From bad to worse: MTA considers cutting ALL funding to LI Bus
Eric Alexander, Executive Director of Vision Long Island said "Brainstorming can be a useful tool. However, some ideas have unintended consequences for the health and economic well being of working Nassau County residents. This is one idea the MTA should scratch from their list."
Last year's cuts from Nassau County, NY State and the MTA, which eliminated 11 bus lines, are minuscule compared to the damage that this will do to Long Island. Most importantly, it is abusive to Long Island Bus' 104,000 daily riders who rely on the service to get to work or school. For many, this is the only transit option in a high-cost region. Cutting bus service disenfranchises those who may not have the resources to own a car. (According to Census data, LI Bus riders make, on average, $20,000 less than commuters who drive alone to work and $62,000 less a year than those that commute via the Long Island Rail Road.) The cuts are damaging to the growing Smart Growth movement across Long Island, of which one of the key tenets is limiting dependence on automobiles. With no other choice, residents will be forced to drive cars or take taxis- expensive and environmentally unsustainable options. In addition, this proposed cut is insulting to the small businesses who have shouldered the burden of the MTA payroll tax, many of which have faced layoffs and difficult business decisions. Small businesses in our downtowns and beyond rely on bus service for both customers and employees. The MTA's list affects more than just LI Bus. The LIRR and other regional transit systems may face some changes under a separate financing plan where the MTA hopes to raise overall fare revenue by 7.5% in January 2011. The MTA has suggested extending peak travel hours by one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening and to charge peak fares in both directions, affecting reverse commuters. They would reduce ticket discounts for monthly commuter passes. The MTA is also considering raising single-ride MetroCard fares to $2.50, adding a $1 surcharge to purchase new MetroCards and reducing multi-ride discounts. We encourage you to contact your elected officials and the MTA and tell them not to impose these harmful cuts.
New York State Senators, Nassau County:
New York State Assembly Members, Nassau County:
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano
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The MTA has brainstormed a series of preliminary ideas to plug its out-of-control budget deficit for 2011 and one of the proposals is to pull 100% of the MTA's financial contribution to Long Island Bus. The LI Bus annual operating budget is $133 million, of which the MTA contributes $40 million. Other contributions come from Nassau County ($9.1 million), New York State ($44 million), and fares. Cutting 30% of the budget could completely decimate LI Bus, one of the nation's largest suburban bus systems. Ryan Lynch of Tri-State Transportation Campaign told Newsday that under this plan, LI Bus "would literally be obliterated to almost nothing...It really raises the question as to whether Nassau County is even going to have a bus system anymore."
MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jay Walder
SMART GROWTH NEWS Newsletter Editor: Michelle Dutchen, Director of Communications We strive to provide continued quality publications such as this each week. If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration. If you are interested in becoming a newsletter or news blast sponsor, please call the office at 631-261-0242 for rates and opportunities.
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