Albany's bus station shows our transportation caste system

[TexasTowelie]

ALBANY — Chuck Schumer came around a few weeks ago to tout that the airport would receive $29 million in the proposed federal infrastructure package that will probably be approved by Congress, unless it somehow isn't.

Schumer, the Senate majority leader, said the money would kick start an expansion of Albany International and pay for improvements that should make it easier to get in and out of the place. The region, the Democrat added, needs a modern and well-maintained airport.

Well, of course it does. The region also needs a bus station that isn't a civic disgrace.

I'm talking, obviously, about the squalid downtown Albany bunker located among the depressingly empty acreage of the Parking Lot District, the building of concrete walls, dirty mop buckets left unattended and battered vending machines. It's the place that so perfectly illustrates our transportation caste system.

Those who ride the train to and from Rensselaer enjoy a comfortable $53 million building built in 2002. A new $23 million train station in Schenectady opened in 2018 — which "telegraphs to the world that we're prepared for the future," said Kathy Hochul, lieutenant governor at the time.

Read more: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Churchill-Albany-s-bus-station-shows-our-caste-16416697.php

[secondwind]

1. Write Schumer a letter, let him know how you feel.

[Sherman A1]

5. Precisely

That is a much more useful solution.

[left-of-center2012]

2. Is the bus station a city run operation?

The airport and Amtrak station may be federally operated.

Perhaps Albany city is responsible for the upkeep of the bus station?

[Throck]

3. Bus stations would qualify for federal funds and Infrastructure money.

If the economy is going to go green, bus stations have to be improved.

[left-of-center2012]

4. It depends how the bill was written

Federal funds don't necessarily go to City run operations unless specified in the bill.

I have heard nothing about the city run bus depot here in Albuquerque receiving any money out of this bill.

[3Hotdogs]

6. Not to worry. Bus companies are losing money. Greyhound closes more and more routes.

If there are no buses on the road, no need for a bus terminal.