Every time the Metropolitan Transit Authority (M.T.A.) pleads poverty, it puts forth a proposal to cut local bus service. This time is no exception. The announcement that this new round of cuts would affect the B37, B71 and B75 bus lines, which are the lifeline of many local residents here in Brooklyn, was met with criticism from our elected officials as well as from members of the community.
Together, they gathered at the corner of Union Street and Smith Street on Friday morning for a rally to urge the M.T.A. to rethink the suspension of these bus lines as well as drastic cuts in subway service and lay-off of personnel.
The rally was organized by Assemblywoman Joan Millman. Also present were State Senator Daniel Squadron, Councilmen Brad Lander and Steve Levin, representatives of New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz as well as Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign.
It does seem ironic that, at a time when we have become more environmentally aware, there is talk of decreasing instead of increasing public transportation in New York City.
As Assemblywoman Millman stated:
We must look at every available option to sustain mass transit, including reinstituting the commuter tax, maximizing the MTA’s real estate assets and creating a residential permit parking system. Mass transit provides intangible long-term benefits to the overall health and growth of our city. No one wants to return to the dark days of the late 1970s. The MTA must clean up its act and stop trying to balance their books on the backs of New York’s transit riders.”
State Senator Squadron added:
The agency must be able to manage and predict its finances with more accuracy and transparency. It must also be able to rely on more consistent revenue streams instead of sudden infusions of cash from Albany.
And newly-elected Councilman Brad Lander concluded:
"The MTA, the state and the city have a collective obligation to keep our transit system working for all New Yorkers."
For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking
0 comments:
Post a Comment