Legislation Introduced to End “Free Rides” for the Mass Transit Authority Board

May 29, 2008

(Albany, N.Y.) – State Senator Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) joined by State Senator Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) today announced support of a letter sent to the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo requiring the board to turn in all E-ZPass and MetroCard tags issued to current and former board members.

Watch video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnq-b0_ITF4

On Wednesday, May 28, the Authority said it will go to court to defend the practice and challenge Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who said that the issuance of MetroCards and E-ZPass tags to former board members is a violation of the law, which states board members must serve without compensation.

“I feel confident that the efforts of the Attorney General will be successful. Along with my colleagues in the Senate, I recognize that this inappropriate and ill-considered practice must stop immediately,” said Senator Eric Adams. “It’s outrageous that at a time when soaring fuel prices make it extremely difficult for most New Yorkers to afford to fill up their vehicles with gas, the MTA board finds it suitable to authorize the use of free rides at the direct expense of the consumers.”

Senator Adams and Senator Lanza will jointly introduce legislation prohibiting the MTA from distributing free E-ZPasses to its board members as well as any other non-compensated board member. The bill will also prevent the MTA from giving board members free trips on mass transit systems.

Senator Lanza said: “The free, taxpayer-funded E-ZPass tags being given to both past and present MTA board members for life, is completely unwarranted. The hardworking taxpayers of New York should not be footing the bill for these free rides especially in these difficult economic times.”

The MTA has announced plans to increase fares citing a need for additional revenues. Senator Adams said that “it is unacceptable to force taxpayers to foot the bill for top-paid executives, making more in salary, to travel the city’s highways, buses, and trains. What’s worse is they have not given one but several to some board members.”

Currently, 21 board members hold 33 E-ZPass tags, and MTA records show 37 former board members with 62 passes, or a total of 95, according to published reports.

“A bipartisan bill is critical to preserve the integrity of the Authority,” Adams said. “We can no longer allow for business as usual when the MTA is trying to justify fare hikes that will affect the lives of millions of New Yorkers. The MTA must cease and desist in this practice of perks and lack of transparency.”