Statement of Senator Golden and Councilman Gentile on Lawsuit Against Mta Following Today’s Hearing

Brooklyn - State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) and City Councilman Vincent J. Gentile (D-WF, 43rd District) have issued the following statement following a court appearance today regarding a State Supreme Court lawsuit in which they have coordinated against the Metropolitan Transit Authority in response to the service reductions implemented on June 27, 2010 and their impact on the seniors and disabled of Southwest Brooklyn:

“Today, we continued our fight against the Metropolitan Transit Authority in Court, for the transportation rights and quality of life of our seniors and our disabled. We presented arguments against the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s service reductions this morning in State Supreme Court before Judge Kenneth Sherman and, while no final decision has been rendered, we are continuing to make the case for the people who these cuts have impacted the most.

Over the next couple of weeks, more information will be presented, and we may return to Court in November for a full hearing. We continue to stress the need for a restoration of service along specific bus routes in our community.”

Senator Golden and Councilman Vincent Gentile were joined by plaintiffs and supporters of a lawsuit at Kings County State Supreme Court. Senator Golden was represented by former Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Matthew Daus, who now heads the Transportation Law Practice Group at Windels, Marx, Lane and Mittendorf.

The lawsuit against the MTA is based on the Human Rights Laws of the State and City of New York, and in addition to claims of disability discrimination, today a new complaint for age discrimination under the City Human Rights Law was filed. The communities represented by Senator Golden and Councilman Gentile are home to one of the highest concentrations of senior citizens in the City and State of New York.