Sustainable Long Island's Statement Regarding the MTA Fare Increase

According to a recent [Regional Plan Association] report, there are about 7 million trips daily on Long Island. Of those trips, only 7% of them are made using any form of public transportation (bus or rail). Travel by personal car is the main way of getting around on Long Island.

While travel by auto is the main method of getting around for most Long Islanders, fuel prices and auto maintenance significantly add to the individual household burden and congestion and air quality continues to plague the region.

We support the use of public transportation as a means to move Long Islanders around LI and the entire NY metro region. Increasing the use of public transportation by Long Islanders will reduce traffic congestion, increase economic development by improving access to jobs, and enhance the environment by improve air quality, thereby increasing the overall quality of life for all Long Islanders.

We commend the MTA’s recent innovative efforts at public outreach. However, we think that one public meeting on Long Island and an on-line webinar is not enough. There is much more that the MTA needs to do to effectively communicate and engage stakeholders.

Sustainable Long Island would support the proposed fare increase if the MTA demonstrated that:

1. The fare increase is needed immediately

2. There was an equitable distribution of the fare increase throughout the region. Under the proposed plan, the $2 base subway fare was maintained, however the base charge for LIRR commuters was not saved, it will increase. Rail commuters will be impacted at every price point, while other commuters using mass transit will not.

Suggestion: Offer rail commuters greater options (14-day pass, a base fare) & savings to incentivize the use of public transportation

3. The additional revenue generated from LIRR and LI Bus customers will be restricted to improve public transportation on LI;

4. The fare increase is priced competitively so public transportation is faster and cheaper than personal vehicles;

Suggestion: Conduct a study to justify the fare increase vs. the use of personal vehicles

5. The fare increase will improve the level of service and coordination with other public transportation (i.e. buses);

6. The MTA will take serious measures to reduce spending