NEW YORK: At a hearing this afternoon on a lawsuit filed on behalf of bus riders by Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams and the Transportation Workers Union of America (TWU) Local 100, State Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron issued a Temporary Restraining Order to restore recent cuts made to bus services in several boroughs. The dramatic reductions in service initiated by the MTA last week must now be reversed as the case moves forward.
This suit, which highlights the cost-cutting measures undertaken by the MTA since the last-minute “pause” of congestion pricing, is the first in a series to be filed in coordination with a coalition of transit riders, disabled commuters, and environmental advocates as part of a legal effort initiated by Comptroller Brad Lander.
“This is a moment of victory in a much larger and longer movement,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams after the hearing. “Because of this order, New Yorkers will see buses back on the streets, resuming the routes that people rely on. The cuts in this case show the real, personal consequences of the Governor and MTA’s cancellation of congestion pricing and the revenue it would have raised. They need to be transparent about that impact, and about any cuts they make. In this instance, the MTA acted without adequate notice or process, and I am grateful that while the case moves forward, we have been able to mitigate this harm. I thank the TWU and all who are leading on this case and in the overall fight to get the funding we need for our city’s public transit.”
The lawsuit, filed yesterday in conjunction with TWU Local 100 and New York City transit riders, aims to establish injunctive relief from non-emergency, long-term reduction of bus service throughout the city. Roopdai Julie Davis, an 82-year-old resident of Kensington and daily bus rider, joined the suit as representative of the many New Yorkers who will suffer as a result of these cuts, particularly amid the dangers of a heat wave.
Cuts to service began without public notice on or about Friday, July 12. The New York State Public Authorities Law requires the MTA to give 30 days notice of any non-emergency bus service reduction to the NYC Mayor and Council. The MTA failed to provide such notice and allow for a public hearing by the Council on the cuts, also required by law, seemingly in its haste to account for the revenue lost by pausing congestion pricing.
The next court date in this case will be September 24, with the Temporary Restraining Order in place and service cuts reversed in the interim.
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