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| Resident Calls for Privatization of MTA Long Island Bus (218982) | |||
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Resident Calls for Privatization of MTA Long Island Bus |
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Posted by OrionVIIdieselbus on Sat Jan 1 16:58:26 2011 Editor's Note: Robert Germino is a former candidate of the 13th Assembly District seat and a Glen Cove resident.Privatization is a better option than continued and growing taxpayer funding of MTA. Long Island Bus. While some may advocate increased public financing, the taxpayers cannot afford to continue indefinitely subsidizing this inefficient organization. The Nassau County Comptroller reported on Nov. 17 that expenses per rider are over three times greater than revenues for MTA. Long Island Bus. In addition, labor accounts for 70% of budget expenses primarily due to "payroll and health care costs." Furthermore, the MTA.'s November Financial Plan 2011-2014 revealed that the growth of labor expenses will continue to exceed farebox revenue (i.e., the price a rider pays). The County taxpayer should no longer shoulder this expense. In the longterm, Nassau County should pursue complete privatization of L.I. Bus and divest itself of all bus service. This concept would not be foreign to the history of mass transit in America. The American Public Transit Association's report, "Conservatives and Mass Transit: Is it Time for a New Look?" stated that most transit systems in the United States were privately owned in the early half of the last century. Government-controlled fares limited mass transit's profitability and squeezed the private sector from providing this service. While complete privatization of L.I. Bus is a long-term goal, it could take time to lobby for deregulation. Many residents rely on uninterrupted bus service now and a public-private partnership is a possible intermediary step. During this period, Nassau County should create a zone of free market mass transit with the help of state and federal officials. Exemption from onerous mandates such as Section 13(c) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 is necessary. In order to give bus customers the best price and service, different operators should provide para-transit, rapid transit, and fixed-route services. Nassau County residents could enjoy quality bus service without increasing the already high tax burden. These possible solutions would not only stimulate private-sector job growth but also provide efficient consumer paid—not wasteful taxpayer paid—service. http://glencove.patch.com/articles/resident-calls-for-privatization-of-mta-long-island-bus |
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