expanded the shuttle fleet.
1999 Startrans Supreme
Senator		 25 96 Navistar T444E

Ford 4R100 4 speed

 333-361 2005 These buses expanded the shuttle fleet, and were replacements for the first 11 shuttle vans.
2000-2003 Neoplan USA
AN460 "Transliner" articulated		 60 102 Detroit Diesel Series 60

Allison B500R

 501-578 2020
  • 501 was a 2000 model
  • Replaced all Man SG310 buses
  • Replaced by New Flyer XDE60 buses[11] between 2018 and 2020.
  • 577 as the last unit
  • 14 units sold to Virginia Alexandria Transit Company's DASH for use on the WMATA Yellow/Blue line shuttle bus service.[12]
  • Option to order AN440 buses there 40 ft versions 601/602 test units until Neoplan announced a shutdown.
2002 DaimlerChrysler
Orion 05.505		 32 96 Detroit Diesel series 50 EGR

Allison B-400R Gen III

 101-115 2012
2005 Coach and Equipment
Phoenix		 25 91 Navistar VT365

Alison 2000 PTS

 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
2007 Coach and Equipment
Phoenix		 25 91 MaxxForce 7

Alison 2000 PTS

 319-320 2010 Retired without replacement with 2010 service cuts.

Historical Honors on Fleet

In October 2004, then-Westchester County Executive Andrew J. Spano launched a month-long celebration of local history by unveiling the top 15 winning names, which were applied on all of the 2002 Orion 05.505 buses. From 2005 to January 2012, these buses each bore the name of a person, place, or thing that played a role in the development of Westchester County.

Bus Number Named after
101 The Toonerville Trolley
102 Rosa Parks
103 Amelia Earhart
104 Ella Fitzgerald
105 Horace Greeley
106 John Jay
107 Old Bet
108 The Spy Catchers
109 Eliza A. Horton
110 General "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell
111 Michael Schwerner
112 Washington Irving
113 Chief Gramatan
114 The Dragon Coaster
115 Elisha Graves Otis

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.[15][16][17]

References

  1. ↑ "National Transit Database Program filing for The Bee-Line System, 2013" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-08-08. (139 KB)
  2. ↑ "Variable Fares for Elderly & Handicapped Transit Riders: An Analysis of Westchester County" (PDF). (1.25 MB)
  3. ↑ Kriss, Gary (May 24, 1987). "BUS SYSTEM GETS A NAME AND A LOGO". New York Times. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Bee-Line System map" (PDF). transportation.westchestergov.com. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-10-18. Retrieved 2012-01-01. (4.64 MB)
  5. ↑ Fares and MetroCard
  6. ↑ "MTA NYC Transit MetroCard - Westchester Bee-Line buses". mta.info. April 2007. Archived from the original on May 28, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ↑ "All About MetroCard in Westchester". westchestergov.com. April 2007. Archived from the original on August 31, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  8. ↑ "MetroCard Van Schedule". westchestergov.com. April 2007. Archived from the original on September 1, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. ↑ "OMNY". transportation.westchestergov.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  10. ↑ "County Executive George Latimer Announces Free Rides on the Bee-Line Bus for the Holiday Season". Westchestergov.com. November 16, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Westchester legislators OK new Bee-Line buses". lohud.
  12. ↑ Malouff, Dan. "DASH is running the first non-WMATA articulated buses in Washington area transit". Greater Greater Washington. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  13. 1 2 3 "Community Buses Roll Into Maine". MaineDOT. January 24, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Connecticut Public Transportation Commission" (PDF). (97.9 KB)
  15. ↑ "Westchester Awarded $3M For Hybrid-Electric Buses From New York State". westchestergov.
  16. ↑ "Westchester County to expand its Electric Vehicle Fleet with $1.5M Grant from the US Department of Transportation". westchestergov.
  17. ↑ "Going Green: County Approves Nearly $4.5M Bond For Electric Buses". westchestergov.
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