Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) on behalf of all the riders in NYC using mass transit provided by the MTA and NYCTA is calling upon NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer and NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli to intervene and to launch an audit of the expenditures within the MTA and NYCTA.

Colton stated, “I am outraged with the fare increase proposal and I strongly oppose the MTA’s fare increase. The MTA and the City Administration is blaming turnstile jumpers on losing $215 million in revenue. Instead of looking for the cause they should enforce the fare invasion policy. It’s just disgusting to think that they want to put more hardship on the riders by raising the fare. It is obvious that something needs to be done with this Authority. The MTA must gaze inside itself and stop wasting the taxpayer’s money. While it is clear, there must be a dedicated funding source to adequately meet the needs of public transit, the monies generated must be spent in a transparent and accountable way.”

“Firstly, there needs to be reforms of transparency in the governing structure, secondly, an increased accountability in how such monies are spent and thirdly, a stop of the proposed fare increase. For far too long the taxpayers have been paying the price of the MTA’s wasteful policies. The fare increases have in the past have consistently caused a reduction in ridership. That can longer continue and MUST be corrected!” said Colton.

Assemblyman Colton’s Statement

At the press conference Colton said, “It doesn’t make any sense to provide billions of dollars to the MTA unless there is a mechanism of transparency and accountability included in any such proposal. City and state comptrollers have the authority to audit the MTA & NYCTA. The assemblyman proposes that they should be directed to oversee the spending of any new monies granted. If this is not feasible, then an entity is needed to specifically audit and hold the MTA accountable in the spending of any such monies. Riders and tax payers can no longer afford that the transportation system becomes antiquated and unsafe while the MTA continues to go forward with its lack of transparency and accountability. RIDERS DESERVE NO LESS.”