Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that an agreement with Green Bus Lines has been finalized and that the MTA will take over the operation of the lines on Monday, January 9, 2006. Green Bus Lines operates 230 buses on 20 local and express lines that serves 34 million riders per year across New York City. Green is the fifth bus line that has transitioned to the MTA operation in the last year.

"I am very pleased we have finalized an agreement with Green Bus Lines," said Mayor Bloomberg. "On Monday, the MTA will operate the lines previously served by Green. We believe that we will improve service for the riding public as well as provide better value for the taxpayers by having the MTA operate this and the other franchised bus lines. I look forward to working with the Transit Alliance Companies and the MTA over the coming months on the transition to the MTA of the remaining bus lines."

There had previously been seven private bus lines providing service in New York City. The MTA is expected to commence operation on the routes formerly served by the remaining two private bus lines, Jamaica and Triboro, later this winter.