MTA Board Testimony –MTA Budget, East River Tunnels, Bronx Bus Redesign & Fare Pilot Programs

Good morning, I’m Lisa Daglian, Executive Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC. What a December to remember for transit and for transit riders: announcement of the agreement that will move Penn Access forward and finally bring commuter rail to the northeast Bronx, coupled with critical repairs to the East River Tunnels that will keep Long Island Rail Road, Amtrak and, eventually, Metro-North, trains running through those Sandy-damaged portals, thanks to Senator Schumer; newly designed Bronx bus routes that take into account the needs of the borough’s riders; new discount fare pilot programs on commuter rails and on subways, buses and Staten Island rail that will save riders time and money; and the adoption of a budget that will hold fares flat, at least for now.