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Most Riders Incorrectly Blame The MTA In Poll

Posted by
on September 13th, 2010 at 3:10 am

Over the years I have hammered home many different points on this blog. Regular readers know that the biggest one was how our elected officials are the most responsible for the overall mess the MTA routinely finds itself in.

While the MTA has made their share of mistakes, they were only a fraction of the problem as elected officials throughout the years has made the MTA their favorite scapegoat, especially when they needed perfectly timed “C.B.P.” aka “Constituent Brownie Points”. The mostly uninformed riding public would fall right in line by eating up the same rah rah nonsense from their elected officials.

So it comes as no surprise to me that, in a recent Marist Poll conducted for the Wall Street Journal, just over 60% of city residents find the MTA to be the most responsible for fare hikes, service cuts & the like. Andrew Grossman of the Wall Street Journal has more:

Transit advocates are trying to channel public anger about the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s service cuts and fare increases into the November legislative elections. But a new poll shows that most New Yorkers don’t blame their elected officials, but the MTA itself.

Just over 60% of New York City residents think the agency is most responsible for the service cuts and fare hikes—not the Legislature, Mayor Michael Bloomberg or Gov. David Paterson, according to a Marist College poll conducted for The Wall Street Journal.

“They’re as popular as Goldman Sachs,” said Gene Russianoff, who runs the Straphangers Campaign, a subway-rider advocacy group.

The MTA cut two subway lines and dozens of bus routes in June to help fill a $800 million gap in its $12 billion 2010 budget. It raised fares last summer and will likely do so again in January 2011. The authority’s board will hold public hearings on a proposed 7.5% increase beginning Monday night.

Since taking over the top job at the authority in September 2009, MTA Chief Executive Jay Walder has tried to cut costs at an agency that traditionally has been criticized as bloated and inefficient. That effort resulted in $525 million in annual savings and praise from public officials who are usually quick to criticize the agency.

The uncertain budget picture has some advocacy groups trying to increase pressure on candidates to support new funding streams for the MTA, such as congestion pricing—a scheme, championed by Mr. Bloomberg, to charge drivers to enter crowded parts of Manhattan during the day. It has failed to gain support in the Legislature.

The MTA doesn’t “print their own money. They don’t control the state budget and they certainly don’t control the dedicated taxes that the legislature can pass to fund them,” said Noah Budnick, the deputy director of Transportation Alternatives, a group that tries to persuade people to find other ways to travel than driving. Mr. Budnick’s group is running a “Rider Rebellion” campaign that seeks to put pressure on candidates to support more funding for mass transit.

Click here for the complete report.

This report truly comes as no surprise to me. I have tried my best to educate people over the years via this blog, personal conversations, etc… that the MTA is not the sole culprit in its routine dismal state. They truthfully are an agency that operates alone in a lot of ways but at the mercy of our elected officials.

For years our elected officials have shown no desire or knowledge (if not both) as to how vital mass transit is to the region. For the last couple of decades, they have routinely sacrificed the future for a short term gain in the present. When the future becomes the present, they find themselves stuck in a situation that is dire & leads to the riding public being forced to deal with the consequences.

Do our elected officials take the time to help out their constituents? No, they rather enact measures that are counterproductive to their constituents. If it is not that, they jump on any little chance to bash the MTA to gain praise from those same constituents they routinely shortchange. Of course they are not smart enough to see they are being played & instead jump on the “Blame The MTA” bandwagon.

Well ladies & gentlemen, ask yourself why you tend to repeat history & complain when the results are always the same. Instead of scapegoating the MTA (who has enough to worry about), put your local leaders feet to the fire by demanding they come up with sustainable solutions for the much maligned transit agency. If they do not, you will use your power to vote them out onto the street.

Wait, who am I kidding? Why do something that makes so much sense when it is so much easier to do nothing but pass false blame & bitch to anyone who will listen to our drivel. How sad…..

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Dutchess Co. May Join MTA Payroll Tax Lawsuit

Posted by
on September 13th, 2010 at 2:39 am

The line of towns & counties against the MTA payroll tax may become bigger by the end of today. This is because Dutchess County lawmakers may take a vote as to whether they should join Nassau County’s lawsuit against the MTA’s Mobility aka Payroll Tax. Mid-Hudson News has more:

The Dutchess County Legislature Monday may vote on whether to explore joining a lawsuit spearheaded by Nassau County to sue the State of New York for imposing a payroll tax on all businesses in the MTA service territory.

That region includes the counties of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Westchester and Rockland to the north of New York City, the five boroughs, and the two counties of Long Island. It cost Dutchess County government $400,000 in the tax this year.

Dutchess lawmakers will consider a resolution requesting the county attorney and county executive to explore “with the intent of litigating” the option to join in Nassau County’s lawsuit.

A number of area counties and municipalities have already joined the Nassau County lawsuit seeking to have the payroll tax tossed.

“The MTA payroll tax is an oppressive burden on the governments, businesses, and families of Dutchess County,” said Dutchess Legislature Chairman Robert Rolison. “This cost, mandated by the state legislature, is part of the problem that drives so many from our county and from our region.”

Click here for the complete report.

At this rate, the safest question to ask is who’s next? It seems every county wants to come out of the woodwork to rally against the tax which quite frankly was a mistake from the get go. Will it get reversed? At this point who knows although up until a decision is rendered, this fight will continue to gather steam & head for a big explosion between all parties involved.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Service Diversions 09-11-10

Posted by
on September 11th, 2010 at 4:10 pm

Let me apologize for the late posting of the diversions & lack of entries of late. My server was going through some repairs & I had no ability to access & update the site. Anyhow….

I just updated the “Service Diversions” page with the latest diversions for this weekend, next week, & beyond in some cases. The next update will be sometime after 5:01 AM Monday when all of the weekend diversions are removed & the ones for the week move up the list.

I suggest you print out a copy of the page to carry with you or use any mobile device to access the phone-friendly version of Transit Blogger. Everyone have a wonderful weekend & as always stay safe!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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0

Service Diversions 09-07-10

Posted by
on September 7th, 2010 at 6:42 am

I have just updated the “Service Diversions” page by removing all of the work that just wrapped up at 5 AM this morning. The latest information for the upcoming week & beyond in some cases is at the forefront.

Throughout the week, I will make minor updates on the page itself (no entries about it) by removing work already completed. The next complete update will be Thursday evening or early Friday morning.

As always, I suggest you print out a copy of the diversions to have with you while riding. You may also use any phone or electronic device to access the mobile friendly version of Transit Blogger. Have a safe week & do your best to keep cool!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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LIRR Expects East End Service To Resume On Sat.

Posted by
on September 3rd, 2010 at 11:46 pm

Earlier this afternoon, I posted the early word from the MTA Long Island Rail Road in terms of what their potential service plan for service east of Ronkonkoma & Speonk would be due to Hurricane Earl. With the storm having passed through the area & not living up to any of the hype, the LIRR will resume service by tomorrow morning. Here are the complete details:

MTA Long Island Rail Road is expecting to resume service to the East End of Long Island, in the wake of Hurricane Earl, with Saturday morning trains operating to Montauk and Greenport. The LIRR will add two extra trains for East End service on Saturday.

Montauk Branch Service:

The first train to operate to Montauk leaves Penn Station at 7:40 AM Saturday morning, makes a Jamaica stop at 8:08 AM, and arrives Montauk at 10:46 AM.

In addition to the regular eastbound Montauk trains operated on Saturday, the LIRR is running two extra trains to Montauk. The first added train is the 8:40 AM train from Penn Station, which normally terminates at Patchogue; however on Saturday it is being extended to Montauk, arriving at 12:05 PM. The second extra train is the 11:16 AM train from Penn Station, departing Jamaica at 11:43, and arriving Montauk at 2:21 PM.

Regular Saturday westbound train service from Montauk is being provided with the 3:35 PM, 5:35 PM and 7:34 PM departures from Montauk.

For those customers traveling to Patchogue and Speonk, the LIRR is providing its full complement of eastbound and westbound Saturday trains.

Customers should consult the attached timetable of eastbound Saturday service on the Montauk Branch to plan their travel.

Greenport Service:

The LIRR’s service east of Ronkonkoma to Greenport has also been restored.

The regular Saturday eastbound service is being provided with:

• the 9:16 AM departure from Penn Station, departing Jamaica at 9:38 AM, Ronkonkoma at 10:40 AM and arriving Greenport at 12:05 PM;

• the 2:16 PM departure from Penn Station, departing Jamaica at 2:38 PM, Ronkonkoma at 3:40 PM and arriving Greenport at 5:05 PM.

The regular Saturday westbound service from Greenport is restored with:

• the 1:13 PM departure from Greenport, arriving Ronkonkoma at 2:37 PM, Jamaica at 3:39 PM and Penn Station at 4:01 PM;

• the 6:13 PM departure from Greenport, arriving Ronkonkoma at 7:37 PM, Jamaica at 8:39 PM and Penn Station at 9:01 PM

Restoration after the storm

In restoring the LIRR’s East End service, the LIRR quickly assessed storm-related damage and crews are working through the overnight, in the wake of the storm, to reactivate the 79 grade crossings on the East End. These grade crossings were deactivated in advance of the storm in an effort to avoid damage to crossings gates that can be sustained during high winds – allowing for a quicker recovery.

The LIRR had suspended service to the East End Friday for safety in advance of forecasts that called for 40 mph sustained winds.

For up-to-date travel service information, customers can also contact the LIRR’s Travel Information Center in Suffolk County at 631-231-LIRR, in Nassau County at 516-822-LIRR or in New York City at 718-217-LIRR. The Travel Information Center’s TDD telephone number for the hearing impaired is 718-558-3022.

Customers can also text schedule request to CooCoo (266266).

Click here for the timetable for Saturday’s east bound service to Montauk starting at 8 AM.

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