Support our Sponsors
BREAST CARE & SURGERY at St. John's Riverside Hospital
Letters-to-the-Editor & Commentary

HAPPY 59TH BIRTHDAY TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

• Bookmarks: 179


July 5, 2023

Dear Letters Editor:
 
July, 2023 marks the 59th Anniversary of federal government support for public transportation.  The success of public transportation can be traced back to one of the late President Lyndon Johnson’s greatest accomplishments which continues benefiting many Americans today.  On July 9th, 1964 he signed the “Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964” into law.  Subsequently this has resulted in the investment over time of several hundred billion dollars into public transportation. 
 
Millions of Americans including many residing in Westchester County today on a daily basis utilize various public transportation alternatives.  They include local and express bus, paratransit or  van, ferry, jitney, light rail, subway and commuter rail services.   All of these systems use less fuel and move far more people than conventional single occupancy vehicles.  Most of these systems are funded with your tax dollars thanks to President Johnson.
 

Depending upon where you live, consider the public transportation alternative. Try riding a local or express bus, commuter van, ferry, light rail, commuter rail or subway.

In 1968, the MTA also acquired through lease the New York State commuter trackage of Penn Central’s Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines, contracting their subsidized operation to Penn Central.  In 1976, they became part of Conrail.  In 1983 the Metro-North Railroad was formed to take over all of Conrail’s NYS commuter operations. The MTA took over all service in 1983, as the Metro North Railroad. There is also Westchester Bee Line bus system.

 
Using MTA Metro or OMNY Cards provides free transfers between the subway and bus.  This has eliminated the old two fare zones making public transportation an even better bargain.  Purchasing a monthly Metro North Rail Road or MTA subway/bus pass reduces the cost per ride and provides virtually unlimited trips.
 

In many cases, employers can offer transit checks which help subsidizes a portion of the costs.  Utilize this and reap the benefits.

Support our Sponsors
  • GymCats Westchester gymnastics gym
  • Sunnyside Federal Savings - Irvington NY
  • Clocktower Players Irvington, New York

The ability to travel from home to workplace, school, shopping, entertainment, medical, library etc. is a factor when moving to a new neighborhood.  Economically successful communities are not 100% dependent on automobiles as the sole means of mobility.  Seniors, students, low and middle income people need these transportation alternatives.  Investment in public transportation today contributes to economic growth, employment and a stronger economy.  Dollar for dollar, it is one of the best investments we can make.

 
Sincerely,
Larry Penner
(Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously served as a former Director for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.  This included the development, review, approval and oversight for billions in capital projects and programs for Westchester County Bee Line Bus, Putnam Area Rapid Transit Bus, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NYC Transit bus, subway and Staten Island Railway, Long Island and Metro North Rail Roads, MTA Bus, NYCDOT Staten Island Ferry along with 30 other transit agencies in NY & NJ.).
Read or leave a comment on this story...


Support our Sponsors
  • Andrea Martone - Houlihan Lawrence Irvington Office
  • Piccola Trattoria Dobbs Ferry, NY
  • Dobbs Ferry Christian Pre-School
  • Temple Beth Abraham

An Invitation to Tarrytown Voters to Participate in an Election Year Focus Group

The Hudson Independent is planning to convene a focus group of registered Tarrytown voters who could meet at a mutually convenient date and...
Read More

Local Land Trust Honors “Open Space Heroes”

By Barrett Seaman-- On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, dozens of environmental activists from Irvington and surrounding villages gathered at the...
Read More

Crepuscular

CREPUSCULAR: Going out on a liminal By Krista Madsen– Ever since Flannery O’Connor packed so much meaning onto the toilet stall in...
Read More

The Irvington Theater Is Back In Business

By Shana Liebman-- After nearly five years, the 122-year-old Irvington Theater will reopen this fall. It’s a momentous occasion that...
Read More

Sleepy Hollow Street Fair Draws Masses

By Barrett Seaman— Midday traffic to the east was backed up to the Saw Mill River Parkway; to the south,...
Read More

Support-A-Walk to Celebrate 30th Anniversary Sunday

By Rick Pezzullo--- For the last 30 years, Support Connection has offered free and confidential emotional, social and educational support...
Read More

Local School Districts Fare Well in Nationwide Ranking

By Rick Pezzullo--- Five local school districts all earned high marks in a recent national ranking that reviewed districts in...
Read More

Tarrytown Lighthouse Open for Free Tours

By Rick Pezzullo--- For the first time since 2020, the historic Tarrytown Lighthouse in Sleepy Hollow will be open for...
Read More

TB Ward’s ‘Professional Human’ Introspective Hybrid Art/Music Show Debuts at UpStream Gallery in Hastings

By W.B. King-- Twenty years ago, while living in Brooklyn, artist and musician TB Ward and his wife, Ruth, were...
Read More

Re-Learning The Driver Safety Checklist

It should be part of every driver’s routine: adjust the side and rear-view mirrors; move the seat to allow your...
Read More

Howling Fantods

HOWLING FANTODS: A compendium of irritable unrest By Krista Madsen– Some people get a lyric stuck in their head, me, I get...
Read More
179 recommended
528 views
bookmark icon