MTA may cut LI Bus funding

Long Islanders, get some boots that are made for walking.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is considering pulling all funding from Long Island Bus, a move that could wipe out Nassau County’s public bus system. The news comes as the agency reviews money-saving proposals for next year’s budget.

“As we prepare to release our preliminary financial plan ... we’re working closely with Nassau County to find a sustainable funding solution for Long Island Bus,” said MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan in a statement last week. “The county, which owns the buses and depots, is responsible for providing funding to cover the LI Bus operating deficit. The MTA has assumed more and more of this responsibility over the past decade, but we can no longer afford to assume the county’s responsibility.”

The MTA contributes some $40 million to LI Bus’ $133 million budget, while the county, which owns the 47-line system, pays $9.1 million and the state pays $44 million. Fare-paying customers make up the difference. But the MTA, facing an $800 million deficit, wants to stop subsidizing LI Bus altogether and have the county pick up the tab.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano has a plan of his own. In a statement also released last week, he announced the formation of a committee to explore privatizing the public bus service.

“It’s just outrageous that the MTA would consider eliminating this funding and stranding about 100,000 riders without any way to get to work, college or to see a doctor,” Mangano said. “The taxpayers of Nassau County can no longer be shaken down by the MTA, whose only concern is funding their bloated bureaucracy. I am offended by the MTA’s threats and pure arrogance, and for that reason we will begin to explore the privatization of LI Bus as several cities and states have begun to do.”