THRUWAY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES STRONG RIDERSHIP NUMBERS ON FREE WEEKEND SHUTTLE BUS FOR GOVERNOR MARIO M. CUOMO BRIDGE PATH IN 2024

Hudson Link Buses Carried More Than 8,000 Riders to Popular Shared-Use Path Between Memorial Day Weekend and Late October

The Thruway Authority today announced another year of strong ridership on Hudson Link's free weekend shuttle bus that served the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge shared-use path during the 2024 season. Hudson Link carried 8,186 riders on weekends from select locations in Westchester and Rockland counties between Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, October 27, an approximate 25 percent increase from the previous year. The shuttle buses operated every 20 minutes between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays to allow pedestrians and cyclists easy access to the landings on both sides of the 3.6-mile path, one of the longest and most scenic in the nation.

Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare, Esq. said, "The shared use path continues to attract thousands of visitors from far and wide, along with Rockland and Westchester residents, who come to appreciate the majestic beauty of the lower Hudson Valley from a one-of-a-kind vantage point. The path is busiest on Saturdays and Sundays, and it's great to see pedestrians and cyclists take advantage of the free Hudson Link bus shuttle. We're proud of our partnership with the State Department of Transportation and Transdev, which operates Hudson Link, to provide this important weekend and holiday service, alleviating traffic in our landing communities and providing path visitors with a convenient alternative to driving."

More than 750,000 have visited the shared use path since it opened in June 2020. The shuttle service transports passengers to the path's landing sites on either side of the Hudson River and offers additional parking options at the Palisades Center in West Nyack and the Tarrytown train station in case the parking lot at the path landings are full. In addition to weekends, the shuttle service also operated on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

All Hudson Link buses contain features and equipment enabling riders to board, ride, and exit the vehicles easily and comfortably. Each Hudson Link bus has a bike rack that can accommodate three adult-sized bicycles and follows ADA accessibility guidelines.

At 3.6 miles, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge features one of the longest shared-use paths in the United States. Located on the northern side of the bridge's westbound span, cyclists and pedestrians encounter six scenic overlooks - each designed in partnership with the community, interpretive signage, and works of public art as they cross the Hudson River. Vending machines, restrooms, and other amenities are available at landings in Westchester and Rockland counties.

The Rockland Landing is located at 1200 Route 9W in South Nyack at Interchange 10 of the New York State Thruway. The path is accessible to local residents and cyclists via a spur that also connects to the Esposito Trail, local sidewalks and State Bicycle Route 9. The Westchester Landing is located at 333 South Broadway in Tarrytown. A side path extends south along State Route 9 (South Broadway), providing direct off-street access to historic Lyndhurst and the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, as well as connectivity to the Empire State Trail. More information about the path is also available on the bridge's website, mariomcuomobridge.ny.gov.

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