Local Politicians Hold Press Conference Before Fare Hike Hearing
Yesterday marked the first two public hearings by the MTA regarding their proposed fare hike. However before the hearing in Brooklyn began, some local politicians including the Brooklyn Borough President held a press conference. The press conference was held on the steps of the Borough Hall subway station. Here was the press release issued for the press conference:
n Monday, November 5, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joins Assemblymember Jim Brennan (D-Bklyn), Senator Tom Duane (D, WFP-Manhattan), and Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer to announce new legislation to increase State and City funding of the MTA and to urge the MTA to postpone any fare hikes until there has been a chance for review of other funding options. The MTA’s first public hearing on a fare hike will be held tonight at 6 P.M. at Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Ballroom, 333 Adams Street, Brooklyn.
The new legislation, A.9424/S.6526 and A.9425/S.6510, will increase the State and City funding for the MTA NYC Transit and commuter rail by a total of $684,274,000. These additional operating funds represent a fair and equitable funding option that may make the planned MTA fare hike unnecessary. The legislators and borough presidents urge swift passage of the bills and ask the MTA to delay any action on a fare hike until the State and City have considered these funding options.
The press conference was apart of their plan to spread the word about their opposition to the proposed fare hike. Their plan of action also included helping the NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign in handing out leaflets urging people to attend the public hearings held by the MTA. As far as the press conference is concerned, here is a brief comment made by Manhattan Democratic State Senator Tom Duane: “It’s time for the state to step up and do its fair share in funding our mass transit system with the funding it needs and deserves.”
xoxo Transit Blogger
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I agree, why can’t people bike/walk/blade the rest of the time? Not conniveent enough! That’s why.Pain in the ass, but you have a point that it might switch some people over to self-propelled modes of transportation!