The Mineola Intermodal Center, offering more than 700 commuter parking spaces and providing convenient connections between the MTA Long Island Rail Road and MTA Long Island Bus, has opened for service. Participating in a ribbon cutting ceremony were New York State Senator Michael Balboni, Village of Mineola Mayor Jack Martins, LIRR Acting President Raymond Kenny, LI Bus President Neil Yellin and other elected officials.

Located on the south side of the Mineola Station, the new Intermodal Center features more than 700 commuter parking spaces on three elevated levels. The Center also serves as a terminal for seven MTA Long Island Bus routes, providing quick and easy connections between the LIRR and LI Bus. In addition, customers will now be afforded a measure of protection from inclement weather when waiting for the bus or walking to and from their cars.

According to MTA Chairman Peter S. Kalikow, "There has long been a demand for this type of facility throughout the region. Ease of use and seamless, comfortable transfers between varied modes of transportation are so important to our customers, and I am proud to offer Long Islanders a state-of-the-art hub of this caliber."

New York State Senator Michael Balboni, who was instrumental in negotiating and securing the federal funding for the project said, "Sometimes, getting to work can be the worst part of the day. Well, we just made it a little easier. While making mass transit a more attractive option, we are also reducing the number of cars on the roadways, which helps our environment. At the same time, we are continuing to renovate and beautify downtown Mineola. This project will 'ease the way for the worker, every day.'"

Jack M. Martins, mayor of the Incorporated Village of Mineola, said: "The Mineola Intermodal Center is a further milestone in the revitalization of the Village's downtown business district and in the implementation of the Village's Comprehensive Master Plan. Thanks to the mutual cooperation of numerous agencies, our residents, business owners and daily visitors now have a state-of-the-art transportation center."

Acting LIRR President Raymond P. Kenny adds, "As customer convenience is of great importance to the Long Island Rail Road, the benefits of this beautiful new facility will be immeasurable. We are delighted to be able to provide our Mineola customers with new, and vastly improved, solutions in the areas of parking and transferability. It's a win-win for all involved."

Said MTA Long Island Bus President Neil S. Yellin, "With Long Island Bus ridership now surging to unprecedented levels, the new facility will provide quality transit services to thousands of bus and LIRR customers traveling daily to employment, school, shopping, and the many cultural and recreational offerings in central Nassau County. The new intermodal center will not only address today's transportation needs, but also stimulate economic growth in this area for years to come."

The Mineola Intermodal Center features two elevators that connect the Center to station platforms; a pedestrian overpass connecting the north side and the south side of the station; handicap-accessible parking spaces; and parking revenue collection machines. In addition, new sidewalks, curb cuts, and road reconstruction accompanied the construction of this 88,000 square-foot (per-level) facility;. Which will also house a regional office for the MTA Police and a new MTA Long Island Bus dispatch facility.

This $45 million project was funded through a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the MTA Long Island Rail Road's 2000-2004 Capital Program, and through the assistance of State Senator Michael Balboni.

Parking rates are as follows: short term - $5 per day, up to 20 hours. Long term - $10 per day/24 hours, with a 10-day maximum. A total of 20 on-site revenue collection machines will accept cash and credit/debit cards.