BigNews.Biz - Feb 09,2010 - Leads other SI officials in calling for a better use of Recovery Funds to stave off cuts
Staten Island, NY - Today, Rep. Michael E. McMahon, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, led a letter to Jay Walder, Chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) urging that proposed service cuts be staved off with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the Recovery Act). Every Island elected official joined Rep. McMahon on the letter, which was also send to the MTA Board of Directors.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we cannot cut the mass transit options of the residents who have both the longest and most costly commute in the Nation. That is simply unacceptable,” said Rep. McMahon. “The Recovery Act provided the MTA will almost $100 million in federal funds that can be used for operating expenses. It is irresponsible for the MTA leadership not to use all the options at their disposal before implementing such severe reductions in service.”
According to the letter, a large percentage of Staten Islanders who commute to Manhattan use express bus services provided by the MTA. In fact, Staten Islanders make up 81% of the express bus riders citywide. The MTA’s plan to eliminate 55% of its express bus services would have a devastating impact on these commuters, increasing both their commuting time and cost.
Currently, several express bus routes are scheduled to be eliminated, with reductions in service scheduled for numerous other bus lines on the Island.
In addition to funding from the Recovery Act, Rep. McMahon supported the Jobs for Main Street Act in December which would provide the Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) with at least $1.2 billion in additional federal support, including an estimated $500 million in federal transit formula grants. The bill also included a provision sought by Rep. McMahon that would allow transit agencies like the MTA to use up to 10% of the funds received through the transit formula grant program “for the operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation” to help prevent the very type of cuts now being considered by the MTA. Rep. McMahon is currently working with the Senate to ensure that President Obama’s jobs bill includes this funding for mass transit.
The text of the letter follows:.
February 8, 2010
Mr. Jay H. Walder, Chairman and CEO
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
347 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017-3739
Dear Mr. Walder:
As the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) struggles to address its budget shortfall for
2010, we urge you to prevent draconian service cuts by using resources provided by the federal
government through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the Recovery Act) to support transit
the MTA operating budget. We articulated in our letter to your attention on January 27th that we are
vehemently opposed to the service elimination and cuts being proposed by the MTA. It is imperative that
the MTA access and implement all available federal funding at their
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