NYCOTB threatens shut down;
NYRA offers free bus rides from parlors
The New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation announced late Tuesday
that it will shut down all of its betting parlors as well as its
account-wagering operation at the close of business on Friday.
The OTB board of
directors approved the plan on Wednesday, one day after the New York State Senate
closed out a special session without passing a bailout bill that would have
allowed the bankrupt OTB to carry out a reorganization plan the company says is
necessary to continue business. Included in the plan were cuts in payments to
tracks.
It is the third time the New York City OTB has threatened closure since it
filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in December of 2009.
Beginning on Saturday, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) will offer free
bus service from select New York City OTB parlor locations in Brooklyn,
Manhattan and Queens to Aqueduct.
At the conclusion of the racing day, 15 minutes after the final post at
Aqueduct, the buses will leave from the Clubhouse entrance and drop patrons off
at the same pick-up points.
This Saturday and Sunday, all bus passengers will receive vouchers for a free
hot dog and soda or coffee, while all track patrons will receive a free Post
Parade program.
There will be five bus routes with the following schedules:
| Brooklyn Bus |
| 1520 Flatbush/Glenwood/Nostrand at 11:10 a.m. (EST) |
| 2901 Avenue U/Nostrand/29th Street at 11:15 a.m. |
| 11114 Flatlands Avenue (Pathmark Center) at 11:30 a.m. |
| Manhattan Buses |
| Bus 1 |
| 170 John Street (Yankee Clipper) at 11:00 a.m. |
| 7-8 Chatham Square at 11:15 a.m. |
| Bus 2 |
| 515 7th Avenue (37-38th Street) at 11:00 a.m. |
| 991 2nd Avenue (53rd Street) at 11:15 a.m. |
| Queens Buses |
| Bus 1 |
| 253-01 Northern Boulevard (Little Neck Parkway) at
11:00 a.m. |
| 136-55 Roosevelt Avenue at 11:15 a.m. |
| 31-35 Downing (Linden Plaza) at 11:30 a.m. |
| Bus 2 |
| 94-00 Liberty Avenue (Cross Bay) at 11:30 a.m. |