MTA Chairman Jay Walder speaks to the PCAC

On Thursday, March 4, Chairman Jay Walder came to the quarterly PCAC meeting and spoke very frankly about the financial crisis of the MTA.  Walder, who came to the MTA most recently from London, previously worked for the MTA in the 1980s.  He pointed out that when he started in 1983, the MTA was a national symbol of urban decay.  He pressed the group to be proud of  the success in bringing the New York transit system back.  He admitted that things are certainly not perfect, but he vowed to “break down barriers”, such as the myriad of phone numbers across the agencies.  He admitted, too, that the organization needed to “trim the administrative belt.” 

 Still, the financial crisis is “not an excuse for standing still”.  Walder cited the new website as an example of moving forward with minimum investment.  Likewise, implementation of real time arrival information should be a priority, he noted.  Much of the technology has been initiated and efforts in this area can be continued with available in-house resources.  He said that we may have to do some things as pilots, but he plans to keep moving forward. 

PCAC Chair Ira Greenberg introduces Chairman Walder

Mr. Walder spent a fair amount of time giving his feelings about the current service cut hearings.  He emphasized that they are not a “charade”: “We are listening and the riders’ pain comes through loud and clear.” 

As to the resolution of the financial crisis, Walder was not optimistic, “I don’t know what the answer is.”  He stated, “You have heard this before.  This is 1977 [all over again]– the MTA is broke!  This time we don’t want to make the same mistakes that we did in the 1970s.”  He implored the audience to recognize where we have been and not let the system deteriorate.

Maureen Michaels, Chair of LIRRCC, questions Chairman Walder at the March 2010 PCAC meeting.

 Council chairs then made brief statements and asked questions.  Maureen Michaels, LIRRCC, pointed out that Chairman Walder had failed to mention the commuter railroads in his statements and that the Council’s issues were not about money, but about attitude.  She gave a litany of  issues with the Rail Road – the gap, customer service, ticket collection, dirty stations and right of way, etc.  Chairman Walder apologized for not specifically talking about the railroads.  He does consider them an important part of his program.  He acknowledged that the LIRR problems are long-standing and asked for patience.

MNRCC Vice-Chair David Buchwald (R) asks a question of Chairman Walder while MNRCC MTA Board member Jim Blair listens

David Buchwald, Vice-Chair of MNRCC, spoke to the severity of the West of Hudson service cuts, asked about the decision for service reduction vs. fare hikes and the possibility to reduce labor costs by outsourcing.  Mr. Walder explained that predictable fare increases should be the predictable part of a business plan.  MTA fare increases are not scheduled until 2011 and he wanted to keep to that schedule.  He has looked at salaries/pensions/benefits of compensation agreements but there seems to be no counter requirement for productively.  He noted that he has met with labor representatives and implored them to understand the financial situation — “we need to have a common understanding of the problem.”   

Andrew Albert, NYCTRC, directed his comments to security in the subways –”removal of booth agents will put the public in harms way … cameras and intercoms are often in places where there are no HEETS (high entry and exit turnstiles) or agents.”  Walder responded, “the way of selling tickets has changed.”  He noted that the system has the lowest crime rate in its history.  He observed the following:

• Every station will be staffed
• 2,500 NYPD are on patrol across the system
• Over 2,000 cleaning staff are present throughout the system
• Technology can play an important part in providing safety
• There is disappointment in the customer service intercom implementation which will have to be addressed

NYCTRC Chair Andrew Albert (R) listens to Chairman Walder's response to concerns about security in the subways

Unfortunately, there was not sufficient time to ask about the MTA capital program re-submission or the results of the Accenture study on staffing and organization.  It is clear, however, that advocates need to speak strongly and loudly to Albany legislators to put the MTA back on a sound, long-term financial footing.

NYCTRC's Sharon King Hoge, delivers testimony at the March 4th hearing in Manhattan, supported by LIRRCC council member Larry Rubinstein.

On March 4th, elected officials, union members and concerned citizens gathered at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan to participate at the MTA public hearing on proposed service cuts.  

LIRRCC member Larry Rubenstein stood in support as NYCTRC’s Sharon King Hoge delivered the Council’s testimony against the proposed cuts.  Issues raised were the restructuring of the north-south and lower east side bus services, discontinuing service of the W train and midtown bus services which would create overcrowding and longer comute times.   There was also a call for a long-term solution to the MTA’s  financial problems including congesting pricing and/or tolling East River and Harlem River bridges, increasing parking charges, a modest gasoline tax, and a one time use of federal stimulus and MTA pay-as-you-go caital funds. 

While this hearing was in process, another hearing for Metro-North riders was being held in Suffren, New York, in Rockland County.  Rockland and Orange County speakers, many representing organizations and commuters, laid out reasons why service should not be cut — creation of service gaps, lack of service compared to East of Hudson and the Payroll Mobility Tax.  Testifying for MNRCC was Randy Glucksman a regular rider of the Pascack Valley line. 

The last hearing will be held on March 8 at Riverhead, Long Island. See the hearing schedule on the MTA website.

LIRRCC member Larry Rubinstein delivers testimony at the March 1st hearing in Carle Place, LI, flanked by fellow Council members Mark Epstein(L) and Ira Greenberg.

Approximately 300 riders, elected officials and union members gathered in Carle Place, Long Island to speak, hear, cheer and boo at the MTA public hearing on proposed service cuts.  LIRRCC members Ira Greenberg, Mark Epstein and Larry Rubenstein attended the hearing and Ira and Mark stood in support as Larry delivered the testimony on how harmful the cuts will be and how little money the service cuts will raise ($7 million).  Larry asked the MTA Board members to not decide on service cuts without first meeting with the riders to discuss other options.       

The dais included MTA Board members Mark Page, Mitch Palley and Alan Capelli,  MTA Board Chairman Jay Walder, Chris Boylan - MTA Corporate Affairs and Communications,  LIRR President Helena Williams and MTA Bus President Joe Smith.

 Senator Craig Johnson’s representative spoke of three important missions of the MTA: (1) to maintain the existing infrastructure; (2) to rein in the 936 consulting contracts and make better staffing decisions;  and (3) to create a regional bus authority. 

Senator Fucillo’s representative stated the Senator was opposed to the service reductions and his belief that cutting the Merrick Shuttle was a disservice to the community.  The Merrick shuttle is the only real shuttle service to a LIRR station on Long Island.   

Many riders spoke of the hardship the many, many LI Bus cuts will cause Long Island residents.  There was also loud call for the MTA to use $90 million in federal stimulus money to replace the service cuts and a call to enact congestion pricing.  Many concerns were voiced from Malvern residents about the cuts to the LIRR West Hempstead branch. 

While this hearing was in process, another hearing for Metro-North riders was being held in White Plains, Westchester County.  MNRCC member David Buchwald testified against the proposed service reductions and urged other alternatives be considered.  Unlike the Long Island meeting, it was a light turnout as only 15 people spoke.   

More hearings will be held March 2, 3, 4 and 8.  See the hearing schedule on the MTA website. ]]> http://www.pcac.org/2010/the-hearings-begin/feed/ http://www.pcac.org/2010/mnr-hosts-robert-maclagger/ http://www.pcac.org/2010/mnr-hosts-robert-maclagger/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:59:17 +0000 bkpknboots http://www.pcac.org/?p=1912

Danny O'Connell (L) and Bob MacLagger of MNR explain the upcoming service cuts while MNRCC Chair Dave Buchwald (R) takes notes

At the February meeting of the MNRCC  Bob MacLagger, Vice President - Planning, along with Danny O’Connell, Director -Operations Planning and Analysis, and Jim McCormack, Asst. Director of Operations Planning and Analysis, made a presentation on the upcoming cuts to service due to the MTA financial crisis.  Mr. MacLagger stated that the service reductions were determined based on the least impact to the customers.

Specifically: 13 trains would be discontinued or combined and that 95% occupancy would be the passenger load norm.  These actions will result in a savings of $2.5 million, mainly from electrical costs for propulsion.  Approximately 10,000 - 12,000 riders will be impacted.

On a positive note, it was reported that the new Yankee Stadium Station has been a rousing success since its opening in May 2009, with an estimated 500,000 rides provided.  Most of this activity is due to the Yankee games but certainly enhanced by the team’s stellar post-season.  Also, it helped that the parking fees at the stadium were raised to $29 per game.

Another bright spot was the “train to the game” program — a through service from Connecticut to the Meadowlands Stadium for select Giants football games.  Riding NJ TRANSIT’s new multi-level cars over Amtrak’s  Hell Gate Bridge  through NY Penn Station to Secaucus Junction in New Jersey, the passengers then transfered to the new rail shuttle service to the Meadowlands.  The trains ran very smoothly, Mr. O’Connell said, and provided about 6,000 rides.  The cooperation between these three agencies is a ground breaking first in better regional mobility.

During the meeting it was announced that the MNRCC will hold its annual President’s Forum with Howard Permut on April 7th from 5-7 pm in the 5th Floor Board Room at MTA Headquarters.  More details will be made available in the coming weeks.

Joe Barr, NYCDOT (L) and Ted Orosz (NYCT) present SBS plans for 1st and 2nd Avenues

At the January 2010 meeting of the NYCTRC, Ted Orosz, Director- Long Range Bus Planning and Joe Barr of NYCDOT gave a presentation on the plans for Select Bus Service (SBS) along 1st and 2nd Avenues in Manhattan.  This initiative will be similar to the first SBS service now running along Fordham Road in the Bronx (Bx12).  The proposed route, 125th Street to South Ferry in Lower Manhattan,  would feature a dedicated lane, limited stops and off-board ticketing. 

The Council expressed a number of concerns, particularly about the potential conflict with construction from work on the 2nd Avenue Subway (96th Street to 67th Street)   Currently traffic moves very slowly in that area and adding SBS here would only compound the problems.  Mr. Orosz indicated that there would be no SBS stops on that section until the construction activity on the street was completed.  Other questioners asked about the conflict with the 59th Street Bridge traffic, how pedestrians would be accommodated and how deliveries would be handled.  Mr. Orosz and Mr. Barr indicated that there are on-going community hearings and that residents should attend and express their views.  Upcoming meetings are as follows: 

Community Board 3 – February 10, 2010, 6:30 pm
University Settlement, Speyer Hall   184 Eldridge Street (between
Rivington & Delancey Streets)

Community Board 8 – February 25, 2010, 6:30 pm
NY Blood Center Auditorium, 310 East 67th Street (between First &
Second Avenues)

Jay Walder, MTA Board Chair and CEO

At the March 4, 2010 quarterly meeting of the PCAC, Chairman Jay Walder will be addressing members of the LIRRCC, MNRCC and NYCTRC.  This will be the first time that Mr. Walder has visited the PCAC (his scheduled talk last December had to be cancelled).  No doubt the dire financial picture of the MTA and proposed service cuts will be foremost on everyone’s mind. 

The meeting will held in the MTA 5th Floor Boardroom at 347 Madison Ave.  from noon until 2pm.

Riders waiting for subway

The MTA has just released the proposed service cuts that are going to be necessary to balance the budget.  The detail of the cuts are found in Board and Committee Materials on the MTA website.  The schedule of public hearings on these proposed service changes has also been released.  They will be held March 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 at venues across the MTA service area.  Riders are urged to review these changes and attend the public meeting in their area to give comment.

Also on the Home Page is the announcement of the new LIRR text-based access to train schedules which will be provided to Long Island Rail Road customers through a pilot program with the Long Island-based firm CooCoo.  Now, LIRR customers who do not have a web-enabled cell phone can just send a text to get real time train schedules, service delays and other details, all for free.

Other features include a menu to easily get service status notices for subway, bus, rail and bridges and tunnels.  There is a new “Plan and Ride” source for directions using Google , but NYC Transit’s “Trip Planner” and New York State DOT’s  ”511NY” are also shown as options for trip information.  Unfortunately, Google’s information does not cover ADA trips and a quick test of its capability in Mid-town Manhattan revealed a complete disregard for the 42nd Street Shuttle;  Trip Planner, while including ADA trips, only covers NYCT subways and buses; and 511NY has been shown to provide inefficient recommendations for traveling in the Tri-state area (see PCAC’s most recent report, Going the Distance). 

Riders are urged to negotiate through the new website, try out the new features and make comments through the “tell us what you think” portal (shown at left) on the Home Page.

Atrium of the new LIRR Atlantic Terminal Pavilion

PCAC staff recently visited the new LIRR Atlantic Terminal Pavilion.  On January 5, 2010 the facelift of Brooklyn’s historic transit hub at Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues — where MTA Long Island Rail Road customers can transfer for connections with 10 subway lines — was unveiled.  

The three-story limestone, granite and glass structure features a soaring atrium that allows natural light to reach the below ground LIRR concourse and subway station. Two sweeping staircases provide direct access from the street to the concourse below. The Terminal building is linked internally to an office building and retail complex.

The renewed facility serves approximately 25,500 LIRR customers each day as well as approximately 31,650 NYC Transit subway customers. LIRR customers can transfer to the 2,3,4,5, B, D, M, N, Q & R lines as well as five bus routes.  LIRR service here has been active since the 1830s.  The earlier LIRR Brooklyn terminal building, located at approximately the location of the present structure, opened in 1907.   Work began on this most recent project in 2002 and cost $108 million.