Martins questions recent MTA cuts

In February, the Metropolitan Transit Authority announced that its 100,000 daily Long Island Bus riders would face the most dramatic cuts in the bus system’s nearly 40-year history throughout the spring. In an effort to save $26 million, which MTA officials say is needed to maintain existing bus service, the MTA announced last month that its Long Island Bus services would be cut by 56 percent.

Sen. Jack Martins (R-Elmont) said he recently met with John Durso, president of the Long Island Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, and Jay Walder, chairman of the MTA, to discuss the cuts, which have been too drastic, Martins said. “The annual budget for Long Island Bus services is about $125 million, and $53 million of that comes from state aid … and there is about $350,000 left over, between last year and this year. The fares generate $45 million per year,” Martins said, adding that although Long Island Bus’ revenue is down 20 percent, it has cut more than 50 percent.

“My question to the MTA is, ‘How do you cut operations by 56 percent, when you are still being funded?’” he said.

“We are dealing with people who have no other alternative when it comes to going to work, going to school, going to doctors’ appointments. This needs to be re-evaluated.”

Martins said he hasn’t received a concrete answer from the MTA about its cuts, which don’t seem to add up, but he plans to continue discussions with the MTA about its L.I. bus services.

“We are committed to ensuring there is a Long Island Bus that is not only properly funded, but provides the necessary services,” Martins said. “We will be working with the MTA to get satisfactory answers to those issues. I hope this is an opportunity to reevaluate their announcement, and continue to provide regular transit.”

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