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	<title>Brian Fritsch &#8211; PCAC</title>
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	<description>Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA</description>
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		<title>OMNY &#038; MTA Customer Service</title>
		<link>https://pcac.org/omny-mta-customer-service/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Fritsch]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2026 20:12:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Testimony]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://pcac.org/?p=12190</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Finance Committee Testimony Good afternoon, I’m Brian Fritsch, Associate Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC.&#160;&#160;&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/omny-mta-customer-service/">OMNY &#038; MTA Customer Service</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>Finance Committee Testimony</strong></p>



<p>Good afternoon, I’m Brian Fritsch, Associate Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Today you will consider two Cubic contract options totaling over $38 million dollars. The smaller contract for the retail network seems to us to be an essential service for those who prefer to buy OMNY cards with cash and riders who live far from the subway and the OMNY vending machines in stations. In fact, we wish more people knew the retail network exists and encourage the MTA to do more to promote it.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>The second and much larger contract, however, for the OMNY Customer Service Center feels more complicated to us. We hope that when you consider this five-year option, you will ask what the long-term plan is for OMNY customer service and why a separate OMNY customer service center is needed beyond the MTA’s own call center. People want one-stop customer service shopping for all their MTA questions and issues. We often hear from frustrated customers who get ping-ponged from 511 to the OMNY Center and back again, with their problems passed around like a hot potato without resolution. When will OMNY support come in-house to the MTA?   </p>



<p>Additionally, there are several OMNY improvements that riders hope to see soon, including:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<ul><li>OMNY integration to the MTA app, which was promised by the end of the year when the updated MTA app launched this past Spring&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul><li>Digital OMNY cards, with an expedient rollout to students, who have had serious issues with the durability of their paper cards &nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul><li>30-day and single-day fare caps and/or the return of the monthly unlimited&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul><li>Branding OMNY so it looks and feels more like an MTA product&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul><li>Additional information on OMNY reader screens, such as if a transfer is being honored, card balance, and progress to fare caps&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>



<p>That’s a lot of work, I know! Riders love the flexibility of the open-loop system, which lets them pay however they choose, but they still need more communication and touchpoints to build trust and confidence in the system. Thank you!&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/omny-mta-customer-service/">OMNY &#038; MTA Customer Service</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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		<title>Fair Fares is Transforming New York Transportation</title>
		<link>https://pcac.org/fair-fares-is-transforming-new-york-transportation/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Fritsch]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2026 13:38:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Testimony]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://pcac.org/?p=12185</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>HRA Hearing on the Proposed Amendments to Chapter 12 of Title 68 of the Rules of the City of New&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/fair-fares-is-transforming-new-york-transportation/">Fair Fares is Transforming New York Transportation</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>HRA Hearing on the Proposed Amendments to Chapter 12 of Title 68 of the Rules of the City of New York Regarding the Fair Fares NYC Program</strong></p>



<p>Good morning, I’m Brian Fritsch, Associate Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC. For nearly 50 years, PCAC has served as the official, independent voice of riders on the MTA system.</p>



<p>Thank you for holding today’s hearing. I want to start with a huge thank you to Speaker Menin, General Welfare Chair Hudson, and Mayor Mamdani for reaching an agreement that led to today’s proposed rule changes.</p>



<p>PCAC has long believed in the potential and promise of the Fair Fares program — it can save NYC’s neediest up to $910 per year on their transportation, encourage people to get around their city more sustainably, and open doors of economic opportunity with more access to schools, jobs, recreation, and more.  At the same time, we have been equally frustrated to see it hampered by an overly restrictive eligibility threshold and an excessively bureaucratic enrollment process, which have limited its usefulness.</p>



<p>Today, PCAC wholeheartedly supports and celebrates the Council and Mayor for taking a major step forward in making this vital program accessible to over 340,000 New Yorkers, many of whom live paycheck to paycheck, by raising the eligibility threshold to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).</p>



<p>We are equally excited to see HRA waive the renewal requirement for program participants who enrolled while receiving public assistance and continue to receive public assistance.</p>



<p>We were appalled to hear at the May 6<sup>th</sup> City Council hearing that nearly 50 percent of Fair Fares enrollees are dropped from the program each year for an extended period because HRA has made renewal so difficult. Streamlining this process to allow them to show income verification from other sources HRA already has is a sorely needed common-sense reform. Thank you for including it in this package.</p>



<p>I will note that as strongly as we approve of today’s two critical changes, we are not done. PCAC looks forward to HRA’s next rule change hearing, when we expect &nbsp;Chair Hudson’s bill, Intro. 248, to be implemented after the mayor signs it. The bill will streamline the initial enrollment process and encourage HRA to do more to build a robust list and do substantial outreach to New Yorkers who are likely eligible. Currently, only about 35% of the 1 million-plus eligible New Yorkers are enrolled in the program, so there is clear room for improvement.<br><br>To unlock the full potential of the Fair Fares program, we would still like to see the program expanded to 300% of the FPL, make it fully free for households under 150% of the FPL, introduce half-priced fares on MTA Express Buses and for CityTickets on the LIRR and Metro-North railroads within New York City, as well as Access-a-Ride for qualifying seniors, and push for fully Automatic Enrollment. We can and should do more.</p>



<p>Thank you again for holding this hearing and for the opportunity to testify today. With each step we take to improve the Fair Fares program, we are moving it from a good idea to one that will transform how New Yorkers get around their city.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/fair-fares-is-transforming-new-york-transportation/">Fair Fares is Transforming New York Transportation</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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		<title>Streamlined Fair Fares and OMNY Issues</title>
		<link>https://pcac.org/streamlined-fair-fares-and-omny-issues/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Fritsch]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:11:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Testimony]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://pcac.org/?p=12125</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>New York City Transit Committee Testimony&#160; Good morning, I’m Brian Fritsch, Associate Director for the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/streamlined-fair-fares-and-omny-issues/">Streamlined Fair Fares and OMNY Issues</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>New York City Transit Committee Testimony</strong>&nbsp;<br></p>



<p>Good morning, I’m Brian Fritsch, Associate Director for the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC.&nbsp;A huge thank you to all the NYCT workers who’ve kept the subways and buses running through the storm this weekend.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This past Thursday, PCAC was very pleased to join the New York City Council to see the passage of Councilmember Hudson’s bill to streamline enrollment for the Fair Fares Program. The Fair Fares application has been notoriously difficult and has prevented tens of thousands of eligible New Yorkers from receiving the benefits they deserve. The council’s bill, which now awaits the Mayor’s signature, has four key components:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<ol><li>Allows any HRA customer applying for cash assistance or SNAP to opt in to Fair Fares without applying separately&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ol>



<ol start="2"><li>Calls for HRA to enter data-sharing agreements with the state and other city agencies to help them identify likely New Yorkers who should qualify &nbsp;</li></ol>



<ol start="3"><li>Compels HRA to do regular and direct outreach to those individuals&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ol>



<ol start="4"><li>Requires regular reporting to the council on their progress&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ol>



<p>Coupled with the expansion of the program from 150% to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level—due to be implemented later this Fall—and the pilot for CUNY students being launched today by the Speaker, this&nbsp;investment by the city in transit&nbsp;is incredibly exciting and represents an improvement PCAC has worked for years to achieve. We thank our partners, including CSS, for their steadfast commitment to these goals.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As Fair Fares improves, we also continue to ask the MTA to upgrade the OMNY system, both technically and in fare policy. We continue to hear regularly from riders who want the flexibility and assurance of single-day and 30-day fare caps that support changing ridership patterns around the city. Many also do not understand that they must use the same fare medium to get OMNY’s benefits, which prevents them from receiving the free transfers and free rides they should have earned. We hope the recently announced awareness campaign leads to major improvements.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Finally, we also call on NYC DOT to improve its ability to process ACE violations. Bus riders deserve a faster ride, and we know that ACE makes a difference. Thank you.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/streamlined-fair-fares-and-omny-issues/">Streamlined Fair Fares and OMNY Issues</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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		<title>NYC COUNCIL MEMO OF SUPPORT: Intro 0248-A (Hudson)</title>
		<link>https://pcac.org/nyc-council-memo-of-support-intro-0248-a-hudson/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Fritsch]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:32:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Letter]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://pcac.org/?p=12119</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A Local Law in relation to streamlined enrollment of eligible individuals of the Fair Fares Program STATEMENT OF SUPPORT for&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/nyc-council-memo-of-support-intro-0248-a-hudson/">NYC COUNCIL MEMO OF SUPPORT: Intro 0248-A (Hudson)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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<p><em>A Local Law in relation to streamlined enrollment of eligible individuals of the Fair Fares Program</em></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" width="883" height="141" src="https://pcac.org/app/uploads/2026/09/image-3-1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-12120" srcset="https://pcac.org/app/uploads/2026/09/image-3-1.png 883w, https://pcac.org/app/uploads/2026/09/image-3-1-300x48.png 300w, https://pcac.org/app/uploads/2026/09/image-3-1-768x123.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 883px) 100vw, 883px" /></figure>



<p><strong>STATEMENT OF SUPPORT for <a href="https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7862039&amp;GUID=94F9F018-AA6F-493C-9710-FEB9CD4CA947&amp;Options=&amp;Search=">INTRO 0248-A</a>:</strong></p>



<p>Since its launch in 2019, the Fair Fares Program has allowed hundreds of thousands of eligible New York City residents to move more freely and affordably around their city with the benefit of half-priced transit cards for the MTA’s extensive subway and bus system. Currently, approximately 370,000 New Yorkers participate in the program, representing close to 35% of those who are eligible.</p>



<p>Over the past year, New York City riders have asked their elected officials to prioritize more affordable transit and demanded equitable access to jobs, education, and much more. In response, in this year’s city budget, Speaker Menin, General Welfare Chair Hudson, and the City Council worked with the Mamdani Administration to secure the largest expansion of the Fair Fares program to date, raising the eligibility threshold to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, up from 150%. This was a particularly difficult hurdle to clear in any year, but one that was made significantly more challenging by the budget shortcomings left by the previous Mayoral Administration. Once implemented, the budget agreement will unlock the incredible opportunities the MTA system can provide for approximately 340,000 additional residents, saving them up to $910 per year on their transit expenses.</p>



<p>Yet, significant improvements must still be made to the program to reach all eligible New Yorkers and keep them enrolled over the long term with the benefits they are entitled to and which they deserve.</p>



<p>The City Council’s excellent oversight hearing on May 6<sup>th</sup>, 2026, highlighted that the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) needs to significantly reform its enrollment and renewal processes if there is any serious effort to increase participation . During testimony, HRA indicated that over 200,000 New Yorkers were receiving other HRA benefits but were not enrolled in Fair Fares, depriving them of up to $910 in annual transit savings.&nbsp; Additionally, HRA testified that nearly 50 percent of Fair Fares enrollees lose their benefits annually. We believe this is because HRA’s renewal process is nearly as complicated and onerous as the initial enrollment process.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This is why Councilmember Hudson’s bill, <a href="https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7862039&amp;GUID=94F9F018-AA6F-493C-9710-FEB9CD4CA947&amp;Options=&amp;Search=">Intro 0248-A</a>, which seeks to simplify and improve the Fair Fares enrollment process, is essential to the program&#8217;s success. For many years, low-income New Yorkers entitled to Fair Fares benefits have been stymied by the exceptionally long, complicated, and cumbersome enrollment process. <a href="https://www.urban.org/research/publication/philadelphias-zero-fare-transit-pilot-program">Cities like Philadelphia</a> have seen success and higher enrollment rates in their low-income fare discount programs without administrative barriers to joining, and it’s time for New Yorkers to benefit from the same opportunities. <strong>We strongly support this legislation and all efforts to make the Fair Fares enrollment process simpler and easier to navigate for nearly one million eligible New Yorkers who are not yet enrolled.</strong></p>



<p>Thank you for considering signing on as a co-sponsor of this critical legislation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like to discuss this legislation in more detail or if you have any questions or concerns.<br><br>Signed: Riders Alliance, Community Service Society of New York &amp; Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC)</p>



<p><strong>CONTACT:</strong></p>



<p>Brian Fritsch, Associate Director<br>Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC)<br><a href="mailto:brian.fritsch@mtahq.org">brian.fritsch@mtahq.org</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/nyc-council-memo-of-support-intro-0248-a-hudson/">NYC COUNCIL MEMO OF SUPPORT: Intro 0248-A (Hudson)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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		<title>Accessibility and Affordability: Two Crucial Tracks</title>
		<link>https://pcac.org/accessibility-and-affordability-two-crucial-tracks/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Fritsch]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 18:45:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Testimony]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://pcac.org/?p=12061</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Joint LIRR Metro-North&#160;Committee Testimony Good morning,&#160;I’m&#160;Brian Fritsch, Associate Director for the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC.&#160;&#160;&#160; Earlier&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/accessibility-and-affordability-two-crucial-tracks/">Accessibility and Affordability: Two Crucial Tracks</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>Joint LIRR Metro-North&nbsp;Committee Testimony</strong></p>



<p>Good morning,&nbsp;I’m&nbsp;Brian Fritsch, Associate Director for the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Earlier this July, as we&nbsp;celebrate&nbsp;disability pride month, I was happy to join the LIRR team and Rochdale Village residents to celebrate the now-fully accessible Locust Manor LIRR station. Rochdale is a naturally occurring retirement community, and it was great to hear from residents and elected leaders about what a difference the station upgrades would make in their day-to-day lives.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>It was another stop on the track to two fully accessible railroads, with the number of inaccessible stations down to single digits. We look forward to seeing plans to finish the job for the remaining stations soon, including at Mets-Willets Point, which&nbsp;I’m&nbsp;required to mention by name if I want to keep working at PCAC.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>As the railroads look back on the first half of 2026, we’re pleased to see ridership numbers, particularly commutation, up significantly over last year, including the LIRR&#8217;s record June. Congratulations! This good news comes despite blizzards, strikes, and other hurdles the railroads had to overcome.  </p>



<p>Yet we continue to hear from riders who hope for a bit more flexibility in ticketing procedures, so they might be able to buy slightly ahead of time, or those still mourning the loss of the 10-trip discount who feel the current offer of an eleventh free trip within only two weeks is far too tight a window to be useful.&nbsp;We’re&nbsp;curious if riders shared some of the same concerns in the most recent Customer Counts survey.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>We know we are still months away from the next round of fare increases and policy changes, but we want to be sure we have two railroads that are both accessible and affordable to all. Thank you.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/accessibility-and-affordability-two-crucial-tracks/">Accessibility and Affordability: Two Crucial Tracks</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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		<title>Fair Fares Expansion Applauded by MTA Riders</title>
		<link>https://pcac.org/fair-fares-expansion-applauded-by-mta-riders/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Fritsch]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:37:16 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Statement]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://pcac.org/?p=12048</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The following statement can be attributed to Lisa Daglian, Executive Director, Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC):&#160; “Fair&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/fair-fares-expansion-applauded-by-mta-riders/">Fair Fares Expansion Applauded by MTA Riders</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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<p><em>The following statement can be attributed to Lisa Daglian, Executive Director, Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC):&nbsp;</em></p>



<p>“Fair Fares is about to become more fair for more people, thanks to Council Speaker Menin and Mayor Mamdani. No one should have to choose between a meal or a fare, and today they took a crucial step to opening our city’s subways and buses to the people who need it most. &nbsp;</p>



<p>“Increasing eligibility to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level would have been a difficult hurdle to clear in any year, but was made significantly more challenging by the budget shortcomings left by the previous Mayoral Administration. The budget agreement will&nbsp;unlock the incredible opportunities the MTA system can provide to approximately 340,000 residents to save up to&nbsp;$910&nbsp;per year on their transit expenses.</p>



<p>“Over the past year, New York City riders have asked their elected officials to prioritize more affordable transit, demanding equitable access to&nbsp;jobs, education, and much more. Today’s announcement of an expansion of the Fair Fares program to 200% delivers on that promise for riders.” &nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/fair-fares-expansion-applauded-by-mta-riders/">Fair Fares Expansion Applauded by MTA Riders</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Final Push for Expanding Fair Fares</title>
		<link>https://pcac.org/the-final-push-for-expanding-fair-fares/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Fritsch]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 20:35:11 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Testimony]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://pcac.org/?p=12044</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>New York City&#160;Transit Committee Testimony&#160;Monday,&#160;June&#160;22nd, 2026&#160;&#160; Good&#160;morning,&#160;I’m&#160;Brian Fritsch,&#160;Associate Director for&#160;the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC.&#160;&#160;I want to&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/the-final-push-for-expanding-fair-fares/">The Final Push for Expanding Fair Fares</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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<p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>New York City&nbsp;Transit Committee Testimony</strong>&nbsp;<br><strong>Monday,&nbsp;June&nbsp;22</strong><strong><sup>nd</sup></strong><strong>, 2026</strong><strong><sup>&nbsp;</sup></strong>&nbsp;</p>



<p>Good&nbsp;morning,&nbsp;I’m&nbsp;Brian Fritsch,&nbsp;Associate Director for&nbsp;the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC.&nbsp;&nbsp;I want to start by thanking the entire NYCT staff for keeping the city running as&nbsp;the&nbsp;World Cup kicked off and the Knicks&nbsp;ran to the title. Amazing work,&nbsp;keep it up.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Over the next week,&nbsp;Mayor Mamdani and Speaker Menin will&nbsp;finalize&nbsp;the New York City&nbsp;Budget.&nbsp;There’s&nbsp;a lot to be excited about, including funding&nbsp;the&nbsp;bus infrastructure that will allow our buses to move faster and more&nbsp;reliably.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>The budget will also&nbsp;determine&nbsp;whether we will see an expansion of&nbsp;the Fair Fares program, to deliver on the promise of transportation affordability that&nbsp;so&nbsp;clearly resonated&nbsp;with voters last November.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Many of you&nbsp;in this room&nbsp;have advocated for&nbsp;Fair Fares&nbsp;for years,&nbsp;and&nbsp;I’m&nbsp;asking you&nbsp;to&nbsp;do so&nbsp;one more time at a critical point for the program’s future.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Fair&nbsp;Fares&nbsp;improves&nbsp;access to jobs, education, and more, but far too few people qualify:&nbsp;if you make minimum wage, you make too much.&nbsp;The city&nbsp;can change this. We are asking&nbsp;the&nbsp;mayor&nbsp;and council&nbsp;to&nbsp;unlock&nbsp;the&nbsp;full potential&nbsp;of Fair Fares&nbsp;by:&nbsp;</p>



<p>1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Expanding&nbsp;Fair Fares to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)&nbsp;</p>



<p>2.      Making it fully free at the current threshold of 150% FPL – particularly for those in shelters or facing housing insecurity </p>



<p>3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Expanding&nbsp;half-fares&nbsp;to&nbsp;Express Buses and&nbsp;CityTickets&nbsp;on the railroads&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Implementing&nbsp;Automatic Enrollment&nbsp;and&nbsp;</p>



<p>5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Expanding&nbsp;half-fares for&nbsp;qualifying&nbsp;Paratransit&nbsp;users&nbsp;aged&nbsp;65&nbsp;and older&nbsp;</p>



<p>All of these initiatives can be implemented at a cost the city can afford, as a <a href="https://www.ibo.nyc.gov/content/publications/2026-june-expanding-fair-fares" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent report</a> from the Independent Budget Office indicated. <br> <br>Please act now by asking the administration to expand Fair Fares. With your help over the next seven days, we can change Fair Fares from just a good idea into one that will transform how New Yorkers get around their city. Thank you! </p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/the-final-push-for-expanding-fair-fares/">The Final Push for Expanding Fair Fares</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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		<title>Budget Letter to Mayor Mamdani Regarding the Expansion of the Fair Fares Program</title>
		<link>https://pcac.org/budget-letter-to-mayor-mamdani-regarding-the-expansion-of-the-fair-fares-program/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Fritsch]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Letter]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://pcac.org/?p=11840</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Honorable Zohran MamdaniMayor, City of New YorkCity HallNew York, NY 10007 Dear Mayor Mamdani, At no point since the Great&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/budget-letter-to-mayor-mamdani-regarding-the-expansion-of-the-fair-fares-program/">Budget Letter to Mayor Mamdani Regarding the Expansion of the Fair Fares Program</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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<p>Honorable Zohran Mamdani<br>Mayor, City of New York<br>City Hall<br>New York, NY 10007</p>



<p>Dear Mayor Mamdani,</p>



<p>At no point since the Great Depression has affordability been so vital to so many New York City residents. Transportation is a critical component of this equation, as <a href="https://smhttp-ssl-58547.nexcesscdn.net/nycss/images/uploads/pubs/031324_UHT2023_Transit_Brief_V6.pdf">one in five New Yorkers</a> struggles to pay the fare. We write today to urge you to expand the Fair Fares program in this year’s city budget. Our expansion proposals, detailed below, will <strong>save over two million New Yorkers up to $910 per year on their transit costs</strong>, while also cutting commute times for New Yorkers in parts of the city without subway access.&nbsp;</p>



<p>First launched in 2019, Fair Fares offers half-fare subway, bus, and paratransit rides to low-income New Yorkers ages 18-64, and is a crucial lifeline of affordability for over 360,000 currently enrolled individuals. The program began in 2019 with an income limit of 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and was expanded incrementally to 120% in 2023, 145% in 2024, and 150% in 2025, following staunch advocacy from our organizations and partnership with the city and MTA. The City currently allocates just over $96 million in baseline funding to the Fair Fares program, with an additional $25 million allocated for FY2026 to address the incremental increase.</p>



<p>As we discussed in more detail in our recently released report, <a href="https://pcac.org/report/fairfares26/"><em>Universal Affordable Transit for New York</em></a><em>, </em>no other city program has the power to improve transportation equity – and lives – while simultaneously addressing our city’s affordability crisis.</p>



<p>Even if our buses and paratransit become free, millions of struggling New Yorkers will still need to use the subway. This year, over 65% of taps from Fair Fares users were on the subway. Fair Fares also helps riders avoid fare evasion by ensuring fewer riders are unable to pay, and comes as the MTA is about to begin testing new fare gates that will make it much harder to avoid paying. For these reasons, we believe it’s time to unlock the full potential of the Fair Fares program with the five program changes:</p>



<p>1.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Expand Fair Fares to 300% </strong>of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) (individual- $46,950, four-person household- $96,450). This would allow an estimated 2.1 million New Yorkers to participate in the program at 300% of the FPL.<br><strong>Additional Cost beyond the FY26 baseline: ~$125 &#8211; $155 million</strong></p>



<p>2.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Fully free for households under 150%</strong> of the FPL (individual- $23,475, four-person household- $48,225). This would allow for an estimated 1.3 million New Yorkers to have unlimited access to subway, bus, and paratransit service.&nbsp;  <strong>Additional Cost beyond the FY26 baseline: ~$150 &#8211; $175 million</strong></p>



<p>3.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Expand Fair Fares with half-priced fares on MTA Express Buses and CityTickets</strong> on the LIRR and Metro-North railroads within New York City, drastically reducing commute times for tens of thousands of New Yorkers in subway deserts.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>4.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Automatic Enrollment</strong> of qualified households to improve the current enrollment rate. Currently, only around a third of eligible households are enrolled, a dismal amount. According to<a href="https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/automatic-enrollment-discounted-transit-fare-programs-can-support-higher-participation"> independent research</a>, automatic enrollment could boost program uptake by an additional 33%.</p>



<p>5.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Close program loopholes</strong>, such as on Access-a-Ride for qualifying seniors, who currently pay half fare as program participants until age 64 and then pay full fare at age 65.</p>



<p>Recent research <a href="https://rpa.org/work/reports/reduced-fares">found that</a> Fair Fares’ current eligibility threshold is lower than that of most similar programs across the United States, despite our highest-in-the-nation transit ridership and infamous cost of living. <strong>Yet City Hall can make affordability a reality in this year’s budget by transforming Fair Fares.</strong></p>



<p>Thank you so much for your careful consideration and attention to the needs of New Yorkers. We are available to meet with you at your convenience. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>



<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Respectfully signed,</p>



<p>David Jones, President &amp; CEO, <strong>Community Service Society</strong></p>



<p>Betsy Plum, Executive Director, <strong>Riders Alliance</strong></p>



<p>Lisa Daglian, Executive Director, <strong>Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC)</strong></p>



<p>John Samuelsen, International President, <strong>Transport Workers Union (TWU)</strong></p>



<p>Manny Pastreich, President, <strong>Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ</strong></p>



<p>Tori Newman-Campbell, Legislative Coordinator,<strong> Service Employees International Union, Local 1199</strong></p>



<p>Stuart Appelbaum, President,<strong> Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU)</strong></p>



<p>Kate Slevin, Executive Vice President, <strong>Regional Plan Association&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director, <strong>Open Plans</strong></p>



<p>Jeremy Saunders &amp; Alyssa Aguilera, Co-Executive Directors, <strong>VOCAL-NY&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>Jean Ryan, President, <strong>Disabled In Action of Metropolitan NY</strong>&nbsp;</p>



<p>Alia Soomro, Deputy Director for NYC Policy,<strong> New York League of Conservation Voters</strong></p>



<p>Michelle Jackson, Executive Director, <strong>Human Services Council of New York</strong></p>



<p>Eric McClure, Executive Director, <strong>StreetsPAC</strong></p>



<p>Lonnie J. Portis, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, <strong>WE ACT for Environmental Justice</strong></p>



<p>Olivia Leirer, Executive Director, <strong>New York Communities for Change</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>Wayne Ho, President &amp; CEO of the <strong>Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC)</strong></p>



<p>Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, Co-Executive Director, <strong>Alliance for Quality Education&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>Elizabeth Adams, Deputy Director for Public Affairs, <strong>Transportation Alternatives</strong></p>



<p>Kalilah Moon, Executive Director,<strong> Drive Change&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>Daisy Chung, Campaigns Director, <strong>ALIGN: The Alliance for a Greater New York</strong></p>



<p>Rebecca Bailin, Executive Director, <strong>New Yorkers United for Childcare</strong></p>



<p>Monifa Bandele, NY Coordinating Committee, <strong>Malcolm X Grassroots Movement</strong></p>



<p>Ben Fuller-Googins, Executive Director,<strong> Carroll Gardens Association</strong></p>



<p>Galloway, Advocacy Manager, <strong>Ali Forney Center</strong></p>



<p>Rachael Fauss, Senior Policy Advisor, <strong>Reinvent Albany</strong></p>



<p>Michael Ring, Co-Coordinator, <strong>Transportation Equity Working Group, Downstate NY ADAPT</strong></p>



<p>Jaeok Kim, interim director of the Greater Justice New York initiative, <strong>Vera Institute of Justice</strong></p>



<p>Murad Awawdeh, President &amp; CEO, <strong>New York Immigration Coalition</strong></p>



<p>Jessica Murray, Organizer, <strong>Rise and Resist Elevator Action Group</strong></p>



<p>Dr. Sharon McLennon Wier, Executive Director, <strong>Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY)</strong></p>



<p>Christopher Schuyler, Managing Attorney, Disability Justice Program, <strong>New York Lawyers for the Public Interest</strong></p>



<p>Natasha Elder, Regional Director and Straphangers Campaign Coordinator, <strong>New York Public Interest Research Group</strong></p>



<p>Jaqi Cohen, Director of Climate and Equity Policy, <strong>Tri-State Transportation Campaign</strong></p>



<p>Elmer Flores, Statewide Policy &amp; Advocacy Manager, <strong>NEW Pride Agenda</strong></p>



<p>Will Watts, Deputy Executive Director for Advocacy, <strong>Coalition for the Homeless</strong></p>



<p>Lorena Kourousias, Executive Director, <strong>Mixteca Organization, Inc.&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>Annetta Seecharran, Executive Director,<strong> Chhaya CDC</strong></p>



<p>Yoon Ji Kim, Interim Executive Director, <strong>MinKwon Center for Community Action</strong></p>



<p>Helen Strom, Benefits and Homeless Advocacy Director, <strong>Safety Net Project at the Urban Justice Center</strong></p>



<p>Cc: Honorable Julie Menin<br>Speaker, New York City Council<br>City Hall<br>New York, NY 10007</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/budget-letter-to-mayor-mamdani-regarding-the-expansion-of-the-fair-fares-program/">Budget Letter to Mayor Mamdani Regarding the Expansion of the Fair Fares Program</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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		<title>Fair Fares Has the Power to Transform New York Transportation</title>
		<link>https://pcac.org/fair-fares-has-the-power-to-transform-new-york-transportation/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Fritsch]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 18:30:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Testimony]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://pcac.org/?p=12010</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>New York City Council Joint General Welfare and Transportation Hearing on Fair Fares Good afternoon, I’m Brian Fritsch, Associate Director&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/fair-fares-has-the-power-to-transform-new-york-transportation/">Fair Fares Has the Power to Transform New York Transportation</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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<p><strong>New York City Council Joint General Welfare and Transportation Hearing on Fair Fares</strong></p>



<p>Good afternoon, I’m Brian Fritsch, Associate Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC. For nearly 50 years, PCAC has served as the official voice of riders on the MTA system. A huge thank you to Speaker Menin, General Welfare Chair Hudson, and Majority Leader and Transportation Chair Abreufor holding this hearing today and continuing to prioritize expanding this program, improving equitable access to affordable transit for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers.</p>



<p>At no point since the Great Depression has affordability been so vital to so many New York City residents. As the <a href="https://www.mta.info/article/policy-brief-how-fair-fares-nyc-riders-use-subway-and-bus-network">MTA recently noted</a>, transit plays a huge role in that complicated equation, and one of the very few ways New York City is more affordable than other parts of the country. Yet we can do so much more.</p>



<p>First launched in 2019, Fair Fares offers half-fare subway, bus, and paratransit rides to low-income New Yorkers ages 18-64, and is a crucial lifeline of affordability for over 360,000 currently enrolled individuals. The program began in 2019 with an income limit of 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and was expanded incrementally to 120% in 2023, 145% in 2024, and 150% in 2025, following staunch advocacy from our organizations and partnership with the city and MTA. The city currently allocates just over $96 million in baseline funding to the Fair Fares program.</p>



<p>The Fair Fares program can literally change people&#8217;s lives. It offers an unparalleled opportunity to expand access to opportunity, jobs, education, and more, but far too few people qualify under the currently too-low eligibility threshold: if you make minimum wage, you almost certainly make too much. Too few of the people who do qualify are enrolled, and that’s a lost opportunity: New Yorkers who could be saving up to $910 per year in transit costs are instead getting nothing at all.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As we discussed in more detail in our report from December of last year, <a href="https://pcac.org/report/fairfares26/"><em>Universal Affordable Transit for New York</em></a><em><u>,</u></em><em> </em>no other city program has the power to improve transportation equity – and lives – while simultaneously addressing our city’s affordability crisis. Even if our buses and paratransit become free, millions of struggling New Yorkers will still need to use the subway. Last year, over 65% of taps from Fair Fares users were on the subway. Fair Fares also helps riders avoid fare evasion by ensuring fewer riders are unable to pay, and comes as the MTA is about to begin testing new fare gates that will make it much harder to avoid paying.<br><br>For these reasons, we believe it’s time to unlock the full potential of the Fair Fares program with the five program changes:</p>



<p>1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Expand Fair Fares to 300% </strong>of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) (individual- $46,950, four-person household- $96,450). This would allow an estimated 2.1 million New Yorkers to participate in the program at 300% of the FPL, including minimum wage workers, for the first time.<br><strong>Additional Cost beyond the FY26 baseline: ~$125 &#8211; $155 million</strong></p>



<p>2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Fully free for households under 150%</strong> of the FPL (individual- $23,475, four-person household- $48,225). This would allow for an estimated 1.3 million New Yorkers to have unlimited access to subway, bus, and paratransit service. Deepening affordability is essential to the riders who need it most.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><strong>Additional Cost beyond the FY26 baseline: ~$150 &#8211; $175 million</strong></p>



<p>3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Expand Fair Fares with half-priced fares on MTA Express Buses and CityTickets</strong> on the LIRR and Metro-North railroads within New York City, drastically reducing commute times for tens of thousands of New Yorkers in subway deserts.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Automatic Enrollment</strong> of qualified households to improve the current enrollment rate. Currently, only around a third of eligible households are enrolled, a dismal amount. According to a <a href="https://www.cssny.org/publications/entry/fair-fares-making-transit-work-low-income-new-yorkers">new survey from the Community Service Society of New York</a>, automatic enrollment could boost program uptake by 50% to around 570,000 enrollees, immediately unlocking benefits for nearly 200,000 New Yorkers who already qualify for another Human Resources Administration (HRA)-administered program.</p>



<p>5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Close program loopholes</strong>, such as on Access-a-Ride for qualifying seniors, who currently pay half fare as program participants until age 64 and then pay full fare at age 65.</p>



<p>The Fair Fares Program is that tool, but it’s been underutilized and consistently overlooked. Currently, only an estimated 35-40% of the over 1 million eligible New Yorkers are enrolled in the program, and as a result, it is chronically underfunded.</p>



<p>HRA needs to step up and develop a plan to reduce the hurdles low-income New Yorkers face in getting enrolled. We believe now is the time to pursue automatic enrollment in this program, which could double enrollment and give New Yorkers a much more affordable way to get to jobs, education, appointments, and more.</p>



<p>Thank you again for holding this hearing, prioritizing the Fair Fares program in the council’s budget, and for the opportunity to testify today. With the Council’s help, we believe we can, in this year’s budget, turn the Fair Fares program from a good idea into one that will transform how New Yorkers get around their city.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/fair-fares-has-the-power-to-transform-new-york-transportation/">Fair Fares Has the Power to Transform New York Transportation</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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		<title>Contingency Planning will Avert Collateral Calamity- LIRR/Metro-North Joint Committee Testimony</title>
		<link>https://pcac.org/contingency-planning-will-avert-collateral-calamity-lirr-metro-north-joint-committee-testimony/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Fritsch]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:47:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Testimony]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://pcac.org/?p=12001</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Good morning, I’m Brian Fritsch, Associate Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC.  Nobody wants a strike.&#160;It would be&#160;exceptionally&#160;tough&#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/contingency-planning-will-avert-collateral-calamity-lirr-metro-north-joint-committee-testimony/">Contingency Planning will Avert Collateral Calamity- LIRR/Metro-North Joint Committee Testimony</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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<p>Good morning, I’m Brian Fritsch, Associate Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC. </p>



<p>Nobody wants a strike.&nbsp;It would be&nbsp;exceptionally&nbsp;tough on workers,&nbsp;riders,&nbsp;the MTA and LIRR,&nbsp;and&nbsp;the regional economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>At PCAC, we do not take sides on the MTA’s labor-related matters, but we will stand up for the needs of riders in any situation. And many Long Island residents, including nurses, teachers, construction workers, and more, do not have the option to work from home, even if traveling to their jobs will be arduous. We agree with you that the best thing to do is not go on strike, so you don’t have to find contingency plans for all the daily commuters, not to mention upcoming weekend warriors. But those who fail to plan, etc.  </p>



<p>If there is&nbsp;a strike next month,&nbsp;riders&nbsp;cannot be left in the lurch.&nbsp;They cannot be&nbsp;collateral damage in this calamity.&nbsp;There must&nbsp;be a&nbsp;clear and reasonable way to get people to and from key points&nbsp;in both Nassau and Suffolk&nbsp;counties into New York City and back&nbsp;home&nbsp;without&nbsp;the railroad.&nbsp;</p>



<p>We know the highways can’t carry over a quarter of a million additional people, and we do not expect the effort to be perfect, but it should at least be much more robust and comprehensive than the contingency plan presented last September, when only Bellmore, Hicksville, and Ronkonkoma were offered as shuttle bus locations into the city. Wars will be waged over parking. </p>



<p>NICE bus will be able to pick up some slack&nbsp;for&nbsp;some&nbsp;Nassau&nbsp;commuters to&nbsp;get&nbsp;to key subway points in Queens, but&nbsp;we urge&nbsp;the railroad&nbsp;to be&nbsp;prepared&nbsp;with&nbsp;more sites&nbsp;across Long Island&nbsp;with ample parking, maximizing the number of essential workers&nbsp;and riders&nbsp;who&nbsp;simply&nbsp;don’t have any other choice&nbsp;but to get to their jobs or&nbsp;the&nbsp;crucial appointments they might have.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Again, it is our sincere hope that an agreement&nbsp;is reached&nbsp;in time, but in the&nbsp;event&nbsp;it&nbsp;isn’t, we hope the&nbsp;railroad will do its utmost&nbsp;to still get people where they must&nbsp;go.&nbsp;Thank you.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org/contingency-planning-will-avert-collateral-calamity-lirr-metro-north-joint-committee-testimony/">Contingency Planning will Avert Collateral Calamity- LIRR/Metro-North Joint Committee Testimony</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pcac.org">PCAC</a>.</p>
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