Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation which would increase New York City's representation on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board.

Res. No. 229

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation which would increase New York City’s representation on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board.

By Council Member Van Bramer

                     Whereas, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) manages New York City’s subway and bus system, in addition to commuter railroads and certain bridges and tunnels; and

                     Whereas, The entire subway and bus system operates within New York City and all of the MTA’s bridges and tunnels are located within New York City; and

                     Whereas, In 2016, the subway system served over 1.7 billion riders and the bus system served over 760 million riders; and

                     Whereas, By contrast, the commuter railroads, which primarily serve suburbs outside of New York City, carried just over 175 million riders in 2016; and

                     Whereas, The MTA is governed by a 17-member board; and

                     Whereas, All members of the board are appointed by the Governor of New York State; and

                     Whereas, Of the 17 board members, four are recommended by the Mayor of New York City, one is recommended by each of the county executives of Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, and Putnam counties (with the members representing the latter four counties casting one collective vote), and the remaining six are chosen by the Governor; and

                     Whereas, With so much of the MTA’s service concentrated in New York City, as a matter of fairness, the people of the City deserve increased representation on the MTA board; and                     

                     Whereas, In order to achieve this increased representation and to make the board more responsive to the needs of the residents of the City, the membership of the board should be increased to include two additional members recommended by the Mayor of the City of New York and four members recommended by the Council of the City of New York; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation which would increase New York City’s representation on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board.

JM

LS# 554

LS# 1018/Res. 206-2014

12/21/2017