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PCAC Statement – July 25, 2018 – MTA Board Working Groups

Statement of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA
to the MTA Board on MTA Board Working Groups’ Recommendations, MTA Headquaters, 2 Broadway, 20th Fl., New York, NY

July 25, 2018

Good morning, I’m Ellyn Shannon, PCAC Associate director, and I’m here to speak about the progress reports we heard last month from 2 of the MTA Board’s working groups. The update provided by Commissioner Moerdler highlights simplifying, streamlining, and expediting the procurement process – a key component of the Fast Forward plan. We are happy to hear, the group has set a significant goal, shortening the procurement timeline process from 278 days to 113, a nearly 60% reduction to the current timeline. Or the difference of a procurement taking 9 months vs 3.5 months. This would be game changing for the MTA’s ability to attract competitive bids.

Even more so when combined with the healthy recommendations from Commissioner Rechler’s group, which focused on the need to demonstrate that the MTA spends it Capital investment money wisely. They looked at driving costs down and also, increasing project bids. Problems that drive bidders away also drive costs up, such as, requiring contractors to assume all risks on a capital projects which leads to worst case scenario bidding folded into the price. We encourage, anyone interested in improving the MTA’s project costs, and timelines to watch these two presentations from the June MTA Board Meeting.

We applaud, Chairman Lhota for leveraging the deep skills that this volunteer MTA Board possess. We at the PCAC believe it is now time to create a public dashboard, using performance benchmarks to show MTA stakeholders, where the MTA is now, and let everyone watch as the MTA follows through on the recommendations being put forward from these working groups. Particularly important in light of the needs for the next Capital Program.

We look forward to today’s reports from Commissioner Vanterpool on Access A Ride, and Commissioner Greenberg on Transit Accessibility. We New Yorkers have an MTA Board to be proud of. Thank you.

Download here: 072518 PCAC MTA Board Working Groups