"In recent years, bus and motorcoach utilization has increased dramatically in NYC. At the same time, UBER, LYFT and other vehicles, along with truck deliveries from online purchase orders, have clearly increased. During this same time, there have been increased restrictions on locations for "Bus Layover" , "Bus Parking" and/or "Hotel" loading areas ( where buses are blocked from access/egress due to increase in other vehicles) and many other sites while unable to re-position to load/unload in the original charter party and/or commuter or contract assigned locations. The challenges to many locations, primarily in the central business district of Manhattan are well documented, especially midtown. These situations have created challenges for many carriers to pick up and discharge passengers in appropriate locales. There has been a dramatic increase of summons issues to legitimate and authorized motorcoach carriers providing services to the riding public. My comment is that NYCDOT should dramatically increase the number of assigned "authorized" locations for bus operators to utilize. The existing and proposed penalty amounts seem punitive; other major cities encourage utilization of private bus carriers. NYCDOT should collaborate with local bus operators and bus industry associations to coordinate a strategy for more efficiency of bus utilization in NYC."

John Degnan, the chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey resigned today, and former state Senator Kevin O'Toole has been named as his replacement.   Also, Rick Cotton, special counsel to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, was named executive director.  Read more from NJ.com here.