One Brooklyn
October 10, 2015
“Mass transit is the engine that keeps Brooklyn moving forward, and it has been short on fuel for far too long. Brooklynites want to know that the MTA has their back, rather than the back-and-forth rhetoric of recent weeks that has called into question who is actually putting our riders first.
“I am heartened that an agreement has been reached by City and State leadership to make historic and much-needed investments into our transit system’s capital program, helping to put our borough’s future back on track. I am particularly thankful that City Hall has fought to end the practice of raiding MTA coffers; the State must keep its commitment on diversion, with government officials and transit advocates serving as careful spending watchdogs. We must also be vigilant to ensure that the remaining gap in MTA funding is not closed by cutting routes or failing to complete repairs; riders have the right to expect high-quality service, especially as their investment in that service continues to climb.
“With the increased commitment that our City is making to the MTA, the time is right to ensure fair representation for Brooklyn, and indeed every borough, on its board. I believe all five boroughs deserve a permanent seat on the MTA Board as a way of ensuring local needs are more equitably heard and respected. I look forward to working all parties to put this capital plan into action so we can ensure a transit system riders can depend on, as well as a system where every rider feels their voice matters.”
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