By ANTHONY BOTTAN
Facing a deficit of $1.2 billion, the MTA would increase fares for the Long Island Rail Road by 26 percent, reduce service and eliminate 31 jobs if New York state does not put together a financial bailout the agency is requesting.
Larry Reichenberg, an East Rockaway resident who commutes from Hewlett to Manhattan on the LIRR, said he doesn't understand why the MTA needs a bailout. "The 'doomsday' rate hike is a fraud," Reichenberg said. "When gas prices were over $4 a gallon and ridership was up, the MTA had to make more money." Paul Villaci, a Lynbrook resident who commutes to Hauppauge every day, will also see an increase in his weekly fare. "The 'doomsday' fare hike will increase the LIRR portion of my commute by $30 a week," Villaci said, and then added some sarcasm. "This just puts me more at the mercy of Long Island's great transportation system."
Sometimes, Villaci, said he has to travel farther east, and because of the dearth of trains going in that direction, he is forced to use the Suffolk County bus system, which, if the MTA's plan becomes a reality, will also see fare hikes of $1.50 for one-way trips - from $2 to $3.50. He will pay an extra $120 or so per month to commute to work, he noted, for less service.
"Because I travel east instead of west to get to work, I have to put up with more obstacles," Villaci said. "We only have the 5:29 a.m. and the 7:14 a.m. to Babylon, where, in the same time frame, there are five trains to Jamaica and Penn Station.
"The MTA can find the money they need if they only look. I see a lot of waste. I suggest that before the MTA board makes any decision, they should take a ride on the LIRR for a week or two before passing ... the cost on to the hard-working Dashing Dans and Janes that ride the LIRR."
If the hikes are enacted, the cost of a monthly ticket from Lynbrook and East Rockaway to Penn Station would increase from $211 to $267. A daily peak ticket would increase from $9.75 to $12.25, and commuters taking the subway would have to pay even more. A 30-day subway pass would jump by $22, and a single ride would go up by 50 cents.
In addition to fare hikes, the MTA plans to make cuts throughout its operations. According to MTA officials, it would delay or cancel maintenance of the restrooms and interiors of some of its cars, reduce funding for graffiti removal and station maintenance, and cut travel information office staffing.
The new fares for buses and subways are scheduled to go into effect on May 31, and the Metro North and LIRR fare increases would begin the following days. Tolls on MTA bridges and tunnels would also rise by mid-July.
Assemblyman Bob Barra (X-XXXX) said he doesn't think commuters should shoulder the financial burden for the MTA's mistakes. "Taxpayers cannot afford to compensate the MTA for their years of fiscal mismanagement," Barra said. "We need to work together to develop a plan that will improve New York City's mass transit system, make the MTA more accountable and transparent to the public while not imposing massive fare or tax increases on the already overwhelmed businesses and families here on Long Island."
Gov. David Paterson and legislative leaders recently agreed on a proposed $131.8 billion state budget, but it included no provisions to help reduce or eliminate the MTA's planned increases.
Alex Costello contributed to this story.
Comments about it? ABottan@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 246.
