MTA Transit Hypocrites

     A few days ago, the NY Daily News uncovered more hypocrisy of the Board of Directors for NYC's corrupt Metropolitan Transportation Authority (who all report to the governor).  "Emergency repairs"--forced upon the uncaring MTA due to THREE train derailments on neglected tracks--loomed for tens of thousands of commuter train passengers and subway riders.  The paying ticket-holders (finally) demanded improvements.  The MTA actually had the insulting gall to reply with its typical overly-slow schedule of repairs: 3 years!  Even knowing that their oversight/neglect put paying riders at risk, they couldn't care to create a more efficient repair schedule.  Of course, they dare not offer a refund or discount on tickets--even though riders experienced "no service", cancelled trains, re-routes, and innumerable delays.  THAT would only be GOOD customer service... which the MTA is historically known to avoid.  

     Only because it's an election year, did the governor feel pressured to (finally) step in and push the MTA to repair things quicker.  Citizens are still waiting to see if anyone will get punished for the problems: safety inspectors who "rubber-stamped" the aging tracks (for years and years); train crews who knew what was happening but kept quiet; MTA officials who knew the tracks/tunnels hadn't been upgraded in decades yet did nothing; elected officials who knew the same but didn't care.  

     Thus, the Daily News researched the cause of such disconnect and lack of care between the people (who pay for tickets and pay taxes) and the MTA (who charges them for its service and reports to tax-paid politicians).  Why would an entity that is supposedly answerable to the public not care about the public?  Is it because most commuters are suburban slugs who are too timid or browbeaten to stand up for themselves?  Is it because NYC is burgeoning with immigrants who avoid protesting?  The broken rails affect New Jersey Transit, Amtrak, and the Long Island Railroad.  Consequently, the overflow impacts the MTA subways and ferries... and the always-jammed roads/bridges/tunnels (which are in equal disrepair).  
     The newspaper found out that very few of the MTA's Board of Directors or executives EVER use public transportation!  Neither do the mayor nor governor.  No wonder they can't relate to the woes of the straphangers during soul-crushing commutes.  I think that every board member should be required to commute via subway AND bus.
     As it's been for years, hardly any of them do.  They get free monthly MetroCards.  Two executives swiped their cards only ONCE during a two-year period!  Another only used it twice in those two years.  Nine used their cards 12-85 times in 730 days!  Five others use public transit once a week!  Commuters might use subways/buses 10 times per week.  A city-dweller might use it 20 times per week.  

     But for paying customers stuck on sweltering subways that lose power for hours, or for exasperated riders who endure ballooning delays (up 30,000 per years), the MTA owes its public better service.  It's unacceptable that MTA revenue is "diverted elsewhere" while stations, rails, train cars, booths, elevated tracks, tunnels, and locomotives are neglected and not improved upon.  The MTA operates America's biggest system.  With nearly 10 million riders, it gets plenty of money.  But--just like the Mafia who skims profits from casinos--that's probably why no politician or executive has fixed the problem.  However, unlike a casino, the public pays for its public transpiration and should know where the money is being used.