Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro

Staten Island, New York

B.P. Molinaro Announces Opposition to Transportation Bond Act

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Borough President James P. Molinaro today said that his most recent negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have not been satisfactory, and he is announcing his opposition to the Transportation Bond Act.

“Considering the already high tolls that Staten Islanders face, and our considerable lack of adequate public transportation infrastructure, the MTA has a responsibility to Staten Islanders to ensure that the Bond Act provides enough improved service to Staten Island to make the Act valuable to our commuters,” Molinaro said.

“The people of Staten Island have been more than patient in tolerating the abuse that the MTA has put on our community. The most recent increases by the MTA board resulted in a 25% increase for Staten Island commuters, and only a 5% increase for Metro North and LIRR commuters. When you consider that the Verrazano Bridge contributes 22% of all tolls collected by the MTA, that abuse is compounded tenfold,” Molinaro said.

“In light of the above, and coupled with many other burdens, including the $1.9 billion in interest that local taxpayers would be responsible for if the Bond Act were passed, it is absolutely in the best interest of the people of Staten Island to say no, and send the Bond Act back to the drawing board,” Molinaro said.

“Also of particular importance to me is the establishment of bus service over the Bayonne Bridge. This much-needed service would allow Island commuters to connect to the Hudson-Bergen light rail line, providing a much-needed transportation alternative to residents who have limited public transportation services to choose from,” Molinaro said. “Unfortunately, the MTA continues to allege that there is a legal barrier against using bus service over the Bayonne Bridge. After legally researching documents pertaining to the operation of the MTA, we have determined that the only meaningful restriction to bus service over the bridge is the opposition of the MTA. They do not have the will to do it. It has been admitted to me that what I am asking for in regards to the Bayonne Bridge Bus line is not unreasonable, yet it still will not be considered. Based on that statement, it is clear that there is no intention on the MTA’s part of providing Staten Islanders with the same standard of service that the other boroughs of this City receive,” Molinaro said.

“I have been patient and considerate of the MTA’s position, but I believe that our negotiations have come to a standstill. I do not think asking for the same level of service as the other boroughs is unreasonable. Staten Islanders cannot be expected to support a Bond Act which will utilize a significant amount of their tax dollars without giving them any mass transportation benefit in return,” Molinaro concluded.

October 27, 2005