Senator Fuschillo Informs Residents About Public Hearings on Mta’s Lirr Fare Hike Proposal

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today informed residents that the MTA will be holding two public hearings on Long Island to solicit input on their proposal to raise LIRR fares. Senator Fuschillo, who strongly opposes the MTA’s fare increase proposal, urged residents to join him by signing his online petition against the fare hikes, the results of which he will present to the MTA Board of Directors at the hearing.

The MTA’s proposed LIRR fare increase could cost riders as much as 9.4 percent more per ticket depending on the zone and time. Other proposed changes include raising fees for onboard transactions, significantly shortening the time span for which certain tickets remain valid, and closing ticket windows at five local stations.

Senator Fuschillo noted that Long Islanders are already paying significantly more to help the MTA. The MTA bailout plan, which Senator Fuschillo strongly opposed, saddled Long Islanders with over $341 million a year more in taxes, fees, and fare increases to support the MTA. These higher costs, all of which were strongly opposed by Senator Fuschillo, include the MTA payroll tax on every Long Island business, non-profit group, school district, and municipality.

Senator Fuschillo said “The final decision on these fare hikes will be made by the MTA Board of Directors; they need to hear from the residents who will be directly affected by their decision. I encourage residents who oppose paying higher LIRR fares to make their voices heard and tell the MTA ‘no’ to the fare hikes.” 

According to the MTA, two public hearings will be held on Long Island where residents can voice their concerns about the MTA’s proposed fare increases. The hearings will be held on:

* Thursday, September 16^th, Garden City Hotel, 45 Seventh Street, Garden City. Hearing begins at 6 pm; registration to speak opens at 5 pm and closes at 9 pm. Residents can also register in advance of the hearing online through the MTA’s website, www.mta.info, or by calling 212-878-7483.

* Monday, September 20^th, Suffolk County Legislature, 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown. Hearing begins at 6 pm; registration to speak opens at 5 pm and closes at 9 pm. Residents can also register in advance of the hearing online through the MTA’s website, www.mta.info, or by calling 212-878-7483.

Residents who are unable to attend the hearing but would like to send comments to the MTA can do so via email through the MTA’s website, www.mta.info, or by writing to Douglas Sussman, Director, MTA Community Affairs, 347 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017. According to the MTA, all public comments must be received by September 21^st.

Senator Fuschillo also reminded residents who oppose the fare hike to sign his online petition against the MTA’s fare increase proposal. Senator Fuschillo will be presenting the results of the petition to the MTA Board of Directors at their public hearing. Residents can sign the petition by clicking here.

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