MTA Increases Unfair

To the Editor:

As the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) prepares to hold public hearings on proposed fare and toll modifications that would be implemented on or about January 1, 2011, I would like to take this opportunity to express my staunch objection to any fare increases. Their plan includes an average increase of more than 8 percent in ticket and toll prices. Given the ways the MTA has already managed to tax the paychecks of New Yorkers, I find this measure to be completely unacceptable.

If the MTA’s plan is adopted, a Long Island resident commuting to Penn Station from Farmingdale, Bethpage, or Hicksville would see a monthly ticket increase in price by $22 (from $232 to $254). Those commuting from the Garden City and Mineola stations would notice a monthly ticket increase by $19 in price (from $204 to $223).

Additionally, the MTA will be considering several options regarding the pricing of bus and subway fares. The MTA says that the base fare will remain $2.25. The price of a monthly, unlimited-ride MetroCard is currently $89; the MTA will be looking at various pricing scenarios, including offering a new, limited ride monthly MetroCard at $99 or $104, as well as a more costly unlimited pass. A 7-day MetroCard (unlimited) is now $27, and it could go as high as $38. 

Regarding LIRR commuters, it should also be noted that the MTA wants to eliminate the 2 percent discount currently available on monthly “Mail&Ride” tickets and to reduce the discount on joint “Mail&Ride” and MetroCard tickets from 4 percent to 2 percent.

When I voted against the $2.2 billion MTA bailout plan and the egregious MTA Payroll Tax in May of 2009, I said repeatedly it was an unjust attempt to drive up costs for commuters while doing nothing to reform the wasteful spending of the MTA that has led us to the fare increases now being proposed.

Adding insult to injury, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli reported that MTA overtime costs soared 26 percent between 2005 and 2009. MTA overtime pay rose from $468 million to $590 million, during which 3,200 workers received overtime pay equivalent to half their yearly salary. More than 140 workers doubled their salary with overtime work. Overall MTA spending has grown at an average annual rate of 7 percent during the past five years, more than twice the rate of inflation. The MTA’s outstanding debt totals about $27.5 billion, 54 percent higher than it was five years earlier.

It’s clear that the MTA won’t be able to fix these deep-seated problems by throwing more money at them. We must reform the MTA before another dollar is taken from Long Island commuters.

I invite all community members to let their voices be heard at the public hearings addressing the MTA’s proposed fare hikes. There will be a hearing at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 16 at the Garden City Hotel (located at 45 Seventh Street in Garden City). Registration opens at 5 p.m. and closes at 9 p.m., and speakers can also register online at the MTA website, www.mta.info, or by calling (212) 878-7483.

Kemp Hannon

Senator, 6th District –

New York

Check Out The Pool

To the Editor:

I am writing this on September 6th—-the last day of the season at the Garden City Pool—my summer home. How sad. For three glorious months residents of all ages have splashed, swam or simply cooled off by dipping into one of the three discrete pools. Others find swimming lessons appealing. Some also read a book, play bridge, simply relax or meditate.

Recreation is not all the pool offers our residents. Importantly, this is a place of camaraderie— chatting  with  friends and making new ones. Each year in June there is a “reunion,” catching up on news from the past nine months. Now we have to wait 277 days to the June 2011 reopening.

Our pool complex, in my view, is one of the best aspects of life in our village. While I cannot be certain, it could be the most attractive such town facility in all of Long Island, or perhaps even the nation. It is perfect in every way. The water is always clean and refreshing. Flowers pervade the property to beautify the grounds. 

The atmosphere — especially for adults — resembles that of a country club or high class resort. It is quiet and rarely crowded. If you are a serious swimmer, the many lap lanes are ideal. Toddlers frolic in the kiddie pool and the whole family can romp in the large main pool. Some enjoy the water slide. Chairs and chaise lounges are plentiful. Families enjoy picnicking, the snack bar, miniature golf and weekly evening movies. The pool staff is friendly and efficient.  And all of this is offered at a very reasonable price, only a few minutes from our homes, with no traffic jams or sand all over our bodies.

In short, pool non-members should “check it out,” and consider joining next year. But I hope not TOO MANY of you sign up!

George M. Salem